The importance of building up our own food pantry

I have been writing for years about the importance of a deep pantry (lots of those links are on the sidebar) and to answer a question I'm commonly asked... no, I am not a Mormon... just a Christian who developed an interest in the subject first through my mother and then through my own experiences.  :)

I have told you that we have gone to a few food pantries each month now since the nurse who helped me with my nutrition plan a few years ago suggested it.  I hadn't even considered food pantries but they do help subsidize our budget.  What we can't use that we are given, we take to the food pantry in our church (like white bread and white rice, sugar coated cereal, etc.).

My husband recently was asked to take part in a study about food pantries and how they can be improved.  One thing he told them in every meeting was the need to have more consideration about nutrition.

So often half (or more) of the foods they give are cheap for them to purchase but not very high quality in the nutrition department.  There are seasons when they have fresh vegetables to offer (and God bless those farmers and gardeners who give the pantries what they have extra!).

That is one of the reasons I use any "extra" money I have to deepen my own home pantry.  As with almost everything, people are far more efficient than the government.  I'd say about everything except I wouldn't be good at putting together a military and the money I'd print would send me straight to prison (with no "Get Out of Jail Free" card).  ;)

There is also the obvious problem with depending on the government in a crisis.  We've seen it over and over (think... Katrina!) that the government is a huge bureaucracy which can only move slowly and not efficiently when a crisis hits.  When we are prepared for a crisis, unemployment, etc. then our personal needs are met with items we know and trust and without waiting for someone to come knocking at the door.

I'd say the generation before mine was the first to not stock up seasonally and even then there were still a large number of people who still knew the importance of the home pantry, root cellar, etc.  It is not something we do out of fear or to hoard but I truly believe it is instinctive... a God given feeling within us which has been there since we were in the Garden... not any different than noticing the change of seasons and putting the hay in the barn for the animals.

As I've said so many times you are now rolling your eyes and sighing... stocking up on food is insurance you can eat... and with inflation rising as it is... stocking essential nonfood items will save you money in the long run.  Not to mention being organized and knowing you don't have to run to the store in the middle of a recipe because you don't have enough sugar or flour on the shelves.

Using what you have now to prepare for tomorrow is a wise investment.  When you think through and write down the food and essential items you need, it forces you to become wise about your purchases (and your nutritional needs!).  As you find good sales on essentials and buy for less, you are stretching your family's food budget and providing a little extra for which to purchase essentials which do not go on sale.

By stocking up in season, you are like generations for thousands of years that gave thought about their food and their supplies... those which were ready for winter's cold and hard times.  It's a part of our very nature... the squirrel-like part of us.  :)

While government run programs are helpful, they are not the best and if you are like us... we don't even qualify for most and I'd just as soon not depend on the government regardless.  Neither government run nor faith based food pantries can provide for your family the same way you can.  They must use limited funds to feed the most people possible and that often means cheap, high carb foods.

What if hard times never come knocking at your door?  The worst that can happen is that you have become organized about your food and essentials and purchased at good prices (when possible).  However, so many "experts" I trust see dire economic outlooks ahead.  How good it will be if you have already put thought into essentials of food and non-food items your family needs and have started stocking up a little at a time.

I can't afford a great deal but I can use "extra" money to purchase essentials.  I've written the How I Stock Up series which explains how I do it but basically I have decided those items which help me put together meals for the family, even if I cannot purchase anything "extra".  I also give thought to items we can use if we have no electricity for cooking (and this year we have had a couple long term blackouts due to weather).

It can be a great family project, getting everyone together and brainstorming what each considers important.  Just a few items I always try to keep on hand:  canned tomatoes, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, Triscuits and other crackers, canned veggies, canned salmon and other meats like tuna and chicken, brown rice, flours, sugars, other baking needs, butter in the freezer (at least a couple extra packages), etc.

When I have a few of the basics on the shelves, I buy the second "layer" that I know will be helpful.  For instance... good quality granola bars (the kind that are more than a candy bar), canned fruits, chocolate chips and nuts for baking, very good jelly and jam (we watch for no high fructose corn syrup when possible), etc.  I also try to keep at least a couple gallons of good water on the shelf but more would be even better.

Then there are extras of essentials that are also only purchased when we can but are so important to have on hand... TP (there is nothing that says friendship as when your friends bring you a big package of TP, right Linda?), dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, batteries, paper towels (high quality, it does not pay to buy really cheap paper towels or TP), garbage bags, etc.

Of course, we also have to think of those items Her Highness Victoria would need such as kibble and kitty litter and those items we may not buy often but we'd miss if we didn't have them such as the cream for muscle aches, Benedryl, pens and pencils and paper and stuff like that, etc.

As one develops a pantry mentality, it begins to affect all areas of life.  For instance, I found having a small DVD library helpful when we had no other TV reception.  My DVD collection is tiny compared to most because putting together a home library of books was the priority for decades.

Should we reach a point where we know we have what we consider "plenty"... we not only can take care of our own family in a crisis but we may be in a position to help those close to us who do not live in our home.  Stocking up when it is done as a natural part of the seasons and not out of fear for the future... developing that pantry lifestyle... will keep us from being dependent on the government.

I don't know about you but to me that is a very, very good thing.  We purchase insurance for our house and cars and for that I am thankful.  We really appreciated having a fire department this summer!  But when we can do something, even if just a little (and right now my husband and I can stock up only a little)... everything helps whether the crisis is an unexpected winter storm or a job loss or economic collapse.

It doesn't have to be the perfect pantry, start now a little at a time and stock only what your family will eat.  (Believe me, kids who do not eat beans will not eat beans in a crisis.)

