Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: August 23 ~ 29, 2020

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning, All!

I want to thank everyone who is contributing to this thread - makes me feel much less concerned when I see that others are also stocking up.

Yesterday was combo busy day/lazy day - we did some work, but we also took a little time to play! Hubby left early for his shoot, and daughter said she would bring the boys out mid-morning as she needed to go mow a friends lawn, so I ran in to town and picked up two more roasts, bringing my total to 8 - but then I gave 2 of them to daughter for her freezer :lol: I got the other 6 cut up in to chunks; ended up with 2 gallon jars full. I ran one canner load of pints, which took most of one gallon jar. I put the fat and scraps into the crock pot to cook down; don't know what I was thinking - usually I just pack the scraps in to a canning jar and can it along with the beef and consider it to be dog food topping. I guess it will make some broth, and I can lift off the fat, clean it up a bit by adding it to boiling water and letting the solids fall to the bottom as it cools/chills, then freeze it in small containers.

I put 6 more 1/2 gallon bags of peaches in the freezer yesterday while the canner was doing it's thing, then spent the last little bit of canning time rounding up the boys and getting them cleaned up and grabbing a quick shower myself. We headed out to our favorite Italian restaurant and all enjoyed being out around people as much as we did our dinner. I did a quick run through Aldi for some fruit to send home with the boys before we headed home, but wasn't able to get the boys hair cuts as the shop was closed already.

I have a little bit of yard work I want to get done before it gets hot later today - gonna be in the high 80's and low 90's during the week. Lots and lots of the walnuts have dropped from the trees in the side yard, and walking down our road it looks like the acorns are dropping early as well. Early fall/early winter? Or just heat stress?

I'll get the other gallon jar of beef canned in pint jars today; and the chicken should be thawed enough that I can get it in to jars as well - I guess I'll need to pull a jar or two of home canned broth out of the pantry since I forgot to get any at Aldi. I'll thin it down to use to can the chicken; maybe a teeny pinch of Old Bay in each jar as well.

Hubby usually has an IDPA match almost every weekend, and loads his own rounds but has decided that he's going to cut back to 2 matches a month to save on primers, just in case. He's going to see if he can pick up some more shotgun primers tomorrow from a source he used when he shot trap.

Well, I'd better get out there and get that yard work done so I can retreat to the air conditioning to finish up the canning. You folks all take care out there; stay safe!!
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Need to work on painting my pantry, then I have some canning to get caught up on as well. Heard from my friend with the orchard - we need to check the apples, then hopefully will have enough to do a batch of cider. I'd like to save them for a month until DD#2 gets here to visit. Making cider and learning to can were the two things she requested while here.

One of the retirement projects is perking along. We actually got a tiny bit of income, so that will make expenses easier to justify on taxes.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Oh my goodness - I have been laughing myself silly at the boys today; all THREE of 'em! Hubby finally got around to taking the grandsons out to the shed after breakfast and they found the new dirt bike; they love it so much that they aren't even fighting about taking turns on it :lol: I took the first turn, showing the boys the different routes they could take - but it's been all theirs since then. The older one enjoys it but doesn't race around on it like the younger one does. The little one made a few runs sitting on the saddle, getting the hang of it. Next pass he went by standing up on the pegs, a few after that he went by leaning in to the corners, and coming out of the corners at full throttle, laughing like a maniac. Looks like Papaw's wallet moths are gonna be taking a beating here soon - this one might follow in his motocross footsteps.

Got the chicken canned, I'll finish up the beef after some quiet time this afternoon with my feet propped up in the recliner. Once I get the beef in the canner, I'll finish up the peaches; haven't decided when or if I'm going to get another half bushel - gotta look at the work schedule and see if I can fit in days to let them ripen and days to can both; got another weird work week coming up.

