Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: April 12 ~ 18, 2020

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning all - Wishing you all a blessed Easter Sunday!

No family gathering today - daughter and her boys will stay at home, as will my cousins, Aunts and Uncles; no sense risking anyone's health when we can gather later on.

It rained through the night here; now I get to test out the old saying 'If it rains on Easter Sunday, it will rain on the next seven Sundays.' I had hesitated to plant the one little patch of garden we have tilled up so far as we are supposed to get temps down into the 20's a few times this week, and my work schedule leaves me not able to be home to cover plants if needs be. Hopefully, it will dry up soon, and I can get a few things planted. I have 8 days of vacation coming up after Thursday - if I'm allowed to take it - that I hope to spend working outside. If the weather doesn't allow outside work, there is plenty to be done inside as well - darn it!

I'm a little disappointed - got a call that part of my berry plant order was cancelled due to being out of stock - the black raspberries. I guess I'll just have to try again next year. The strawberry and red raspberry plants should be here soon, so we will need to get at least part of one of the bigger gardens tilled as soon as they dry up. I'll have to put up some sort of protection for the plants as the deer are horrible to come along and eat them down to the ground - don't know why they can't chomp down on the gully full of blackberry plants instead :lol:

If the weather cooperates, I hope to get Hubby to restring two of my clotheslines today, or maybe tomorrow as he doesn't work Mondays. I've been hanging things in the house to dry, but with the spring humidity, I could use a little help from the sunshine and breeze to get them dry. I should probably order another 150 roll of plastic coated line; all I can find around here are the thin line in 50 foot rolls; and my lines are 30' long, plus a bit for the turnbuckles; we usually find a use for the 19 feet left over, but I'd rather order some that will leave less waste.

Well, my coffee cup is empty; guess that means it's time to get up and get to work. You folks all take care out there; and stay safe!
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
After being locked down here at home for 5 weeks, we're going to venture out in our hazmat suits, LOL, to go to Dollar General just down the road from us, today. I don't really need anything, but I've got to get out a bit. Shopping withdrawals ya know?

If there is one thing that I've learned from eating solely out of our pantry for 5 weeks, it's that I know, now, what I need to stock more of, and what I need less of. That's where I'm concentrating my efforts from now on. I didn't run out of anything, but some food items went faster than other.

Anyway, it was a rough day for us yesterday and overnight. My prayers go out to all who were affected by the storms.

Nomifyle, are you ok!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
no ordering and no shopping for the time being, giving my bank account a rest. Even if the wuflu was not out there I'd still not need to go to the grocery store. I was thinking about ordering some more canning jars but I found three boxes of jars in the shed I recently cleaned out, about half and half quarts and pints. Now if I could just get off my behind and get some things done. Sciatia has kicked in in my left leg so I've gone back to using inversion table, it helps with the sciatia and my posture. Posture gets bad sitting in front of the computer for hours on end.

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
no ordering and no shopping for the time being, giving my bank account a rest. Even if the wuflu was not out there I'd still not need to go to the grocery store. I was thinking about ordering some more canning jars but I found three boxes of jars in the shed I recently cleaned out, about half and half quarts and pints. Now if I could just get off my behind and get some things done. Sciatia has kicked in in my left leg so I've gone back to using inversion table, it helps with the sciatia and my posture. Posture gets bad sitting in front of the computer for hours on end.

Judy

I'm so happy to hear from you! I was concerned about you through all the bad weather going on, yesterday!
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
The possible disruptions in the food supply have really been nagging at me, so I made an unplanned trip to Aldi's. I wore my mask and gloves and had to wait in line with the 6 foot spacing to get in. It's a small store, so only 19 people allowed in at a time.

There wasn't a whole lot on the shelves. Fresh fruits and veggies were low, no flour, no eggs, no paper goods, freezer section was just about wiped out and dairy is getting low. They did have some meat though.

I picked up some packages of hamburger (5 lbs to be divided up), some boneless pork ribs, some bacon, some polish sausage, and a few odds and ends. I'm going through my big freezer which has some really, really old stuff in it. Some of the stuff is good, in that the vacuum seal has held and the meat is fine. Other seals have failed and the meat needs to go as it is now compromised and some dates back to 2014.

I rotated all of my canned goods and LTS goods last year and tossed the really really old stuff and the bulging cans. Just never got around to the freezer. That will be fixed by this week's trash pickup so I can see what we actually have and have room to get fresh stuff.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I should probably go through the freezers before fall. I defrosted our upright a while back but its starting to freeze up a little bit. When I put everything back in it I organized it well, so I know what I have in that one. I did kind of go through the chest freezer in the back room, I found things I was going to give away, but due to the current situation I kept it. There are several odd things like that, I should cook some of it, if DH doesn't like it (he's picky) the dog will and I will eat whatever.

Judy
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
The possible disruptions in the food supply have really been nagging at me, so I made an unplanned trip to Aldi's. I wore my mask and gloves and had to wait in line with the 6 foot spacing to get in. It's a small store, so only 19 people allowed in at a time.

