Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 17 ~ 23, 2018

[ReneeT]

Whew - taking a break to cool off and chug some fluids after being out putting down mulch, raking, and doing the trim mowing with a push mower this morning. I've taken to freezing both plain lemon juice and lemonade in ice cube trays - that way my drinks don't get diluted too much while I am working outside!

Daughter and grandsons spent the night last night, and are now off to her Dad's house after a Father's Day breakfast with us this morning - bacon, cinnamon rolls, coffee and oj. Hubby and I our leftover pasta that we carried home from dinner last night to have for our lunch today; not sure what supper will consist of but hopefully not anything heavy - maybe tuna sandwiches or something like that.

I'm going to go out in a bit and get the rest of the yard mowed while Hubby picks cherries - without youngest grandsons 'help' this time Then I have just a small amount of tilling to be done in one 8x14 spot. I've got quite a bit of weeding that needs done in the garden but it is still too wet to walk in most of the area. I have plenty of weeding to do elsewhere, but the heat index is supposed to be up to 108*F by noon so I'm thinking we will pit and freeze cherries this afternoon instead (and maybe catch a nap!

My last order of silver coins was dropped off at Buddy's house this morning; he might stop by here late this afternoon on his way home from a family gathering to drop them off; otherwise I'll pick them up tomorrow when I'm in town - be good to have them on hand for the upcoming July birthdays

I anticipate being busy most of the day tomorrow with daughter as she is having minor surgery; the boys will be with the other grandma, and Hubby has a doctor's appointment and then is going shooting with some friends.

Back to work Tuesday and Wednesday so I'm hoping to con Hubby into fixing unstuffed cabbage rolls and a big pan of honey cornbread for supper tomorrow so that I have something to carry in my lunch on those days

Well, I'm cooled down and my glass has managed to turn up empty for the second time, so I reckon it's time to get back to work...

Take care all; wishing you all a blessed week!

 

[Knight_Loring]

What kind of silver coins did you get?

 

[Old Gray Mare]

I love and hate Kathy's and Sara's stories at the same time. First because their heroines accomplish more in a day then I can in most months. Secondly when I read or reread them there is something, some prep I missed. Today sewing machine needles are being added to the list. A simple thing, easy to miss, easier to forget. Definitely a DUH! moment.

Found beans at an ethnic grocery store even cheaper by the pound than at the Amish grocery store. That's saying something.

 

[ReneeT]

Eagles. There was an offer out for gold pesos but for some reason I was leery of it so didn't bite.

 

[summerthyme]

I love and hate Kathy's and Sara's stories at the same time. First because their heroines accomplish more in a day then I can in most months. Secondly when I read or reread them there is something, some prep I missed. Today sewing machine needles are being added to the list. A simple thing, easy to miss, easier to forget. Definitely a DUH! moment.

Found beans at an ethnic grocery store even cheaper by the pound than at the Amish grocery store. That's saying something.

Yes! I stocked up a long time ago... look on the net carefully.. there are places where you can buy commercial packs of 100 for not much more than a couple packs of 5 will cost locally!

Don't forget the light machine oil for your machine, either. You may not need much at a time, but it won't run at all without it.

Summerthyme

 

[Illini Warrior]

I love and hate Kathy's and Sara's stories at the same time. First because their heroines accomplish more in a day then I can in most months. Secondly when I read or reread them there is something, some prep I missed. Today sewing machine needles are being added to the list. A simple thing, easy to miss, easier to forget. Definitely a DUH! moment.

Found beans at an ethnic grocery store even cheaper by the pound than at the Amish grocery store. That's saying something.

especially add sewing machine needles - regular needles also - pins for that matter also >>>> all intricately precise high speed production items no longer manufactured in the US ....

 

[Barb]

When I was able to go garage saling, I had a list. Sewing supplies, canning supplies, craft supplies, clothing sizes etc. I now have a large supply of those things. and since I can no longer go to garage sales I still have plenty.

