Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: February 22 - 28 2026

ginnie6

ginnie6

Veteran Member
Good morning! Yep we made it through another week. Church this morning, then lunch (leftover salmon patties, pintos, and slaw), then meal prep for next week. I'll have the grands either Monday or Tuesday, not sure which yet but then it's quiet until Friday. Our church is hosting the regional WMU breakfast and I'll be there Friday helping cook and Saturday morning for it.

I had a long talk with youngest ds Friday. He would fit in so good here y'all! I tried to tell him about it but he's just not interested in anything else on the internet that might cause "bed-rot." That's what they're calling what's happening to so many young people now. They lay around scrolling all the time.
Anyway! Ds wants to do meat chickens and help garden. I told him we'd have to build a pen and he says "I don't know how to build" to which I told him I do! He said he'd help with the butchering.....this from my child who cried when we did it when he was young. He says he wants to learn as much of this stuff as he can because one day he'll have to do it on his own.

He thinks like so many of us but he's young and full of spitfire, like we used to be. I got an hour and a half tirade y'all on how corrupt ALL of our dot gov is, including the prez, how our food supply is poisoned to make men feminine, and how upset he is over the child sex trade. I mean ready to go to take a stand over it. I tried to temper him a bit, to stop and think, and not be hot headed.

So if he's available Monday evening I have two young roosters headed for the freezer that he can help with to see if he really wants to do meat chickens. And as soon as we can we'll start getting the garden ready. I might have some help this year. I'm feeling the need to can massively this year. But that's how I go I've noticed. I can like a mad woman one year and then coast on that for a year or two. I do need beets though and might go to the local wholesaler for them.
 
W

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Good morning all. Got an inch or so of snow, still coming down light. Oldest son driving back from Dayton with the 3 grandsons today. Prayers appreciated, but I think they should be okay. They went to the museum there and got a room for the night.
Having coffee. Not in a hurry to do chores. Can't get propane heaters to work, but coal stove is good enough.
Stay safe everybody!
 
patriotgal

patriotgal

Veteran Member
Didn't sleep much last night. Leg is much improved but I have to sleep flat on my back. I am a side sleeper and if I start to roll over it hurts.

Replenished my Arnica stash. Got a couple of the roll ons too. Makes it easy to hit the still hard, hot and bruised areas. Broken toes are healing nicely. Or maybe I am just so used to having them. Picked up a new brace for my knee yesterday. It's not as bulky as the full leg brace. Will be wearing it daily for a awhile. Copies of my xrays are incoming to mail box.

Oldest kid called to say they'd be driving for hours to come down and take me to a sports doctor. Told them I appreciated the gesture but would give it another week before making decisions. This isn't my first knee injury and I know the drill.

DH and Grand are raising my desk another notch today so I can easily elevate my feet under it. DH always puts 2x's under desk edges because I have long legs and don't like hitting my knees on desk. I had to release some work time last week because I couldn't comfortably prop my feet up and leg was swelling. I have a long week this week. Last week working for a pharmacy client. My coworkers are awesome and so are our support gals. Really gonna miss this gig. The pharmacy sold and new owners are doing something different. I almost applied to work for them directly but there would be no flexibility. Gotta keep my freedom. Replacement gig starts Mar 1. I am sure God had a reason for closing that door and opening the new one.

Staying off my feet as much as possible. Nurse said nothing in leg was broken but then she said knee xray and lower leg xray were one and the same. Will be so happy to review those xrays myself when they arrive Monday.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Let me try this, again, LOL.

I was telling you all how much I loved my new butter crock. My old butter dish would allow the butter to almost liquify at room temperature. That doesn't happen in the butter crock. It keeps it soft and spreadable, but not too soft. I keep 2 sticks of butter in it. I use a lot of butter, so it doesn't stay out on the counter so long that it ruins.

Today is bread baking day. I have the first loaf on it's first rise right now. I'm using the Dutch oven method, again. Love those hard crusty loaves! I only have that one Dutch oven that's suitable, so I will have to make one loaf at a time.

There is only less than 1/2 cord of firewood left to stack. Cary hopes to finish that, today.