I hope this makes sense, I'm truly writing as I think... and that can be very dangerous with my thinking.  ;)

A return to the real world

It has now been a week since we arrived back home from our vacation, which was in many ways a peek into the outside world (albeit partly the world of 1775-ish).  With many happy memories all stored up for years to come (God willing)... life has returned to the "new normal".

Hubby and I went to one of the food pantries yesterday and my friends... it was an alarming sight.  We were first in line (he learned long ago to be at least fifteen minutes early) but as we waited, the line formed further until it went out the door of the long room.  As we peaked into the area where you were given food, the shelves were almost empty.

We came away with a few items we could really use, especially a chuck roast that could become soup (this is the government sponsored food pantry where grocery stores freeze their unsold meat and send it to be given away).  This food pantry lets you choose a certain number of items from each shelf (usually one or two) so I told hubby not to take anything we didn't need (for instance, we have canned veggies and cereal).

It made me think of an interview on TV I heard last week.  An economic expert was asked where we should invest our money and he said... food.  The same answer given by a few other "experts" the past few years.  Yes, deepening the pantry is a good thing!  

I'm also very glad I had to develop frugal shopping and cooking skills.  On the way home from the pantry, we stopped by Kroger for essentials such as milk (and off brand coffee, I do have my addictions).  As usual, I stopped by the area where they have packaged "sell by" fresh veggies and found numerous packages had been clearanced.

I came away with sliced squash, chopped red onions, and even organic broccoli florets... all at a fraction of original cost.  Another grocery chain in the area marks down its' meat close to the "sell by" date in the early morning hours.  These are all still in perfect condition.

Last Monday I made chicken soup from a rotisserie chicken purchased on sale at Kroger.  Over the weekend, we enjoyed vegetable beef soup (the recipe I made my mother show me how to make as a bride) from a small chuck roast and a package of soup bones I had put back in the freezer. 

Even though Christopher is living near campus, I make as much soup as I always have.  We can have it for two meals and perhaps even a lunch or we can share it with him.  I love serving soup at least a couple times a week in colder weather.

I also made a cherry chocolate cake as I had everything I needed for the cake in the pantry.  I didn't have chocolate chips to make the original "glaze-icing" but it was easy to whip up a chocolate butter cream frosting, which I think is actually better if the cake is not being served within twenty-four hours (the glaze-icing makes it so moist that it gets soggy over time).

I shared some of it with friends and Christopher was happy to find it available when he stopped by yesterday.  We don't see him often, he is so busy combining school-work-fiance and his responsibilities as president of a computer science organization.  But right now his place of work is not far from our house so he can drop by when time permits on his way there or back.

Hopefully we will soon return to the old normal.  Our settlement check arrived from the insurance company yesterday.  After taking off the large deductible, we are holding our breath (not literally) to see if it enough to get all the repairs made.  But it is good to have the process behind us.  We may have to set priorities for getting the electrical fixed (the kitchen first... the doorbell last).

The DVD player the insurance company ordered for us arrived yesterday and Christopher hooked it up. (It was financially better for us to have them order the replacement DVD player and TV and take a cash settlement for the rest). 

Christopher glanced at the instructions and used one enclosed cable but then looked behind the TV for a special cable we already owned and used it instead of the second one they sent.  Within a few minutes he had it ready to go and I must admit standing there with astonishment on my face.  I have only a few tekkie skills with the computer (hubby has almost none).  Christopher thinks in a technical language, as his dad's mind worked in numbers as an engineer.  As for me?  I see words... lovely words.

Hopefully very soon we will have light in the kitchen and the other repairs made (can you tell what I've really missed?).  I have been using a flashlight to make coffee in the morning.  :)

Thank you to everyone who has prayed us and helped us through this time.

My favorite Williamsburg "event"

Photo from A Chef's Kitchen website

Stephanie put a lot of research and work into this vacation (can you tell?).  That's how she found the good deals for homeschool week and our condos.  One day she called me to tell me about something special she wanted to do for a "mother-daughter" night out.

The "tables" set for guests as we arrived

There was a place in the downtown area of Colonial Williamsburg that lets you watch the chef's prepare the food you were eating and the food was suppose to be spectacular.  Well, she told me the price (I think I choked) and I asked if she was sure this was what she wanted to do???

She assured me it was and that this place had all rave reviews online and since we only get together once a year (and rarely join them on vacation), she thought we'd both enjoy this... after all, we share a passion for great food and cooking.  Since she was paying, I agreed.  ;)

Photo from A Chef's Kitchen website

So... one evening we left behind husbands and children (that being grandchildren for me) and headed out to a special dinner.  We arrived a little early so we looked around the quaint downtown area a little (love it!) and arrived back to find the gourmet gift shop area had become full.

At (I think) 6:30, we were all escorted into the room where the two chefs were already making preparations and we were offered champagne and hors d'oeuvres.  Yes, I had to sip some of the champagne.

Chef John Gonzales

Chefs John Gonzales and Sam Hall

That began what... to me... was a magical night (Narnia magic) as John Gonzales and his sous chef Sam Hall not only prepared each course but they taught how to make the various dishes!  No wonder the higher price, this was both a gourmet meal and a cooking class (obviously Stephanie had read the website but I hadn't).

Our menu for the evening was...

Warm Tomatillo Puree Scented with Kaffir Lime and Coconut Reduction

Green Mango Slaw with Carrots, Spring Onions and Virginia Peanut Vinaigrette

A Chef's Kitchen Skillet Baked Corn Bread

Crab "Rangoon" with Lemon, Basil and Cilantro Pesto

Asian Glazed Smoked Rack of Berkshire Pork

with Summer Squash Stir-fry

Key Lime Pie on Homemade Pecan Sandy Crust

with Cointreau Meringue

Sigh... yes, we ate it all.  By taking a little extra insulin I could have half my dessert but I had to decline the different wine served with each course.  That may have sent me over the edge with blood sugars!  Believe it or not... my favorite was the green mango slaw.... no, really.  As for Stephanie, she is still talking about that cornbread.

