October 2026 Pantry Challenge: Week #2

For the month of October, we are focusing on 2 areas of our pantry:

Adding as many non-prescription/over the counter meds as we think we’ll need to get through the winter months or as long as you prefer.  This includes over-the-counter meds, essential oils, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, etc.  Basically, any meds you use that doesn’t need a prescription.  (Hint: inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

The second area is cleaning products.  This includes laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, dishwashing liquid, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.  (Again, inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

You get to choose, one or the other or both.  It goes without saying that we want to stock up in these areas at the best possible price so let’s look for those bargains and share, share, share!

Here's what I added after taking inventory of the following two products ...

Cider Fire!!!

This is very much a staple in our home apothecary during the winter months.

This batch will be ready the later part of November, just in time to restock what I have left from last year's batch.  This stuff has kept me from having to go to the doctor many times.

My favorite dishwashing liquid!  I use this in my all purpose cleaner as well as for washing up dishes that need hand washing.

Within our two categories, what did you add to your pantry this week?

Next week, we'll continue on in the 'over-the-counter' and 'cleaning' categories with the purpose of ending the month fully stocked for winter in these two areas.

Until the next time ...  

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry  

~ quietly holding the home front ~

Sharing 46 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add several more years to my experience!)

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: 10/9/26

  From My Home to Yours

10/9/26

~ Frugaling Up! ... It's Time! ~

The theme of this week's post says it all ... we're getting more serious about being frugal! I'm getting serious about making as many of the things as possible that we purchase from the grocery store.  As a child growing up, we lived a very frugal life.  We either made, grew, foraged or raised almost everything we ate and while I don't expect to match what my parents did, I know that I can do better than I have been doing.   So, this week ...

I started paying more attention to everything we use and or consume.

When it came time to do laundry this week, I measured more carefully the amount of detergent I used based on the dirtiness and size of the load I was washing.

When I made my breakfast smoothie, I followed the measurements for the ingredients instead of just eyeballing them and dumping them in.  Yes, eyeballing and dumping is quicker and easier, but within a couple of days measuring was getting easier to do.  I was surprised how much more of some ingredients I was using than the measured amount called for!

I only used the dryer for drying hubby's jeans, our bed linens and our towels.  Everything else got hung to dry in our oversized shower.  I pull out a shower curtain rod and extend it over the shower tub to hang our clothing that we don't put in the dryer.

And so it begins, our journey to be even more frugal!

Besides being more frugal, here's what else I/we got up to this week ...

We were able to spend several days working on the greenhouse and are making progress!   We've done this project ourselves working it in and around hubby's work, our appointments and life in general.  Naturally, it has taken us longer, but we are saving lots of money by 'doing it ourselves!'    Speaking of saving money on the greenhouse renovation, we ran out of the paint hubby had gotten for less than half price because it had been returned or mixed wrong at the store. With this previous purchase in mind, hubby went back to the same store and found another gallon of paint, same situation, same quality of paint ... different color!  He purchased it anyway ... for $11!  So now, our newly renovated greenhouse is not green, nor blue ... it's a deep purple!!!!  This truly is going to be a 'unique' greenhouse in more ways than one, but we're keeping more of our money in our pockets as a result!

I worked quite a bit in the garden this week in and around helping hubby do what I could do.  Since the greenhouse is very near the garden area, I would work in the garden and hubby would call me when he needed my assistance.  

I planted:

brussels sprouts

broccoli

carrots

beets

garlic

cleaned up and amended one raised bed

harvested our turmeric (It was the smallest turmeric harvest I can remember having.)

harvested our sweet potatoes (again, not a good harvest.  The extreme heat and drought really affected our ability to grow a garden this summer.  We are used to gardening in hot and humid weather, but this year the heat was excessive without a break ... we need to come up with a plan in case next year is a repeat.)

I moved one raised bed out of the orchard as the trees have gotten big enough that it was getting a bit too much shade.  I relocated it to a more sunny spot.   

I'm also redoing our container garden area ... oh my, there's lots to do to get ready for next year's gardening.   I work a little while and I rest a little while.  It's how I get things done!

We took a day trip one day this week and oh my, did we enjoy ourselves.  About this same time a year ago we did the same thing and went to a neighboring state that had a small Amish community.  We went back to the same place this week and pretty much did the same things:

attended an Amish produce auction and brought back broccoli

visited the Amish cheese store where they make cheese and brought back cheese

visited an apple orchard and brought back apples

I'll be working on preserving the broccoli and apples in the upcoming week; it was a really nice trip, we got to enjoy a little bit of leaf color and we were able to build up our pantry as well.  But alas, as much as we enjoyed ourselves, it was good to get back home ... there's just no place like home, is there!

My cell phone had some problems this week and I was afraid I was going to have to replace it.  I really prayed about this as that's not an expense we wanted to have right now ... and ... I was able to identify the problem the next day and figure out a solution.  You can bet I stopped and praised and thanked God when everything was put to right again.   I'm so glad that God hears my prayers regardless of how insignificant they may be in the grand scheme of things!  I hope that you know that if it's important to you/me, it's important to God.