There wasn't a whole lot on the shelves. Fresh fruits and veggies were low, no flour, no eggs, no paper goods, freezer section was just about wiped out and dairy is getting low. They did have some meat though.

I picked up some packages of hamburger (5 lbs to be divided up), some boneless pork ribs, some bacon, some polish sausage, and a few odds and ends. I'm going through my big freezer which has some really, really old stuff in it. Some of the stuff is good, in that the vacuum seal has held and the meat is fine. Other seals have failed and the meat needs to go as it is now compromised and some dates back to 2014.

I rotated all of my canned goods and LTS goods last year and tossed the really really old stuff and the bulging cans. Just never got around to the freezer. That will be fixed by this week's trash pickup so I can see what we actually have and have room to get fresh stuff.
If you have pets and a pressure canned, you can can up thst old frozen meat for some very high value dog or cat food. Or just set it aside in the freezer and start feedng it out raw. It won't hurt them a bit.

Summerthyme
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
I have promised myself that I will go through the freezers before sweet corn season - that gives me a little leeway :lol:

Yesterday, I ordered garden plants from one of my childhood friends little sister, who now runs a market garden/farmer's market on a portion of the farm her family inherited from her grandparents/uncle. I will pick them up next Friday, but will have to hold them in my makeshift greenhouse (a cheap shelf set from the Evil Empire + a Rural King clear plastic drum liner) until at least May 15 as I don't trust it not to frost again until that date. I have seeds to start my own but since I'm still working, I'd rather spread a little $$ around in the community instead.

Today, I am working on cleaning the pantry a little - several things that are getting close to their use by date are being placed in a clothes basket and will be taking a trip to daughter's house later in the week since the grandsons haven't been here to eat them up. I did find a yellow cake mix that is getting close to it's use by date, so pineapple upside down cake is on the to-do list for today. My ancient 8" round cake pans disappeared somehow so I bought new ones to replace them, but was only able to find 9" pans, so I'll likely end up using a straight sided Pyrex cassarole dish instead.

PW, our Aldi still has fairly good stock, including flour (all purpose white) and yeast. They do have limits on a few things - milk, eggs...; and the bread stock is more limited, but plenty of tortillas, cornbread mix, etc... They open at 0830 on Tuesdays and Thursdays for seniors only (60 and up); and (try to) move health care workers to the front of the line (I change out of my scrubs and wash up if I'm going shopping after work.) They are sanitizing the carts and they come pre-loaded with the quarter - I gave the lady that was handing out carts the quarters I had in my car door pocket to use.

I am still sorting through the grandkid's clothes that I pick up at rummage sales/store clearance sales - those darn kids had another growth spurt, so the 4-5's will be going in a box for the thrift store, last year's older grandson's things will be passed down to the younger one, and the 10-12 shirts will be pulled out - I'll wait on the shorts as those elastic waists and longer length athletic shorts give some leeway on those.

Darn - coffee cup is empty; guess that means it's time to get back to work! Take care all; stay safe out there!
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm watching my 40 yr old chest freezer very carefully these days. As reported by Dennis, on another thread, freezers are hard to find now. I use this freezer for non meat items such as butter, cheeses, Bisquick, cornmeal, and flour. I did have a little meat in it, but over the past month of eating out of storage, all that meat is gone. I don't plan to replace the meat. I'm hoping to replace the freezer, before it completely plays out on me. If it does, the only things I would be concerned about would be the cheeses and butter. I could place them in a large cooler, but couldn't keep that up indefinitely. I don't have any room in the other chest freezer. It is for meat only, and is still packed.

I wonder how high the prices will be on new freezers, once they're back in stock? I hate to even think about it.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I've looked at freezer prices and what's available at the big box stores are high. I want a small upright, but not at the prices these days, even if I do get a stimulus check.

Judy
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I've looked at freezer prices and what's available at the big box stores are high. I want a small upright, but not at the prices these days, even if I do get a stimulus check.

Judy
Just give it a few months... a whole bunch of "gently used" freezers will be on Craigslist, when people decide they don't need them anymore.

I've got a 32 cubic foot chest freezer sitting empty in the basement... I'm sure all it needs is a top off of some refrigerant, but I'm not sure exactly which it takes, and if it's the old (banned) stuff, it would cost a couple hundred bucks to fix. We installed a 8'x8' commercial walk in freezer in our old milkhouse, which isn't as handy as having it in the house, but it holds a lot of stuff. We have a 15.7 cubic foot chest freezer in the basement that we use for every day, and a 7 cubic foot chest in the barn for dog food.

I'm not sure why our electric bill isn't twice as high as it is!

Summerthyme
 

Digger

Veteran Member
Today I have to figure out ways to try to save the garden from tonight's freeze. There were even snow flurries this morning. Northwest Arkansas actually got a dusting on their cars. After tonight we should be good. The damage to the fruit trees will depend on the temperature and how long it is at freezing.

My daughter asked for yeast yesterday. She had not been able to get more in either of her pick up orders the last couple of weeks. I was glad to share. We had bought extra of several things in case the kids needed them. That is above what we were buying for ourselves.