While I was getting the chicken in the jars, I saved out two chicken breasts for supper, gonna put some BBQ sauce on them when I put them in the oven, and see if I can con Hubby into making potato salad to go along with them. Maybe he'll make enough I can carry some in my lunch Monday nights...
 

moldy

Veteran Member
you could make some peach lemonade base with those peaches, Renee. 6 cups peach puree, 4 cups lemon juice, and 6 cups sugar. Heat until sugar dissolves, then put in jars and waterbath 15 minutes. Mix 1:1 with water, plain tea, gingerale, etc. I like to mix it 1:3 because to me it is very sweet. That allows the taste to shine thru without overwhelming my sweet tooth.

Got the pantry painted; DH will work on shelves this week. I've been using a bedroom as a pantry, and I will be so happy to get it back! Even if it's just a daybed or futon and a space for my sewing machine.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Some stuff for the food pantry box. Should probably try to take it to the drop off this week. For us it was more cereal, some toilet paper, some 91% alcohol (finally!), another big container of coffee, and some peanut butter. Nothing exciting. Food budget for the month is already spent anyway, so it's probably a good thing there isn't anything good on sale. Better half will use some Petsmart points toward a bag of very expensive cat food tomorrow that will go on the prep shelf. Can't believe cat food that costs $35 for a little bag.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Added a few more pints of canned chicken to the pantry. Also several small cans of evaporated milk, 12 cans of table cream, a few more cans of kraut, cake mixes (noticed we were low last week when youngest grandson made cupcakes) 2 large jars of Vaseline, 2 large boxes of cascade, 1 large refill bottle of Shout for laundry, pepper and onion seed.

Still to come in: 2 jars of Vick’s, 3 pack of triple anti-biotic ointment, a 3 pack of cranberry sauce (one pack was the limit) 4 of the 7lb bags of powdered sugar, 2 more boxes of dehydrated hash browns and a big bottle of All free and clear laundry detergent.

I’m feeling fairly comfortable with certain areas, i.e. laundry supplies, most paper products, dish soap and dishwasher detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash but I better check our floss supply. Q-tips, cotton balls, bar soap. Working on shampoo and am presently trying out some shampoo bars, so far I like them and they would easier to store then bottles.

I finally found some panties that I like so have put in an order for another pack along with 2 sports bras that I hope will not only fit but be comfortable.

Not sure how much canning I’ll get to this week since I’m so behind on housework and we’ll be having all the grandkids several days a week and we’ll have to figure out some things on their virtual schooling.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Added a few more pints of canned chicken to the pantry. Also several small cans of evaporated milk, 12 cans of table cream, a few more cans of kraut, cake mixes (noticed we were low last week when youngest grandson made cupcakes) 2 large jars of Vaseline, 2 large boxes of cascade, 1 large refill bottle of Shout for laundry, pepper and onion seed.

Still to come in: 2 jars of Vick’s, 3 pack of triple anti-biotic ointment, a 3 pack of cranberry sauce (one pack was the limit) 4 of the 7lb bags of powdered sugar, 2 more boxes of dehydrated hash browns and a big bottle of All free and clear laundry detergent.

I’m feeling fairly comfortable with certain areas, i.e. laundry supplies, most paper products, dish soap and dishwasher detergent, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash but I better check our floss supply. Q-tips, cotton balls, bar soap. Working on shampoo and am presently trying out some shampoo bars, so far I like them and they would easier to store then bottles.

I finally found some panties that I like so have put in an order for another pack along with 2 sports bras that I hope will not only fit but be comfortable.

Not sure how much canning I’ll get to this week since I’m so behind on housework and we’ll be having all the grandkids several days a week and we’ll have to figure out some things on their virtual schooling.

