Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: August 2 ~8, 2020

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Morning, All! Hope everyone is doing well this morning - I feel pretty good thanks to a solid 12 hours of sleep; I think I ought to try it more often - though I have to admit my body was complaining a bit when I tried to sit up on the side of the bed after I woke up :lol:

What is happening in the prep zone in your worlds today? Me, I'm enjoying the cooler weather - the forecast is for highs in the 70's all week!! The thermometer is just creeping over 60 now, so after I finish this fabulous omelet I conned Hubby into making me, I'm planning to put on some capri length pants and a sweatshirt to go wade in the mud to pick beans - we've had 7+ inches of rain in the last week, so wade isn't much of an exaggeration at all - got half a mind to tie a rope around my waist so Hubby can tow me back to solid ground if needed!

The tomato jungle is the next row(s) over from the pole beans, so I will take a bucket for them just in case there are any ripe. Did I tell y'all about the purple ones I keep finding? I think my plant lady mislabeled a few :lol: They look a little weird but taste the same as far as I can tell :shr: Don't think I'll be using them in my home canned 'maters, though I might in salsa.

I'll leave Hubby to snap the beans this afternoon (and hopefully to put some of 'em in the pressure cooker with some 'taters and bacon for supper this evening) while I run up to the orchard for another half bushel of peaches before taking my pre-work nap. Only one shift to work, then two days off before working two more, so it's not a horrible week (as long as I 'lose' my phone) during which I'll be figuring out supplies for school.

School. Daughter is about to give me whiplash over the kids going to school; it's been no, maybe, hell no, no, not on your life, maybe, nonononono, you're going to do this for me, right?, yes, maybe, no.... She has several friends and clients who teach and I think a little pressure might be being applied from that direction. It sounds like there are going to be quite a few kids doing the remote classes this year, but after the absolute chaos of this spring, we won't be one of the remote group! I had already ordered face shields and several types of masks, so if they go, I'm good. And if they don't, I'm also good!! (Although I will be cranky over $300 spent on school supplies that likely won't be used.) I have been accumulating (like 2 - XL printer cartridge's worth so far) of information and work sheets thanks to all the wonderful folks who replied to my question on Main so I will be ready to step up and get started with minimal work. Generally speaking, I love our school system; there's only one overt liberal but she's the music teacher so I'm not too worried about her impact. And, darn it - I miss football games where the giant flag hangs from a fire truck ladder and everyone stands for the National Anthem. I miss basket ball games, and band concerts, and class parties, and buying darned raffle tickets to everything and anything. I miss community :(:(
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
No worries lol! I’m not a big contributor to these threads, but do have some questions about how to tell the processor what I want.
 

briches

Veteran Member
Renee - I missed your post on the main, but if you ever need more school resources, message me. This will be my 23rd year teaching (starting tomorrow) - elementary level. LOVE my job and can now wait to get back!!!

I’ve been actively building the preps. Not sure what this week will bring. Slow and steady is my motto. Each time I go to the store, I try to buy a bit more.

It was a productive past week. I also got MARRIED a week ago. Does getting a husband count as a prep? Lol
 

school marm

Senior Member
For me, it's all about moving for the next month. Fortunately, we have movers to do the heavy lifting, but there are still arrangements to be made. DH moved the freezer and frozen foods to his brother's house yesterday. We'll get them once we get settled in the new location next month. My dad had just given us a side of beef when DH was offered the new position 4 hours from here.

We're moving from 13 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a metro area with 500,000 people to 11 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a town of 20,000. I don't even know if UPS delivers out there. And I haven't actually visited the house either. DH picked it out. But out of all the houses we've bought, at least this one has a small deer-proof garden already going and solar panels already installed. And it backs to BLM land. It's more money than we wanted to spend, but with all the craziness, DH wanted his family as far from town as practicable. He'll still have an hour commute each way, which I do not find practical at all, but he wants that house. His call.

As there is 2 1/2 weeks between the close of this house and the close of the new house, we will be homeless. Well, we could stay in the company provided apartment with DH, but then the dogs would have to be boarded, and that would be $1700 at the very cheapest, and the DDs would be very upset. So we get to go do some remote camping. I have to plan out meals for that.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
For me, it's all about moving for the next month. Fortunately, we have movers to do the heavy lifting, but there are still arrangements to be made. DH moved the freezer and frozen foods to his brother's house yesterday. We'll get them once we get settled in the new location next month. My dad had just given us a side of beef when DH was offered the new position 4 hours from here.

