Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: August 1 ~ 7, 2021

[blackguard]

So went and did another grocery run today. I had gone last week and did the heaviest run I'd done in some time. Decided I'd feel more comfortable if there was more in the house. The local WM was modestly stocked. Saw a number of empty shelf spaces all throughout grocery section. Was able to get everything I wanted but it was close. Definitely seeing the stock levels heading toward the low/empty similar to what it was last year. Also picked up a few items at the local pawn shop, it helps when you're friends with the owner!

 

[nomifyle]

I'm making some changes in my canned veggie additions. I have plenty of the basics that we eat on a regular basis. Now, I'm looking to add canned veggies that we also like, just to add more variety, but only eat on occasion. Margaret Holmes has a big variety of things we also like. Butter beans, cabbage, squash, Italian green beans, etc. Those are the types of canned veggies I'll be adding. So, that's my quest. Adding more variety to what I already have.

I have some Margaret Holmes and added a case of the squash and onions yesterday, but alas I've not tried it yet, been meaning to but haven't. The caveat on the seasoned vegetables is the unknown seasoning. However, they do taste good, so only on occasion for me too. DH would not touch the squash and onions, that's the yankee in him, he thinks it tastes disgusting. LOL

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have some Margaret Holmes and added a case of the squash and onions yesterday, but alas I've not tried it yet, been meaning to but haven't. The caveat on the seasoned vegetables is the unknown seasoning. However, they do taste good, so only on occasion for me too. DH would not touch the squash and onions, that's the yankee in him, he thinks it tastes disgusting. LOL

God is good all the time

Judy

Cary had never eaten squash, until 2 yrs. ago when we had an abundance from our garden. I battered some, and fried it. He wanted to try a bite, so I gave him one. He loved it! So, now, he eats squash about any way I fix it. I grill in, bake it, fry it, make fried squash patties, and boil it in butter. I've also got him to eating fried green tomatoes, LOL!

 

[moldy]

Fixed succotash for the first time in a looonnggg time the other day. Loved it, so I'm canning some today with some fresh corn I bought from some sweet kids at a roadside stand. They were so proud that they'd grown it themselves.

 

[bluelady]

I looked at the Keystone meat at an area Walmart today. The price is now $8 something, and every can of the roast beef was dented.

I'll bet those were returns. Our Walmart never carries Keystone, but last year when my cans from Walmart online ALL came dented, they told me to return them to my local Walmart for a refund. A few days later, I saw them on the canned meat shelves.

BTW, my 10 small cans of ground beef from Amazon arrived with no problem. Still packed oddly; all on their sides in a flat box. But this time packed closely enough together that there was just one small dent in one. Have the Amazon packers never seen how canned goods are *normally* packed in cases?

 

[nomifyle]

Cary had never eaten squash, until 2 yrs. ago when we had an abundance from our garden. I battered some, and fried it. He wanted to try a bite, so I gave him one. He loved it! So, now, he eats squash about any way I fix it. I grill in, bake it, fry it, make fried squash patties, and boil it in butter. I've also got him to eating fried green tomatoes, LOL!

DH would eat it fried, but I don't fry things that way, he does though.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Meemur]

Battery Prep Suggestion

If you haven't already done this activity lately, do an informal inventory of critical stuff that uses batteries in your home. Note the sizes. Also note if any items take "hard to find" batteries.

- Consider selling or trading items that don't take common batteries (AAA, AA, etc)
- Consider buying equipment that can take both AA and AAA batteries (where possible)
- If you don't already have a battery tester, get one and test your storage batteries. Replace as needed.

Test the larger storage batteries, as well. Replace as needed.

I typically do this exercise in the spring, before tornado season, but if you haven't done it in awhile, you might want to put it on your list. Basically, make sure your off-the-grid items that are in storage are working.

Lastly, if they are scattered all over the house, maybe assign some "homes" to them or gather them up and return them to their assigned areas. For example, I have an "emergency" shelf in my kitchen and also in my basement, and there are flashlights on each, for example.

[Added: I have both a battery-powered clock and small camping lantern on my nightstand, in addition to the electric light. The camping lantern doesn't take up much room, is safe, and can just be clicked on if I wake up to no power in the middle of the night and need to check on stuff.]

 

[aviax2]

I just got an Energizer Recharge Plus with some rechargeable AA and AAA batteries in my Sam’s order this week. I wanted to have them on hand for some battery operated small lanterns I bought recently, that put out a nice amount of light for AA batteries. I’ve got some larger lanterns that take D batteries but the ones I just got were not too expensive and came 4 in a set with batteries included. These small ones will be handy and safer than candles for when the grandkids are around. I also have some solar lights I bought a few years ago, I need to check them because I think they had a tiny battery of some kind.

I meant to look for C and D batteries the other day when I was in Sam’s but all I saw were the A’s where all the batteries used to be. I then got distracted and forgot to ask about the others. I keep a nice size Mag-Lite on the floor right next to the headboard in case I need it for light or even a weapon!

Hmmm, I think DH has a battery tester but I better ask. I’m just feeling more of a need than ever to be more prepared right now. To get things done.

I just put in an order for some ladies hankies along with Christmas gifts for my granddaughter, at 2 yrs old she’s the easiest (and most fun) to shop for right now. I would love to be done by the end of September but I know that’s not gonna happen.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Cary is the one in charge of all our batteries. He stays pretty much on top of it. He does have trouble finding rechargable AAA's from time to time. The regular batteries, when he opens a new pack, he buys another pack, so we keep a good stock. He has a solar charger for the rechargable batteries.

All of our clocks are electric with a battery backup. Our NOAA weather radio is the same. He keeps a MAG Lite on the nightstand on his side of the bed in case we need to get up in the middle of the night if the power is out.

 

[Meemur]

My other on-going project: wash, repair, or donate winter clothing. I washed three loads of long-sleeved shirts, vests, and sweat shirts today and hung them outside on plastic hangers. Tomorrow, I start on pants.

I had a major mess in my closet: we went into 90 degree days and then back into the 50s, so I had a mix of summer and winter clothing, some of which was cheap and holey, but I'm getting that sorted out. Some of it is not worth repairing.

If we do lose power or have other problems along those lines, I'll have all of my fall and winter clothing hung up together, clean, and ready to wear, one less project to worry about when it starts getting cold again!

 

[philkar]

We have been straightening the barn. My honey is hanging a clothesline in the barn for rainy days. I have an outdoors line but thought a line undercover might be useful at some time. I am culling bed linens at the moment. Making some into rags and then repairing or altering some. We spent several hours at the river yesterday. Was a nice mental break. Just sitting, watching the water, and playing checkers was a renewal. Both of us have the feeling that lots is going on behind the scenes and we are enjoying every minute we have knowing that things are rapidly changing. We expect big changes in the near days.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Delete. Wrong thread.

 

[mikeabn]

A major score on clearance- Noir coffee k cup boxes of twelve for twenty five cents each. Decent coffee too.