Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: August 30 ~ September 5, 2020

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning, All! Hope this week's thread finds you all safe and happy :)

My brain is about fried from work, and I need to get up early so I can make a stop on the way in to work this evening, so this is gonna be a short post - sorry 'bout that!

I'm not sure what my prep plans are for this week yet - I remembered to stop and pick up the Sunday papers, but haven't take time to sort out the ads or coupons. I know that I'm going to want to add several varieties of canned tomatoes to the pantry since the crop here wasn't worth the effort to can them - it'd be a couple of quarts at a time, if that! I did notice a sale on the sign board outside the local grocery store - "5# chicken breast for $6"; if the sign is still up in the morning, I will probably stop by to see what they have; maybe spend $20 on more chicken to can. I'm going to snag the weekly ads for the other nearby grocery stores and tuck them in my work bag this evening; maybe make some stops on my way home from work in the morning if there are any worthwhile deals.

The grandsons go back to school this week - I'm going to be sad not to have them underfoot as much, but I will finally be able to get some things done inside the house - the woodwork needs lemon oil, as do the cabinets and wainscot; air return grates need cleaned, the light panels in the dropped ceiling in the basement also need cleaned, boxes of recently canned food need carried down to the pantry and rotated in to the pantries while previously canned items need carried up to restock the upstairs pantries....

I think I just wore myself out thinking about the things that need done :lol: Reckon I'd better head to bed and get ready for another night at work - and maybe a little post work shopping!

You folks take care and stay safe out there - I'd sure miss you if you weren't here on the forum!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
The only thing I'm doing right now is trying to get some fresh bagged veggies dehydrated before they ruin. The fridg being off for up to 12 hours has not helped them. They were all for dehydrating anyway, but I've been distracted.

I had ordered a supply of paper plates, for the last year I've been using paper more than I've ever used in my life. I've always been conservative using throw a way things, but now that I'm old and fat I don't care.

Oh, and I got more 2 gallon buckets, I prefer the 3 1/2 gallon but they are nowhere to be fine. I cut 5 gallon mylar in half and iron seal the sides, perfect fit for the two gallon buckets. Since they are smaller and don't weight as much I'm stacking them 2 to 3 high depending on what's in them.

Yesterday I essentially got nothing done and late in the day it occurred to me that I had not had any coffee. As soon as I woke up I headed straight to the coffee pot.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We never use paper plates but like the song says "the times they are a changin' "
So I bought the largest pack of paper plates and large amount of napkins too.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
We never use paper plates but like the song says "the times they are a changin' "
So I bought the largest pack of paper plates and large amount of napkins too.
All the years of raising my children I did not use paper plates, napkins or paper towels. I washed dishes by hand, and we used cloth napkins (I did not iron them) and rags instead of paper towels, that I washed them or if they were really nasty I tossed them.

But in my 70's I'm using paper, although I prefer paper towels to paper napkins. I don't feel the least bit guilty.

God is good all the time,

Judy
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Sweet dreams to Renee.

I placed an order with Sam’s last night for yeast, all purpose flour, coffee, pineapple, a couple of bags of brown sugar, instant mashed potatoes, Mac & cheese, Ro-tel, A-1 sauce, cashews and applesauce. I’m hoping to be able to find apples to make some pie filling, etc. but since so many places had a really hard freeze they may be hard to get and at an affordable price, so I decided to buy some applesauce instead of making it.

Also ordered some 5 gallon and 3.5 gallon buckets along with some Gamma lids from Amazon last night.

Judy- I don’t know what kind of 3.5 gallons you are wanting but I bought Ropak made in the USA $69.99 for a 6 pack. Definitely pricey for me since the other ones I have, I only paid about .50 cents for, from a grocery bakery many years ago.

We rarely use paper plates but I keep a good supply put back, ‘cos you just never know when you might need them.

Well, it’s almost time for the kids and grandkids to come over so I better get busy.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Sweet dreams to Renee.

I placed an order with Sam’s last night for yeast, all purpose flour, coffee, pineapple, a couple of bags of brown sugar, instant mashed potatoes, Mac & cheese, Ro-tel, A-1 sauce, cashews and applesauce. I’m hoping to be able to find apples to make some pie filling, etc. but since so many places had a really hard freeze they may be hard to get and at an affordable price, so I decided to buy some applesauce instead of making it.