 

[moldy]

While we watched herb tinctures percolate today (think watching the grass grow or paint dry), we had a long VERY HELPFUL discussion about starting your own business. I'm really interested to see where the next couple years lead me. When I got home (dodged the storms tonight - last night I got a cracked windshield from the hail), I managed to get a little cleaning done in the pantry. I swear stuff just seems to multiply overnight. It's a good thing since we keep losing our garden this year.

 

[SAPPHIRE]

sorry your windshield cracked......yikes....some of the hail was sized like baseballs, golf balls, etc...…….depends on where you lived...….a hop skip and jump from Denver and we had only a light drizzle, no hail, and no drama...…….I need to organize my storage and have procrastinated forever...….it hurts my back and neck.....so.....since our $ is anorexic I must skip doing anything for now......just bought some supplements to help my thyroid and paid for aqua exercise classes.....it's always something!

 

[ReneeT]

Some of those storms get pretty scary - glad it was just the windshield that got cracked and not you, Moldy!

Well, someone blessed us with a prep item either last night or early this morning - 3 skinny little kittens came tumbling out of the elderberry patch in the front yard when I was walking out to the compost pile. I'll probably end up with chigger bites after crawling in the patch to make sure there weren't any more of them! There are two grey ones and one black, and they seem fairly tame. I put down a plate of salmon and was able to snag 'em and put 'em in the dog crate; will transfer them to the carrier after I'm sure they'll keep the food down; then take them in to the vet when they open at 1pm to get them checked out. Reckon the Lord knew the voles, moles and other small rodents were getting too plentiful and decided to send someone to help me with the problem

 

[ReneeT]

Well, my new kittens went back to their original home; apparently an 'angry boyfriend' dumped them at my house. Why are people so darned ugly? The lady posted on Facebook looking for them; someone shared it and one of my friends saw it and contacted me. The jerk told her he dumped them, but 'couldn't remember where'; luckily his vehicle was clearly seen on the neighbor down the road's security camera, so his fanny is in a sling with the PD for more than just his original OP. The two little kids were thrilled to have their kittens back; their Mom offered to refund me the vet bill but I told her to use the money to buy a security camera and some of those stick on door alarms instead as I don't trust him not to retaliate. I also told her that the kittens could come back if for some reason she couldn't keep them

I had circled through the country on my way to the vet as I wanted to pick up a couple dozen eggs from some folks who have Aracuna chickens to amuse the boys; went through some bottomland areas and now feel guilty for moaning about the soggy state of my garden as the corn planted it those areas is done for. We had early morning rain again yesterday but hopefully it will hold off for another couple of days so that I can get in to the gardens to hoe out some weeds. Luckily I have a market gardener neighbor, so I'll be able to get what fresh veggies I need if my garden doesn't produce as well this year.

We are done with freezing cherries for the year - I have enough canned for one cherry pie or crisp a month, plus Hubby put three bags in the freezer so that will add some variety to our meals. It is getting close to peach season again; I have one box of jars in the pantry that are two years old so will be using those up in pies/cobblers/crisps or dumplings over this next month. Two different people brought me a watermelon on Thursday; I filled 2 large plastic containers with cut up watermelon, the grandsons ate their fill (and I sent a tub home with them!), then I put the rest in the dehydrator. It came out just in time to fill the trays with halved black cherries (on sale at Aldi) to make cherry 'raisins'; Hubby really likes those to put in his breakfast oatmeal and the kids will eat them like candy. I'm going to keep watch at the fruit stand for the big cantaloupe that start showing up this time of year and run some of those through the dehydrator as well.

Most of the grocery ads are focused on picnic style foods for the 4th of July right now, but I did note a frozen veggie sale for 79 cents/bag so will pick up 12 bags of the chopped red and green pepper and onion mix and run them through the dehydrator since I have it out. I use a lot of this mix in making baked steak, pasta salad, roasted veggies and stir fry; and have rehydrated it to use in potato salad as well. One bag will fill a tray (I use the fruit leather sheets to keep the pieces from falling through), and three tray's worth will fit in a quart jar when it's done; I vacuum seal the jars and put them in a canning jar box for storage, they darken if exposed to light. I do so love this time of year - so many blessings coming in!

Take care all; stay safe out there!