We're getting serious about prepping for Christmas,  here's what I did this week!

I chose a gift for the women in our church's ladies Bible class and found that I have everything on hand to make it/them.  

The things that I make are not elaborate or expensive and I always make one for myself as well.  I like to receive practical quality gifts that don't break the bank and I like to gift them as well.  (I'm very intentional on the gifts we give being practical and purposeful even if the recipient knows what they're getting.)  The joy is in the journey!

We love the fall and Thanksgiving holiday season too, here's what I did this week for fall/Thanksgiving prep!

I'm putting together "Boo" mail for our grands.  You know this grandma has to send something to her grands for each of the upcoming holidays!  I'll try to have a picture tutorial up next week.

The joy is in the journey!

I continued reading in book 7 of the Bregdan Chronicles, Glimmers of Change, by Ginny Dye.  I finished listening to Rocky Mountain Journey by Misty M. Beller.

I started crocheting some dishcloths while riding in the vehicle this week.  I need to replace some of my 'well-worn' ones with new ones and since I have everything on hand that I need, it seemed like a frugal solution to what could otherwise be an expensive replacement.  

Ladies, lesson 3 of our Bible study on Anna has been posted HERE!

Week #1 of our October pantry challenge has been posted HERE!  We'd love it if you'd join in!

If you're still with me in reading this post, I want to tell you that most all of it was written before Friday, before 'a thing' happened ... 'a thing' that has so encompassed our world since that I just didn't think I would or could post this week at all.  My hubby fell Friday night, broke some bones and has been told by the ER doctor that he is likely facing surgery as a result of one of the breaks.  This changes our winter plans in just about every way.

I am so thankful that I listened to those little bells in my head that were urging me to get us prepared for winter.  Have I gotten everything on my winter preparedness list done, no, but the things that are left are small and doable in small increments.  They are the 'luxuries' of getting through the winter and while they would be nice, are not required.

Fellow Christians have rallied around us in such a loving way and my heart, while exhausted and weary at the moment, is overflowing with love and gratitude for each of them.  Our church is not a big congregation, but oh the fellowship and love that we have for one another is nothing short of amazing.  If you don't have this kind of Christian family, I urge you to seek it aggressively.  I urge you to go to God in prayer and ask Him to lead you to one.  When you find the congregation that teaches the whole truth of God's Word and that truly loves one another, you have indeed found a rare gem.

If you are of a mind, would you join me in praying for my hubby, that his injuries will heal quickly without complications and that he will soon be back to his normal activities.  Thank you in advance!

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 ~

Sharing 46 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add several more years to my experience!)

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!

October 2026 Pantry Challenge: Week # 1

 For the month of October, we are focusing on 2 areas of our pantry:

Adding as many non-prescription/over the counter meds as we think we’ll need to get through the winter months or as long as you prefer.  This includes over-the-counter meds, essential oils, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, etc.  Basically, any meds you use that doesn’t need a prescription.  (Hint: inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

The second area is cleaning products.  This includes laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, dishwashing liquid, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.  (Again, inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

You get to choose, one or the other or both

.  It goes without saying that we want to stock up in these areas at the best possible price so let’s look for those bargains and share, share, share!

Here's what I added after taking inventory of the following two products ...

dishwasher detergent ... I'm not a big fan of handwashing dishes, especially when there are a lot of them to do.  And yes, I know the secret is to 'wash' as you go, but sometimes I just don't do that.  It's easier for me to 'load' as I go!  At any rate, which ever side of the dishwashing issue you lie on, I took inventory of the amount of dishwasher detergent I had on hand and purchased accordingly enough to get me through the winter months.

vapor rub ...  again, I inventoried what we had on hand and purchased enough to get us through the winter months.

Within our two categories, what did you add to your pantry this week?

Next week, we'll continue on in the 'over-the-counter' and 'cleaning' categories with the purpose of ending the month fully stocked for winter in these two areas.

Until the next time ...  

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry  

~ quietly holding the home front ~

Sharing 46 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add several more years to my experience!)

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: 10/2/26

 From My Home to Yours

10/2/26

~  Tis the Season for Planning ~

I love it when I get to meet my readers in person.  This week one of my  newer readers, who visits our Church congregation from time to time, visited this past Sunday.  She is a delightful person and a kindred spirit.  Look what she brought me !!!!  She made the statement that it 'wasn't much' but I assured her that it was to me!  Thank you, you know who you are.  I look forward to having you visit with us again soon!  Hubby and I split the chocolates and enjoyed them very much!  It was just enough to give us a treat, but not enough for us to overindulge and make ourselves not feel so well!!  I plan to use the Forjar coupon and  the waffle towel is already in use ... thank you again ... you made my day!