Why was this so wonderful?  Well, as I've written before... my original plans were to become a caterer or a study to be a pastry chef once my children were older.  Two circumstances made this difficult and then impossible... having my second child twelve years after the first (and then deciding to homeschool him) and developing Juvenile Diabetes in my 40s.  You'd think at least I could have been normal and developed type 2 diabetes!

This place is amazing and I can't think of anyone I'd rather share it with than my daughter.  The chefs are skillful teachers and easy to understand but they also share their enjoyment of cooking.  It makes for an entertaining as well as instructive (and may I add delicious) evening.

As I sat there enjoying each course, I thought of the difference between that evening and this past year as I've struggled with health, finances, and the Job-like summer.  I mean, really... how many people do you know whose house was hit by lightening and then almost blew up with a gas leak this summer?

But God... don't you love that... but God in His mercy and grace put a thought into my daughter's head long ago which resulted in a wonderful vacation and that very special evening.  I can assure you that I didn't worry about insurance settlements while enjoying spectacular food being prepared by two excellent chefs.

I know I have quite a few blog friends who live close enough to Williamsburg to enjoy such an evening.  It is not cheap but it is worth the price for what it is... a combination gourmet dinner and cooking class.

A Chef's Kitchen website is located at www.achefskitchen.biz... or by clicking here.  It provides information about the classes and dinners (we attended a dinner) and has a few YouTube videos including how to make that skillet baked corn bread.  You are sent home with all the recipes of the dishes prepared for the evening, too.

Pictures:  Pictures taken by Stephanie except the two from A Chef's Kitchen website.

Sunday Afternoon Tea

Oh Christ, do not give me tasks equal to my powers,

but give me powers equal to my tasks,

for I want to be stretched by things too great for me.

I want to grow through the greatness of my tasks,

but I shall need your help for the growing.

E. Stanley Jones

My ponderings this past week have been on the opposite sides of emotions... the joy which came with joining our family in exploring new sights and sounds and tastes... and the frustration with intense fatigue that always follows such a trip.

When one lives with distractions which keeps them from going about their tasks without discouragement... chronic illness, financial lack, not enough free time, family members, bad weather, difficult circumstances, outside the home commitments, anything and everything which all of us experience from time to time... we are tempted to just sit in the recliner with our feet propped up and a hot drink at our side.

For instance, our return coincided with the need to prepare the deck for cold weather and once it was complete, I decided to accomplish just a little seasonal cleaning inside the house.  With my "a little at a time" way of doing extra housework, I cleaned the dining table with wood soap (Murphy's) and gave it two coats of lemon oil and a good buffing.  It took hours...

But... I was so inspired by how nice it looked that I brought the box containing fall decorations inside and created an autumnal centerpiece as well as placed a few favorite seasonal items around the house.  Just getting that much accomplished seem to be the catalyst to bringing the autumn dishes down from their perch on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet, ready to create pretty tablescapes September through November.

I wish I could write that this all came easily to me emotionally.  As usual (and I don't know why I have not conquered these feelings), I ask myself why I'm bothering with all of this.  Why make the table shiny and create centerpieces and place the seasonal china within easier reach for spur of the moment use?  After all, I am so tired that the thought of cooking special meals and inviting friends over is at the bottom of my priority list.

Hmmm... why bother spending hours perusing cookbooks and my favorite stack of food magazines when I don't feel well and finances are tight.  Why decorate the house so it is seasonally pretty if it is just for the two of us?  Why cut pretty white flowers (which are actually weeds) and place them in a blue vintage Ball jar and set it in a corner of the family room when I alone may notice it?

Well, besides the fact that we should have Beauty around us even if we live alone... creating and doing instead of sitting and grumbling are a form of spiritual warfare.  I know how I tend to draw energy from an inner Source (that being God working within!) to do that which he is calling me to accomplish.

He is not asking me to move to deepest darkest Africa or the slums of a major world city to preach the Gospel and take care of the poor.  He certainly is not telling me I must run a marathon, turn the entire back yard into a garden, or even become a chef as I once wanted to do.  He is not asking me to do the impossible given chronic illness and circumstances.

However, He is not letting me just sit down and watch TV and have a pity party.  Not the One who is always teaching me and encouraging me and wanting me to draw outside the lines.  No, He breaks through the emotional gloom and cloudy thinking to give me ideas... creative ideas... longings for Beauty and knowledge and the realization that His mercies are new every morning.

I have come to realize that He never wants me to stop growing and He gently nudges me to do more than I think I can.  Actually, more that I can without His help.  Like going on the trip to Williamsburg when I didn't know how I would have enough energy (both hubby and I almost declined the offer).  How many wonderful memories I would lack if I hadn't said yes and depended on the One Who Created Me to accomplish everything from planning to packing to participating.

I know as I write down a new recipe to try, get all the dishes ready for a nice dinner or tea time with friends, attend a cooking class to learn more, take pictures of tea time pretties to attempt at home, plant my small garden, pull out my sewing machine to try something new, etc... it is all done in FAITH that the One who has given those desires to create this year will also provide the wisdom and strength to do so.

When you decide you will not fear or doubt but you will do... that you will follow the Godly desires He places within you for beauty and creativity and order and family and friends... then from your home you have shed light into the darkness of an imperfect world.

More pictures

I didn't get a chance to write anything today!  So... I'm sort of posting by showing more pictures.