Tell me more about those shampoo bars! I have lots of bottles of shampoo and conditioner, but I have long hair, and it takes a lot. I agree. It wouldn't take up as much room if it was in bars, instead. I've never heard of them, before now. I figure that if I run out of shampoo, I would just use Ivory bar soap. We have a ton of those stored for personal use and for barter.
 

coloradohermit

Veteran Member
Next week I'm having my first cataract surgery and two weeks later the other one so I probably won't be driving for a while. That makes this week a stock up week. I'm fully stocked on food, but can't have too many cartons of cigarettes. ;-)

With everything going on in the crazy world, it wouldn't really surprise me if the surgeries got cancelled, and that would be OK with me, but I'm trusting that what's meant to be will be.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
Well yesterday did not go as planned. We spent Tuesday thru Saturday getting all the hay field done. Then Sunday morning I woke up as hubby got back in bed. He had been up feeling sick. I was so tired, I didn't know he had gotten up. To make a long story short, I took him to the hospital yesterday evening. They settled on food poisoning. He is resting still this morning. They did run a Covid-19 test and we will hear about it in a couple of days. But it is hard sitting in the car for hours wondering how your loved one is. He would text off and on, but it was not like being with him. He was having some issues that could have been his heart, but he was dehydrated. They gave him two bags of fluid. And he kept getting the hickups anytime he drank anything. I was worried it might be covid too, since pretty much everything is a symptom of it now. Hubby hits several high risk categories.

I prepped some last week, but just minor pantry additions. The hay being done is a big deal for us. We usually do 1/2 the field then next week or so, the other 1/2. But with the rain off the gulf coming, we did it all. It was a bit much for hubby all at once. Even though he does the tractor work, his back tells him about it.

We now have an oxygen sensor that goes on a finger. My sister picked it up and brought it 20 miles to us. Hubby was dizzy and short of breath too. His reading were low. That is one reason he went to the hospital. The phone woke him up just now. He said he feels better but is going back to sleep.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Next week I'm having my first cataract surgery and two weeks later the other one so I probably won't be driving for a while. That makes this week a stock up week. I'm fully stocked on food, but can't have too many cartons of cigarettes. ;-)

With everything going on in the crazy world, it wouldn't really surprise me if the surgeries got cancelled, and that would be OK with me, but I'm trusting that what's meant to be will be.
Try not to put off your surgery because it really helps not to have to wear glasses. Although I do wear bifocal readers, and since I'm use to wearing glasses and I never had a problem wearing them, its not an issue to wear the bifocal readers. I didn't have the bifocal readers for awhile after my surgery it was a pain in the behind to have to put readers on and off. I have several pair of the bifocal readers and just plain readers.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

ginnie6

Veteran Member
Today I'm working on the tomatoes I bought this weekend. Ours are just done. Got 13 pints of "rotel" tomatoes going so far. Not sure if I'm just going to can the rest or make sauce. I have some peas to shell too.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Sherree-I didn’t know they existed either until a few months ago, but there are lots of brands out there. I bought J.R. Liggett’s brand, I bought a sample size of the 6 varieties, it was $12.?? and I was shocked when I got them because they were so tiny. But DH and I both liked them so I bought a 3 pack of the one he liked and a 3 pack for me at $21.99 each from Amazon, came out to $7.33 a bar where a single bar cost $9.99 (Walmart had them online for over $11.00. The bars are 3.5oz. and are supposed to be equivalent to 24oz of liquid shampoo. My hair is longish and thick and it works well for me and I’ll probably add more when I can.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Sherree-I didn’t know they existed either until a few months ago, but there are lots of brands out there. I bought J.R. Liggett’s brand, I bought a sample size of the 6 varieties, it was $12.?? and I was shocked when I got them because they were so tiny. But DH and I both liked them so I bought a 3 pack of the one he liked and a 3 pack for me at $21.99 each from Amazon, came out to $7.33 a bar where a single bar cost $9.99 (Walmart had them online for over $11.00. The bars are 3.5oz. and are supposed to be equivalent to 24oz of liquid shampoo. My hair is longish and thick and it works well for me and I’ll probably add more when I can.

