From My Home to Yours: 2/27/26

  From My Home to Yours

2/27/26

~  Where did February go ... ~

What a month of weather swings ...

 a week of snow and frigid temperatures ...

a week of 60 - 80 degree temperatures ...

then more cold weather followed by more warm weather ...

nature is confused and I am too!

In the midst of all these weather swings, I officially kicked off our 2026 gardening season by starting the first set of seeds!

I made a mini greenhouse for each type of seeds by planting them in a clear plastic cup, putting a labeled marker in the cup and then setting the whole thing inside a zip lock bag. At one time I had 7 varieties of seeds in cups sitting in an aluminum pan on the hearth. The warmth from the wood stove kept them toasty warm and allowed for condensation on the inside of the bag keeping the soil moist but not too wet. As soon as the seeds started popping through the soil I removed them from the hearth and placed them on a window seal that gets lots of afternoon sunlight. When they get about 1-2 inches tall I'll transplant them into individual containers giving each seedling it's own cup. Currently, I have 4 varieties of tomatoes and 3 herbs with plans to start more seeds next week.

Side note: I like to use clear plastic cups to start my plants and seedlings in because I can tell when they're getting root bound and or when they have a well established root system in place.

I also chatted our potatoes hoping to get them planted in one of our raised beds within the next couple of weeks. (These potatoes were left from last fall's harvest, mine as well as another home grown source.)

I added something to my pantry this week!

Remember those Boston butts on a 3-day sale I mentioned last week ...

and remember those shrimp on a BOGO sale ...

Well, we bought some of each and they are now in our freezer!  We bought the Boston Butts for an upcoming church event at one location of the chain store that was having the sale.   There happens to be a second location of the same chain store in our town, so we went there as we needed more than the limit.  They were out, so we got a rain check.  We'll go back and get more, this time to finish out the amount we need for for church event and a couple for me to can as pulled pork.  It's just so very convenient to pull a jar of pulled pork off the pantry shelf, add bbq sauce, buns and a couple of sides and you have a meal!

We did the same thing with the shrimp as one store had them and the other location did not.  

I'm trying a new format for my sewing blog, Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine. You can check it out HERE!  

I finished reading Dark Chaos, by Ginny Dye, book 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles and listened to Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson on Libby.  Again this week, I had more listening time than reading time.   I also started reading book 5 in the Bregdan Chronicles, The Last Long Night by Ginny Dye.

Ladies, the third lesson in our Bible study on Naomi has been posted.  You can find it HERE!

Before we finish off this post with visiting our imaginary family in our preparedness case study series, I just have to show you a picture I took of a sunrise at our house one morning this week.  The picture doesn't do it justice, but maybe you can get some idea of it's beauty ...

It didn't last long, but it was breath taking while it was there!

Okay on to our preparedness case study ...

Here's the one from last week and the advice you gave ...

Preparedness Case Study #2  ...

(we're staying in the winter season for this one as well)

a family of 2 senior citizens (husband and wife) in their mid 70's ...

the temperature outside is 23 degrees and dropping, there is also a breezy wind blowing and it's starting to rain ...

they are out in their automobile and run over an object in the road giving them two flat tires ...

they have a quarter tank of gasoline ...

their cell phone service is sketchy with hit and miss reception

no water or food in the automobile ...

they are about 2 miles from nearest civilization ...

no blankets in the automobile, but each does have a warm coat ...

Here's what you advised this imaginary couple to do during the crisis and afterwards to be better prepared ...

Keep trying to get cell service.  Set auto-flashers on.  Keep coats on and use auto heat sparingly.  Get in the backseat and use both coats like a blanket and wait for help.  Stay with the vehicle.  One person get out of the car to try for better cell phone reception.  Try calling 911.  As a last resort, drive very slowly on the flat tires (yes, this will damage the rims, that’s why it’s a last resort) to the nearest place of help.

 For future reference, you said:

Keep a winter plastic tube in the vehicle with water, snacks, hand/foot warmers, change of clothing, source of light, extra socks, a space blanket for each person, regular blankets, flairs, fix a flat for at least 2 tires, walking footwear, jumper cables, air compressor and charger for cell phones. 

Check to see if phone has satellite capabilities if there is no cellular service available.   If health allows, make walking a part of your daily fitness regimen.  Keep fuel level at least half full.  Have a check-in routine with someone such as telling a family member or friend where they are going, when they expect to get there and perhaps promise to give them a quick ring to let them know they have arrived safely. If they don't ring, someone will then know there is a problem.

I hope you've found something in this imaginary scenario that will help you in your real life preparedness preparations, that's the goal of this series.

Here's our Preparedness Case Study for week #3 ...

(it's 92 degrees outside and the weather is clear)

This time we have a woman in her mid 50's in relatively good health and shape ...

