November 2026 Pantry Challenge: Week #1

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

The first is meats or sources of protein if you're not a meat eater.   The meat can be home-canned, purchased in a can from the store, fresh meat or dried.

The second is anything related to baking.  Think holiday baking, what do you need to do your holiday baking.  If you already have everything on hand that you need, then plan to restock now when baking products are on sale.

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 one I found the last day of October and a great example of what we're going for this month ...

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: 10/30/31

 From My Home to Yours

10/30/26

~ So Long October! ~

October, in our area, started off with sweltering temperatures ranging from the low 90's to 100 degrees and ended with highs in the 70's!  Let me tell you we welcomed those more normal temps for our area with open arms!

(a rose from one of my rose bushes ... yes, in October)

We have been the recipients of much giving this week ...

Someone gave these walnuts and hazelnuts to my hubby while at work.   Both will be used in baked goods and or snack mixes!

A friend at church shared her bounty of sweet potatoes with us ... they had a bumper crop this year!  Isn't that what God wants us to do, share our abundance!  Hmmm ... roasted sweet potatoes; sweet potato fries; baked sweet potatoes; sweet potato pie; sweet potato casserole and more are in our future!  No preserving needed as they are well cured and will last until we finish eating them throughout the fall and winter!

Last week I received an early Christmas gift from one of my readers!!!  This lady is so very talented and blesses me with the work of her hands during the holiday season.   Her surprise came at just the right time to give me the pick-me-up that I needed.  (I have a whole new admiration for caregivers.)

 Stephanie, I put the Tim Tam in the freezer to bring out during the holidays for that little taste of Australia you mentioned.  Thank you, may you be abundantly blessed!    

I finished this unfinished sewing project this week ... it's special to me.  This bag is made from a quilt that hubby and I were given when we got married over 45 years ago.  I don't remember who gave it to us, but I do know that it was hand made and hand quilted.  The quilt had become worn, had several holes and was beyond repair, however, I was able to salvage enough  to make this bag.  Yes, the fabrics are a bit faded but that holds it's own special memories.  I plan to add a note and attach it to the bag regarding it's special place in my heart so that when my time on earth is over, those left behind will understand it's place in my life.  In the meantime, it is home to the drawstring bags I am stitching up for gift giving purposes.  The drawstring bags are lightweight and aren't too heavy for the bag.  I looped the handles over a doorknob to an inside door that seldom gets closed, I think it looks great hanging there!

(meatloaf we enjoyed last week)

In the kitchen I made 2 meatloaves and cooked them, both were added to the freezer part of our pantry.  I froze both as I had made a meatloaf the week before and we weren't ready for meatloaf again just yet.

I roasted some of the butternut squash I harvested a few weeks ago, oh my was it ever good!  The taste just burst in my mouth, the flavor of homegrown produce, it has been my experience, far outweighs mass produced produce.  Whenever possible, I always opt for home grown!

In the garden our cool weather crops continue to grow and grow.  I'm watching the forecast closely as our average frost date is upon us.  I have several herbs to harvest before that first killing frost happens ... maybe I should just go ahead and get started!!!!

For the pantry I'm watching for sales on whole turkeys.  In the past during the month of November, I've been able to find them for $.29/lb with a $35 purchase.  I hope the store that runs that deal does so again this year.  If I can find the deal, I'll be canning turkey for use throughout the year!  You can't beat the price!

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I did a little more 'fall' decorating this week, not much, mainly adding touches of fall color here and there around our home.  I call it 'fluffing' my home, nothing major, just several little things that add up to the ambience I am striving to make and maintain.  What's the ambience I'm going for  ... for this fall and winter, it's cozy, warm and welcoming.

The joy is in the journey!

__________________________

My Christmas preps are coming right along.  This week I finished updating our Christmas card list that we mail as well as the list for the ones we hand-deliver.  I also checked my Christmas gift wrapping supplies and we are in good shape there.  The last thing I did Christmas related was to purchase our Christmas cards.  Once I have the cards in hand, I can start working on a theme.  I like to include something a little extra with the cards and that's where having a 'theme' comes in handy!