We're moving from 13 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a metro area with 500,000 people to 11 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a town of 20,000. I don't even know if UPS delivers out there. And I haven't actually visited the house either. DH picked it out. But out of all the houses we've bought, at least this one has a small deer-proof garden already going and solar panels already installed. And it backs to BLM land. It's more money than we wanted to spend, but with all the craziness, DH wanted his family as far from town as practicable. He'll still have an hour commute each way, which I do not find practical at all, but he wants that house. His call.

As there is 2 1/2 weeks between the close of this house and the close of the new house, we will be homeless. Well, we could stay in the company provided apartment with DH, but then the dogs would have to be boarded, and that would be $1700 at the very cheapest, and the DDs would be very upset. So we get to go do some remote camping. I have to plan out meals for that.
Good luck with your new home!
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Not much going on in my prepping world. I've been out watering the gardens this morning, trying to salvage what's left in them. Everything has started blooming again, since I've been watering every day. I might manage to get a few more veggies from them.

Tomorrow is our big shopping day, so later, I'll be going through coupons from Walgreen's to see if I can take advantage of some. This trip will only be a small town run. The county that we usually do most of our shopping in is over run with new active Covid cases. The total goes up day by day with 50 to 60 new cases added daily. The local hospital is at max capacity for the ICU with Covid patients right now. We don't think it wise to shop there, until the case load begins to come down a bit. Which means no trip to Sam's. Sigh. I told Cary that if this keeps up, I'm going to start doing more online shopping.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Renee - I missed your post on the main, but if you ever need more school resources, message me. This will be my 23rd year teaching (starting tomorrow) - elementary level. LOVE my job and can now wait to get back!!!

I’ve been actively building the preps. Not sure what this week will bring. Slow and steady is my motto. Each time I go to the store, I try to buy a bit more.

It was a productive past week. I also got MARRIED a week ago. Does getting a husband count as a prep? Lol

Congratulations on your Marriage!! And a BIG Thank-you, Briches! With both daughter and myself working full time, we simply can't do the remote learning offered by the school system as it is offered only at the same time regular classes are in session. With the smaller amount of time required by homeschooling, we can manage it between the two schedules.

I have to let you know that I really admire teachers - I put in two years toward a teaching degree and then realized they were gonna put me in a room with a bunch of kids..... So I became a psych nurse instead :lol: If I hadn't, it's likely I'd be on the other side of the nurse's station door !
 

Jmurman

Veteran Member
Today I am resting in the Lord. Tomorrow I’ll begin vacuum sealing beans and adding to preps if food. The organizing of my shop is coming along well. I should be able to see the bottom soon! Lol
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Renee - I missed your post on the main, but if you ever need more school resources, message me. This will be my 23rd year teaching (starting tomorrow) - elementary level. LOVE my job and can now wait to get back!!!

I’ve been actively building the preps. Not sure what this week will bring. Slow and steady is my motto. Each time I go to the store, I try to buy a bit more.

It was a productive past week. I also got MARRIED a week ago. Does getting a husband count as a prep? Lol
Yes, if you got one that can do most things, then getting married is prep. Marrying my DH 6 years ago was the best thing I've ever done. I was 67 and he was 71, I'm a southern woman thru and thru and he's a yankee and he's proud of it. Although there is nothing wrong with being a yankee, its just something to laugh about. So congrats on the new marriage, and God Bless your union.

God is good all the time,

Judy
 

briches

Veteran Member
Yes, if you got one that can do most things, then getting married is prep. Marrying my DH 6 years ago was the best thing I've ever done. I was 67 and he was 71, I'm a southern woman thru and thru and he's a yankee and he's proud of it. Although there is nothing wrong with being a yankee, its just something to laugh about. So congrats on the new marriage, and God Bless your union.

God is good all the time,

Judy

Mine can fix anything. Stays calm in any situation. And is absolutely the one I’d want standing beside me (although he’d step in front) in a time of need. I’m blessed for sure. Thank you!
 

briches

Veteran Member
Congratulations on your Marriage!! And a BIG Thank-you, Briches! With both daughter and myself working full time, we simply can't do the remote learning offered by the school system as it is offered only at the same time regular classes are in session. With the smaller amount of time required by homeschooling, we can manage it between the two schedules.

I have to let you know that I really admire teachers - I put in two years toward a teaching degree and then realized they were gonna put me in a room with a bunch of kids..... So I became a psych nurse instead :lol: If I hadn't, it's likely I'd be on the other side of the nurse's station door !