Anna is the sweetest toddler!  Since she hadn't seen me for a year, I thought she would be hesitant around me but instead I received a huge hug around the neck when I picked her up... the beginning of lots of hugs and wet kisses.

Hubby called the color of this room in the Governor's Palace "Nickelodeon Slime Green".

I have quite a few pictures of this garden, including close ups of um... leaves.  That is because my husband has a Master's Degree in Wood Science (Forestry).  He was fascinated by the way they used various trees and shrubs.

As it turned out, we were talking to each other questioning what a certain shrub was when two middle aged women came up to us and one of them answered his question.  She had a degree in horticulture and her friend was a graduate also in Forestry. 

Now... the statistical chances of three people with these degrees meeting up is rather slim.  I was finally able to break away from the conversation to look at other things than trees and shrubs.  I'm certain Thomas Jefferson would have been smiling.

Now back to the tea room, this is the portrait that hung near our table.  It was absolutely stunning.

I loved how they set up the outside tables.  I'll have to do something like this on the deck next year for a little tea party.

Aren't the plates and teacups they provide for children just the cutest???

Stephanie and I were impressed by the attention to detail on these sandwiches.  It's easy to see the parsley, sliced cherry tomato, and sliced strawberry but there were also thin slices of carrots in the shape of flowers! 

Very simple sandwiches of egg salad, ham salad, pimento (after all... this IS the South), and I believe the filling in the nut bread was chicken salad with dried cranberries.

I would have never thought of adding cake pops for tea time but the little girls LOVED them (of course, since there were only two we let them enjoy the treat).  There was plenty left to tempt the grownups.

That's one of the reasons I love going to places like tea rooms because we get such great ideas.  (Yes, we have also experienced tea rooms with terrible food but this one was very good.)

You asked:  The historical dresses worn at Williamsburg and the tea room were all borrowed from their friends who had previously been to Williamsburg for costumed events.  Stephanie, who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Design, has amazing creative skills but sewing is not one of them.

This and that

My favorite oasis on a hot day in Williamsburg

I'm finally recovering from the trip although I haven't had a day to just "veg out".  Perhaps tomorrow...

I love hearing your Williamsburg stories and I've wondered what it would have been like living there when the restoration was taking place.  I expect there was some controversy when the "newer" houses were torn down but as one who just views it from the vantage point of 2011... it seems like it was well worth it all.

It definitely made me want to study more about Virginia's (and Virginians') roll in the Revolution.  I hadn't heard of the books by Elswyth Thane that take place in Williamsburg but they sound wonderful.  My library has a few of them but not the first few in the series.

It's interesting to compare Colonial Williamsburg with Old Sturbridge Village (in Mass.).  I love both places but they are somewhat different.  Not only in their time periods but the way they are set up.  Would you believe I have never been to Conner Prairie even though I live in the Midwest?

I also wish there had been time to meet with my friends in the area.  It may have been possible if we were not working around hubby's broken collar bone but the quicker we arrived in Williamsburg and then made the drive home, the better it was for his recovery.

Tomorrow (Friday) I hope to write about the very fun outing Stephanie and I had at the gourmet cooking school-dinner.  It takes more than a paragraph to explain it but it was perhaps the highlight of the entire trip.

As you can imagine... coming from the viewpoint of our Job-like summer... God knew I would need to get completely away from home to even begin to relax.  Here at home we still have fried electronics all over the place and little light in the kitchen (although we do have hot water, Hallelujah!).  It is just so warm and fuzzy to know Stephanie started thinking of this family vacation so long ago and that it would come to pass at a moment I need a "sanity getaway".

I write about our financial situation... not for you to feel sorry for us... but so you know if you are in such a position He will find ways in your life to balance out the dark days.  When our Social Security Disability check arrives, there is often nothing left for gas and groceries (especially since the addition of high medical bills these past couple of years).

Stephanie and I were talking about how quickly financial security can change.  We went from having no debt but our mortgage, a great deal of equity in our house, and a good savings account to being forced to sell our house and have nothing left... within two years due to my husband's poor health and extended unemployment.

Our confidence cannot be placed in our bank accounts and jobs (even though it is good when they are stable) but in the promise that God takes care of us... even if we don't understand what that looks like at the time.

I am learning how He wants to bless us when we look to Him and humble ourselves to say... yes and thank you very much.  In this case, I wish we were the ones able to bless our kids with such a vacation but I can pray for them and ask God to richly bless them in all their needs for their giving.  The vacation would have cost them far less if they had not included us.

The Bible says as we give to the poor, God gives to us (now there is a repayment plan).  I pray that for them and all who have ever blessed us.  I must say living like this has one benefit... it gives me a lot to write about to (hopefully) encourage others who are going through difficult times.

I've also learned there is so much one can do to be able to give to others even on a tight budget.  I have yet to have someone not enjoy a gift of a home baked goody when given in love... or at least a smile given to another when they look like they are having a bad day.  Jesus says even a cup of cold water given in love is noticed by Him.  :)

Colonial Williamsburg

We spent quite a few days in Colonial Williamsburg and we still didn't see everything.  Since there are a number of blog readers from outside the United States, I should explain that Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum (I believe the largest in the world) set in the time immediately prior to the American Revolution. 

I love to study American history and this period is my favorite, there is so much to learn and walking the streets of Colonial Williamsburg helped me "see" that time period.  I was more familiar with this time period in New England and was quite surprised when we found out Virginia was more "English" in its' culture at this time than New England.

I could wax poetic about this place for days but a pictures truly do tell it best.  The children wore colonial clothing on our first "all day" visit.  The weather was lovely although a little hot for our New England family.  We certainly enjoyed pleasant breezes.