She spent the morning helping a friend that lives about 20 miles from her home ...

On her way back home, about 10 miles from her house, she hears something hit her vehicle and pulls over to check it out ...

She leaves her vehicle running with the door open and quickly does a once over check of the outside of her vehicle ...

Everything seems to be in order and she goes to get back in her vehicle ...

The door has swung shut and much to her dismay she discovers that the door is locked ...

All the doors are locked ...

Her purse, cell phone and emergency bag are in the vehicle ...

She is on an interstate highway and the nearest exit is 3 miles away ...

What would you advise this woman to do? Keep in mind that she is alone and safety is a factor.  How would you advise her to be better prepared for a similar event in the future?  What can we learn from this scenario to help us be better prepared?

That's it for this week, I hope you've found something in my ramblings that will help and or encourage you in the upcoming week.

Until the next time ...

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

~ quietly holding the home front ~

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Other Places You Can Find Me ...

Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine 

From This Heart of Mine  

Mrs. Patsi on Instagram

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means. 

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay.

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!

From My Home to Yours: 2/20/26

 From My Home to Yours

2/20/26

~  Two weeks ago ... ~

... we were dealing with frigid temperatures and 12 inches of snow!  Today, our high is supposed to top out at 80 degrees!  This week our temps have ranged from the low 60's to today's high of 80.  It's what we call a 'false spring.'

The fruit trees in the orchard are starting to bud out with tiny leaves, our elderberry bushes are doing the same.  The forsythia, not to be left out of the 'spring' business of waking up is following suit!

False springs are typical for us and I've been taking advantage of it by continuing my deep house cleaning and decluttering project.  A house that's getting a spring cleaning coupled with warm spring temperatures is a combination that lifts the spirits after a bout of cold bitter winter weather.

Another sign of spring ... our chickens have started laying again!!!  This year we timed it about right with the number of eggs we would need to put back for our use from the time they started molting/stopped laying and when they started laying again.  It's hit and miss every year!

We're still eating out of our pantry and not adding anything to it ... although I did notice in this weeks local grocery store ad that they had shrimp on a BOGO sale and Boston butts on sale for $.99/lb.  I need to check my canned pulled pork and see if I need to restock.  If I do, I'll purchase a Boston butt and can it up for the pantry.  That's how we keep our pantry well-stocked ... we look for those sales and then get to work!  Now about that shrimp, yes ma'am, I plan to add some of that to the freezer part of my pantry as well!  Shrimp is a special treat at our house!

I stitched up another block in my patriot quilt project.  You can take a peek at it HERE along with the other 3 I've completed.

I continued reading Dark Chaos, by Ginny Dye, book 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles and listened to Finding Us by Tracie Peterson on Libby.  I had more listening time this week than I had reading time.  Sometimes that's the way it works out!

Ladies, the second lesson in our Bible study on Naomi has been posted.  You can find it HERE!

Let's finish off this post with visiting our imaginary family in our preparedness case study series  ...

Here's the one from last week ...

(this power outage occurs in the winter)

a family of 3 (father, mother and a new born)

no disabilities and in good health

they do have a well-stocked pantry

they are renting their home

they have a budget of $300 to spend

they do not have an alternate source of heat

they do not have an alternate lighting source other than flashlights and candles

they do not have an alternate way of cooking

Here's the advice you gave this couple ...

for heating purposes, a Mr. Buddy Heater or Kerosene Heater for a heat source,

purchase fuel for which each source of heat chosen ...

for lighting purposes, battery operated push lights or solar lights that can be put outside to recharge during the daylight hours or set in a window ...

for emotional support, candles and a battery operated radio ...

for cooking and boiling water purposes, a small camp stove approved for indoor use, or a small grill for outside use.  Fuel for each of these options should also be factored in as part of the cost...

for bed or 'pallet' warming, fill hot water bottles with hot water, wrap in some kind of cloth and place in bedding to warm area, or warm bricks, wrap in some kind of cloth and use in the same way ...

for having warm beverages, quality thermos bottles ...

additional advice given: (1) curtain off or close door of one room and make it your main living quarters, (2) insulate windows with cardboard, newspaper or plastic wrap in your closed off room, (3) cover windows with heavy coverings, (4) set cooler outside and use for refrigeration purposes and (5) use Vaseline or something similar on lips to prevent chapping.

The care and protection from the cold of a newborn would require close attention.  Baby wearing might be an option to consider.

I hope you've found something in this imaginary scenario that will help you in your real life preparedness preparations, that's the goal of this series.

Now that we've helped imaginary family #1, let's move on to our next imaginary family situation ...

Preparedness Case Study #2 looks like this ...