Also ordered some 5 gallon and 3.5 gallon buckets along with some Gamma lids from Amazon last night.

Judy- I don’t know what kind of 3.5 gallons you are wanting but I bought Ropak made in the USA $69.99 for a 6 pack. Definitely pricey for me since the other ones I have, I only paid about .50 cents for, from a grocery bakery many years ago.

We rarely use paper plates but I keep a good supply put back, ‘cos you just never know when you might need them.

Well, it’s almost time for the kids and grandkids to come over so I better get busy.
I was getting the 3 1/2 gallon buckets made by Argree in the USA from walmart. A ten pack for around 30 dollars. I managed to get 30 before they sold out so I've been getting the 2 gallon 10 pak since then. Just got 20 more delivered. I may use some of them to repack some things I stored 12 years ago. Just have to wait until cooler weather to tackle that. Since my money has seriously tightened I can't spend much money for awhile.

God is good all the time.

Judy
 

amazon

Veteran Member
The cleaning/organizing of preps continues! Dried, non fat milk in original cardboard container, kept at 70 to 75 degrees. Sell bu 3/03/13 Keep or toss? I know one of y'all will know. Thanks!
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We never use paper plates but like the song says "the times they are a changin' "
So I bought the largest pack of paper plates and large amount of napkins too.

Almost every time Sam's has a sale, their Chinet paper plates are on sale. I have a huge stock. When they have a sale on their Bounty paper towels I buy them, too, although, I don't use paper towels that much. I don't use paper plates that often, either, since I have to wash all the other messed up dishes, what's two more plates to wash? I see them as emergency options.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
The cleaning/organizing of preps continues! Dried, non fat milk in original cardboard container, kept at 70 to 75 degrees. Sell bu 3/03/13 Keep or toss? I know one of y'all will know. Thanks!
I'd open it and sniff/taste. But I'm betting it's nasty. If, by some fortunate chance it's not, then repackage in glass jars or mylar,mand plan on using soon.

Summerthyme
 

amazon

Veteran Member
When I opened it and compared it to a bag I recently purchased the color and smell was off. Going to toss them. Thanks for your input. I hate to throw food away and need a second opinion. : )
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
I'm finally out in my cabin relaxing. What a day. The harvest is coming in. Reorganized the pantry, large laundry baskets are full of squash. Boxes full of potatoes (I use an apple with taters and they don't sprout).

Zucchini breads got made, peppers cut to rings in gallon jar, okra in another. Tomatoes in bags in freezer, Green beans we picked yesterday all are blanched and in freezer.
Can't find anymore canning jars anywhere. Made bunch of salsa and strawberry jam in small jars.

More cleaning and finished the gate I built for the dog run.
Sunflowers are over 12 foot tall now. Chickens are laying like crazy. You can set a clock by when they want out and when they go back in.
Daughter and grands will be here in a few days.
Cleaned all the big limbs up that fell with the storm we had.
Oh geesh I could go on LOL
All the dogs got out and played and they, the cats, the horses and baby chicks got tended.
House got the once over.

I'm still working on my little cabin. I have a small propane wall heater I plan to put in and use a 20lb tank, see how that goes.
I have a small wood stove and pipe but there is more involved with that. I'm wondering if there is a way to hang a rack on the wall heater so I can heat water. Right now I use Sterno in the evening just to have a cup of something hot.

My Luci light works good with no batteries, its solar. I hang it on my cabin fence during the day.
I'm looking into the Harbor Freight solar suitcase, just to power my chromebook and portable dvd player and cell phone.
Anyone have experience with that?

Dogs are nestled in for the night with me. I still have to clean the basement but my daughter said she would help me.
DH having very high BP episodes, comes and goes. Cardiologist appt soon as he refuse to do anything else. Son who is EMT offered to take him to station for 12 lead but he won't go. Next one, I might call 911 without him knowing, thats probably only way I can get him any attention.

I'm doing all this limping around in a lot of pain most of the time. Nothing really helps much but I grin and bear it, and Thank the Lord that he keeps me going!
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Our weather was quite cool yesterday, but back to hot today. I need to get started harvesting things like turnips and potatoes and keep up with cukes, tomatoes, and peppers.

