Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 21~27, 2021

briches

Veteran Member
I think for me it will be another week of eating from the pantry a bit. It makes me a little nervous, but is good to rotate through more than what I’ve been doing. Also, it’s been amazing on the budget. :)
Not sure what else will unfold this week ... I need coffee before deciding. Lol
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Everything is thawing out nicely here. I've been hibernating, since the snow and ice started. I don't think I've left my house in over 3 weeks! So......

I have to take Mom for an ultrasound tomorrow if she can't get it rescheduled. Tuesday, is our shopping day. Nothing else planned for the week, unless Cary gets a call for him to go for his stress test. We're still waiting for his surgery date, too. With all the cancellations, because of the ice and snow, I'm concerned that his surgery will have to be postponed even farther out. When it comes to cancer, the sooner it is taken care of, the better, IMHO.

LOL. I have been watching an icicle that was hanging at the corner of my roof, since the freeze over started. It was growing and growing. It finally grew to over 2 ft. long. It melted and broke off, yesterday. I was sorta sad to see it go.
 

SAPPHIRE

Veteran Member
I agree COFFEE STARTS THE DAY!....hard to prep for unknown......I shopped intentionally for any long term deals for past two weeks........budget is whining.....found 4 restaurant containers of Russet hashbrowns (2.5 lbs each) for $5.50 each. Package says each equal to 11 lbs. of potatoes.............
 

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
It's snowing hard here. I hope it's the last major snow storm (3" - 5"). We typically get some in March and even early April but it tends to be a lot lighter.

There's what I want to do and what I need to do -- taxes -- which I've been putting off. I used to be able to fill out the short form in about 5 minutes, drop it in the mail, and be done. Now, it's a major 3-day production, if I don't farm it out.

Otherwise, deep cleaning and spring sorting continues. I have to make some book decisions soon: they are outgrowing their allotted space. I may add several more shelves because of the pandemic, but I don't want to return to the days when I had over 1,000 books, some categories organized, some not. It took time to find what I needed.
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
I spent some time this afternoon vacuum sealing some recent meat purchases and going through the old (big freezer) and taking out some stuff that had been double bagged in freezer bags just a couple of months ago and vacuum sealing those too. Now all of that meat has been relocated to the new freezer. I can finally see what I have in the big freezer so I can make plans to tackle all of that stuff in the next several months, while still adding new meat (properly vacuum sealed for long term) in the new freezer.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
We are thawing out here today. Some of the roads are still really bad (according to hubby and the kids, because I haven’t left the farm in weeks) and our county and the county where my grands go to school will be out again tomorrow. The wind has picked up quite a bit the past few hours and rain should be moving in the next couple of hours. Ugh, it’s going to be so muddy for awhile.

We needed to get some whole house water filters so I ordered online from Walmart and added some laundry sanitizer since they finally had it back in stock along with replacing a box of powdered cascade and oxi clean for whites. I wasn’t out but I’m trying to keep further ahead of those things since they‘ve been hard to get at times this past year. Also added some sesame oil and teriyaki sauce since DH had trouble finding it at the store.

I‘m needing to do some organizing and inventory of the pantry and freezers and make a list or two for Sam’s/Costco in the next week or so. Hopefully things will be restocked in the grocery stores around here soon and the club stores too. I had planned on salmon filets for supper last night but none could be found so I guess we’re out! I ended up having the leftover fried rice from Thursday and DH had leftover pizza from Friday.
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Worked today, but was able to make some contacts for my herbal business. Hopefully, that will translate into a few new clients over the next couple weeks.

DH fixed the chicken waterer. Ate leftovers. Heated the house with wood.

I"m at the point where I think any money I can keep and not have it go out of the house is good. DH has been working on taxes - we'll need to get them to the accountant soon.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
Our snow is getting pretty thin. I will be glad to see it gone. It should all be gone today or tomorrow.

I finished getting our taxes ready to take to our CPA. I am so glad that is done. Now I want to go through the paper clutter in the office. I do it every year. But this year hubby needs to go through his old stuff from work. He is not going to be able to go back. His back is not getting better and it is not worth the stress.

I need to start prunings the fruit trees. That has to be done pronto. We bought a good pair of pruners that should make the job much easier. I also have to do my contract job this week.

