Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread Jan 31- Feb 6th.

[Digger]

Getting this started for the week.

I got my cold frame put together. I still have to plant some Cole crop starts in it.

We opened the fence to the new property close to the house. Now we don't have to go 1/4 a mile to the gate. And it will make it easy for me to drag stock panels to the field to build a hog trap.

We did some more little house projects that make things look nicer.

 

[amazon]

Snowy day here. Cleaning the storage area again, trying to get rid of stuff. Spaghetti squash in crock pot for supper. Might dehydrate apples for hubby's lunches. My new rain boots came. Very comfortable. Thats about it for today.

Hope yall enjoy your Sunday!

 

[nomifyle]

Over cast and in the 50's, might have a little sun later. DH has gone to Lowes to get the tin for the roof on the bedroom of his cabin. I'm cleaning out and reorganizing my kitchen cabinets and working on cleaning out the refrigerator. In the largest overhead cabinet I had a lot of stuff that really needs to be thrown out. I also have quite a few glass food storage bowls that I don't use anymore because the heavy, so they are getting packed away to go to the she shed. I hardly used those cabinets because they were full, now I can put them to good use for regularly used foods that I keep vacuum sealed in mason jars.

I can see at least 3 red birds out my office window, so beautiful. I had some old flax seeds that were not properly stored and DH threw them out for the birds.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We had our normal Sunday home church fellowship at our house this morning. Taking it easy the rest of the day. It's cold and damp outside.

This coming week will be our normal bi/monthly trip to buy groceries (Tuesday), and do a bit of shopping for ourselves with gift cards we got for Christmas. Also, Cary has to go see the Urologist to find out what's to be done with his kidney( Thursday). Tomorrow, Cary begins teaching me how to do our bill paying online.

 

[moldy]

I'm back home and without having to use oxygen. I have a lot of calls to make on monday.... the hospitalist said I could go back to work on Thursday, but I think employee health may see it differently. Resting is big on the schedule this week.

 

[philkar]

I have sprouted my seed potatoes that I saved last season. Will be the first year that I have used my own seed potatoes. Getting the greenhouse ready to sprout tomatoes and peppers. Picked the last of the cabbages out of the garden. Will leave the collards a little longer. Need to pick rutabagas but I did get 200 feet of onions weeded! Lots of gardening stuff to do this week! My chickens that were hatched out in Sept are finally laying.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I'm back home and without having to use oxygen. I have a lot of calls to make on monday.... the hospitalist said I could go back to work on Thursday, but I think employee health may see it differently. Resting is big on the schedule this week.

I'm glad you're feeling better! Praying for you!

 

[summerthyme]

So glad to hear yiu are home and feeling better!

Summerthyme

 

[mecoastie]

Getting ready for maple season. Getting everything cleaned and organized so that we will be ready to roll as soon as the weather looks good.

 

[philkar]

Getting ready for maple season. Getting everything cleaned and organized so that we will be ready to roll as soon as the weather looks good.

!
would love to be a part of that! No such thing where I live!

 

[20Gauge]

Just canned some pork to test as cat food. We found they love chicken when we put organs with the meat.

Also canned some hamburger and tested out 4 pints of beef stew to see how it tastes.

 

[ReneeT]

Digger, thank you for starting the thread this week - I appreciate it!

Moldy, I'm glad you checked back in - we've been keeping the prayers coming for you!

 

[philkar]

I haven't considered supplements seriously for preps as we dont use them now except for what I grow in medicinal herbs. wondering if I should reconsider that. I live where I always have something in the garden that we can eat. Big garden with fair size orchard and hoop house for citrus. Only eat meat harvested locally. We are in good health. Old but healthy! Opinions? Would like to hear what you are planning for supplements.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ya'll don't laugh, but I just finished my first lesson in online banking and bill paying!

It was lots easier than I thought it would be, and I did so well that I told Cary I would like to take over all bill paying each month! He was patient with me, and very pleased that I took to it so well.

That's my prep for the day!

 

[Meemur]

Would like to hear what you are planning for supplements.

I didn't start taking them until more recently: I grow a lot of my own salad greens and try to eat a balanced diet (locally processed and grown meat), plus I try to walk outside around noon for at least 40 minutes (for Vitamin D). Recently, I've added 4 oz daily of a local red wine back to my eating plan.

I'm taking a general multi-vitamin (from HyVee grocery), which I'll do from Jan - April since I'm in Iowa and can't get a lot of sun and fresh seafood. At one time, I tried several brands of the specific B and C complexes, but I've gone back to just the one multi-vitamin and have added kale to my eating plan (I'm slowly getting used to it).

As far as Covid prevention, there's the wine and I'm back on my own elderberry syrup. I think just staying away from crowds and out of buildings with older HVAC systems (no filters, just recycle the stale air) is greatly helpful, plus I remove shoes outside (and keep them in the garage) and clothes in the basement (and wash them) when I've been in stores. I those preventions are as helpful as a handful of vitamins. Certainly cheaper!