Wow, thanks. I'll check Amazon for it. The price is a bit steep for me, though. I buy 30oz. bottles of my regular Suave shampoo for less than $2/bottle. When I get it on sale, it's only $1/bottle. It won't hurt for me to try the sample size to see how I like it, though. I'm all for new ideas for prepping!
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
It is a bit steep for me too however I’m allergic to so much of the shampoos out there so I don’t have a lot of options. My hair tends to be on the dry side so I usually only shampoo a couple of times a week unless I have to and that helps on the expense.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wow, thanks. I'll check Amazon for it. The price is a bit steep for me, though. I buy 30oz. bottles of my regular Suave shampoo for less than $2/bottle. When I get it on sale, it's only $1/bottle. It won't hurt for me to try the sample size to see how I like it, though. I'm all for new ideas for prepping!

And.....I just checked with my Health Food & More store in town, and they carry the same brand, J. R. Liggett's. I can buy one bar at a time from them to see how I like it, with no shipping fees, $6.95/bar. Am adding it to my next shopping list. I was planning to buy shampoo on my next shopping trip, anyway.

My hair is on the oily side. I have to be careful with shampoos and conditioners that have a lot of oils in them. They tend to weigh my hair down, and make it look even oilier even when freshly washed. I like the idea of only buying one bar to see if it will work for me.
 

Dinghy

Veteran Member
I canned some meatballs yesterday, and I’m making ham broth to can tonight. I’m trying to get some things out of the freezer so I have some room if I find a good sale. And have some stuff out in case the power goes out.
In case anybody might be interested...I opened an 18 year old can of B & M brown bread today. It was still moist and good, if you like molasses. I don’t, but I still ate two pieces of it. Lol
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
It is a bit steep for me too however I’m allergic to so much of the shampoos out there so I don’t have a lot of options. My hair tends to be on the dry side so I usually only shampoo a couple of times a week unless I have to and that helps on the expense.

I don't know if you've tried using baking soda with a vinegar rinse, but it works well for me. I especially like it when it's so miserably hot like this summer.
 

amazon

Veteran Member
I canned some meatballs yesterday, and I’m making ham broth to can tonight. I’m trying to get some things out of the freezer so I have some room if I find a good sale. And have some stuff out in case the power goes out.
In case anybody might be interested...I opened an 18 year old can of B & M brown bread today. It was still moist and good, if you like molasses. I don’t, but I still ate two pieces of it. Lol
What is this "canning meatballs"you speak of? I've never heard of this. Do you have a recipe to share?
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Marseydoats-I may try that. I’ve used baking soda in the past to help remove hair spray build up before shampooing.

Dinghy-Meatballs sound good, do you brown before canning?

I’ve been interested in learning about fermented foods so finally ordered and received the book Fermented Vegetables. Maybe I’ll find time and energy soon to try something out soon.
 

Dinghy

Veteran Member
I used a regular meatball recipe, with ground beef, onion, egg, and a little bit of bread crumbs. I made them into about 1 inch balls, and baked them for about 15 minutes. I used beef bullion for the liquid. I want to do more in tomato sauce.
I opened a jar for supper tonight, and was pretty happy with them. They were nice and moist, but they could have used more seasoning. I kept them plain so I could use them in spaghetti or something like Swedish meatballs.
 

hummer

Veteran Member
I haven't been deer hunting for several years, but am thinking about it this year. I wouldn't go far...just out on the kids property here. Then I could teach the grandkids how to bleed and dress the deer...then after it hangs a few days, how to cut it up. I will be the "teacher"-"supervisor." :)
 

Walrus

Veteran Member
I haven't been deer hunting for several years, but am thinking about it this year. I wouldn't go far...just out on the kids property here. Then I could teach the grandkids how to bleed and dress the deer...then after it hangs a few days, how to cut it up. I will be the "teacher"-"supervisor." :)
Like they say, "If I'd known grandkids were so much fun, we'd have had them first.":
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Neighbor just called to tell me the plums are ripe - another neighbor has apples for me to get picked up. The garden is producing enough that I need to get on top of some of that as well. The corn - well, there wasn't much, but I did fill the freeze dryer and I still need to make a couple passes to get the ears still out there. Dang it - my paid employment keeps getting in the way of me getting things done!
 