We have less food waste now. We plan better and plan leftovers into future meals.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Today I have to figure out ways to try to save the garden from tonight's freeze. There were even snow flurries this morning. Northwest Arkansas actually got a dusting on their cars. After tonight we should be good. The damage to the fruit trees will depend on the temperature and how long it is at freezing.

My daughter asked for yeast yesterday. She had not been able to get more in either of her pick up orders the last couple of weeks. I was glad to share. We had bought extra of several things in case the kids needed them. That is above what we were buying for ourselves.

We have less food waste now. We plan better and plan leftovers into future meals.

We're worried about our fruit trees tonight, too. Supposed to be around 36 for us tonight. We've got baby peaches and apples. The trees are loaded. I hope our temps don't reach the freezing point by dropping a few degrees lower. Last year we lost all of our fruit to a late freeze. We really do need the fruit this year. Jelly stock is getting low.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
Southern Breeze we are predicted to get to 33*. That could save our fruit. The trees are loaded. They need thinning, but that waits till after the May drop. Last year we had problems with fungus in our peaches with the rain we seemed to have every other day or so. I only put up a few peaches. And only had enough apples to eat fresh. I also would like to try my new plum. All the fruit on it was cold killed last year.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Southern Breeze we are predicted to get to 33*. That could save our fruit. The trees are loaded. They need thinning, but that waits till after the May drop. Last year we had problems with fungus in our peaches with the rain we seemed to have every other day or so. I only put up a few peaches. And only had enough apples to eat fresh. I also would like to try my new plum. All the fruit on it was cold killed last year.


I know what you mean by all the rain. That doesn't affect our fruit crop as much as a late freeze. We're going through "Blackberry Winter" right now, so it should be the last cold spell of this season. If we don't get a freeze tonight, the temps will be lots warmer in the next few days.

We had a severe drought a few years back that almost wiped out our whole orchard and vine fruits. I've only got the peach, apple, fig, and muscadines left. Tame blackberries, elderberries, huckleberries, plum, and pears were all wiped out. I still have a wild cherry tree, but I don't use the cherries for anything.
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
I'm watching my 40 yr old chest freezer very carefully these days. As reported by Dennis, on another thread, freezers are hard to find now. I use this freezer for non meat items such as butter, cheeses, Bisquick, cornmeal, and flour. I did have a little meat in it, but over the past month of eating out of storage, all that meat is gone. I don't plan to replace the meat. I'm hoping to replace the freezer, before it completely plays out on me. If it does, the only things I would be concerned about would be the cheeses and butter. I could place them in a large cooler, but couldn't keep that up indefinitely. I don't have any room in the other chest freezer. It is for meat only, and is still packed.

I wonder how high the prices will be on new freezers, once they're back in stock? I hate to even think about it.

My big freezer is 43 years old and still going strong. My Grandmother's was over 60 years old and still working fine when she died. Instead of asking anybody if they wanted it, my Uncle hauled it to the dump. I just wanted it to store feed in in the barn, it was one of those huge ones that took up the entire porch.
So if you just want a new freezer, that's fine, but I wouldn't necessarily give up on the old one, My newer freezer is maybe 10 years old and it doesn't get nearly as cold as the old one does, on the same setting...
 

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
I've looked at freezer prices and what's available at the big box stores are high. I want a small upright, but not at the prices these days, even if I do get a stimulus check.

Judy
If things keep on the current trend, they will be even higher prices. Everyone seems to want one now. Lots of dollars in hand and few freezers. That is the way be which we get double and doubled again prices.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My big freezer is 43 years old and still going strong. My Grandmother's was over 60 years old and still working fine when she died. Instead of asking anybody if they wanted it, my Uncle hauled it to the dump. I just wanted it to store feed in in the barn, it was one of those huge ones that took up the entire porch.
So if you just want a new freezer, that's fine, but I wouldn't necessarily give up on the old one, My newer freezer is maybe 10 years old and it doesn't get nearly as cold as the old one does, on the same setting...

Wow! Thanks for letting me know there are freezers out there that last as long as ours. Makes me feel better. I'm not wanting a new one just for the sake of having a new one. I just felt like it was getting too old, and could go out at any time. I just thought I've been lucky to keep mine as long as I have. My newer one is about 10 yrs. old, too. I figured I'd get a few more years out of it, before I had to begin worrying about it, too.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
If things keep on the current trend, they will be even higher prices. Everyone seems to want one now. Lots of dollars in hand and few freezers. That is the way be which we get double and doubled again prices.

come July - the people now sitting at home and feeding the family out of the freezers - will be back to their normal routine and unplugging the empty freezers >>> next comes selling them to get some $$$ back ...
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
come July - the people now sitting at home and feeding the family out of the freezers - will be back to their normal routine and unplugging the empty freezers >>> next comes selling them to get some $$$ back ...
Unfortunately I see this happening with the getting back to "normal", especially with my sons. Sad. Although I don't think they will be selling their freezers.

Judy
 
Top