I have branches down everywhere that I would like to get picked up, but that will wait quite a while. Still need to finish up some flower beds and the back yard of my apothecary - maybe I can get the nephew to help out or DD when she comes out at the end of the month.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary and I have been going through all of our homesteading and self-sufficiency books this morning. We are giving them to our DS and our DDIL. They have been married just over a year, and are heavily involved in learning to be more self-sufficient and off grid. We've already prepared our little place, and now it's their turn to learn from us. They've already done a lot, but are anxious to learn more. We thought all our books would be good for them to have. Of course, our DS grew up watching what Cary and I did, but he still wants our help and advice in making his own place as self-sufficient as possible. They have already prepared a year+ worth of food in their pantry room. Now, they're ready to move on from there.
 

rosepath

Member
My hub is bringing some old metal shelves down into the basement for me to better store canned goods! They’re old, and kind of rickety but I’m excited!
Right now everything is a mess and needs some serious organization!
Maybe think about a way to reinforce the shelves, maybe with 2x4's or something.....on the Stocking Our Shelves forum a gal had a disaster happen - her shelves gave way dumping all her (filled) canning jars onto the floor :eek:
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Maybe think about a way to reinforce the shelves, maybe with 2x4's or something.....on the Stocking Our Shelves forum a gal had a disaster happen - her shelves gave way dumping all her (filled) canning jars onto the floor :eek:

We bought all of our metal shelving units for my pantry room new, and DH still installed support for the shelves. Better to be safe than sorry.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I'm still able to use my dehydrator and I've been busy dehydrating vegetables. One of my favorite things to dehydrate is a walmart package called Super Blend. It has brussels sprouts, napa cabbage, kohrabi, broccoli, carrots and kale, they are all chopped up. When we went to get gas yesterday we stopped by a small walmart, they only had a few things in the fresh vegetable section. Was able to pick up two packages of the super blend, they only had four. This store was hugely picked over, huge amount of empty shelves, no meat, no cheese, some milk, no sour cream and nothing in the section that usually has sour cream. I was able to get a couple of jars of Lays dip, since its in a sealed jar I don't have to put it in the fridg first thing only after its opened. I've got eight cucumbers for DH to peel and slice for me to put in the dehydrator, although it will take about 8 trays.

There are big trucks at a couple of the community centers right near us that are giving out water and food. DH said they had frozen meat of all kings, including chicken and venison, of course he declined that be cause we have plenty. He did pick up two cases of water, but I'm donating that to a nurse that is taking food and water to elderly folks who are distressed and their families are not doing anything for them. I'm going to hook up with her and see what I might do to help. We are blessed, we have two generators going and we loaned out the third big one to a friend.

I stopped at a cousin's house yesterday coming back from getting gas. She has her daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter (precious blue eyed beauty about 1 year old) and a sister in law and her near do well grown son laying on her leg. She looked frazzeled

God is good all the time

Judy
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Judy I got myself a machete for another hike with the grands this weekend. I'm sorry I didn't have it on hand just now. The mean old azz rooster attacked me when I let them all out. I was a good 100 foot away and he came running and kept attacking me, gouged my leg. I was screaming for help in the yard but no one heard me. I was able to keep kicking him away hard. Thats it for me. I will have DH dispatch him tomorrow. I hate killing anything but I will not tolerate an aggressive animal attacking. Not the first time. I thought I had him settled down but I can see now he was just plotting all along.
He is beating the hell out of my hens too. I'm done.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
PS: Took a trip to a little bigger city to Lowes today. Got the rest of the insulation for cabin walls and cement blocks for cabin yard swing.
Price went up from $11 to $15 for insulation. And there was not a single piece of rigid insulation over 2x2 to be found in the whole place. Lumber was way down too.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Got my order today for the antibiotics I had ordered. Got three different ones that we have used in the past with no issues so everyone should be good if they have to take any again. Have to be very careful with antibiotics if you have never taken that exact one before.

It was cool here today so I got my wife to go for a walk. We just walked on a mostly unused road that runs next to creek. A lot of shade and very pretty scenery. We only walked two miles but that was really good for her.
 

briches

Veteran Member
I always enjoy reading this thread!

We have been pretty busy here. I’m in “back to school mode” with teaching and hubby and I bought a second home last week. We’ve spent the weekends working on it and getting it to where we want it to be (which will take a long time!). It came furnished and was in the previous owners family for seventy years. We have found many treasures and lots of trash as we are going though the house.

