Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 14 ~ 20, 2020

[ReneeT]

Good Morning, All! Hope you are all doing well today, especially any members in the Atlanta area - stay safe out there!!

An unexpected rain shower very early this morning put paid to my plans to till the garden this morning; I had planned to till in between the rows and then hoe around the plants and get mulch down around the tomatoes and peppers. I am hopeful that I will be able to get it done either later this afternoon/evening or tomorrow morning. I have to go in to work early tomorrow for some mandated education - had to stay over 3 hours on Friday for the same thing. Wish they'd do this stuff in the winter when there is nothing I need to do outside - 'course then I'd probably grumble about having to drive in winter weather

I found another stash of canning jars in the shed - these were hidden behind some building materials. They are all quarts or half gallons, which I don't need right now, so I'm going to try to find some more apple crates and get them moved into the storeroom in the shed. I'm not even going to take the time to wash them up as they will just get dusty again, so it shouldn't take too long - unless I have to move more stuff to find the crates... I've got all the regular mouth pints in the house (as far as I know); still have a few wide mouth pints in the shed but those will be coming in to go through the dishwasher as soon as I round up some boxes to put them in - guess that means I need to take a trip up to the Amish store the next time I get a three day break that doesn't cover a weekend. Either that, or bite the dust and order some boxes from Uline - they have them in canning jar sizes, just no dividers.

We keep going through the various pantries - I'm finding jelly/jam from 2011 that I am feeding to the orioles which makes me a little sad. I can't seem to convince Hubby not to just shove things in willy-nilly, nor can I convince him not to put new items in front of old. Rows, dang it; put stuff in ROWS!! I need to find me an OC but minimal D teenager to come over and organize things Seems that when I have the time, I don't have the energy; and vice-versa!

And speaking of time and energy, I reckon I should get off the computer and go get some laundry started...

Take care all; stay safe!

 

[Marseydoats]

Renee, I'm just finishing up some jars of peach preserves from 2010 that my Mom made and they're still fine. After she died, I just didn't want to eat them because that's the last thing she made. I'm not sure if that even makes any sense. Anyway, back in the winter I decided I'd check them and either eat them or dump them. They were still really good.

 

[hiwall]

I have pretty much decided to buy or make a greenhouse. I have a spot where I can dig it down 2-3 feet to make it somewhat earth-sheltered so it would hopefully stay warmer without adding heat.
No rush because it is too late for this year but I hope to have it on-site or the materials for building one on-site before fall. I can work on it over winter because it does not get cold enough for the ground to freeze solid here.

 

[20Gauge]

We are still getting hit by pests hard this year. Also it seems several of our pepper plants are reaching the end of their productive lives. We now have two planters starting from scratch or almost from scratch and two that are producing decently.

Things we learned:

Lunch box peppers live about 3+ years, but no more than 5 years
Spicy bell peppers live about 5+ years, but no more than 7 years
Tabasco plants live and turn into small trees if you prune them well. 4+ years on them so far.
Jalpernero plants live 5+ years
Most seem to do well in the south for up to or about 5 years before needing to be replaced.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We did our shopping run, yesterday. Sam's and Walmart for groceries. Everything was fully in stock, except Lysol spray at either place. I've still got an extra can, but wanted to restock before flu season hits.

Since Walmart was fully stocked on all their meat, with no signs saying any of it was limited, I thought I'd buy a bit extra ground beef. I was so embarrassed when I went to check out. The cashier told me that there was still a limit on ground beef to only 2 packages. Here I was with 6 packages! She was nice about it, and let me have 3 instead of the limit of 2. I told her there was no sign saying there was a limit. That's why she went ahead and let me have the extra package.

Cary was able to restock on all of his gun powder for reloading, finally. He was a happy camper! I went to my favorite clothing store for some new summer dresses. Nothing in my size that appealed to me. What I did find was too expensive, so I left without anything.

Gardens are doing great! I had to give everything a bit of water this morning.

 

[summerthyme]

When I went to Aldis a couple of weeks ago, they didn't have any limit signs on the chunk light tuna I wanted... there were signs on many things, including other types/brands of tuna. So, I grabbed 24 cans (somehow, we'd gotten low on the stuff)

We got to the check out, and the cashier tried to tell me there was a limit of 4 cans. I told her there was no sign... and they needed to rectify that. She tried ringing them up, and discovered I was right... she apologized, mand said the rules change faster than they can keep up with them!

I wouldn't waste any time being embarassed.. if they don't have the correct signs, it's on them. Sure, idiots may remove the signs... so, if the store doesn't keep up, they'll end up restocking your "forbidden" "extra" amount. Not your fault, or problem...

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Summer, I wouldn't have been so embarrassed if there hadn't been a line of people behind me in line to also checkout. They probably thought I was a hog for trying to by so much or, I thought the limit somehow didn't apply to me.

If there is still a limit the next time, I'll simply go to Kroger to fill in what I need. I just don't like paying the higher price there. I really need more ground beef! I use a lot more during the summer than any other time.