 

[Meemur]

Ya'll don't laugh, but I just finished my first lesson in online banking and bill paying!

Not laughing! I used to change my paycheck into cash and walk around to the companies and pay bills in person at their teller windows. That's no longer possible. I pay the gas/electric, internet, and water bills online, but they aren't automatic payments. I manually do them each month, which takes less than five minutes. I'm still paying my car/house and health insurance in person so I can whine at the office workers about the high rates, but I could pay those online.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Not laughing! I used to change my paycheck into cash and walk around to the companies and pay bills in person at their teller windows. That's no longer possible. I pay the gas/electric, internet, and water bills online, but they aren't automatic payments. I manually do them each month, which takes less than five minutes. I'm still paying my car/house and health insurance in person so I can whine at the office workers about the high rates, but I could pay those online.

I've never had an income of my own, since being a homemaker from the beginning of our marriage. Cary has a degree in accounting, so he's always been the one who did all the bill paying each month. When he switched everything over to online banking, I never learned. That was a few years ago. Then, when he almost died in the hospital from Sepsis, I thought it would be best to learn how to do all of this for myself. Cary got paid today, and he thought it a good time to begin my lessons. I wrote everything down step by step in my own notebook, so I have it with me should I need to do it on my own should Cary not be with me for any reason.

I thank God that we only have but very few monthly bills to pay. That makes it so much easier.

 

[skwentnaflyer]

I haven't considered supplements seriously for preps as we dont use them now except for what I grow in medicinal herbs. wondering if I should reconsider that. I live where I always have something in the garden that we can eat. Big garden with fair size orchard and hoop house for citrus. Only eat meat harvested locally. We are in good health. Old but healthy! Opinions? Would like to hear what you are planning for supplements.

One that's important for us is trace minerals. Water filters do remove a lot of that, and husband was having stroke like symptoms. Scans and exams later, nothing. We finally figured it out and got him on a daily trace mineral which relieved the symptoms.

 

[Meemur]

I thank God that we don't have but very few monthly bills to pay. That makes it so much easier.

If there's anything else that he does, like taxes or whatever, he needs to teach you that, too. I've always suggested that couples do some cross-training. A lot of men are lost in the kitchen, for example. Knowing a few simple meals can be a big help if the wife is ill or no longer there, especially in these days of Covid where restaurants are shut down or have limited menus for carry-out.

 

[philkar]

I didn't start taking them until more recently: I grow a lot of my own salad greens and try to eat a balanced diet (locally processed and grown meat), plus I try to walk outside around noon for at least 40 minutes (for Vitamin D). Recently, I've added 4 oz daily of a local red wine back to my eating plan.

I'm taking a general multi-vitamin (from HyVee grocery), which I'll do from Jan - April since I'm in Iowa and can't get a lot of sun and fresh seafood. At one time, I tried several brands of the specific B and C complexes, but I've gone back to just the one multi-vitamin and have added kale to my eating plan (I'm slowly getting used to it).

As far as Covid prevention, there's the wine and I'm back on my own elderberry syrup. I think just staying away from crowds and out of buildings with older HVAC systems (no filters, just recycle the stale air) is greatly helpful, plus I remove shoes outside (and keep them in the garage) and clothes in the basement (and wash them) when I've been in stores. I those preventions are as helpful as a handful of vitamins. Certainly cheaper!

I decided last Feb that whenever we went out we would come home and shower or at least wash face arms and hands. Has worked for us. No shoes in the house is a lifelong rule made by the nurse mama! Maybe a multi vitamin is a good option. We are outside for several hours most everyday. Haven't thought about making my own elderberry syrup. Think elderberries would grow well here. Food for thought. Wine is always on the menu. Some homemade some not. Love that pinot noir! Thanks for the input!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If there's anything else that he does, like taxes or whatever, he needs to teach you that, too. I've always suggested that couples do some cross-training. A lot of men are lost in the kitchen, for example. Knowing a few simple meals can be a big help if the wife is ill or no longer there, especially in these days of Covid where restaurants are shut down or have limited menus for carry-out.

He's always done all of our taxes, too. We don't have to pay state, federal, or property taxes now that he is retired, though.

He's totally lost in the kitchen, but he can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or Ramen noodles for himself, LOL.

 

[CaryC]

SB The Accountant!

Now I'm waiting for the mini gun in the garage! Wait.....need the garage first.

 

[nomifyle]

Ya'll don't laugh, but I just finished my first lesson in online banking and bill paying!

It was lots easier than I thought it would be, and I did so well that I told Cary I would like to take over all bill paying each month! He was patient with me, and very pleased that I took to it so well.

That's my prep for the day!

