When life's throws curveballs, make soup!

**Welcome Back, Humble Nesters**

After the hurricanes and all the weather mishaps, I truly hope you and your family are doing well. It’s been a whirlwind of a week (or two)! So, grab your favorite drink, and let’s sit down for a chat.

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**Hurricane Milton Caught Us Off Guard**

All praises and glory to the Most High—my family and I are safe here in Tampa. I know some families took a heavy hit, and my prayers go out to them. Thankfully, we didn’t lose too much, just a few days without power and a short stay at my mother’s house. (Thanks again, Mom! We owe you for letting this rowdy bunch crash for a few nights!) But really, y’all…

Hurricane Milton came at us fast, right on the heels of Hurricane Helene. A lot of us weren’t prepared for another round so soon. Let’s be honest, many of us live paycheck to paycheck. After using up savings for one emergency, it’s hard to bounce back quickly enough for another. When you’re juggling bills, rent, and trying to restock groceries that kids seem to devour in no time (especially with schools closed), it feels like one thing after another. Helene hit us hard, and then Milton wiped out what was left—anyone else feeling the struggle?

FEMA promised help, but so far, it doesn’t seem like any assistance is coming, at least not from them. That means we’re on our own, family. And it’s moments like these that remind me why building a strong village and community is so important.

The question is: **Have we been preparing for times when resources are scarce?**

Everything is in short supply these days—money, food, and even peace of mind. The saying, “we are living in the last days,” feels more true now than ever before.

The Most High has been warning us to prepare for a long time, and He’s coming back with a purpose. This isn’t to scare anyone; it’s only natural to worry, but we need to trust—trust in Him and His love for those of us striving to live righteously, following His word, His law, and His love.

Do you remember the story of Joseph in the Bible? He was sold to the Egyptians by his brothers, thrown into prison, but ultimately interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams (Genesis 41:15-36). The dreams warned of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advised Pharaoh to prepare during the years of abundance so that when the famine came, the people wouldn’t starve.

**Are we preparing?**

Stocking up on extra water, rice, beans, first-aid kits, flashlights—these things might seem small, but they can make all the difference when tough times hit. How will we help ourselves, our families, and our neighbors when the time comes?

Okay, I’ll step down off my soapbox now. 😆 But seriously, family, be prepared—even if it’s just an extra bandaid, some water, or a recipe that stretches the bare minimum of ingredients and funds.

And that brings me to today’s topic… a warm, hearty soup perfect for fall and feeding my family of 10 on less than $30.

**How I Came to Make This Delicious Soup**

Our twin boy, Bear, recently came down with a mouth infection. Since the hurricane, he’s had swollen, bleeding gums, a sore throat, and a fever—poor baby couldn’t chew or eat much of anything. Thankfully, he’s almost back to normal now, but I still wanted to make something easy and comforting for him to eat. Soup seemed like the perfect solution—brothy, warm, and soothing, especially on a chilly fall day (it’s fall, y’all!). Plus, with the pantry and fridge pretty bare after the storm, it was the ideal way to stretch what little we had until payday (which was the next day).

If you’re looking for an easy, budget-friendly dinner for a large family, this one-pot wonder did the trick for all 10 of us! Just so you know, I’m feeding 2 adults, 2 older kids, 3 elementary-aged kiddos, 2 preschoolers, and a toddler. And guess what? All I had in my account was $28. Here’s how I made it work:

**Ingredients**

- 1 lb ground turkey

- 12 oz frozen mixed vegetables

- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

- 1 (12 oz) can diced tomatoes

- 1 (12 oz) can beef broth

- 1 onion

- 1 bell pepper

- 2 cloves garlic

I also picked up garlic bread, some Oodles of Noodles, bananas, a Fanta for dinner, and cookies for the kiddos. Oh, and a large cup of noodles for Daddy’s lunch and a small bottle of creamer (because Mama needs her coffee). Add in some paper towels for the endless messes, and my grand total for the day came to **$28.71**—not bad, right? I paired the soup with rice to make it extra hearty.

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**(Insert Hearty Veggie Soup Recipe Here)**

I hope this gives some comfort to anyone feeling the pinch and looking for ways to stretch a dollar. Remember, being prepared doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s just about having the basics in place so you can take care of your loved ones when life throws curveballs.

Until next time, Humble Nesters, stay strong, stay ready, and take care of each other. 💋😘

Shaquilla

*Our Humble Nest*