 

[summerthyme]

Ah, I understand... I just don't worry about what others think. If I'd been in that situation, I'd have just commented to the person behind me that "it sure woukd be nice if they could actually put clear signs up if they have limits"... I guarantee you would have gotten multiple agreements.

Summerthyme

 

[moldy]

DH and I butchered chickens yesterday - managed to get 23 done before the heat set in. THat being said, I'm beat today!! Getting old sucks, but it's better than the alternative! Canned up 3 older birds today (frozen last year) into chicken and gravy and chicken curry. I will probably can up some of the newer ones too as i don't like having the freezer too full.

 

[nomifyle]

We just don't seem to be going through our food very much, although I have not been cooking big meals either. We only eat one or two meals a day anyway, and the first meal is always eggs and we have our own chickens for that.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just don't seem to be going through our food very much, although I have not been cooking big meals either. We only eat one or two meals a day anyway, and the first meal is always eggs and we have our own chickens for that.

Judy

We don't eat as much during the summer. It's too hot to cook a huge meal indoors. We mostly do our meat and baked potatoes on the grill outside, then have a salad with it. When my squash comes in, I do those on the grill, instead of having a salad. Love those tomato sandwiches, too. Cucumber salads are a treat as well. Stuffed green bell peppers are a favorite. We eat as much out of our gardens as we can. Because we eat less out of storage, I don't do very much shopping for my pantry during the summer.

 

[Digger]

Moldy here I thought I had done good processing 4 of my roosters. I now feel like a slacker for waiting to do the other 4.
I never catch up on chores. I just keep plugging away. I need to peal peaches to dry and some to freeze..

 

[hummer]

Well, I found a new 7cu ft chest freezer today...will be delivered week from Thursday. Beginning of July, I will get chickens and beef from neighbors where I used to live...organic farmers. Next and last purchase will be a genny this summer. Feels good. Can help my kids and grandkids with extra food.

 

[nomifyle]

We planted three cucumber plants and have been blessed with quite a few cucumbers. DH has water bathed canned several jars of cucumbers and onions, I helped some but he did the lions share of it. Two jars did not ping, so those are in the fridge./

Judy

 

[20Gauge]

We have picked 2138 peppers so far.

It appears we are in the plant replacement year.

Bugs are difficult this year due to the lack of winter this year.

Lemon Tree is loaded with lemons. They are already the size of tennis balls and I still have until December before they are picked.

My other trees are doing great this year. I should get fruit in a couple of years.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We have no bees this year. I'm afraid my garden will suffer. Beautiful healthy plants full of blooms, but no fruit.

 

[prudentwatcher]

A trip to Dollar Tree and to Aldi's today. I bagged up two gallon bags of oats and one of rice. That finished my mylar bags. Not sure if I'm going to get more or not. Don't have room for stocking another 25 bags of stuff. Got some blueberries to freeze and some canned goods to replace what we have used recently.

Lots of little stuff for the pantry and the barter box. I'm very pleased with where we are on food and hba preps. I am going to switch now and stock up on gardening stuff for a container garden for next year if needed. I really can't handle an in-ground garden, but I have ideas with buckets and planters, just need to get the stuff.

I can't find Zest (in bars) anywhere. I bought some at WM a while back and they had two on the shelf, I took 1. I took the last one from Family Dollar. Publix doesn't have any. Dollar Tree had some last week, but was out today. It's weird. Are they even making it anymore? I do have a lot already, but I wanted to get a bunch more. I really don't like liquid soap for showers.

 

[nomifyle]

A trip to Dollar Tree and to Aldi's today. I bagged up two gallon bags of oats and one of rice. That finished my mylar bags. Not sure if I'm going to get more or not. Don't have room for stocking another 25 bags of stuff. Got some blueberries to freeze and some canned goods to replace what we have used recently.

Lots of little stuff for the pantry and the barter box. I'm very pleased with where we are on food and hba preps. I am going to switch now and stock up on gardening stuff for a container garden for next year if needed. I really can't handle an in-ground garden, but I have ideas with buckets and planters, just need to get the stuff.

I can't find Zest (in bars) anywhere. I bought some at WM a while back and they had two on the shelf, I took 1. I took the last one from Family Dollar. Publix doesn't have any. Dollar Tree had some last week, but was out today. It's weird. Are they even making it anymore? I do have a lot already, but I wanted to get a bunch more. I really don't like liquid soap for showers.

I checked walmart.com and amazon and both have Zest soap. I've been putting soap back for several years and probably have enough to last the rest of our life, but I may add a bar or two here and there just for the sake of it.

Judy

 

[ivantherussian03]

Mixed feelings here, my grandfather passed. He was a role model. Carpenter by trade, he worked in area for 40 year. He bought hard assets and enjoyed them: boats, trailers, guns. He gardened much of his food. He planned yearly hunting and fishing trips. Today, I picked through his yard and shop looking for useful things and treasures to remember him by. I found old school tools, a metal cooler, a wind mill. He was a man old time wisdom whom I consulted. He wasn’t much for praise but he told my auntie that so and so’s son has good head on his shoulders. i waited a long time to get any praise from grandparents, but that felt really good. Missing the old guy. He was 93 or 94.