Walrus

Veteran Member
At a discount place in Ozark today, I found these shampoo and body bar things for $1.99. (Christian County Discount Freight). They buy stuff at auctions that are nearing (or past) use-by dates and things which aren't selling, I guess. No telling what these retail for but I suspect the above pricing sounds about right.

Odd name: BRÖÖcraft beer shampoo and body bar made with coconut oil, sea salt and bergamot. They smell real nice. Just discovered that it's actually brewed with beer. Made in Asheville, NC and says to visit them at broo.com. Doubt I will but the info is out there at least.

I have another trip to Springfield scheduled next week - may drop in and see if they still have a bunch of this if it works well.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My half hog comes today!

I’m **still** trying to re arrange our extra freezer in the basement lol!

It was pretty full and I’m having a hard time knowing what to expect when the meat arrives today. Probably 60-70lb.... all wrapped and frozen. I’ve been defrosting food and cooking all month but refused to use up what I’d prepped just for this meat, so now I’m kind of panicked!

(my friend, who went in half hog with me, it is her dad who’s driving his truck to pick up for us....she’s in a world of hurt, lol.... I found out yesterday she does NOT have an extra freezer and didn’t try hard enough to find one, either)

I’m excited though!
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
There is no greater feeling of wealth and security (beyond knowing Jesus!) Than having a full pantry and freezer going into fall!

One thing, though... if you are used to buying fresh meat as needed, it will take a bit of adjustment to figure out how to plan ahead and use everything you've gotten from that hog. It isn't just chops and bacon! (Likewise, chickens aren't just boneless breasts!) Look up recipes online and learn to plan supper the night before (at least), getting the meat out of the freezer to defrost.

I've heard too many people say they end up running to the grocery (or ordering pizza) with a feezer full of beef, because they forget or find it "too hard" to remember to plan ahead!

Summerthyme
 
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psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
There is no greater feeling of wealth and security (beyond knowing Jesus!) Than having a full pantry and freezer going into fall!

One thing, though... if you are used to buying fresh mest as needed, it will take a bit of adjustment to figure out how to plan ahead and use everything you've gotten from that hog. It isn't just chops and bacon! (Likewise, chickens aren't just boneless breasts!) Look up recipes online and learn to plan supper the night before (at least), getting the meat out of the freezer to defrost.

I've heard too many people say they end up running to the grocery (or ordering pizza) with a feezer full of beef, because they forget or find it "too hard" to remember to plan ahead!

Summerthyme
Great advice! And yes, I’m a newbie with this lol!

Some of the meat I’ll not use as much such as, apparently, included in the load is “jowl bacon” ... so, what is that?

And we don’t eat ribs often even though we love them.

But all kinds of chops, roasts, and bacon I use all of the time anyway and know how to cook. I’m a good cook!

I sure wish it was beef though... but that was not available and would have been a LOT more pricey.

:)
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh! Wanted to add, I ALWAYS have a freezer full of meat and use it accordingly especially with fall coming. A full freezer is like gold to me, as is firewood split and stacked.

I did find , however, when I was going through stuff there were a few (Shame on me!) things I’d forgotten about and had such burn on them they got pitched... ground turkey, some three year old bread , a couple of leftover pieces of mystery meat in freezer bags ... all iced over and nasty. 5 years old and totally freezer burned. Hub gets super annoyed at waste, so I had to toss those on the sly... ...( sorry honey)
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Welp. Another change in plans... her dad is going tomorrow now because he’s getting the tires rotated on his truck today instead.
 

Jmurman

Veteran Member
There is no greater feeling of wealth and security (beyond knowing Jesus!) Than having a full pantry and freezer going into fall!

One thing, though... if you are used to buying fresh mest as needed, it will take a bit of adjustment to figure out how to plan ahead and use everything you've gotten from that hog. It isn't just chops and bacon! (Likewise, chickens aren't just boneless breasts!) Look up recipes online and learn to plan supper the night before (at least), getting the meat out of the freezer to defrost.

