Monday Message

"The counsel to have a year’s supply of basic food, clothing, and commodities was given fifty years ago and has been repeated many times since. Every father and mother are the family’s storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency … [and] God will sustain us through our trials." (James E. Faust)

This week finds me doing my deep cleaning. I usually get the urge to do a clean through this time of year.

I look forward to the slower winter days.

I have my winter kit in the car and we have our winter preparations tended. How are you coming on yours?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vreKNWude0&feature=em-uploademail - this is something we overlook.

I keep recipes on a ring. One set is breakfast recipes and the other is one-pot recipes. These are ones we like so it is easy to grab and make. I keep them in a basket near the stove.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FijOO3DchSQ&feature=em-uploademail - I love their idea. We use all areas in food storage like she was saying about the cheese. Don’t have your eggs in one basket. If you lose electrical you still have nonperishable.

How are you coming on your food storage notebooks? This really is an important tool to have.

I have mentioned this before but a reminder goes with using all we have available to us for storage. I get yeast in big bags. Those bags I freeze. I put one bag in my “using jar.” This jar I keep in the refrigerator. This will extend the life of the yeast.

That way you will continue to make great bread items.

Storage items can also serve to decorate like in this picture it shows wash boards and clothespins. So think about it as storage that is pretty. I store emergency candles in a basket, it is pretty and very handy.

This time of year means making gifts. Consider sewing as skill building and making gifts.

I made chicken pincushions one year as gifts. Sometimes it is making useful gifts that is rewarding.

Keep working on your storage and even consider giving storage as gifts like I said last week.

Remember to put your feet up with a hot cocoa. Always keep a mix made up.

Gus and Missy say to remember to rest often during the stressful times of Holidays!

Do the best you can.

Monday Message

"Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through the home production and storage, but others as well." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

"Our bishops storehouses are not intended to stock enough commodities to care for all the members of the Church. Storehouses are only established to care for the poor and the needy. For this reason, members of the Church have been instructed to personally store a year’s supply of food, clothing, and, where possible, fuel. By following this counsel, most members will be prepared and able to care for themselves and their family members, and be able to share with others as may be needed." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

We need to be in the position to help others. With so much happening everywhere there is a great need. We might have missed the last one but might not miss the next one. We need to help each other. Teach our kids to help too. Our eight year-old grand daughter donned a helping hands t-shirt and helped with the Florida hurricane.  

We had a tornado hit a few years back. A town to our west was hit at night and it wasn’t till daylight that they saw the extent of the damage. All the churches in our area, our church included, worked together. I remember the youth forming a long line walking shoulder to shoulder through the fields finding photos and other items of those affected.

We are to get snow Friday at the time of this writing, are you ready for it?? I put the winter car kit in the car. Do you have a car kit ready to use?

How are you coming on your storage? Remember, giving food storage is a great gift to give during holidays.

One time a lady at my church gave her kids 72-hr kits. For those who don’t know what they are, they are kits containing emergency food and items. You can grab on the run and will help your family for 72 hrs.

https://lifeasmom.com/5-frugal-gifts-to-make-frugal-friday/ - I like the crayons

https://lifeasmom.com/diy-on-a-dime-great-gifts/ - more here

https://lifeasmom.com/tgif-make-pizza-yourself/ - pizza

https://goodcheapeats.com/2013/04/last-minute-pizza-sauce/ - great idea

https://goodcheapeats.com/2013/04/jamies-spice-mix/ - great

How are you coming on your skills?  

http://www.wisebread.com/25-thoughtful-and-frugal-personalized-gift-ideas - more ideas

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gifts+from+the+kitchen&qpvt=gifts+from+the+kitchen&FORM=IGRE - great ideas

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Pinterest+Handmade+Gifts&FORM=RESTAB - handmade gifts
  
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/11892386492019049/ - ideas here 

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=homemade+toys+for+kids&qpvt=omemade+toys+for+kids&FORM=IGRE - I love the bowling games.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/toys-you-can-make-yourself?utm_term=.gg3veDPgp#.rlbNLY1K7 - cute

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/homemade-kids-toys/?lp=true - I wanna play too!

https://www.pinterest.com/rafleetwood/homemade-kids-toys/?lp=true

Make kits up with their interests in mind.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=homemade+toys+for+kids&qpvt=omemade+toys+for+kids&FORM=VDRE

https://www.pinterest.com/barbarayork/visiting-teaching-gifts/?lp=true

So now I have shown you many frugal ideas to get your brains working in the right direction, I hope this helps.

Please share your frugal ideas and what you will be doing.

Keep working on storage and skills. Do the best you can!

Monday Message

"Let us be in a position so we are able to not only feed ourselves through the home production and storage, but others as well." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

I want to tell you what my mother-in-law told me years ago. She said never ever go into debt for Christmas but to give within your means instead. Very good advice.

The ones you give to would not want to know you will be making payments all year on their gift.

If people gave me gifts I would want food storage items, totally would love it!