Fear of something is paralyzing. Good for you. Once your wrap your mind around it, it's a piece of cake. Congrats.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[philkar]

One that's important for us is trace minerals. Water filters do remove a lot of that, and husband was having stroke like symptoms. Scans and exams later, nothing. We finally figured it out and got him on a daily trace mineral which relieved the symptoms.

I will have to give this a thought. Took trace minerals years ago when nursing. under my tongue if I remember correctly. What type are you taking.

 

[nomifyle]

Vitamins, well, I've been taking them for about 50 years. Back in the 70's I use to take hands full every day, I don't take that many anymore but I do take many of them most days. D3 is vital, also magnesium, zinc. Multiple vitamins make me sick to my stomach, even if I take them with food, so I don't take them. Maybe a separate thread on them.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Dafodil]

Snowy day here. Cleaning the storage area again, trying to get rid of stuff. Spaghetti squash in crock pot for

One that's important for us is trace minerals. Water filters do remove a lot of that, and husband was having stroke like symptoms. Scans and exams later, nothing. We finally figured it out and got him on a daily trace mineral which relieved the symptoms.

supper. Might dehydrate apples for hubby's lunches. My new rain boots came. Very comfortable. Thats about it for today.

Hope yall enjoy your Sunday!

I highly recommend Mary Ruth’s organic minerals. You can find them on Amazon.

 

[Dafodil]

He's always done all of our taxes, too. We don't have to pay state, federal, or property taxes now that he is retired, though.

He's totally lost in the kitchen, but he can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or Ramen noodles for himself, LOL.

Mu husband cooks All of our meals! Not that I can’t cook, he just enjoys cooking! Its a stress reliever for him and it does the opposite for me. So I gladly handed that chore over when the kids left home! I feel so lazy but BLESSED!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Mu husband cooks All of our meals! Not that I can’t cook, he just enjoys cooking! Its a stress reliever for him and it does the opposite for me. So I gladly handed that chore over when the kids left home! I feel so lazy but BLESSED!

Nope. Cary never learned to cook. For me, it just comes natural, after growing up with my mom and grandmother in their kitchens. I started learning from an early age. I knew how to can veggies from the garden by the time I was 14 yrs. old. I started my own garden when I was 16, and just married. I love to cook, and do most of it from scratch. I guess my mom and grandmothers taught me from childhood to be a good homemaker, and that's what I've been all my married life.

 

[coloradohermit]

I started the morning with a quick run to walmart and dollar tree, mostly for junk stuff. Dollar tree is the only place that I've ever seen canned mango, so I got a couple more cans. Fresh mangos have been iffy lately, so the canned is a nice alternate.

Not really prep stuff, but I got a bunch of chores done. I got the trash out of the car and vacuumed the whole house, even under the couch cushions where the dog buries her stash. :-)

 

[Digger]

We ran some errands before picking up our grandson. His parents work second shift and I get to keep him Mondays. We went to Tractor Supply to look at the seed racks, but they only had one small organic rack. Very small rack. The clerk said the others haven't come in yet. I did get some Cole crop seeds at our family owned feed store.

We also picked up a taller toilet for our main bathroom. We have a taller one in our private bathroom already. The toilet we are replacing is 30 years old. The new one will flush better with less water. I have also noticed the new one off our bedroom is quieter. It is just one more thing to make the house a little nicer. We built our house 30 years ago, doing most of the work ourselves. There are a few things I would add if given the chance, like a pantry. But I am very happy with it. It is well built. We even planned the wiring so if we needed to run on generator power, we can turn off everything except what we want to run.

 

[moldy]

Appointment with pulmonologist tomorrow. Prayers would be appreciated.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Picked up a variety of garden seeds. Not enough but a start.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

Did a test run of our BOL on a really cold night. Epic fail. I think I mentioned that it is a Harbor Freight portable garage right now. They have a flap all the way around the bottom. Well, up one the mountain, at midnight the wind picks up really strong and blows that flap open, and sucks all the heat out. Our propane heater just can't keep up. So, next trip out, I'm going to put grommets along the bottom and put in heavy duty tent stakes to keep that from hapening again. I am already working on installing reflectix insulation inside. Until the wind picked up, that was working just fine where I already had it up. More will be up as I can afford it.

Did I mention Hubby found a Suburban in good condition that he bought to be the official BOV? He decided that the Jeep was too small and is better suited to be his off-roading rig. He already started purchasing new parts and accessories to make it a better overlander. As sloppy as the mountain road was this weekend from all the rain and seeps, that truck made it up just fine. Plus, we took a load of supplies to be ready in our little trailer, and on the way back, we picked up some big, flat rocks to add to the driveway, which also kept the trailer from bouncing around.

The mattresses I made worked out very well. It added insulation and comfort to sleeping. Was definitely worth the effort. They and the pillows are stored in a big Husky rolling tool chest to stay out there so we don't have to drag them back and forth.