Stephanie and I not only appreciated the history reenactments but we both love pretty houses.  I think either of us could have enjoyed living in many of the homes and neighborhoods.

The "tavern" where we lunched one day

I never got tired of viewing all the gardens

 

Inside the cabinet maker's shop

Outside the "magazine" where weapons were stored

Inside the Governor's Palace

Inside the palace

Granddad and Faith can often be found together.

I was often behind the others taking pictures instead of walking.

Or... jumping out in front for a surprise photo!

This place is fabulous to visit at least once (but give yourself days to go through it all).  For homeschoolers, there are at least two special weeks with one in spring and the other September.  I noticed they offer other specials on their web page.

Tea Time with the girls

On our last full day in Virginia, we had a European Style afternoon tea at a lovely tea room in Newport News.  One of the things we love about going to tea rooms is getting ideas to use back home.  This tea room gave us lots of good ideas and the food was quite good.

We were all offered hats to wear for the occasion.  Stephanie and I declined but the girls were delighted to wear hats which matched their party dresses.

The food was served European Style... in courses rather than on tiered tea trays.  I had their strawberry champagne gazpacho (pictured above), it was something I've never tried before!

We all agreed it was a delightful experience and a lovely way to wrap up our time together.  Stephanie and her family were making the drive back home all in one day so they left at 4:00 the next morning... yawn.

Added note:  The girl's dresses were borrowed from friends... 

There and back again

No, not Middle Earth but Virginia (partly in the 18th Century).  :)

I didn't say anything on the blog about our upcoming vacation because I wasn't sure with my husband's accident if we were able to go.  His doctor thought he'd be fine but we had the check up to be certain he was healing enough to spend four days in a car.

This is our second family vacation (the first when we met in Amish Country in Pennsylvania a few years ago) gifted to us by our wonderful and generous New England Contingent (that being Stephanie and her hubby "aka: The World's Best Son-in-Law").

It all started as an idea about a year and a half ago when Stephanie stayed at a hotel in Williamsburg, Virginia on her way home from one of Sally Clarkson's conferences. Stephanie told me all about the shops she was visiting in Colonial Williamsburg (via cell phone) that evening and decided then and there that we must see it together.

Fast forward about a year as she researched the opportunities online and found it would be very reasonable for us all to have a vacation there during their September Homeschool Week when there are excellent group rates for hotels, tickets, etc.  She also made reservations for the two of us to attend the most amazing cooking class-gourmet dinner combination and to visit a lovely tea room in a nearby town.

It was all so magical (Narnia magic) that I found myself going to sleep last night after a grueling two day drive wondering if it were all a dream?  But I have the pictures to show it was real. 

It is not something they can afford to do often as they know we have NO extra cash at all and they even pay the gas money and our meals on the trip but what an investment in memories.  Especially when we only get to see each other once a year.  It is a good thing when you raise your children to feed and house you.  ;)

I'll tell you all about it and upload the gazillion pictures I took starting tomorrow (Tuesday) but today I'm exhausted.  Other then stopping by the Post Office for our mail and the grocery store so we have food in the house... I'm not doing anything extra today.

I did use this time away to re-post favorite economic posts (your favorites and mine) and I will be re-posting more.  I also hope all settles down here soon so I can work on the Recommendations List and get it typed up and posted.  I had a call from the Insurance Rep while in Virginia and I will talk to her again tomorrow.  My brain is not functioning today.

Oh, in case anyone wonders... Miss Victoria was in quite a snit even though Christopher had stopped by a few times to take good care of her.  We have had to give her a fervent assurance that (barring any emergency) we will not be leaving her alone again soon.

Rethinking money (Re-post)

Originally posted February, 2009

As I have said before, so much of what I can now "teach" was learned the hard way. Here are some lessons learned...

What is my actual income?
Let's say you make $40,000 a year. If someone were to ask you your income, you would probably say $40,000. That's where some of us get into trouble. When we spend money, we are thinking $40,000. Wrong... your actual income is not your gross but your net income after taxes, Social Security, insurance, etc. is taken out.

Do the math, figure out what your net income is, and keep that amount in your mind when you are making your budget or spending money. You'll be surprised at how it changes your outlook.

How much does this cost me a year?
This is a question I ask Christopher once in awhile. Spending $1.00 a day on bottled water may not seem like a lot (unless you are over 50 and paying for water is still weird). However, multiply that by five to seven days times fifty-two weeks... are you sure you are that thirsty? It is far better to purchase water by the case and take it from home. Better yet is to make a one time purchase of a thermos or other container and fill it up with water from home.

I think that is why Starbucks is in trouble, people who used to purchase their coffee on the way to work each morning are no longer able to spend that kind of money on a daily basis.

I do the same math when thrift shopping. If an object is something I don't really need and I have to think about where to put it... I don't make the purchase no matter how cheap it is. I've started doing the math... $3.00 for a thrift store purchase multiplied by fifty-two weeks in a year? It's amazing how losing one-third of your income makes you rethink Goodwill and garage sales. :)

My Money or My Life
Remember the famous book where the authors have you "do the math", figuring out how many hours it will take you to pay for a purchase with your net income. It woke a lot of people up, not only to be more careful with purchases but to the fact they can live a much better lifestyle as a result of spending less.

Is the joy of driving a $50,000 car around town worth how much extra you have to work to pay for it as opposed to... say... paying $12,000 for a really good used car? Is eating out three or four times a week, going to the mall a few times a month, season tickets to the Bears games, etc. worth having the wife work outside the home if she would rather be home with the kids?

Well, as far as the Bears tickets go... don't ask my husband.

Can I Find a Cheaper Way to Get the Same Result?
This is where the rubber meets the road in decorating our homes, cooking meals, making celebrations for friends and family, etc. It is also where some of my blog friends (like Manuela) have genius ideas that I steal... I mean copy.