So parents think about food storage gifts for your kids away from home. Add family favorite recipes, how fun is that?

If you know someone struggling, make them a food care package, be sure to toss in chocolate and goodies with it.

It is not too early think on gifts for giving at Christmas time.

Make your own Angry Birds kit! Pattern HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTCodG3OOdw&feature=em-uploademail - apple roll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTCodG3OOdw&feature=em-uploademail - gift ideas

https://www.iheartnaptime.net/handmade-christmas-gifts/ - more gift ideas

http://www.the36thavenue.com/25-handmade-gifts-under-5/ - inexpensive gifts

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/gifts/ - gift ideas

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=inexpensive+homemade+christmas+gift+ideas&qpvt=inexpensive+homemade+christmas+gift+ideas&FORM=VDRE - ideas

http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/24-quick-and-cheap-diy-christmas-gifts-ideas - full of ideas
https://www.thespruce.com/homemade-gift-ideas-1251561 - gift ideas

https://www.thebalance.com/homemade-gifts-for-kids-1387907  good ideas

I am a firm believer in making craft kits with everything to open and do that go along with your child’s interest.
https://www.pinterest.com.au/explore/inexpensive-christmas-gifts/ - lots of ideas

Please don’t forget your sisters you visit teach and those who visit teach you and for home teaching families and those you home teach.

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/11/13/a-do-it-yourself-christmas-34-great-gifts-you-can-make-yourself/ - this looks great

I have given you great places to start.

I again say give food storage. I was able one year to give a case of veggies, another year an oil lamp set.

So think of those you give to and please stay in budget.

Keep working on storage and keep working on skills and start working on Christmas.

Do it with love.

Monday Message

"A cardinal principle of the gospel is to prepare for the day of scarcity. Work, industry, frugality are part of the royal order of life.” (Bishop Keith B. McMullin)

"When will all these calamities strike? We do not know the exact time, but it appears it may be in the not-too-distant future. Those who are prepared now have the continuing blessings of early obedience, and they are ready. Noah built his ark before the flood came, and he and his family survived. Those who waited to act until after the flood began were too late. Let us not be dissuaded from preparing because of a seeming prosperity today, or a so-called peace.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)

It would be wise to be continually working on our storage.

Keep trying to be frugal. Patch those holes and if they're in kids pants they have cute ways to patch.

https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/video/make-a-cute-monster-jeans-patch-for-a-kid-009661/

I remember being in line at an amish grocery. There was man wearing his coveralls. He was getting a hundred lb bag of potatoes. While I waited I noticed a patch on his overalls. I studied it and noticed the tiny stitches around the same fabric, probably coveralls saved for patches. The stitches were all tiny and even placed there with loving hands of his wife. So learn mending skills, just don’t throw out things.

https://www.thespruce.com/mend-your-clothing-and-save-money-2978474

This week I hitched a ride with hubby as he had a town errand. I stopped at the library and found a Hy-Vee cookbook that all the employees put their favorite recipes in. I have a newer copy from 1999 and the one at library was 1989.  It was free and I am excited. I loved the one I had, now I have a ten year older one that will net many more recipes. I also got my youngest grandson a beginning reading book for free as well.

The book I had is on the right the older and free find is on left.

So look for frugal opportunities.

https://www.littlehouseliving.com/preparing-for-winter.html

We have already started winterizing at our house. A reminder, soon you will need to unhook hoses and nozzles or your things will freeze and ruin all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnRVCKC-Gwo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4RPG8SP4Kw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ5c7MW8xKI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnRVCKC-Gwo&t=38s

These videos will help you know what to do with the year-end garden things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_KM5PWbzU - how to stop buying the canned soup which has gone up in price so bad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ZRYS7D4tQ&t=10s easy to can dried beans to have on hand for convenience.

It is time to sit by the fireplace and start working on gifts…

These are some of the gifts I made last year. Remember, live within your means! Homemade gifts are fun!

Missy says have fun trick or treating but be very safe!!!!

Monday Message

"Store a provision of food which will last for at least a year wherever it is legally permissible to do so. The Church has not told you what foods should be stored. This decision is left up to individual members. . .From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord’s counsel, wheat should have high priority. ‘There is more salvation and security in wheat,’ said Orson Hyde years ago, ‘than in all the political schemes of the world’ (in Journal of Discourses, 2:207). Water, of course, is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, and salt or its equivalent.” (President Ezra Taft Benson)

We are blessed by the wisdom of those who have gone before us, who show by example things that would be helpful.

When storing wheat you need to remember a wheat grinder. Get a corn and grain hand grinder if that is all you can do at first. We were given one to us. It looks like this -http://thewholetruth.org/Res_Corona.asp I bet there are used ones out there.