It’s right on the water so one prep item was getting new fishing poles. I’m pretty excited!
 

Digger

Veteran Member
I needed to replace the items I used on my burn. I picked up sterile pads at the pharmacy. But I went to the feed store for wound wrap. It is much cheaper, wider, and comes in a variety of colors. I get it in the horse care supplies. When I brought my vet wrap to the check out, the girl told me that they had some on clearance. I bought the 4 regular priced rolls Plus several at half price. I left all the clearance ones that came out of the dog section. They had " No Chew" printed on them. That would have been hilarious on my wrist. :lkick:By the way, my burn is healing nicely.
 

chumly2071

Contributing Member
...some old metal shelves... They’re old, and kind of rickety...

Friend of mine took 1/2" plywood, trimmed to the outline of the back of the whole "modular" shelf unit. Once the shelf spacing was set, he used small rounded head screws to secure the perimeter and rear cross bars of the shelves to it as a backer for the unit. This made them very stable side to side, gave a wall to stack against on the back of the shelves, and wasn't crazy expensive. This doesn't help stability fore/aft though...


.Clipboard01.jpg
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Friend of mine took 1/2" plywood, trimmed to the outline of the back of the whole "modular" shelf unit. Once the shelf spacing was set, he used small rounded head screws to secure the perimeter and rear cross bars of the shelves to it as a backer for the unit. This made them very stable side to side, gave a wall to stack against on the back of the shelves, and wasn't crazy expensive. This doesn't help stability fore/aft though...


.View attachment 217904
He’s working on it!
 

psychgirl

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Funny story kind of related to preps lol. I belong to a Facebook group, All about Fall Autumn, or some such... mostly very young girls....I LOVE the fall and they share some gorgeous photos, decorations etc. and it’s really pleasant, actually!

They’ve all been in a frenzy with pumpkin this, sweaters, pictures, Bath and Body Works candles coming out, yada yada. Well, the other day one asked, “please share what you’re all doing to get ready for fall!” All fired up... like they are every day lol.

After waiting to see the billionth reply about candles, squealing girlie things and stuff, I quietly answered....

“ I just got my half hog in the freezer and filling it up with other stocks for the winter! “

:whistle: :lol:





Radio silence... :eek:.... I think they were horrified!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
DH is going to half peel the cucumbers and I will be putting them in the dehydrator. Got a lot of catching up to do.

God is good all the time,

Judy
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
I tried a recipe from a new canning book yesterday for chicken pot pie. I had 8 quarts so I pressured canned 7 and put one in the fridge, that will be supper tonight.

I received part of an online order this morning that I put in Sunday night. Another 3 pack of whole cranberry sauce, 8 cans of apple pie filling and 4 3 lb.boxes of kosher salt. Still have a 6 pack of pumpkin and another of baby corn to come in. We haven’t been able to find the corn in awhile and we like to add it to stir fries.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
My doctor visit went well this morning. I got two prescriptions refilled for another year. All went well.

Afterwards, we went grocery shopping for our two week supply. Everything on my list was available with no limits. I added a few more cans of Cream of Cheddar Soup and more cans of mixed veggies to my storage pantry. That's all I bought for storage.

We also went to Tractor Supply, and bought Cary two more pair of work pants, cat and dog food, plus more dog treats.

Finished up at Walgreen for my eye medication, and a few items they had on sale that I needed.

Tomorrow morning our dog has a vet appt. for his check-up, and booster shots, worming, and to pick up another 6 months of heart worm meds.

Thursday, I have to see my Rheumatologist, and have a bone density test done, afterwards. Then, on to Sam's to finish my shopping.

Friday afternoon, I have an appt. to have my yearly mammogram.

Hectic week!!!
 

Digger

Veteran Member
I have only about 5 yards of 1/8 inch elastic left in my sewing stuff. I thought I would never use up all I had. Who would have thought I would have needed to make face mask? :shr: I think I have found some online I am going to order. It is made in China of course, but is in stock in Ohio. So this is my prep fail. I guess there is always going to be something we don't anticipate. Now to figure out how much to order.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Though I do know how to sew, I very seldom do any. I do some leather work though and I recently bought extra of the heavy waxed thread I use for that along with many more leather working rivets. I am trying to think of everything but obviously many things will be missed. We are only human.
 
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