Here's an example, I was browsing the gift shop at the hospital yesterday (where we are trying to get help so Christopher can have his surgery) and saw the cutest "sign" which spelled out FAMILY. It was made of individual letters that were hinged together. It was also quite expensive. Next to it was a far cheaper metal sign that also spelled out FAMILY. Just as cute for far less money but still more than I can afford.

If I decide I really want something like this in my home, I'll make a trip to Michael's or Hobby Lobby for ideas. It will also go on my thrift store and garage sale radar. I have learned to ask myself this question many times over the years... what is it I like about an object, can I make the same thing at home, would something similar give me the same "feeling" or "look", etc.

I do this same thing when looking at a picture of a lovely home, an amazing garden, a beautifully set table, etc. What is it about this scene that causes me to love it and how can I recreate this at home without spending money (or at a small cost)?

It's the same with eating out... I LOVE to eat out. But do I need to eat an entire meal? Can I get the same experience by just going out for dessert and coffee? There are times when, of course, we need an entire meal but if it is experience we are after... coffee and pie may be all we need.

At the End of My Life, What Do I Want My Checkbook to Show?
I have friends whose house is... not beautiful. That's all I'll say. Even though they make very, very good money. Unlike me, having a warm and cozy and lovely dwelling place is not a priority.

However, their family has taken exotic and amazing vacations all over the world. I don't know of any other family (among my friends) that has had the travel experiences they have had. Except for their children's education, most of their "extra" income went to these vacations.

Their kids are now out of the home and they have wonderful memories. It's not the way I would have spent my money (I'm a terrible traveler, I get sick on cars and planes and trains and whatever else moves.) But it worked for them.

Frugal Luxuries
Somewhat along those lines of thinking... one has to have a few luxuries here and there. The expense of those luxuries will be different based upon your income, if you are saving for a special purchase, etc... but even if you are on a limited income like us, you must have a luxury here and there are bitterness will be your companion.

An example... $4.00 a day for my morning cup of coffee is far more than I would pay (even if we were not on Disability). However, $4.00 for a Starbucks once a month is possible. A Pumpkin Spice Latte is an experience when it is slowly slipped, with eyes closed, breathing in the aroma. It is a cheap vacation. Spending $5.00 each day at Panera is far beyond my ability right now but investing $5.00 once or twice a month to "get away from it all" with a book, a notebook, and a pen is priceless.

I pay just a little more for my Seventh Generation dish soap (I can no longer afford Mrs. Meyers but I can still purchase Seventh Generation at Target!) and purchasing a very good quality liquid hand soap for my kitchen sink is a frugal luxury, since I spend so much time doing dishes and washing my hands while cooking.

The concept of frugal luxuries could (and has) filled an entire post before...

So, there you have it, lessons learned... many times the hard way. I hope they give you something to ponder today.

Note:  The term Frugal Luxuries is taken from the book by the same name by the brilliant and creative Tracey McBride.

Picture: Homemaking Magazine: allposters.com

Safe Harbour (Re-post)

Originally posted February, 2009

I woke up long before the alarm was to ring this morning. After realizing I wasn't going back to sleep, I took advantage of the early morning hours to start the coffee and turn on the TV for one of my favorite ways to relax. Two Christian networks play videos by worship.net* and CreationScapes.tv in the wee hours of the morning. (Note: These programs are no longer on the Christian networks at night... unfortunately.)

I sat in the Lazy Boy, sipped coffee, and found body... mind... and spirit relaxing in the hour before I had to wake Christopher up for his commute to his 8:00 class.

Watching the beautiful scenery and listening to praise music reminded me of other times I have found comfort in these videos and I thought about the concept of having a Safe Harbour to run to when going through the storms of life.
Just as storms come and go in nature, so we find ourselves in real life storms... some so mild we hardly notice the dark clouds... others leave us feeling as if we were in the midst of the whirlwind, hanging on for dear life. I've found the necessity of providing a Safe Harbour at times, those places I can go to find peace for my soul in the midst of hurricane force winds.

Of course, the storm continues to rage and the circumstances have yet to change. But a Safe Harbour provides peace in the midst of the storm... at times enough to help regain needed strength and encourage us with faith to continue.

What are some of my Safe Harbours... past and now?

• Reading the Psalms
• Talking to God in the morning
• Talking to God when I can't sleep
• Watching the antics of furry friends
• Getting lost in a book
• Baking in a warm and cozy kitchen
• Inspirational music
• Beautiful artwork
• Watching a re-run of an old TV show
• British flicks on DVD
• Gardens in Spring
• Forests in Autumn
• Sunrises and sunsets
• Hiking trails when Christopher was little
• Walking the shores of Lake Michigan
• Picnics at the park when both kids were home
• Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel
• Getting away alone for coffee
• Tea time at home
• Memories of fun family times

Well, I'm sure you "get the picture". While nothing can sooth my soul like getting into the Word... there are Safe Harbours where I run when the storms are raging.

Yours may be different than mine. While working with flour, sugar, and butter can help me temporarily forget my burdens... it can be a burden to another. My husband finds rest for his soul watching Chicago Sports... go figure.

When you are budgeting for tomorrow... make room for that which will be a place of Safe Harbour in the storm.


Photo of the Gulf Coast taken by my friend BB in Texas

Preparing for and living with unemployment (Re-post)

Originally posted March, 2009

I've written before about the biggest mistake we made during our first year when we ran out of unemployment and had no income. We assumed my husband would find another job quickly so we used our savings to keep up present lifestyle. We should have cut back on everything extra in the budget the very day he was laid off. It would have helped a great deal in the long run.