I cooked some of our dehydrated squash. It turned out pretty good. It was a little darker color than fresh but not much. I boiled it with some diced onions. Drained it, then added butter and velveeta to make a cheese sauce. I make it with fresh squash all summer. Hubby liked it, so I will dry more this summer.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank God we no longer have to pay Fed income, state, or property taxes every year. That was a headache that Cary didn't look forward to.

It rained last night. When we got up this morning, all the snow was gone. Good riddance! Temps are going up, and I can start planning gardens, finally. I hate these freak ice/snow storms we get from time to time. I live in the South for warmth, not snow!

I ordered 4 #10 cans of Augason Farms dehydrated bell peppers. Expected arrival date is the 24th. The cost was much cheaper than what Zatarain's wanted for their small jars. Much cheaper!

Mom just called, and told me she got her ultrasound appt. changed, so I don't have to take her, today. Since my sister has an appt. on Friday, Mom wanted to go with her. My sister has stage 4 brain cancer from Melanoma that spread from her leg to her brain and lungs. Sister's DH takes them both to their appointments, since they live with Mom. They have to, because my sister has to have round the clock care, and her DH works. They make all their appointments on the same day and on his off work days. Today was an exception. I'm glad she got it changed. She was going with my sister to her appointment on Friday anyway.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Thank God we no longer have to pay Fed income, state, or property taxes every year. That was a headache that Cary didn't look forward to.

It rained last night. When we got up this morning, all the snow was gone. Good riddance! Temps are going up, and I can start planning gardens, finally. I hate these freak ice/snow storms we get from time to time. I live in the South for warmth, not snow!

I ordered 4 #10 cans of Augason Farms dehydrated bell peppers. Expected arrival date is the 24th. The cost was much cheaper than what Zatarain's wanted for their small jars. Much cheaper!

Mom just called, and told me she got her ultrasound appt. changed, so I don't have to take her, today. Since my sister has an appt. on Friday, Mom wanted to go with her. My sister has stage 4 brain cancer from Melanoma that spread from her leg to her brain and lungs. Sister's DH takes them both to their appointments, since they live with Mom. They have to, because my sister has to have round the clock care, and her DH works. They make all their appointments on the same day and on his off work days. Today was an exception. I'm glad she got it changed. She was going with my sister to her appointment on Friday anyway.
Same here, rain last night and temps in the mid 40's all night, only a few tiny patches of snow left. The sun is shinning, the power is on and the water is running. I feel like a weight of oppression has been lifted, praise the Lord.

So sad about your sister, but a blessing that your mom can take care of her.

As to opening those #10 cans. I have quite a few #10 cans of onions. I've used dehydrated onions from those little jars and finally got smart about it. When I open a big can, I fill a pint jar with product to use and put the remainder in vacuum sealed jars, its last a lot longer that way.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Same here, rain last night and temps in the mid 40's all night, only a few tiny patches of snow left. The sun is shinning, the power is on and the water is running. I feel like a weight of oppression has been lifted, praise the Lord.

So sad about your sister, but a blessing that your mom can take care of her.

As to opening those #10 cans. I have quite a few #10 cans of onions. I've used dehydrated onions from those little jars and finally got smart about it. When I open a big can, I fill a pint jar with product to use and put the remainder in vacuum sealed jars, its last a lot longer that way.

God is good all the time

Judy

Yes, it's a blessing that Mom can still take care of her, but something in the near future may have to be done differently. As the cancer progresses, it's getting harder for Mom to be able to. Mom is 80 yrs. old, and in poor health herself. She has Lupus with liver damage. My sister and her DH may have to move back into their own home, and hire someone to stay with my sister round the clock. My sister has one son who lives in Colorado, and a daughter that lives in MS., but has her own disabled little one ( he's 2 yrs. old) to care for. I don't see many options. I do my best to take care of Mom, but my sister, her family, and I have never gotten along very well (rich, wild, socialite status), so they are the ones who will have to make things happen with her. Don't get me wrong. I love my sister. We just went our own separate ways years ago. She chose her path, and I chose mine.

Yay! As I was sitting here typing this, the FedEx truck just ran bringing my #10 cans of peppers! All 4 of them. I'm going to do as you, and empty out some into a pint canning jar, then seal up the rest of the can in other jars to keep them fresh longer. Thanks for that idea! I use a lot of bell peppers and onions, so I'm sure these won't last too long. Now that I've got a somewhat good stock, I'll order a can when I use a can, and keep them in rotation. I already have a good stock of dehydrated onions on hand, but in single jars. I may consider buying them by the #10 cans from now on, too.
 