I used to make all my own yogurt and this week, I started back again.   The Greek yogurt I normally purchase has gotten so expensive that I decided it was time to brush off the skill of yogurt making and get back to it.

Here's the link to how I make yogurt with no special equipment needed.  What are you making at home instead of buying because of the cost?

We harvested our sweet potatoes this week and the yield was way down from prior years quite a bit.  With the brutal heat and drought we've had this summer, I am thankful to even get a harvest.  I can't help but think that the weather this year has greatly affected agriculture, which in turn affects availability and cost.  My hubby was at a fast food restaurant this week and they couldn't feel his or any other orders because they had run out of food.   The same thing happened when his place of employment sent him to a different fast food restaurant with an order for several of the employees later in the week ... the restaurant had run out of food.  One has to wonder if both of these instances were a situation of bad management or if this year's weather has already starting affecting the food chain.  At any rate, we are being watchful and paying attention.

Our brussels sprouts that we are growing from seed are almost ready to plant.  A second round of broccoli is about 2 weeks away from being planted.  Typically, both of these will grow well in our area up through Christmas.

I've worked on cleaning out raised beds readying them for planting brussels sprouts and broccoli.  I need to prep a raised bed for garlic as well.  Fall gardening is a big thing for us and after the summer growing season we had, we're hoping our fall garden does really well!

It's time to start getting serious about prepping for Christmas.  You know that for us, the joy is in the journey leading up to Christmas day ... so, 3,2,1 ... here's what I did this week for Christmas prep!

It always starts with planning and that's where I'm at now.  In the planning stages, gift list, budget, decor, activities, etc.

But wait, not so fast ... what about Thanksgiving ... we love the Thanksgiving holiday too ... 3,2,1 ... here's what I did this week for Thanksgiving prep!

I gathered ideas for fall decorating just by looking at pictures I saw online.  The only requirement was that it had to be something I could do using what I already had on hand.  I found a couple of ideas I'm going to play with and see what I can do.  The joy is in the journey and the challenge to make the day special on a budget is intriguing to me.

What about Halloween?  We don't do the scary stuff, we focus more on non-scary fall festivities ... 3,2,1 ... here's what we did this week to enjoy the fall season!

We marked our calendars for an evening of fall festivities the early part of November.  

From now until the end of the year, scheduling and making sure everything gets on the calendar will be crucial!  The joy is in the journey!

I continued reading in book 7 of the Bregdan Chronicles, Glimmers of Change, by Ginny Dye (I actually got a chunk of time this week to sit down and read so I made some big progress on reading Glimmers of Change).  I continued listening to Rocky Mountain Journey by Misty M. Beller.

We continue to work on our greenhouse.  Our strategy is to set a goal for each day we can work, complete that goal and then set another goal for the next work day.  This week we had  one day we could work and we worked hard ... most all day long!

No sewing this week!  

Ladies, lesson 2 of our Bible study on Anna has been posted HERE!

Our new pantry challenge for October has been posted HERE!  We'd love it if you'd join in!

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 ~

Sharing 46 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add several more years to my experience!)

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!

October 2026 Pantry Challenge Kickoff!

We’ve just spent several weeks working on building up our pantries with just $5 a week.  I hope we’ve been able to see that it’s more the intentionality and commitment to keeping a well-stocked pantry than the amount we spend, that should be our #1 motivation.

When we set our minds to building and or maintaining a well-stocked pantry, we suddenly see the possibilities that we might not have noticed before.

Sales

Preservation methods

Gleaning

Swapping

It’s intentionality, the commitment, the determination that gets the job done.  The methods we use are just the ways and means.

With these thoughts in mind and using the $5 per week pantry challenge we just completed as a ‘jumpstart’, I want to switch things up a bit and start doing a monthly focus in our pantry building journey.

From June 21^st – September 21^st we did the $5 per week pantry challenge

For the month of October, we are going to focus on 2 areas of our pantry:

Since, for most of us, we are working on getting all tucked in for winter … so that we don’t have to brave the colder weather unless we want too, we’re going to focus on …

Adding as many non-prescription/over the counter meds as we think we’ll need to get through the winter months or as long as you prefer.  This includes over the counter meds, essential oils, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, vitamins, etc.  Basically, any meds you use that doesn’t need a prescription.  (Hint: inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

The second area is cleaning products.  This includes laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, dishwashing liquid, dryer sheets, cleaning supplies, etc.  (Again, inventory what you have, then restock accordingly!)

You get to choose, one or the other or both.  It goes without saying that we want to stock up in these areas at the best possible price so let’s look for those bargains and share, share, share!

I hope you’ll join me in this challenge starting October 1^st and ending at midnight on October 31st, 2026!

3, 2, 1 … go!

Until the next time ...  

mrs. patsi @ A Working Pantry  

~ quietly holding the home front ~

Sharing 46 years' experience of frugal living and pantry building (if you include my frugal childhood, well that would add several more years to my experience!)

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!