High for today is 42 with low tonight of 24. Sunny skies. It's supposed to be colder tomorrow and tomorrow night. Last year, it was such a cold and wet Spring, we had to have heat in the house, until the first of May. I sure hope that's not the case this year!
 
A

anna43

Veteran Member
Sunny "crisp" morning here 9º/feels like -7º with 21 mph wind. I will be driving the half block to church as the street is very icy. High forecast for today is 23º.

No plans for today beyond church. I have leftovers for supper so no need to cook today. Maybe do some meal planning and shopping in my pantry for the week. I have a chicken bones/skin to make broth so perhaps I'll add seasonings and do that in the crockpot today, then use for basis of soup for the week tomorrow.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Yes, leftovers for today and lunch tomorrow. Fine with me! I get tired of cooking.

It's 19 (or so) and sunny here. There's a lot of ice around, so I'm going to do some stretches at home. I will be back at work tomorrow and will get my steps in then. In the meantime, I'm using light weights and doing arm work. That will help with raking in the spring.

The living room project continues. I'm removing stuff and either putting it into my car for donation, or the recycle bin, or moving it elsewhere. Somehow, I've managed to acquire a bunch of books that I don't really need or want at this point.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Left overs for us, tonight, too. I baked a family pack of boneless pork chops last night, and half of them are left for, tonight. I'm making a new potato recipe to go with them, along with black-eyed peas. Of course, homemade bread, too.

Both loaves are out of the oven, cooled, and one goes into the freezer. I found a new bread recipe that's just for baking in a Dutch oven. I wrote it down, and will make it next. It's supposed to be like sourdough bread, but a no knead version.

Cary is out right now finishing off the firewood stacking.

Nothing really planned for the week, except packing and getting ready for our trip into the Smokey Mts. I just hope the world holds together, until we get back home.......With the way things look in Iran vs. US, I'm sort of leery about going.
 
A

anna43

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
Nothing really planned for the week, except packing and getting ready for our trip into the Smokey Mts. I just hope the world holds together, until we get back home.......With the way things look in Iran vs. US, I'm sort of leery about going.
Click to expand...
I certainly would not want to travel outside the USA at the current time. However, going on vacation and not putting your life on hold is good.

At different times I'd felt the same way when traveling to Southern Iowa to stay for a week or two at my mom's. Then I'd remind myself that one tank of gas would get me there and I'd fill up as soon as I got there so guaranteed enough gas for a trip home. I also had alternate routes planned that would allow me to bypass the greater Des Moines area and Interstates. I believe in being prepared and always aware, but continuing to live my life without fear, trusting in the Lord.

Enjoy your trip!!
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
anna43 said:
I certainly would not want to travel outside the USA at the current time. However, going on vacation and not putting your life on hold is good.

At different times I'd felt the same way when traveling to Southern Iowa to stay for a week or two at my mom's. Then I'd remind myself that one tank of gas would get me there and I'd fill up as soon as I got there so guaranteed enough gas for a trip home. I also had alternate routes planned that would allow me to bypass the greater Des Moines area and Interstates. I believe in being prepared and always aware, but continuing to live my life without fear, trusting in the Lord.

Enjoy your trip!!
Click to expand...

Yeah. I think nothing but a "nuke" going off somewhere in the US will keep us from going as far as "war" goes. I've been trusting God this whole time asking Him to intervene if it's not His will for us to go. So far, our path is clear. It's just that I would like to be home if things kick off in Iran.

It's not like we are going all the way across the country. The Smokey Mts., where Gatlinburg is located, is only about an 8 hour drive from us. Not too far at all.
 
Last edited:
feralferret

feralferret

Veteran Member
I recently bought a couple of elevated raised beds that I still need to assemble. Then I need to figure out how much of what to put in them. Once I get the "soil" in them I have a trellis I bought with them to put in one for the cucumbers to climb on. Then we will decide what besides cucumbers and tomatoes to plant. I may try some of those growing bags for potatoes also. The grocery store already has onion sets for sale. I believe that they are a bit premature with those. Our high today was 36 degrees.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
SB, I'd worry if you were going somewhere with a huge population, like NYC. You'll be fine!