What grade level? Again - reach out if you need things!

I’m blessed to LOVE teaching. It’s a big part of who I am. ❤️
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
3rd and 4th grade. Fair warning - I hate common core math with a mad and undying passion, so I'm here to tell you that if I'm the one homeschooling them, it'll be the Grandma version - ie: the one I learned in the early 60's lol! Carry the one, etc... If I do end up homeschooling them, the little one is going to get a 1st and 2nd grade review before we move on to the actual 3rd grade math - although from what I understand, the first few weeks at school are going to be mostly review of the distance learning stuff from this spring.
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Wow, so much going on! Psych girl, I've ordered beef and pork via a locker for a long time. If you have questions, I'd be happy to help.

Britches...congratulations!! May you have many happy years

Schoolmarm..how cool to start in a new place. Best wishes with moving.

I'm working every other day this week. Lots of weeding and canning to get done. DH rented a man-lift last week to trim trees. We have been very blessed that none have fallen, as they were in really bad shape. I have a lot of branches to move though. And I want to save some of the inner bark of the elm.
 

connie

Veteran Member
Spent morning rearranging some preps. Knees don't like to get in lower cabinets much anymore so moved some smaller items. Lower cabinet can now be used to store potatoes and onions for fall / winter.
We limit trips to store especially in winter flu and now covid season so stocking up as always.
Small garden getting squash and okra. Green beans blooming. Been very hot here.
Have a great week everyone.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Renee-I’m a little jealous of your cooler weather. Temps have cooled off here (I’m in NW TN) to the upper 80’s which is sooo much better than the upper 90’s we’ve been having, but 70’s sounds divine! Enjoy!

briches-Congratulations! Sounds like you’ve got a good one.

I believe we’re on the backside of most of the garden produce. I decided instead of pulling the pressure canner out for soup yesterday, I just did a tomato/veggie juice blend in the steam canner, had 17 pints. DH only picked a half a milk crate of tomatoes yesterday and doesn’t think there will be too many more. Zucchini plants just gave up and died in the heat we’ve been having, we can probably plant some more that should produce before first frost. Yellow squash is hanging on and producing a few along. Bell peppers aren’t producing as well as they should, maybe they’ll do better since she have cooler temps. DH decided not to plant green beans this year because he thought we had several canned from last year. I think it was a huge mistake because our 16 month old granddaughter LOVES green beans. May have to see about locating some to can for her. Okra has started to pick up.

I’m thinking we’re going to start canning some meats from the freezer this week since the garden is winding down.

Covid-19 cases have gone way up in our county and the next county over where both my daughters are teacher and teacher/librarian in a K-8 school and my grandsons attend. School was suppose to go back on the 3rd in both counties but an emergency meeting was held once cases went up and the local hospital is at capacity for those patients with the virus so the start of school has been pushed back until the end of the month although the staff are required to start back a week or so sooner. Everything just seems so upside down. In preparing to go back on the 3rd, both daughters and son-in-law whose also in education have been exposed to people who have now tested positive, some with symptoms and some without. They are now self quarantining so back to not seeing my children and grandchildren again, ugh.

If there’s any shopping this week, it will be online!
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
For me, it's all about moving for the next month. Fortunately, we have movers to do the heavy lifting, but there are still arrangements to be made. DH moved the freezer and frozen foods to his brother's house yesterday. We'll get them once we get settled in the new location next month. My dad had just given us a side of beef when DH was offered the new position 4 hours from here.

We're moving from 13 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a metro area with 500,000 people to 11 acres on the side of a mountain 30 minutes from downtown of a town of 20,000. I don't even know if UPS delivers out there. And I haven't actually visited the house either. DH picked it out. But out of all the houses we've bought, at least this one has a small deer-proof garden already going and solar panels already installed. And it backs to BLM land. It's more money than we wanted to spend, but with all the craziness, DH wanted his family as far from town as practicable. He'll still have an hour commute each way, which I do not find practical at all, but he wants that house. His call.