Cag3db1rd

Paranoid Pagan
My house is covered in mud. There is no point washing the floors until things dry out. I think I need to get some good mulch from the green waste dump to cover some muddy patches.

One thing we have learned this week is to keep Miralax in our storage, and that a pitbull can have a half teaspoon every 12 hours. My poor Pepper wouldn't poop this past week because of the cold even with her sweater and her coat on. So, by the time it thawed, she couldn't poop. She refused the pumpkin puree. So, I went through my Pinterest board for dog related stuff and found some info on constipated dogs. Miralax is safe for most dogs at a very conservative dose. 1/2 tsp for a 50# dog every 12 hrs. There was other info. My bestie stayed on hand with a Fleets enema just in case. She said it's safe, but I have found no info on that. Well, Pepper did her business at 4:53am today, so she is saved from that experience.

Hubby repaired the fuel leak on the BOV and installed a new exhaust system. Now we don't have to wear ear pro when riding in it. Next he will be putting new front suspension on it. He's already gotten the parts, so it is a matter of weather permitting on a day he is off work.

Money is tight this week. Hubby's work was shut down by the gas company to conserve NG. I worked some Door Dash to help with finances and sold off the rest of my Robinhood portfolio for extra wiggle room, also in case I had to take Pepper to the vet. Probably will just start organizing my front bdrm so I can store things better around Weebit's stuff she hasn't picked up yet.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Yes, it's a blessing that Mom can still take care of her, but something in the near future may have to be done differently. As the cancer progresses, it's getting harder for Mom to be able to. Mom is 80 yrs. old, and in poor health herself. She has Lupus with liver damage. My sister and her DH may have to move back into their own home, and hire someone to stay with my sister round the clock. My sister has one son who lives in Colorado, and a daughter that lives in MS., but has her own disabled little one ( he's 2 yrs. old) to care for. I don't see many options. I do my best to take care of Mom, but my sister, her family, and I have never gotten along very well (rich, wild, socialite status), so they are the ones who will have to make things happen with her. Don't get me wrong. I love my sister. We just went our own separate ways years ago. She chose her path, and I chose mine.

Yay! As I was sitting here typing this, the FedEx truck just ran bringing my #10 cans of peppers! All 4 of them. I'm going to do as you, and empty out some into a pint canning jar, then seal up the rest of the can in other jars to keep them fresh longer. Thanks for that idea! I use a lot of bell peppers and onions, so I'm sure these won't last too long. Now that I've got a somewhat good stock, I'll order a can when I use a can, and keep them in rotation. I already have a good stock of dehydrated onions on hand, but in single jars. I may consider buying them by the #10 cans from now on, too.
I've gotten my best price on onions from LDS, although I don't know it they have peppers.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

mecoastie

Veteran Member
It is sugaring season. Got taps in yesterday and will have my first boil this weekend. I am quite excited as it is the start of spring for us. Plus it is a lot of fun to make syrup. My wifes quote is "You drink beer and feed the fire" Yup and I love it!!
 

moldy

Veteran Member
We got the taxes to the accountant today - one more thing off my list! - and DH repotted peppers. We have at least 75 that are 3-4 inches high. We need to get tomatoes started, but ran out of time and energy today. I did also pick up some girl scout cookies - that's kinda a must. I like to support the local girls.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
It is sugaring season. Got taps in yesterday and will have my first boil this weekend. I am quite excited as it is the start of spring for us. Plus it is a lot of fun to make syrup. My wifes quote is "You drink beer and feed the fire" Yup and I love it!!

maples? - what species?
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Question......Do dehydrated peppers freeze well?

I opened one of my #10 cans of dehydrated bell peppers just to see what they were like. I'm very well pleased. I didn't have any clean jars ready to reseal them up in, and was wondering if they could be refrigerated or frozen for a few days in freezer bags. I don't take chances of leaving things unsealed on the shelf for fear of bugs. Maybe I worry too much?
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I wouldn't put them in the freezer. If you are able to seal them well enough they won't absorb moisture from the freezer, you can certainly package them well enough to stay fresh and dry at room temp.

They should be safe on the counter in freezer bags.