I've heard too many people say they end up running to the grocery (or ordering pizza) with a feezer full of beef, because they forget or find it "too hard" to remember to plan ahead!

Summerthyme
Truth
Well yesterday did not go as planned. We spent Tuesday thru Saturday getting all the hay field done. Then Sunday morning I woke up as hubby got back in bed. He had been up feeling sick. I was so tired, I didn't know he had gotten up. To make a long story short, I took him to the hospital yesterday evening. They settled on food poisoning. He is resting still this morning. They did run a Covid-19 test and we will hear about it in a couple of days. But it is hard sitting in the car for hours wondering how your loved one is. He would text off and on, but it was not like being with him. He was having some issues that could have been his heart, but he was dehydrated. They gave him two bags of fluid. And he kept getting the hickups anytime he drank anything. I was worried it might be covid too, since pretty much everything is a symptom of it now. Hubby hits several high risk categories.

I prepped some last week, but just minor pantry additions. The hay being done is a big deal for us. We usually do 1/2 the field then next week or so, the other 1/2. But with the rain off the gulf coming, we did it all. It was a bit much for hubby all at once. Even though he does the tractor work, his back tells him about it.

We now have an oxygen sensor that goes on a finger. My sister picked it up and brought it 20 miles to us. Hubby was dizzy and short of breath too. His reading were low. That is one reason he went to the hospital. The phone woke him up just now. He said he feels better but is going back to sleep.
praying for your husband
 

Jmurman

Veteran Member
Just got back from a Costco run. Six lbs of ground beef and five and a half of beef cubes. Another pack of paper towels and two of the chicken base bullion. So here after I take a bit of a break I’ll vac seal the burger and half of the beef cubes. I’ll use the other today for shish kababs.
the prices of canned tuna and chicken breasts are high now. I picked up some more for the pantry.

I am going to buy a propane cooker. I’m looking at a single burner one which will attach to a 15 lb tank. If we get caught flat footed with electricity outage from storm or mans Emp, at least we cancook for a while.
Next up is to arrange the pantry, and get my reloading started.

Maranatha Lord Jesus, please come.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are about caught up and done with buying preps. Our storage room is now mostly full. Naturally we will replace what we use and possibly bolster some if we can but mostly done now.
Picked up a new 308 rifle and ammo yesterday but that is going to be a Christmas present for one of our sons. I need nothing in that department.
I don't know what else to buy even though I no longer trust the US dollar. For now I guess we will just coast along.
 
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Jmurman

Veteran Member
I have a small chest freezer which doesn’t get much use. It still is very cold and as I was starting to dig through I see a turkey that my sister brought over two years ago.

how long will a turkey stay good in a freezer?
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We are about caught up and done with buying preps. Our shortage room is now mostly full. Naturally we will replace what we use and possibly bolster some if we can but mostly done now.
Picked up a new 308 rifle and ammo yesterday but that is going to be a Christmas present for one of our sons. I need nothing in that department.
I don't know what else to buy even though I no longer trust the US dollar. For now I guess we will just coast along.

That's where we are, too. I will still be doing my twice a month shopping, but the only things I will be buying for storage are items I might find on sale along the way, or what I've used in that two week period between trips. My pantry room is full. The small space I cleared out in our bedroom is finally full, too. Any other food preps will have to be stored off site, LOL! I still have a few household items to buy, but it's things that I need already, not necessarily for storage.

DS bought Cary two boxes of ammo for his birthday a few days ago! We'll never have too much of that. Plus, Cary replaced the battery in his Jeep. He's thinking of going ahead and replacing the battery in my car. It's due. Both batteries died at the same time, on the same day the last time they needed replacing. Both vehicles have been fitted with new tires.
 
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hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have a small chest freezer which doesn’t get much use. It still is very cold and as I was starting to dig through I see a turkey that my sister brought over two years ago.

how long will a turkey stay good in a freezer?
We have used some that was a couple years frozen with no issues. If it was me I would try to use it in the next couple months.
 
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