As there is 2 1/2 weeks between the close of this house and the close of the new house, we will be homeless. Well, we could stay in the company provided apartment with DH, but then the dogs would have to be boarded, and that would be $1700 at the very cheapest, and the DDs would be very upset. So we get to go do some remote camping. I have to plan out meals for that.
Best wishes on your move! Remote camping sounds like it could fun.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Went to Walgreens for my weekly visit. Got 2 9 roll packs of toilet paper, some distilled water, a bottle of laundry detergent, and 2 cans of soup for us. The box for charity got 2 boxes of cereal, 2 boxes of pancake mix, a cake mix and a can of frosting. Everything either on sale, coupon, or my 20% off member discount. Used some points I had saved up and paid $11.10 out of pocket. I like those kinds of shopping trips :)
 

moldy

Veteran Member
it's great., y'all...I think I'm allergic to sagebrush. Was picking some to make smudgesticks and stuck mynose in it good. My upper lip now looks like it belongs to Kim Kardashian. I've taken benadryl and pepcid and am patiently waiting to see what happens. No problems bteathing, but I think my afternoon is shot.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Had to go mail a DVD to my dad so popped into Publix next door. Bought 2 more jars of strawberry preserves at BOGO and then stopped to look at my tea--Tetley's English Breakfast tea. They had the box of 80 marked down to $3 from $4.29 or so, so I got another 3 boxes. Already have a dozen, but I do rotate them. Not going to run out of my tea! Also got another 5 lbs of rice.
 

briches

Veteran Member
it's great., y'all...I think I'm allergic to sagebrush. Was picking some to make smudgesticks and stuck mynose in it good. My upper lip now looks like it belongs to Kim Kardashian. I've taken benadryl and pepcid and am patiently waiting to see what happens. No problems bteathing, but I think my afternoon is shot.

Hope you’re feeling better soon! Note to self: check expiration on the Benadryl I have prepped.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
it's great., y'all...I think I'm allergic to sagebrush. Was picking some to make smudgesticks and stuck mynose in it good. My upper lip now looks like it belongs to Kim Kardashian. I've taken benadryl and pepcid and am patiently waiting to see what happens. No problems bteathing, but I think my afternoon is shot.
Oh, boy... better be *really* careful using it to smudge... you don't want your lungs and throat swollen like your lip!

Still.. *just* the upper lip? Are you sure you didn't get bitten by something? That seems awfully localized for an allergic reaction!

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Went to Walgreens for my weekly visit. Got 2 9 roll packs of toilet paper, some distilled water, a bottle of laundry detergent, and 2 cans of soup for us. The box for charity got 2 boxes of cereal, 2 boxes of pancake mix, a cake mix and a can of frosting. Everything either on sale, coupon, or my 20% off member discount. Used some points I had saved up and paid $11.10 out of pocket. I like those kinds of shopping trips :)

I'm liking my Walgreens membership card better and better each time I shop! I also took advantage of their sales, coupons, and discount card, yesterday. Toilet paper, hairspray, doggie treats, prescription meds for Cary, etc.

After going to Walgreens, Food Giant, and Dollar General, I still couldn't find any Bacon Spam or canned pulled pork BBQ. Those two items were the only things I didn't get on my shopping list. Everything else was plentiful, except canned veggies, but they had enough cans of what I wanted to buy....Purple Hull Peas and Pintos.

Since I didn't want to go near Sam's, yesterday, I'll be making an order out to them. They will deliver right to my door. Their price on Folgers coffee can't be beat anywhere.

All in all, I was very satisfied with my shopping trip. I'm done now for another two weeks.
 

paxsim2

Senior Member
Picking up an instacart order today and making one more Walmart run Thursday. Only gap to fill is dog food, mine eats Biljac and does well on it, I supplement with a sensitive stomach kibble. I want to find something canned that he will stay well on.
Putting an order for more seeds is difficult but may wait til fall to complete it. We are building a small greenhouse and putting in a hydroponic system.
Need to make pepper jam, more relish, start a sourdough starter and continue to declutter.
Found more storage space in the utility room for canned goods. I'm almost happy with my pantry but still on the edge of stocking up more!:hof:
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
I had 1 pint of the tomato/veg juice that I didn’t have room for in the canner so popped it in the fridge. Today I poured off about 1/4 cup and stirred a TBLS of cornstarch into it. Heated the rest of the jar and then added the slurry, it made for a great soup for lunch. I just needed a grilled cheese to go with. So it’s a nice versatile product that I can drink as is or turn it into a soup. I like versatile!

I got all the jars of tomato products cleaned and labeled for the basement pantry. I told DH that I wanted to dehydrate some cherry tomatoes but he didn’t seem to hopeful that there would many. We cut up a 3 gallon bucket of okra for the freezer today and although I didn’t know it, he put up 7 pints of diced bell peppers before I even got up this morning. Over the past couple of days he’s also gotten over #20 of ground beef out of the freezer and browned it up. After, he split it into 14 1 lb bags and vac sealed and froze them. We canned 10 pints of ground beef today. I think next up will be canning some chicken breast and broth later in the week if I can hold up.