(we're staying in the winter season for this one as well)

a family of 2 senior citizens (husband and wife) in their mid 70's ...

the temperature outside is 23 degrees and dropping, there is also a breezy wind blowing and it's starting to rain ...

they are out in their automobile and run over an object in the road giving them two flat tires ...

they have a quarter tank of gasoline ...

their cell phone service is sketchy with hit and miss reception

no water or food in the automobile ...

they are about 2 miles from nearest civilization ...

no blankets in the automobile, but each does have a warm coat ...

What would you advise this couple to do?  How would you advise them to be better prepared for a similar event in the future?  What can we learn from this scenario to help us be better prepared?

That's it for this week, I hope you've found something in my ramblings that will help and or encourage you in the upcoming week.

Until the next time ...

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

~ quietly holding the home front ~

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Other Places You Can Find Me ...

Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine 

From This Heart of Mine  

Mrs. Patsi on Instagram

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means. 

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay.

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!

From My Home to Yours: 2/13/26

 From My Home to Yours

2/13/26

~ getting back to our normal ~

Things have returned to what's normal for us and now I'm playing catch-up.  As you would image, I got a bit behind on projects I'm working on, but I'll work at a pace to get caught up that is right for me.  Not stressing, just continual chipping away.

Our daily high temps have ranged from 50's - 70's this week and I keep looking at my raised beds and gardening containers and planning in my mind what I'm going to plant where.  Since, we're going with a smaller garden space this year, I aim to see how much I can grow in the designated space.  Actually, I'm seeing this as a challenge!  Next week I need to focus on getting the raised bed amended that our green peas will go into along with spring greens ... if our weather cooperates.  We can't forget the potatoes either, time to get them chitted and a planting date selected!

Hubby has asked me what I want for Valentine's Day and I've decided that I'd like to have a really fragrant rose bush that produces hops and can be used for herbal purposes.  The color doesn't really matter.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  

I worked some more on my winter long project of deep cleaning my pantry and home.  All the little chunks of time I've snatched here and there are beginning to show ... and just as good as the progress made is, the fact that I'm not exhausted from pushing myself to get it done in a shorter period of time feels just as good.

I didn't get much sewing done this week, but I did manage to do some prep work setting myself up for being ready to sit down at my machine when the opportunity presents itself. 

Take a peak at the fabric in the picture!  All 3 pieces are slated to become aprons ... two for me. (I wear aprons quite a lot and as a result they wear out and or get so stained that I can't get them clean.  This is the time of year that I like to inventory my aprons and replace any that need replacing.)  The third piece of fabric (the puppy one) is for an apron for a grand.  Grandma is making aprons for all the grands this year for Christmas.  This puppy fabric is perfect for one of them!

 You can see what prep work I did along with the small amount of sewing and crocheting I did this week HERE.

I did absolutely nothing for the pantry this week except eat from it.  I added nothing, just used from it ... but isn't that what our pantries are for ... using!

I continued reading Dark Chaos, by Ginny Dye, book 4 in the Bregdan Chronicles.   If you haven't noticed, this series has me hooked!  Like I always say, if you're interested in any of the books I read, first, check your local library, check on Libby, try to find them used or if possible borrow them from someone you know who has them.  As a last resort, if you really want to read a book and can afford it, by all means buy it new!   However, I highly recommend you start with the cheapest method and go from there.

Ladies, the first lesson in our Bible study on Naomi has been posted.  You can find it HERE!

And finally, I want to go back to the recent weather event that swept across a good part of the country. In some parts it dumped large amounts of ice leaving many without power for several days and large amounts of snow in areas that don't usually get snow.  For the next several weeks, I want to do 'case studies' where I present an imaginary family that is not prepared for power outages.  I want all of us to take the 'imaginary family' and offer suggestions for ways they can prepare for being without power for up to 10 days.

Here's the first one ...

(this power outage occurs in the winter)

a family of 3 (father, mother and a new born)

no disabilities and in good health

they do have a well-stocked pantry

they are renting their home

they have a budget of $300 to spend

they do not have an alternate source of heat

they do not have an alternate lighting source other than flashlights and candles

they do not have an alternate way of cooking

How would you suggest this family prepare for a power outage of up to 10 days.  (I'll compile your suggestions along with mine in next week's post and then present another family scenario.)

That's it for this week, I hope you've found something in my ramblings that will help and or encourage you in the upcoming week.

Until the next time ...

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

~ quietly holding the home front ~

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Other Places You Can Find Me ...

Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine 

From This Heart of Mine  

Mrs. Patsi on Instagram

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means. 

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay.

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!

From My Home to Yours: 2/6/26

 From My Home to Yours

2/6/26

~ We had a BLIZZARD in the land of 'no snow!' ~

we got 12 inches of snow ...

It was beautiful, it stayed around for about 3 days until and when our day and night time temps rose above freezing.  The 'above freezing temps' along with rain cleared it all out.  It really was the best kind of snow, it came, stayed 3 days and left!  The worst part of it was the bitter cold that accompanied it.  We were not unhappy to see the cold go!  