 

[Journey]

Mixed feelings here, my grandfather passed. He was a role model. Carpenter by trade, he worked in area for 40 year. He bought hard assets and enjoyed them: boats, trailers, guns. He gardened much of his food. He planned yearly hunting and fishing trips. Today, I picked through his yard and shop looking for useful things and treasures to remember him by. I found old school tools, a metal cooler, a wind mill. He was a man old time wisdom whom I consulted. He wasn’t much for praise but he told my auntie that so and so’s son has good head on his shoulders. i waited a long time to get any praise from grandparents, but that felt really good. Missing the old guy. He was 93 or 94.

So sorry about the passing of your grandfather.

 

[summerthyme]

My condolences on your grandfather's passing. I'm glad you realized the treasure he was while he was still here.

Summerthyme

 

[Marseydoats]

So sorry about your Grandfather. I'm glad that you have many good memories of him.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I still really miss my grandparents and my dad.

 

[hiwall]

Saw these this morning in our south field. More fresh meat to grow big. Pics are poor because the sun had not crested the hills yet.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Great photos! Who needs a TV when there is so much beauty in nature for all to watch! Much more entertaining, too.

 

[nomifyle]

DH has been helping a bit with my food storage organization. I can reach the very top shelf so he cleaned it off and cleaned it up for me. Its the perfect height for quart jars, so I'm busy getting them up there. I have another shelf that I am going to stack pint jars and he is going to cut luon to separate them. None of these jars have canned fresh food in them, they are all vacuum sealed with dry goods. DH canned cucumbers and onions from our garden, some pinged and some didn't (he didn't heat the lids,) so that's on him.

Just as soon as I just about get the kitchen cleaned up from one of his projects he starts another one. I've learned to keep my mouth shut about the mess he makes, I just smile and clean it up. He's worth so much more than fussing about little things and I hardly fuss about anything, he's so precious to me.

Judy

 

[prudentwatcher]

I got another two cases of water for the preps. We are now up to our full amount of 20 cases. It is hurricane season after all A few other odds and ends here and there from the grocery store. My Amazon pantry order arrived today. And we ordered $150 of stuff from chewy.com. We are getting a kitten this weekend, so about half of it was canned kitten food, as there doesn't seem to be much variety here in the stores. Managed to find enough dry kitten food for him. He has all of his shots and gets fixed tomorrow and then we get him on Sunday. He will join two older brothers and two older sisters. We haven't had a kitten in a while, so this should be fun.

 

[ivantherussian03]

My grandparents are still with me. I was using their old plant watering can to water plants with my daughter , and wondering how old the can was..... 50 or 75 years. I figure at least 50, but probably 75. Next I am going to paint his old wind mill and put it up, but first we are painting a toy box.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm down to 8 cases of water, I let it get that low in an effort to rotate. Walmart has their brand again, so I need to restock, thanks for the heads up.

I've been vacuum sealing food the last couple of days and dang if I haven't run into a snag, some of the jar just refuse to seal. They are older jars but no chips, I tried heating lids and still no seal.

Also I recently bought a hand held rechargable sealer and my hose that came with my lid sealers does not fit. Damn.

Judy

 

[hummer]

Mixed feelings here, my grandfather passed. He was a role model. Carpenter by trade, he worked in area for 40 year. He bought hard assets and enjoyed them: boats, trailers, guns. He gardened much of his food. He planned yearly hunting and fishing trips. Today, I picked through his yard and shop looking for useful things and treasures to remember him by. I found old school tools, a metal cooler, a wind mill. He was a man old time wisdom whom I consulted. He wasn’t much for praise but he told my auntie that so and so’s son has good head on his shoulders. i waited a long time to get any praise from grandparents, but that felt really good. Missing the old guy. He was 93 or 94.

I am so sorry about your grandfather. I rummaged through my grandmother.s and my parents things. It was a nice, warm feeling for me to remember them using the things I now use...

 

[ivantherussian03]

My child is 7. We painted a toy box today. We talked about learning to paint and why learning how to do things is important. We are not helpless people. We need to help ourselves. Buying new is expensive. Just because we can buy new doesn't mean we waste our money. This toy box is better because daddy used it many years ago. The child astutely said the paint makes it look new.

Teaching the next generation our values.

If we say and model things enough times, maybe they will remember....hopefully.

 

[hummer]

Absolutely! I have always loved working with my kids and grandkids on projects.......whether it was fixing old things to use, or building something new. It was always fun, but also a learning situation, plus teaching them good work ethics. In fact my 50 year old cancer survivor daughter thanked me today for teaching her the value of good, hard work. This was as she was using a good old manual fence post digger to put a heavy wood fence around their blueberry patch. And she married "good" also. My SIL had rotator cuff surgery this week, but was out there right along side her doing what he could. I have fond memories working on building and fixing things with my dad and grandfather. Thanks for jogging my memories, Ivan.

 

[ReneeT]

I am sorry for your loss, Ivan; and also glad that you had the benefit of such a wonderful grandfather in your life.