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I wouldn't put them in the freezer. If you are able to seal them well enough they won't absorb moisture from the freezer, you can certainly package them well enough to stay fresh and dry at room temp.

They should be safe on the counter in freezer bags.

Summerthyme

Ok, thanks, Summerthyme. I'll do that instead.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Thursday is 3rd meet up or hike group. "Food on the trail". The kids are all excited every meeting. Hopefully it will keep warming so we can plan a day hike. Right now its still a lot of snow and ice in many places. Prepping kids is fun, they don't realize this will last them a lifetime.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Bugs won't usually bother peppers

I always ordered my peppers from Zatarain's, before their price went out of sight. On my last order from them, I opened a jar to pour out some in the spaghetti sauce I was making. To my horror, little bugs were crawling around in sauce and the jar. It was a new jar, too. The seal must have had a pin hole in it. I threw out the whole pot of sauce.

I'm very cautious and paranoid of bugs getting into my preps. I take extra precaution just to be on the safe side.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
In Minnesota many people even tapped boxelders.

birch sap is supposed to have all kinds of health recipes .....

I read a little newspaper article snipit years ago from Downstate - somebody called in a drug operation on a farm - county sent in the SWAT team >> when they arrived Ma & Pa Farmer Brown had their trees tapped and were buzy cooking down the sap ....
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Question......Do dehydrated peppers freeze well?

I opened one of my #10 cans of dehydrated bell peppers just to see what they were like. I'm very well pleased. I didn't have any clean jars ready to reseal them up in, and was wondering if they could be refrigerated or frozen for a few days in freezer bags. I don't take chances of leaving things unsealed on the shelf for fear of bugs. Maybe I worry too much?
I'm sure they will be fine in the original container for the short term, but I get them vacuum sealed in jars ASAP. We live in the south and humidity gets to everything.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
My pantry is full to overflowing. However, I'm starting to get the feeling to add more to it.

One thing I had added as an afterthought was instant grits in the individual packet. Normally, I would never eat this kind of grits because they are very processed. However, when we were out of power I ate a bunch of them. I replinished yesterday when I went to walmart with a different flavor.

I need to organize better.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
To those of you that use dehydrated onions and peppers, how do you use them? I have bought a few cans with the thought of maybe making homemade mixes but never got around to it. We use a lot of fresh onions and fresh and frozen peppers but I’m not sure how to replace those with dehydrated or freeze dried. For instance how to use them in fried potatoes and onions, could it be done and have an acceptable dish? I think I understand on adding them to something like sauces or soups.
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
To those of you that use dehydrated onions and peppers, how do you use them? I have bought a few cans with the thought of maybe making homemade mixes but never got around to it. We use a lot of fresh onions and fresh and frozen peppers but I’m not sure how to replace those with dehydrated or freeze dried. For instance how to use them in fried potatoes and onions, could it be done and have an acceptable dish? I think I understand on adding them to something like sauces or soups.
Sure... just rehydrate them by pouring boiling water over the dehydrated veggies to cover. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, drain and then use like fresh. (They won't have a "fresh" texture, but they'll saute up fine in fried potatoes or whatever.

Summerthyme
 
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aviax2

Veteran Member
Sure... just rehydrate them by pouring boiling water over the dehydrated veggies to cover. Let sit for 10 minutes or so, drain and then use like fresh. (They won't have a "fresh" texture, but they'll salute up fine in fried potatoes or whatever.

Summerthyme
Thank you! I’ll just need to remember to add a little more time for rehydration.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm sure they will be fine in the original container for the short term, but I get them vacuum sealed in jars ASAP. We live in the south and humidity gets to everything.

God is good all the time

Judy

Humidity! Ain't that the truth! Right now, I have the whole can emptied into a freezer storage bag on a shelf. As soon as I get time to wash some pint jars, I'll vacuum seal them. I've been needing to get out a bunch of canning jars to wash anyway. It's just been tooooo cold to go out to the mini barn and get them.

Like Summerthyme said. They will keep in the freezer bags on the shelf for awhile, so I don't have to be in a hurry.

edited to add....I just finished putting all of my groceries away from our shopping trip. I had to go to 3 different places to find everything on my list, and the prices had gone up on everything. Gas at our local Dollar General today was $2.89/gal!!!! Cary almost flipped out. Good thing Cary was only topping the car off. That's extremely high for our area.
 
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