Already It's Making Sense

“Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain."  Hebrews 12:27

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Aha! Last night I discovered one reason for my recent urgency in prepping, in all ways, for the unknown:

Naomi and her cats are moving back home.

Yes, really. While touring with her NYC band, Naomi's Atlanta band broke up and a marriage is hanging by a thread (attn. prayer warriors), the marriage of her dear friends who led the band and with whom Naomi was renting a room. So tomorrow, after already having driven thousands of miles lately, Naomi will head back to Hobbit Cottage where Tom and I will need to hire someone to build a wall with a door upstairs to officially divide the big room, so to cater to Naomi's two cats.

Etc., etc.

But all will be well and I can't help but feel that God wanted Naomi back in Buffalo because of what's coming to the U.S.. So that we'd be nearer and able to help. But we shall see, won't we?


Moving on to more prepping advice...

When storing food, it's important to remember this quote: "Store what you eat and eat what you store." Try to purchase only the foods your family likes--and--a little extra for possible bartering.

Not sure what to stock-up on? Make a list of what you eat every day, then add the ingredients of the meals you eat most often. Start there, perhaps with help from your favorite cookbook. This might help, as well.

Also, picture what you'd race to the store for if you were told a weather-related emergency was bearing down upon you. Get those things now. You'll be oh-so-thankful later.

Make the most of sales and coupons and store-brand items. If you prefer, say, healthier fruit juices--watch for sales, then buy as many as you can afford. You shouldn't have to settle for brands that have all sorts of questionable ingredients you normally avoid.

Check the dates on what you buy. Even if you must reach to the back of store shelves, try to get what's dated the latest. At home, use a chunky black marker to write expiration dates on top of items so to easily see what's expiring soon.

Some good, cheap stock-up food items from Dollar Tree?

Dried beans.
Canned turkey and chicken.
Oatmeal.
Applesauce.
Pasta. Canned pasta.
Canned vegetables.
Beef jerky.
Olives.
Molasses.
Spices.
Crackers.
Canned chili, stew and tamales.
Tea, jams, jellies.
Dried cranberries. Sunflower seeds.


Other items I've found even cheaper at my own supermarket:


Canned tomatoes.
Macaroni and cheese.
Canned milk.
Rice and (sometimes) pasta.
Potato flakes.
Baking soda.
Powdered creamer.
Seltzer water.



Some items many people tend to forget to stockpile?


Pet food and supplies.

First-aid items. Dollar Tree is a perfect place to start for finally putting together that first-aid kit you've always meant to get. 

Make-up (if, like me, you intend to look decent when the world ends. heh.)

Vitamins.

Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels. Matches.

Water. Most people don't stockpile enough.


Just a couple more notes for today:

Stocking-up on groceries you found on sale is a great way to save money. It's also comforting to have a home full of food in today's you-never-know-for-sure economy. Plus, shopping at your own home during a snowstorm or any type of bad weather is ever so much easier than risking your life driving to the market for, say, a can of olives.

(Here's a short article about storing canned foods.)

And lastly?

Now is not the time to go deeper into debt. Make a new determination to pay off any outstanding bills--you don't want to find yourself in a situation where someone can legally take your home from you. And do try to put together a 6-month emergency savings account. That's wisdom, also.


See you next time when I'll veer away from food storage and more into cooking, lighting and heating.

             Another pantry(that's not mine)to keep you inspired.


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Proverbs 6:6-8

Go to the ant, o sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.

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Just beginning this whole prepping thing? This woman's mistakes might help you avoid your own.


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"Just do it."   ... because ....


"A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."   ... James 1:8