Consequently, this has been a week of recovery... recovery that looked like doing the necessities and letting the rest go.

I did have some onions that needed using or preserving, I chose to chop and freeze them in one cup increments.  I put these onion filled snack bags in a larger freezer bag.  When I want to use some, I can pull out one baggie at a time or as much as I need.

I also had some horseradish root that I needed to preserve, so I chopped and dehydrated it.

I finished reading Spring Will Come, by Ginny Dye, book 3 in the Bregdan Chronicles.  I enjoyed it just as much as the first two in the series, but this one held an extra treasure for me ... it shared how the main character used herbs to help other characters in the story line recover from illnesses.  Yes, I know it's fiction, but I will take what the author included about the herbs and do my own research.  I already know that some of the ways the main character used the herbs are accurate from my previous research and current use and am looking forward to researching the other herbs mentioned.  There are so many ways to learn if we're really interested in a subject!  

I also finished listening to an audio book I've been working on for several weeks, A Choice Considered by Tracie Peterson.  I don't know why it's taken me so long to finish the book, I really enjoyed it, I guess my 'listening' time has been limited.  I borrowed the audio book through Libby the library app.  I also look for the least expensive way to acquire books I read, and free is about as cheap as you can go!!

I'm gearing up to do another ladies Bible class over on From This Heart of Mine.  You can find the intro HERE.

As you can see, I didn't really get a lot done this week, but then again surviving a 12 inch blizzard and frigid cold temperatures is not our norm and required much more energy and effort.  Now that I think of it, maybe I did get a lot done this week!

And finally, I want to give a shout-out to a new blog, Steph's Simple Living.  If you like what I do here, then you'll enjoy what she does there!

That's it for this week, I hope you've found something in my ramblings that will help and or encourage you in the upcoming week.

Until the next time ...

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

~ quietly holding the home front ~

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Other Places You Can Find Me ...

Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine 

From This Heart of Mine  

Mrs. Patsi on Instagram

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links.  This means that if you click on the link and place an order, etc I earn a small fee at no increased cost to you. Thank you for your support through these means. 

Thank you for using my Amazon affiliate link when placing your Amazon orders. I earn a small percentage that doesn't increase what you pay.

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!

From My Home to Yours: 1/30/26

  From My Home to Yours

1/30/26

~  prepping for another winter storm  ~

Yes, you read that right, we prepped for a winter storm event last weekend and another one is forecast for this weekend.  Forecast are all over the place as to the amount of snow we are predicted to get and for an area that I laughingly call 'the land of no snow,' a forecast of any amount of snow is a pretty big deal.  So, once again we are in full storm prep mode.

Because of this, I just haven't had time to work on a post for this week.  We are checking our storm prep list and then checking it twice.

We've listened to forecasts for our area until I am 'forecast weary,' yet because of the potential seriousness of this winter storm, I continue to check.

This is what we're being told at this time ...

we could get up to 16 inches of snow in our area ...

we could have a small amount of freezing rain ...

wind gusts are forecast to be up to 60 miles per hour at times ...

forecasters are using the word 'blizzard' for our area ...

an arctic blast is accompanying the snow ...

the storm itself is supposed to last for about 24 hours, in some areas more ...

it's supposed to start tonight and go through Sunday varying in degrees of intentness ...

but then ... we could be in a 'dry slot' and get a dusting ...

however, the arctic blast would still be in place.

We have prepared for the worst and are praying for the best!

Our area never gets snow, so if this pans out to be some 16 inches along with blizzard conditions, I may be offline due to a power outage and or without internet for a few days.

In other news, we're getting things ready to begin our first ladies Bible study of 2026 over on From This Heart of Mine, but before we do that we've done a Recap of 2025.

Like I said, I just haven't had time to do a proper post this week, I hope you'll understand.

Update:  2/1/26 ... In the land of 'no snow,' we woke up to ...

about 12 inches of snow ...

a temperature of 18 degrees with the feels like at 6 degrees ...

this is indeed a rare occurrence for our area ...

so thankful for our preps and preparedness ...

we are warm and safe and as of this update, still have power!

We are thanking God for His care and for His 'going before us and preparing the way!'

Until the next time ...

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry

~ quietly holding the home front ~

She looketh well to the ways of her household … Proverbs 31:27 

Other Places You Can Find Me ...

Grandma's Got a Sewing Machine 

From This Heart of Mine  

Mrs. Patsi on Instagram

If you are encouraged by what you read here, please consider supporting my work via one of the following ways. Your expressions of appreciation help me keep my pantry well-stocked and me motivated to keep on keeping on with my attempts to inspire and encourage you (Titus 2:3-5) through my writings!