Losing all or part of the family income even for a short time can be difficult. However, when the weeks turn into months it becomes a crisis. Not only does the money run out but it changes every part of our daily life.

For instance, most families aren't used to being home together all day, every day... in the best of times. These are the people you are suppose to enjoy the most in the entire world but after awhile you develop a rather severe twitch as they get on your nerves and visa versa. Even if you homeschool and you're together a lot, when a lack of income is part of the family equation... even homeschoolers are affected.

Here are some things I learned through two separate years of long term unemployment (each year more than twelve months):

• It's a lot easier to live through unemployment the less money you owe beyond your rent or mortgage.
• It helps a lot to already know how to shop for less and cook frugal meals.
• Having a good pantry and savings account to cover necessary bills obviously helps.
• If your kids are used to shopping each week and having to have all the latest... clothes, electronics, etc... there will be strife.
• If your kids learn nothing else but how to live without all the latest "stuff" and that keeping up with the proverbial Jonses is a myth... the pain of unemployment will be worth it in the long run.
• God answers even the prayers of little children.
• A good home library, some board games, and a DVD collection of family friendly movies will prove as valuable as gold.
• The same is true of a really good family friendly radio station.
• The library is the best use of our government's tax money... ever.
• You find out who your true friends are the longer you are unemployed.
• The Amish have it right... the more Community we have developed, the easier the strain is on each family.
• You begin to learn how many unnecessary trips in the car you take when you're putting $5.00 of gas in the car at a time.
• The more free places your community has to take advantage of... the better.
• When we lived in Michigan, a $20.00 state parks pass was the smartest money spent all year.
• The less money one has to spend, the more creative one becomes... that can be a good thing.
• Talking each month to creditors will make the difference between terrible credit and not-so-bad credit.
• Your children will pick up on how you are handling the crisis... if you are fearful and complaining, so will they... if you learn to give your fears to God and expect an answer... so will they.
• Money problems can bring a family closer together as they pray together and see God answer prayer.
• Unemployment and general financial crisis bring with them forced simplicity.
• Unemployment can cause you to learn new frugal skills yourself and with your children, and force you to depend on the One who said He would meet all your needs... instead of depending on yourself.
• Life is easier when you have money to pay when the car breaks down, when you can buy anything you want at the grocery store, when you can go out to eat all the time, when you can purchase the latest clothes... easier... but having needs answered through prayer brings long term faith.
  
• The longer you are without an income, the more it becomes necessary to find creative ways to have fun as a family.
• A meal of $1.00 burgers and shared fries when money is hard to come by becomes a banquet to those who can't afford to eat out.
• The more simple you live before being unemployed, the easier it will be to live on less.
• Unemployment is not the worst thing that can happen to you. Especially if it draws you closer to your family, your friends, and your God.
• Unemployment can be very hard, but

God is still in control.

And please remember, if you are fortunate enough to have plenty... share with those who don't. You may just be the person who provides for a need so a family can know God is searching the Earth... high and low... to answer their prayer.

To Carpe Diem or not to Carpe Diem (Re-post)

Originally posted June, 2009 

I love the phrase Carpe Diem... seize the day! Wikipedia says the poet Horace (who made it famous in his poem) used it as... "enjoy, make use of, seize".  As one who feels time has been fast forwarded, I like that definition.

I am enjoying being stuck at home due to absolutely no money. No, really (which is probably why I love reading Laine's Letters so much... she had to do the same). I have a letter sitting on the breakfront ready to be sent but I don't have the money for a stamp.

Now, I'm not telling you that to feel sorry for me. I'm really fine as I am surrounded by beautiful nature, my diet is limited but healthy, and my son put gas in the car for me when he received his paycheck. He asked me to help pick out a bouquet of roses for his friend he's taking to the homeschool prom this evening and told me to buy a few groceries at the same time. He even let me buy a Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi and a pint of half-n-half.

Hehehe, I found a bouquet of gorgeous pink roses in a display which were half the price of similar roses in the refrigerator display. We came home and I "tweaked" the bouquet to make them look quite uptown. Doing things the frugal way can be fun.

It all becomes about attitude... if I allowed myself to get upset that all my favorite garage sales have now come and gone without me even having a dollar to spend... then I'd be ungrateful for everything I have. God has never failed to provide everything I needed, even if life was uncomfortable now and then.

It's all about seizing what is good about the day we live and corralling our expectations...

My New Mexican friend was telling me recently about a couple they knew who were just thrown out of their third rental house in a row for not paying rent. They had called to see if she and her husband could take their horses for awhile (the answer was no). What amazes her is the lifestyle this couple expects as both work but live far beyond what reality should be for their situation. They do not pay their rent but they have a brand new truck, horses, and other luxuries. Carpe Diem is good when within our means.

But then there are those who are just the opposite... my father-in-law had a Depression mentality and went far beyond being frugal. Even though they had plenty of money in savings and absolutely no debt outside of their mortgage, they rarely did anything to make beautiful memories. The time our children are at home is fleeting, one honestly does look back when the youngest turns eighteen and wonders where the years went.

My husband and his siblings have few good memories of growing up, even though they had a stable home life in a pleasant middle class neighborhood. When my father-in-law died, he had plenty of money in the bank but his children didn't shed tears at his funeral. I did, which shocked everyone as he hadn't treated me well... I guess having married into the family I "saw" him differently.

Don't fear the future. If you have an income and are financially stable... Carpe Diem! Who knows what next year will bring? Well, we do know the family will not be at these ages. Of course, I'm not talking about going into debt or spending the mortgage payment to go have fun. Don't buy a brand new truck and horses if you can't pay the rent.

