PREP THREAD 4/21-4/27

Let's see. I made an order for some FD Fruit this week. That should be here in the next couple of days. It is hard to raise fruit when you have long winters.
We got some welding done by a friend to redo something we had done at a shop that was messed up. And when we went out to pick it up I was given a box of books. Most were woodworking books. But one was a nice one on greenhouses. And it had a lot of info in it even though it was a small book.
I took cuttings from my elderberry bush this week. Hopefully they will root into nice little cuttings. Have not had the best of luck in the past trying it. But I kind of refuse to give up.
It is snowing here right now. YUCK. After all I have outside things that I really want to being at. Like that greenhouse. Oh well I do not plan on dodging snowflakes to do it. And it is that really wet heavy snow that soaks you all the way through fast. So guesse I will stay here in the house by the woodstove.
So what are the rest of you doing?

I haven't posted in a long while. I worked at H&R Block this tax season for some extra money. We are headed out tomorrow for a three week trip, which includes a two week cruise in the Baltics. All of our money has been going towards that and vet bills.

We have been prepped up for quite a while now, so I just try to stay on top of things. A friend gave me a case of jelly jars. I took advantage of the Honeyville 20% sale and bought a few cans. A BOGO at Publix brought us back up to stock on kitty litter. We are still at 2+ years on stored food and household supplies, which I'm thankful for as prices just keep rising.

The big thing when I get back will be some reorganizing of the current supplies and a redo of the printed inventory.

Sorry about the long winter a lot of you are having Kilagal. I have been gardening up a storm here in Ca's high desert. Everything but the corn is planted. Lots of squash and green beans coming up and a lot of lettuce and other greens growing before it gets too hot. We just transplanted the tomatoes into larger pots because if we try to put them in the ground too soon the cut worms get them. We also have trouble with that little leaf hopper. The disease that is spread by them makes it very hard to get tomatoes every year. But we still manage quite a few. We have good luck with Juliets and ToughBoys although I have planted a lot of different paste tomatoes this year hoping to be able to make some sauce.
Added a 6 cases of canned goods to my preps plus some honey and basmati rice.
That is about it for me. Like to hear what the rest of you are doing.

I did something new, for me at least. I canned chicken yesterday for the first time ever. I'm so proud of myself. I have a glass top stove, so I had to do it on an old propane burner outside. The canner I used was my Dh's grandmother's. It's got to be at least 70 years old, but works great. Next on my list is more chicken and then I think I'll try pork. I admit to being intimidated, but I'm determined.
catskinner

catskinner said:

I did something new, for me at least. I canned chicken yesterday for the first time ever. I'm so proud of myself. I have a glass top stove, so I had to do it on an old propane burner outside. The canner I used was my Dh's grandmother's. It's got to be at least 70 years old, but works great. Next on my list is more chicken and then I think I'll try pork. I admit to being intimidated, but I'm determined.
catskinner

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And I bet it was easier than you thought it would be! Good work!

Canned chicken is great to have on hand for a quick meal. I have canned chicken and beef, but have not tried pork yet. Let us know how it turns out.

Blueberry, I have canned smoked pork loin. It is wonderful. I canned it sliced after smoking it to about half done. Makes a great quick meal, with or without bbq sauce.

I put some more eggs in the incubator. I also got the old one fixed. I had bought 3 wafers from the feed store, and replaced the switch and it still did not work. I finally ordered a wafer from McMurry hatchary. It works great again. Apparently the wafers at the feed store were improperly stored or shipped.

I worked in the garden yesterday. I got about half of the garlic mulched. I was going to plant tomatoes, but we may have a frost tonight. This weather is cooler than normal for us. At least we are getting rain this year. Most people are behind on their gardens this year because of the rain.
I am putting some asparagus in the freezer today. Love that stuff!!

Ya gotta know when to JUMP ON A "DEAL".
I came across some HUGE roasters (Oster brand) on Amazon for $33 each, +FREE shipping.
My eyes bugged out and I jumped, buying TWO.(One for a relative)
AS SOON AS I BOUGHT THEM I LOOKED IN MY EMAIL and with the purchase confirmation I clicked on the link back to the Amazon listing for them and the price had been raised to $63.35each, just about double!!
THEY MUST HAVE BEEN MIS-MARKED!!


I ALSO foundthe white DOULTON 10" SUPER STERASYL CERAMIC GRAVITY WATER FILTER CANDLES FOR $20 each(a little over half price) on Amazon and picked up 8 of em, but one arrived broken. I had them pick it up and they credited me for it. THEY ONLY FIT IN THE TWO LARGEST BERKEY WATER FILTERS, so DO NOT buy them for a "BIG BERKEY", THEY ARE TOO LONG FOR THE LID TO COVER EM.

They are now $21 each buy two+ and get free shipping http://www.amazon.com/Doulton-Stera...8-1&keywords=10"+super+sterasyl+water+filters
The price is so low that somebody(Doulton?) made them NOW HIDE THE PRICE until you put it into your cart!!

I came across a deal on two goats that had just had their babies sold on Sat. One was a milk goat, the second is part milk part meat goat. They are both still milking, but were not milked regular since the babies were sold. I took them to my son and he is going to milk them twice a day. They should provide enough milk for my five grandkids. Milk is a big expense for them. My son was so excited. He has a old barn, but no milking stand. He will be building one soon. He is 6'1" and milking a goat on the ground was not comfortable. LOL Their milk production should pick up with regular milking, but he got over 1 qt with the first milking yesterday.
Insuring my kids and grandkids can have food is a major prep for me. My son has a friend who will let them breed with their billy when it is time to breed the goats again.
I went to the eye doctor and got new glasses. I hope these work better than the last. I could never wear the last ones. I changed eye doctors this time. I need bifocals for reading and that part of my old glasses was good, but the upper part was not clear.