In Central Iowa, we're dealing with 8" of snow with ice underneath and temps in the low teens. I'm not especially worried about terrorists or other bad actors shooting up the place. It's still hard to get around on the side roads.

As for war with Iran, I'll be more concerned if they start actually lobbing nukes our way or set off something on our soil. It could happen, but it's just not on my worry list at the moment.
 
W

Wildwood

Veteran Member
feralferret said:
I recently bought a couple of elevated raised beds that I still need to assemble. Then I need to figure out how much of what to put in them. Once I get the "soil" in them I have a trellis I bought with them to put in one for the cucumbers to climb on. Then we will decide what besides cucumbers and tomatoes to plant. I may try some of those growing bags for potatoes also. The grocery store already has onion sets for sale. I believe that they are a bit premature with those. Our high today was 36 degrees.
Click to expand...
I bought grow bags a few years ago and I just can't warm up to them. My one and only complaint is that they dry out way faster than anything I've ever grown in...it just makes sense when you think about it. I can't keep them hydrated enough when it gets really hot and I got some of the big ones. The only hope for them is to set them in something that can hold water all the time so they can be continually wicking it up. Of course it's probably warmer here than where you live...
 
W

Wildwood

Veteran Member
My DH and son worked on my garden all afternoon...bless their hearts. My main trellis that I grow my purple hulls on was probably 7 1/2 feet tall in the middle...it's forty feet of bowed cattle panels. The panels cleared the ground on both sides by about nine inches. My plan was to pull up the t-posts on one side and move them over some. We tried it on the first one and it was going to have to be moved a foot over to get it where I could reach the top of the arch from the inside...I'm no longerer brave enough to climb up on something to pick the peas at the peak when I'm out there alone in the burning hot summer. If I fell and couldn't get up, I'd be on the black ground cover. Anyway, I hated it spread out that much and it took a big chunk out of the next row.

They ended up lowering the bottoms a good three inches on both sides which will make training the vines so much easier and cutting off a section, about seven inches on each panel, keeping it in the same footprint it was before and getting it to the height I can reach so much better. I hated giving up any length on a perfectly good cattle panel but it was the best compromise...it was quite a job. The also did away with the zip ties and wired everything. In the process, they got the dirt underneath real close to being ready to plant. The trellis had been there four or five years and this is the first year I won't have to till. That ground has reached the stage where it's soft enough to just move the dirt with your hands. I will be working amendments into it though. My lima bean row is almost identical but I may just suffer through that one another year...that was quite the job.

While we were out there, a couple of women renting my parents former house next door walked up...we'd never met them. The guy that bought the house was so mad at my realtor, he stated that he wanted nothing to do with us, ever...I was unhappy with my realtor too but the guy doesn't know that. In all the years he's owned it and rented it out to a revolving door of people, not one has set foot on our property until today. They were desperate for someone to take them to pick up a vehicle part. It's a mother and daughter and they both work at a nursing home in the city and had to have it to get to work tomorrow. I told DH that I'd take one of them to pick it up but my sweet DH told them to pay for it over the phone and he'd go pick it up...you see what he did there.
 
W

Wildwood

Veteran Member
Old Gray Mare said:
So we're going thru the BOB's and found out dated OTC med from 2021. Sigh. More stuff to go thru. The first aid kits and medicines in cabinets in the bathroom are next.
Click to expand...
I just did that and I also dumped a bunch of 2021 stuff. I must have done a big restock in the late teens for there to be so much stuff with that same date. I'll restock some of it but for most of it, I had more with good expiration dates...I try to stagger. Most of the time when I refresh those stocks, I'll hang onto the recently expired stuff for back ups and I'm sure that's what those were. We rarely take any meds except for that one prescription fluid pill I take.
 
A

anna43

Veteran Member
Currently 7º/feels like -19º. Wind 12 mph. Glad I don't have to go out tonight.