I did more baking for the holidays and gift-giving ... 4 loaves of banana bread were added to our freezer.  I'm seriously considering doing a sampler type gift in a tin/box/bag of 3 different breads (one slice of each individually wrapped ... applesauce, banana and sourdough breads). What are your thoughts, is that a gift you would like to receive? 

My sister and I are nearing the end of our holiday sewing project ... drawstring bags for gift giving purposes.  I hope to be able to share pictures next week!

The joy is in the journey!

___________________________

I finished reading book 8 in the Bregdan Chronicles, Shifted By The Winds by Ginny Dye and started reading book #9, Always Forward by the same author in the same series.

Ladies, lesson 6 of our Bible study on Anna has been posted HERE!  

The final week of our October pantry challenge, week #4,  has been posted HERE!  Week #1 pantry challenge for November will be posted tomorrow, so be sure and check back.

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 #4

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 our non-prescription/over the counter meds ...

I restocked our vitamin D3 supplement that we both take.

I also placed an order with Hopewell Oils for a couple of essential oils that we were getting low on.  (No, I am not being paid nor have I been provided a product or will be provided a product for this endorsement.  This company merits my high standard of approval, that's all.)

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

I feel good about the state of our over-the-counter medications, essential oils, and herbal remedies going into the winter months.  I also feel good about our supply of cleaning products.  During those cold, wet or otherwise weather miserable days, if we don't won't to venture out, we won't have to ... that's a good thing!  And, we won't even talk about should one of us get 'under the weather' ... there is a very high chance that we won't have to venture out to get needed over-the-counter meds, etc either.  That is very comforting!

I keep saying it, keeping a well-stocked pantry doesn't have to be about 'dooms day' or 'end of the world as we know it' scenarios.  It can simply be about looking ahead and doing our best to make sure our families have what they need when they need it at the very best price possible.  That's my foundation ... looking well to the ways of my household!

Next week, we'll have a whole new pantry challenge ... hmmm, what areas will we be focusing on for the month of November??  Meet me back here next Monday and we'll find out!

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: 10/23/26

 From My Home to Yours

10/23/26

~ Frugal Choices We Made This Week ~

My hubby is back at work ... him and his walker, that is!  His boss told him that if he could just come and sit and supervise, it would be so helpful, so that's what he is doing.  Only, it's a lot more complicated than it sounds ... he can't drive.  That means that I'm his chauffer to and from work.  I said all that to say this ... when I drop him off at his work place, I stop at a local grocery store and shop their mark downs.  Since it is so early, I've been able to literally come behind the butcher, within 30 minutes or less, as he marks meats down giving me close to first choice.  I have gotten some really good deals and our freezer that we lost half of it's contents about a month ago, is slowly being restocked.  God is good!

I froze apple juice that I had left over from another pantry preserving project.  Instead of letting it sit in the refrigerator until it had to be tossed, I decided to divide it up into smaller containers and freeze it.  Waste not, want not!

I also had some apples that I needed to do something with so I made and canned chunky applesauce.

~ the loaves turned out perfect for gift giving or taking to a potluck ~

I had enough applesauce left over to make applesauce bread.  I let it cool, wrapped it really well and put it in the freezer for holiday gift giving and or use.  (I have a list of items I plan to cook and freeze for holiday gift giving and or use.)

I started making a potato flake sourdough bread starter with the intention of doing the same ... make bread, freeze ... use as gifts and or use as needed.

In the garden I did very little except for watering and watching it grow.  Our temps were and are in the 70's during the days and our fall garden is loving it ... the carrots are up, the beets are up, the garlic is pushing out green foliage from the ground, the collards are thriving as are the cabbage, broccoli and brussels sprouts.  I'm still continuing to get the occasional rose to bring inside and enjoy as well.