I love how it cracks wheat and is good in case of no power. Then as you can get an additional one. We were blessed to have been gifted one from my sister. This makes it easier as I have fibromyalgia.  This is the one I have - https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=pvhoOcqs&id=32CCCE4C72D6D2D3F41B1B630BFEE1B1A6E3CE18&thid=OIP.pvhoOcqsyP9zr5TE4-dOQgEsEs&mediaurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.topgrainmills.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2016%2f02%2fwondermill-grain-mill.jpg&exph=1000&expw=1000&q=grain+mills&simid=608006313937666273&selectedIndex=53&ajaxhist=0

And also don’t forget to store the wheat. I love love love white wheat. I get my wheat here - https://providentliving.lds.org/self-reliance/food-storage/home-storage-center-order-form?lang=eng

I have also seen wheat at Walmart that is fantastic as well. It is on the shelf with the large bags of flour.

I store my wheat in food grade plastic five gallon buckets. I go to bakery places and get the buckets for free or a small fee. I wash them well and dry well, then I air dry overnight just to be sure. I load into the bucket then I place two bay leaves on top, close the bucket and then label and date it. I then store in the basement and here is what I want you to know - DO NOT store any food storage directly on the concrete. I put a piece of wood between the floor and buckets and other storage.

http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/crazy-huge-list-of-food-storage-recipes - this is a treasure trove of food storage recipes.

Robert D. Hales passed away and I wanted to add my favorite story he told, it’s message is so important…

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-03-06-becoming-provident-providers?lang=eng&_r=1

Use your storage, rotating and using and replacing is the best way to have storage.

If children are not used to eating the things you have stored they won’t eat it!! So best to put wheat in your pancakes and breads.  That sort of thing.

Don’t do a "some day" storage do a huge pantry storage you use and replace and keep rotated.

Skills - how are you doing on them?

It is time to get out knitting and spinning and settle in.

https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/video/sewing-buttons-quickly-and-easily-009028/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=A6199&vsoid=A6199 - this a great button video.

Feels finally like fall and I am trying to learn more on making socks. Here are the two I recently finished. I am now knitting their mates and I am enjoying learning as I go.

Keep working on your storage and skills. It is not too early to be working on Christmas gifts, also be sure to plan for those soon to come snow days.

Gus and Missy say hi and to keep doing the best you can! 

Monday Message

"In words of revelation the Lord has said, "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing" (D&C 109:8).  Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparations as will assure survival should a calamity come.  We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm.  We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day." Gordon B. Hinckley.

"Brethren, I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family. None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment... I do not predict any impending disaster ... yet prudence should govern our lives ... We can begin with a one week food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. ... I fear that so many feel that a long-term supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.  Begin in a small way... gradually build toward a reasonable objective." Gordon B. Hinckley, Priesthood Session, October 2002

Count how many times you go to the store. Now every time you set foot in the store pick up one thing for storage. You will be surprised at how it grows. If all you can get is a jar of peanut butter or a package of gelatin or a box of Band-Aids, it will add to your storage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnhFAhtmEUw&feature=em-uploademail - this is such a great help, I just love these girls.

http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/2009/02/05/food-storage-blender-wheat-pancakes/ - these blender pancakes are the best thing one can do with wheat. Ok, I am a pancake person. If you have a blender and stored wheat, you can make these even if you are still waiting to get your grain mill. Your kids would love to make these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx352N2foFE&feature=em-uploademail - I like this gal too. This is doable as well.

http://peaceofpreparedness.com/CookingWithFoodStorage.html - some recipes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxUQuc6uIWE&feature=em-uploademail - this is the next knitting lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzTncNT9VYA&feature=em-subs_digest - she is the other gal who works with the above taco video. Watch this if you don’t do anything else. She is such a great presenter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7Aen1ffHpQ - she is doing the needles and yarn big to be better for you to see. You could use size ten needles with regular Walmart type yarn.

This is a double sock blank. I knit two yarns together, I then dyed it.

Because I knit the two yarns together I needed to roll each yarn into a ball. These two balls, one for each sock, will knit the socks identical.

Here you see what the finished sock looks like. I never would have guessed what the finished sock would look like. This is just one of the skills I am working on.

What skill are you working on?

This week I made one batch of peach jam plain and two batches of raspberry/peach jam pictured at the top. I froze the rest except for about fifteen that weren’t quite ripe, we are just eating those fresh.

The peaches are from our two peach trees and the raspberries I picked earlier in the year and froze. I used only two packages of the raspberries, one for each batch. The rest will be made into raspberry jam later. These were picked from a new raspberry patch that started around one side of our back deck.

I have two peaches left on the trees. I want to see if I can grow two more trees, we will see.

Having these to work up is a real blessing to us. Was it work? Yes, it was but one bite and it was all worth it.

I was able to stop at the library in a nearby town when we were there on errands and I got a couple mysteries, cooking magazines, and a knitting book - all free! I do love this service that they do, you need to check out your library and see if they provide it too.

So these were my frugal things this week along with dehydrating ten packages of mixed veggies that were on sale for $0.68 a bag and did ten packages of mushrooms that I sliced and dried. They were on sale for $0.69 a box.

What did you do this week to be frugal?