I don't have a BOB because there is absolutely nowhere to bug out to. Bugging out equals refugee and I'm going with stand my ground instead. I also no longer have my winter safety gear in the car because if the weather is bad, I stay home.
I did recently go through my OTC first aid stuff and throw out a few outdated items. I've been replacing stuff with small sizes since they always seem to outdate before used. I figure if I have the small size I'm prepared for most day-to-day emergencies at home and will have time to restock as needed. I guess if things keep heating up towards a SHTF episode, I will need to do a bigger stock up.

I have a bucket of first aid items in the basement that I haven't gone through in years but those are mostly gauze, tape bandage stuff, I think. Don't even recall for sure what's in the bucket so it's well past time to go through it, toss what needs to go and buy what needs to be added. I do know there are some elastic wraps for sprains, and I know old elastic dies so those might need replaced.

Dollar Tree and Walmart are both inexpensive sources of small containers of salves. I've switched to the cloth type Band-aids as the plastic tape ones seem to go bad quicker. I recently added Band-aids for fingertips but otherwise I buy a multi-sized box and a box of the most used size and call that good. I do have some larger Band-aids that are old so should open one and see if it's still usable. The newer wrap that sticks to itself along with non-stick pads for larger boo-boos seems to me a better choice than actual large sized Band-aids.
 
Last edited:
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
I emptied out our Get Home Bag, yesterday. Threw away some old expired stuff, and replaced with new that I have been buying up over the last couple of months. It's clean and ready to go. I'll still need to add both of our RX meds in it right before we leave. I have a bag laid on top of it, so I won't forget. This bag goes everywhere we do and is meant for short term. It's different from our Bug Out Bags. They are much larger, and are packed to be able to survive in the wild if need be. They also are kept in the SUV at all times, but we won't be taking them with us on the trip. At the last minute, Cary might decide to take them just in case. I would feel better if we did. It's a matter of having room for everyone's luggage. There will be 5 of us.

High temp, today will be 40, and the low for, tonight, will be 19. It's supposed to warm up, nicely, this weekend, so we won't have to worry about leaving the faucets dripping while we're gone.

Cary got all the firewood stacked, yesterday. Now, we wait for the next load to be delivered. The man will call, before he brings it out.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Yes, I'm trying to avoid being on the roads when it's really bad. If it's sort of bad, I still need to go to work. It's not for much longer, and I do have a winter emergency kit.

I'll probably maintain portions of it, like warm blanket, because if the power goes out in the winter and I need a quick warm-up so I can think straight, I could go drink some coffee and warm up in the car.

In any case, it's 10 degrees and sunny here. Fortunately, the warm-up starts tomorrow. The furnace vent has been mostly clear, but I've been checking it and knocking off small amounts of ice.

Wishing everyone a fun and productive day!
 
W

Wildwood

Veteran Member
anna43 said:
I certainly would not want to travel outside the USA at the current time. However, going on vacation and not putting your life on hold is good.

At different times I'd felt the same way when traveling to Southern Iowa to stay for a week or two at my mom's. Then I'd remind myself that one tank of gas would get me there and I'd fill up as soon as I got there so guaranteed enough gas for a trip home. I also had alternate routes planned that would allow me to bypass the greater Des Moines area and Interstates. I believe in being prepared and always aware, but continuing to live my life without fear, trusting in the Lord.

Enjoy your trip!!
Click to expand...
I've always preached this to my family...as soon as you reach your destination, top off that tank.

DH is usually going to see family in Mississippi, just south of Memphis. Just in case the big earthquake ever hits, he's going to have to drive south for a while if it takes out the Missippi River bridges so I beg him to fill up as soon as he gets there.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Wildwood said:
I've always preached this to my family...as soon as you reach your destination, top off that tank.

DH is usually going to see family in Mississippi, just south of Memphis. Just in case the big earthquake ever hits, he's going to have to drive south for a while if it takes out the Missippi River bridges so I beg him to fill up as soon as he gets there.
Click to expand...

When DS goes to pick up the van Thursday afternoon, it will have a full tank. We will have to fill up, again, before we start back home. He'll probably do that fill up as soon as we get there. No waiting around on that. We'll all be set to leave for home on a moments notice in case there is an emergency of some kind here where we all live. Mom's health is always a worry.