I am happy to report that my little pibble got along with the little GSD out there. As long as we were not right up around the livestock, everything was fine. However, Pepper has a bit of a prey drive from being a stray. That may never go away, but as her training progresses, she may learn to control it.

I think that is it. I'll post again as more is accomplished. It really helps me stay on track to post this. I feel like I am actually still on track.

 

[hiwall]

the wind picks up really strong and blows that flap open, and sucks all the heat out. Our propane heater just can't keep up. So, next trip out, I'm going to put grommets along the bottom and put in heavy duty tent stakes to keep that from hapening again.

A row of straw bales around the outside might fix the problem.

 

[Digger]

I forgot to note that hubby talked to a friend who spent 6 days in the hospital with Covid. The friends symptoms were exactly what hubby experienced in July. His Covid-19 test was negative, but the low blood pressure persisted for weeks. Same with his friend. Hubby still has days he does not feel like doing much of anything. We know a lot of people who have survived it and a few who have not. You just can't tell how it will be.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Did a test run of our BOL on a really cold night. Epic fail. I think I mentioned that it is a Harbor Freight portable garage right now. They have a flap all the way around the bottom. Well, up one the mountain, at midnight the wind picks up really strong and blows that flap open, and sucks all the heat out. Our propane heater just can't keep up. So, next trip out, I'm going to put grommets along the bottom and put in heavy duty tent stakes to keep that from hapening again. I am already working on installing reflectix insulation inside. Until the wind picked up, that was working just fine where I already had it up. More will be up as I can afford it.

Did I mention Hubby found a Suburban in good condition that he bought to be the official BOV? He decided that the Jeep was too small and is better suited to be his off-roading rig. He already started purchasing new parts and accessories to make it a better overlander. As sloppy as the mountain road was this weekend from all the rain and seeps, that truck made it up just fine. Plus, we took a load of supplies to be ready in our little trailer, and on the way back, we picked up some big, flat rocks to add to the driveway, which also kept the trailer from bouncing around.

The mattresses I made worked out very well. It added insulation and comfort to sleeping. Was definitely worth the effort. They and the pillows are stored in a big Husky rolling tool chest to stay out there so we don't have to drag them back and forth.

I am happy to report that my little pibble got along with the little GSD out there. As long as we were not right up around the livestock, everything was fine. However, Pepper has a bit of a prey drive from being a stray. That may never go away, but as her training progresses, she may learn to control it.

I think that is it. I'll post again as more is accomplished. It really helps me stay on track to post this. I feel like I am actually still on track.

I had the same portable garage problem - tried alllllll kinds of different remedies >> what finally worked is to treat that entire tent side/edge as one piece instead of attacking separate sections of it >>> I added grommets (any type of gripper type clips failed) - zipped tied a steel rod across the entire bottom edge - anchored each end of the rod with an earth anchor (tent stakes actually pulled loose/out entirely ....

 

[20Gauge]

Ya'll don't laugh, but I just finished my first lesson in online banking and bill paying!

It was lots easier than I thought it would be, and I did so well that I told Cary I would like to take over all bill paying each month! He was patient with me, and very pleased that I took to it so well.

That's my prep for the day!

Sounds like me teaching the wife canning and the value of silver junk.

 

[20Gauge]

Tried out our 1st run of canned beef soup. Tasted great. The broth was a little heavy, but that was good as it means I can add water to stretch it some.

For the 3rd time in a row, I had to use both canners at the same time. Thanks again to those who suggested it!!!

It was a winner.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got home from doing our grocery shopping. We went to Tractor Supply for cat and dog food, plus more doggie treats for Frisco.

Went to Hometown Market (fully stocked) to do our bulk shopping. They had all kinds of jars, lids, and other canning supplies. They had 1/2 gallon Ball glass canning jars, and I bought 6, and some more wide mouth sealing lids and rings for them. Got 2 packs of those, 12 per box. I also made a lot of head way in refilling my freezer. 4 family packs of boneless pork chops, 6 1lb packs of ground chuck, 2 packages of smoked sausages, 4 1lb packs of bacon, 1 large bag of boneless chicken breasts, 3 large bags of shredded cheddar cheese, 3 packages of tater tots, and 2 loaves of sandwich bread. It's almost half full now! Another couple of months, and I will have it full again, hopefully. We only shop every two weeks.

I finished up at Dollar General buying canned goods, since they are cheaper there. Gas there was $2 per gallon. It had gone up from $1.81 from 4 weeks ago. It also was fully stocked.

 

[nomifyle]

I have smoked sausage on my walmart list on my phone, several packages. I had one package in the crisper drawer in my fridg that I had forgotten about, I did catch it in time before it spoiled. We don't actually eat it regularly, but its nice to have on hand for something fairly quick to cook.

God is good all the time

Judy