No... but if you have a little "extra"... make some memories. I didn't have my father with me very long. His work was seasonal and he knew he'd be out of a job each winter. But I have never had to go into counseling due to my father for in the short ten years we had together he never showed fear about what life would bring.... instead he planted flowers, made furniture, cooked meals when Mom worked late, caused me to laugh, cried when Patsy Cline died (and I cry when I hear her music), made it impossible for me to see cows or horses when driving on a highway without remembering how excited he became when viewing animals, and planted those seeds I'd need later in life... our ability to enjoy life is not dependent on our bank balance.

Be careful... be frugal where necessary... become more self sufficient... try your best to stay away from debt... fill your recipe box with delicious frugal recipes... re-read favorite books... watch uplifting and warm hearted movies... hug your furry friends... sip tea from a beautiful English tea cup... organize your pictures while remembering pleasant days... sit on your deck or porch and watch the sun come up while enjoying the morning cup of coffee... surprise the family with a chocolate cake for no reason whatsoever... bake bread and serve it warm with real butter... live life... teach your children how the good life can be enjoyed on a budget.

Don't be afraid of the future.

Carpe Diem. Your children will thank you.

Ten years later

Originally posted September 11, 2006

There are parts of that morning I remember, some are a blur. I know my husband was up very early to catch a flight to New England. I can't remember if I was up early to see him off or if I'd slept in. Leaving on a jet plane was familiar in our house. He was always "going to" or "coming home from" the airport each week.

Detroit was a difficult place for my son and me, coming from rural areas and a college town. Neither of us were used to millions of people living in one, relatively small area of real estate. The sounds of traffic at all hours of the day and night on surrounding four-lane “streets” were at the least...distracting. The racial tension was new to us.

We lived in a suburb off of Twelve Mile Road. Detroit proper begins at Eight Mile Road. The only difference...skin color. Mostly white on one side, mostly black on the other. Otherwise, you could drive miles and not know when you are leaving one suburb and going into another. We learned never to go out alone at dark. Since my husband was traveling most of the time, we stayed home at night. We both remember the day we were out later than we had anticipated and he had to walk home after the sun went down. Rather, we ran home...

We had moved a lot to follow my husband's career. In each community, we would look for something good. (Some towns were easy, some not so easy to find the good things.) Living in Detroit had one very good thing we enjoyed. Within walking distance were numerous neighborhood restaurants, grocery stores, produce stores, etc. It was nice when planning dinner to be able to walk five minutes to the produce store for fresh vegetables.

For many years, we had a family tradition to have breakfast or lunch at a restaurant on the day Dad was leaving for a business trip. Somehow, it made it not so bad. On this day, we decided to have a late breakfast at our favorite neighborhood diner. (It is the place my son still misses from Detroit.) I had briefly looked at the news at home. One of the early morning news shows was talking about a plane having gone into the World Trade Center. At this time, they thought it was most likely a small private plane. It made news but it hadn't interrupted their regular programming.

My son and I walked to the diner and sat at our usual table. Our favorite waitress took our order. There is a unique feature of most neighborhood diners in Detroit. They have at least one television placed where it is easily seen by customers. I do remember my son and I were talking about Dad's trip, how he was being transferred to New England and how excited we were about the transfer. Once in awhile, I'd look at the TV where Good Morning America was now showing the World Trade Center on fire. Speculation had begun that this was more than originally thought.

Then the little TV on the wall showed us a picture that will never leave our minds, the second plane hitting the other tower. The hosts were asking the same question I was thinking, "Did you see that"? My mind could not comprehend what it meant but deep within my stomach was now a heaviness that didn't leave. I'm not certain it has ever left. All of us knew when that second plane hit, this was no accident. My son was only eleven at the time but he knew something terrible was happening. By this time, we had finished our breakfast. We both agreed we wanted to be home, surrounded by familiar "things" in an unfamiliar city.

We weren't concerned about my husband at this time. There was no way his plane would have been involved in those events, or the crashing into the Pentagon later. Then we heard rumors of other planes down. Finally, a report of a crash over Pennsylvania. The timing couldn't have been worse; his Chicago to New England flight would have been around that area at the same time. It wasn't until much later that we would know the flight had originated from the East. We stayed in front of the TV all day. Calls went back and forth between my daughter and me. Had we heard from Dad? Did his office know anything? Hours had passed, where could he possibly be?

Finally...that evening...a call. He hadn't heard about the plane crashing in Pennsylvania so he figured we knew he was safe (what is it about men that they think this way?). The first tower had been hit when he was in the air on the way to Chicago. Everyone leaving that flight knew something was wrong as soon as they entered the airport. Groups of people were surrounding the TVs. Then the flight monitors begin to show "cancelled" for every flight. It took him awhile to realize what this meant. He made his way to the rental car area, along with hundreds of other people. Every rental car was gone. The people at the rental car agency spent hours trying to locate cars for those stranded in Chicago. Eventually he would take a taxi to a town in Northwestern Indiana where there "might" be a car he could rent the next day. He ended up back in Detroit two days later.

In the days that followed, the only air traffic over us was the helicopters providing security at the American-Canadian border. It was an eerie feeling; normally the sky is full of aircraft going to and from the International Airport, news helicopters, police helicopters, private planes, etc. The next weeks and months would have Detroit on a high alert for terrorist activity. I half expected to hear an explosion at any time.

Our world was changed that day, both personally and as a nation. The much anticipated transfer to New England was cancelled. My husband would soon be out of a job. The foreign parent company had decided to close the New England plant entirely and cut back their Detroit holdings due to the economic uncertainty brought about by 9/11. Due to illness, my husband never worked as an engineer again but at least our Dad did come home. There were a lot of families who never received that much anticipated call of safety.