Hubby has decided to get up super early and make an in person Sam’s run tomorrow. I hope he’ll be able to get some paper towels in the store because you can’t order them right now.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Ugh, so DH went this morning (Jackson TN) to Sam’s they had no paper towels in store today. He’s going to check at Walmart. We have some put back but I’d like a little more, I do have plenty of kitchen towels but sometimes a paper towel is preferable.

DH said the only toilet paper Sam’s had was the Pom brand and very few boxes of that. We’ve still got part of a box of that, that he bought a few months back, I told him that stuff is what some folks call “John Wayne” tp, rough, tough and don’t take crap off nobody! I myself call it “Just Barely” because it’s just barely better than nothing. Thankfully we do have several packs of Sam’s Member’s Mark put back.

He bought some iodized salt since that was all they had no kosher, 12 pack of D batteries, shave gel, tea, mixed nuts, a container of peanut M&M’s. Youngest daughter was wanting some sanitizing wipes for grandsons classrooms and the school library (when and if they go back) but still no luck with those.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I have quite a stack of boxed foods that I want to vacuum seal and just can't seem to get around to it. So I am putting boxes in buckets (in the boxes) labeling the buckets and stacking them up somewhere besides the kitchen. I'm tired of the clutter.

God is good all the time,

Judy
 

ginnie6

Veteran Member
3rd and 4th grade. Fair warning - I hate common core math with a mad and undying passion, so I'm here to tell you that if I'm the one homeschooling them, it'll be the Grandma version - ie: the one I learned in the early 60's lol! Carry the one, etc... If I do end up homeschooling them, the little one is going to get a 1st and 2nd grade review before we move on to the actual 3rd grade math - although from what I understand, the first few weeks at school are going to be mostly review of the distance learning stuff from this spring.
I've graduated five from our homeschool and working on the last one. He's going into 10th this year and I have never taught them common core math! Stupidest thing I have ever seen. There are programs out there that avoid it if you look.
 

ginnie6

Veteran Member
I went and bought a bushel of tomatoes this week to put up as something is going on with ours. They were beautiful and loaded with tomatoes. Then we got a lot of rain and now the tomatoes are either rottening on the vine or the birds are eating them. I've taken care of the birds but the tomatoes still are not what they usually are. We've also had a deer visit and almost destroy my okra. We haven't had a deer in years but they're tearing down more forest near us. I've fenced the okra in and praying it rebounds. Also still planting green beans lol. If its a long fall they will produce awhile yet here. A friend and I are planning a trip next week to the state farmers market though to get a few things. I've never been but I've been told we can buy from the loading docks at wholesale price as long as we buy a case. Youngest ds took me to lunch today. He's been working with our sil and earning some money and he wanted to treat me for a change. So we went and had lunch and sat outside. It was nice not eating in the truck! Then we went and he bought him some clothes he needs. Nothing to make you feel better than to see them proud that they can buy themselves something with money they earned. Then it was home to work on the laundry room. I'm re-organizing it so I can store more preps. Plus it needed a good cleaning lol. Tomorrow is my normal grocery day so will add a few more things then.
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Canned 13 quarts of chicken today and have 15 lbs of ground beef in the freezedryer. Got another row of cabbage weeded and a nice long conversation with DD#2.
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wow, so much going on! Psych girl, I've ordered beef and pork via a locker for a long time. If you have questions, I'd be happy to help.

Britches...congratulations!! May you have many happy years

Schoolmarm..how cool to start in a new place. Best wishes with moving.

I'm working every other day this week. Lots of weeding and canning to get done. DH rented a man-lift last week to trim trees. We have been very blessed that none have fallen, as they were in really bad shape. I have a lot of branches to move though. And I want to save some of the inner bark of the elm.
Just now saw your post! Thank you for offering to help with questions! I moghtvjust do that :)

By the way why do you same elm bark?
 

ivantherussian03

Veteran Member
I am cleaning the clutter. I founds totes of hunting, camping gear, survival gear, electronics. So I reorganized, and tossed the stuff.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Better half went to Walmart today and found Zest bar soap and got me 2 of the 8 packs. It has been missing the last two times I went. I stopped by Dollar Tree on my way to the gym. Pretty bare actually, but I got a couple of bags of rice, a couple of packages of gnocchi, some soup and some generic excedrin. Nothing in the sale ads this week got me interested in anything. Will have to see what Publix puts out tomorrow in their ad.
 
Top