Our 'purple' greenhouse that we were working on with the intention of growing food in throughout the winter has been put on the back burner until spring.  By then, hubby should be recovered enough that we can resume our efforts.  Yes, it makes us sad, but we have resolved to not dwell on it.  (Sometimes, we have to do that don't we ... resolve ... make up our minds ... put it in God's Hands and move on.) We have so much to be thankful for that not getting to complete a project seems insignificant.

I finished putting together "Boo" mail for our grands and got it all in the mail.  I can't wait to 'see' or 'hear' from them once they get their 'G & G' mail!

I also got our 'fall' themed dishes out, washed them up and we have started using them.  I don't have many and they are a mismatched lot to be sure, but that was and is what I want.  It's fun to go thrifting for 'fall' themed dishes at thrift stores and yard sales!

The joy is in the journey!

(This is what we're going for ... I made this one back in the summer.)

My sister and I started our annual 'holidays' sewing project long distance via technology.  This year we're making drawstring bags with plans to stuff them with holiday goodies for gift giving.  We really do enjoy our annual tradition of making something together during the holiday season ... sometimes we laugh so hard ... well you know!

In addition this week, I started compiling our Christmas card list of those whom we hand deliver cards either at church or along with a hand-delivered gift locally.  I also compiled our Christmas card list of those we mail cards to via the postal service. 

I got my Christmas journal out and saw that it was already set up for Christmas 2026.  I did that last year as part of my 'after the holidays' packing things away for another year chore.

Here are the 'pages' I have labeled that serve me well each year:

Christmas Card Message page ... throughout the year I keep my eyes and ears open for a 'saying' or 'quote' to go in our Christmas cards.  When I find it I write it down on this page, then at the appropriate time, I add it to the cards as part of our holiday greeting.

Cards Hand Delivered page ... I write down who we hand deliver cards to so I don't forget anyone!

Cards Mailed page ... I keep a list of these as well for the same reason.

Gifts page ... I list the people we give gifts too and when a gift has been purchased, made, etc, I write down what by the recipient's name.  It's so helpful to be able to look back on prior years and see what we've given to whom!

Activities page ... I list the holiday related activities we participate in for that year.

and the last page is so very important ...

Notes for _____ (the next year) page ... on this page I write what holiday supplies I need to restock, what I have an abundance of, what worked really well and what did not work.  I also include what was stressful and what not to do again. 

It's nothing fancy and doesn't include a lot of things many Christmas journals do that we don't use, it meets our needs and is a beautiful reminder of our holiday seasons.  In fact, I guess you could say it might even be considered a walk down memory lane of Christmas' past!

(Sidenote:  I love decorating each page with stickers, doodles and of course my supply of colored ink pens get a workout as well!  It's all very personal, pretty to me, and mine!)

The joy is in the journey!

I finished reading book 7 of the Bregdan Chronicles, Glimmers of Change, by Ginny Dye and started reading book 8, Shifted By The Winds by the same author.   

Ladies, lesson 5 of our Bible study on Anna has been posted HERE!

Week #3 of our October pantry challenge has been posted HERE!  We'd love it if you'd join in!

In closing, I want to say a big 'THANK YOU' to all who have reached out to us, who are praying for us and have shown an abundance of care and concern to us during the last 2 weeks.   It's been hard ... and still is in many ways, but knowing that others are 'holding us up' means so much to our weary hearts.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus!  May you be abundantly blessed!

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 #3

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 our non-prescription/over the counter meds ...

We don't use much of this kind of product, but do keep it on hand ... just in case!

Here's something else I did, this one didn't cost me anything, but I did learn a lot!  I listened to a couple of sessions in the free summit done by The School of Traditional Skills/Homesteading Family last week.  The sessions I listened to were  ...

Sweet Medicine:   Crafting from the Hive by Kaylee Richardson

and

Stock Your Herbal Medicine Cabinet for Cold & Flu Season by Doc Jones

Some of the things were re-enforcements of what I already knew and some were new to me.

I think the replays are available through Monday and yes, they are free up until that time!

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!