I hear ya about those bridges across the Mississippi River. Good thing we are going north and east.
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
Eureka Springs is a neat town. I haven't been in years though. I have heard that it's very liberal now. Seems to be a haven for alternative religions and lifestyles. But like I said, I haven't been in years. The Crescent Hotel, if I remember correctly, is supposed to be haunted. Do your research before booking a trip.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
Digger said:
Eureka Springs is a neat town. I haven't been in years though. I have heard that it's very liberal now. Seems to be a haven for alternative religions and lifestyles. But like I said, I haven't been in years. The Crescent Hotel, if I remember correctly, is supposed to be haunted. Do your research before booking a trip.
Click to expand...

Thank you! We've already been doing a little research, but that's not like first hand experience from others who know it well. Yes, we read that the Crescent Hotel was supposedly haunted, LOL. I sure don't want to waste a trip and money walking into a "woke" place. I was hoping it would be a nice and quiet little place on a mountain side in the Ozarks. Conservative, so to speak.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
nomifyle said:
Eureka springs is famous for having the passion play, not sure when though, hot springs is famous for the baths.
Click to expand...

We've decided against going to Eureka Springs. We are considering Branson, MO, instead. Cary has already found a hotel and resort for us to stay. We're interested more in the scenery than attractions. A nice 3 or 4 day getaway. We enjoy the natural beauty around us. I did a bit more research for Eureka Springs, and it's just way too "liberal". It supports everything a "conservative" would be against. We sure don't want that flaunted in our faces.
 
P

philkar

Veteran Member
SB I almost mentioned Branson to you! The school of the Ozarks is there which is a college where everyone goes for free. They have a superb restaurant that is delish. Very conservative! Beautiful scenery especially in the Fall. Went to nursing school in the area and I have a soft spot in my heart for that area.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

TB Fanatic
philkar said:
SB I almost mentioned Branson to you! The school of the Ozarks is there which is a college where everyone goes for free. They have a superb restaurant that is delish. Very conservative! Beautiful scenery especially in the Fall. Went to nursing school in the area and I have a soft spot in my heart for that area.
Click to expand...

Our plans are to go the 2nd week of September. The "Chateau On The Lake" is where we will be staying. Cary is booking a scenic view.
 
Last edited:
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
Oooo! That sounds like a great trip!

In other news, there's melting going on! I stopped at the trailhead and walked a little of the bike trail. Someone has been out with a small plow and has cleared a path down the middle. I'm not sure how far it goes. If it hits the 50s on Friday, I may check it out -- walking! -- not riding.
 
P

philkar

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze said:
Our plans are to go the 2nd week of September. The "Chateau On The Lake" is where we will be staying. Cary is booking a scenic view.
Click to expand...
Book a show! Chateau on the lake was beautiful last time I was there a few years ago. And there is Silver Dollar City if that is your “thang”! I think there is an outlet mall there also but I am an outside girl so have never been. And boat rides on the lake! Ok I will stop!
 
W

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Son and I have decided to purchase one cargo trailer first. Insulate and fix up. If that goes well we will do the second.
This will be for us to travel south for the winter.
Leave after Thanksgiving. Come back mid April.
This is cheaper than campgrounds, we can stay in state parks. Move around as needed for the weather.
Lots of planning to do. Have the rest of the year till fall.
We're schooling ourselves on all this. It is basically for a season so we can look around and decide best area for a winter home base.
We spend anywhere from 400 to 800 a month on heat, coal and propane here. Plus getting stuck in winter, repairs to plumbing etc.
We have a ton of camp stuff and my oldest son says he has plenty he will give us.
We don't need a microwave, 60 inch TV.
Just the basics. We're excited! Much to do.
 
Meemur

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie
That sounds like a sensible plan, WanderLore! One tip: start the trip with new tires on everything and then carry some good spares. From what I've heard from others, flat tires have been show stoppers and they might be a royal pain in the backside to acquire.

In other news, not that I'm counting, but Sunday is meteorological spring, March 1. Yes!

I wrote that because there's more snow coming in tonight. I'm trying not to think about that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top