A December Update ...

I thought I would pop in and give a little update ...

First and foremost being a grandmommie is the best.  This new and unexpected role that came our way twice this year just keeps getting better and better!  You can read about it HERE and HERE!

Our Working Pantry Facebook Group has gotten off to a good start ... there's lots of helpful information being shared over there!

I'm taking advantage of the December baking sales to stock up for the upcoming year!

I'm also stocking up on turkey and am looking for ham to add to the freezer as well.  This time of year I can usually find both turkey and ham for less than my target price of $.99/lb.  You can read my posts on my pricing sheet goals HERE!

My pantry is getting a much needed reorganization this month ... I know, can you believe I picked the month of December to do this!!!!!

In the back of my mind is the thought that the last week in December is 'seed starting in the greenhouse' time in our area. 

Here's a little teaser of some new and upcoming posts beginning in the new year:
Making stevia powder, syrup and extract from a plant
Skill of the Month (I have a goal of learning how to do one new skill per month)
New Financial Goals (Our last one was a Berkey Water filter)
Ways I Save Money Each Week (this new feature is inspired by the Prudent Homemaker)
Our Pantry Challenges will resume
More Pantry Related Pinterest Projects
Our Mortgage Free Home Journey (you asked for it)
and lots and lots of pantry talk

Enjoy the holidays and don't forget to meet me back here in January!

patsi
A Working Pantry

A Working Pantry is going Facebook!

For all the quick little things I want to share with you in between blog posts, I've created a Facebook group for A Working Pantry.

The group is currently in 'open group' status for membership through Sunday, December 1st.  After that it will become a closed group with membership available through invite only.

Come join us for more pantry talk HERE.

patsi
A Working Pantry

He's Here ...

After 24 plus hours of long and hard labor for his mama, our grandson arrived yesterday healthy and happy.  He, his mama and daddy are all doing well.  Today, I get to hold him for the first time ...

I am one happy grandmommie!

patsy
A Working Pantry

We're On Baby Watch ...

For those who have been following A Working Pantry for a while, you will know that our son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby this month.

You will also know that they are temporarily living with us due to our son losing his job back in March.  (He has found another job and they will be back out on their own soon.)

The baby is due this month ....

The doctor says it could be any time ...

So ... we're on baby watch ...

(Today, while we're watching and waiting, I'm making pumpkin puree.  Found pumpkins on sale at Aldi's for $.99 each earlier in the week and purchased 2.  This should make enough pumpkin puree to last us until pumpkin time next year.  Normally, I would cut the pumpkin up into chunks and can them, but ... I don't want to be in the middle of a pressure canner full of jars of pumpkin processing and have to turn it off ... cause the baby decided that it was time!!!!!)

We're just a little bit excited!

patsi
A Working Pantry


P.S.  As you can see, this blogging break I'm supposed to be on is kind of hit and miss.  I'll pop in again when I have an update or something I just can't wait until January to share with you!  0:)

We Interrupt this Blogging Break ... (Again) ...

... for a couple of tips that I, the author of this blog who is supposed to be on a blogging break, felt a need to share.  These tips are time sensitive so don’t delay in acting on them if you are so inclined.

Tip #1 - Make a list of what your baking needs are going to be for the holiday season NOW!  Next, decide when you’re going to need them. Is it for Thanksgiving, food gifts for the Christmas holidays, Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day breakfast, brunch or dinner, is company coming?  Then, go to your pantry with your list in hand and see what you already have.  Take the remaining items on the list that you don’t already have in your pantry, and assign a week in your grocery budget to purchase them.  If there are several items that you need to purchase spread them out over the number of weeks you have until you will need them.  This will help you to stay on budget and have what you need when you need it during the holiday season.

Tip #2 - Candy will be at least half-price off in lots of stores the day after Halloween.  Take advantage of these sales and stock-up.  What can you do with it?  You can vacuum seal it in a jar, freeze it for later consumption, use it in baking … as in holiday goodies or use it in gift giving.  Me … well … I’m going to be on the hunt for tootsie rolls.  They are my favorite candy (yes, I know they are not good for me) and I plan to purchase as many as my budget will allow, bring them home and vacuum seal them in half-pint jars then quickly store them out of sight.  This will give me a supply of tootsie rolls that I can ‘occasionally’ munch on or share should the need arise until the next big half-price candy sale. J

This blogging break will now resume …

One more thing ... keep those questions and suggestions for posts coming ... I'm getting some great  ideas for January.

Now, this blogging break will resume ...

Patsi

A Working Pantry

Yes, I Know I'm Supposed to be on a Blogging Break, but ...

I just had to let you know that I'm doing a bit of 'blog-cleaning'/rearranging at A Working Pantry and wanted to tell you know about some of the new additions that I've added ...

I've added two new pages:

What We Grow, Produce or Make

and

Our Month-by-Month Gardening To-Do List

I really want A Working Pantry to be a helpful resource for those who follow or just stop by for a visit every now and then.  At the same time, I want it to be a realistic picture of what we keep in our well-stocked pantry and how we go about doing it as frugally as we can.

While I do plan to continue to be on a 'blogging break' until after the holidays, don't be surprised if every now and then I send out more 'this is what's new' at A Working Pantry type posts to keep you updated.

By-the-way, if there is something you would like to see me add or if there is a topic you would like me to address when I get back to blogging full time, feel free to email me with your suggestions.

In the meantime, I'm leisurely writing and saving the posts to share with you come January. 

patsi
A Working Pantry

It's Time For a Blogging Break ...

With all that's been going on this year with my family, I've been trying to continue with blogging.  I thought that if I went to blogging once a week it would help.  It has, but it's simply not enough.  The needs of my family have increased and in order for me to meet those needs, with a new baby coming (my son and daughter-in-law's baby) and the holidays upon us, I need to walk away from blogging for a little while.  So, I've decided to take the rest of the year off.   I plan to be back after the first of the year.

 

(You can still email me if you have a question, comment or want to order e-books.)

Enjoy the holidays!

 

patsi