Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 7 ~ 13, 2020
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
Whenever I see that there's big bags of rice (25-50 lbs) at a good price, I tend to grab one just to balance the amount of beans in storage. For some reason I'm seeing lots more beans but I think that's partly me. I would tend to get big bags of beans whenever I found some other varieties than pinto - like lentils, black-eyed peas, what have you, and I fell into the trap of thinking that there's always pallets of cheap rice at the warehouse places.
Silly me.
Probably could use more corn meal and wheat just to bulk up the staples, but that's sort of the same way as above - grab some whenever I happen to see some.
My Medicare Advantage plan (or whatever it's called) has a cool feature that I didn't know of for a while. Every quarter, I'm allotted $90 to buy generic OTC (usually Equate but not always) stuff. It's been a boon to get stocked up on OTC things that'll come in handy someday (allows OTC preps to be rotated easier as well); the prices are the same as in the store and shipping is included.
I don't know where I picked this up and it's probably been obvious from the very beginning to most everyone - which means more astute folks than me; I've gotten to where I write the purchase date on everything bought but especially things which are going into long-term storage. It's sure helpful compared to when I wasn't doing that and would have to search a product to see a "born on" or "use by" date on it.
Silly me.
Probably could use more corn meal and wheat just to bulk up the staples, but that's sort of the same way as above - grab some whenever I happen to see some.
My Medicare Advantage plan (or whatever it's called) has a cool feature that I didn't know of for a while. Every quarter, I'm allotted $90 to buy generic OTC (usually Equate but not always) stuff. It's been a boon to get stocked up on OTC things that'll come in handy someday (allows OTC preps to be rotated easier as well); the prices are the same as in the store and shipping is included.
I don't know where I picked this up and it's probably been obvious from the very beginning to most everyone - which means more astute folks than me; I've gotten to where I write the purchase date on everything bought but especially things which are going into long-term storage. It's sure helpful compared to when I wasn't doing that and would have to search a product to see a "born on" or "use by" date on it.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I started dating by month and year last year on everything that goes into my pantry. If it hasn't been dated, I use it first, since that will be items that date back from 2019. I got tired of searching for "use by" dates, too. It really helps to keep me from getting things mixed up.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Dupe.....
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I bought a handheld vacuum sealer, I have it on the charger now. The main reason I bought it is because I wanted to be able to vacuum seal if the power is out. Since its rechargeable I have alternate ways to charges things. I tried the brake bleeder and it was great at first but in short order it became impossible to make it work, DH has stronger hands than I do and he could not get it to work either, so I returned it. So anyway, I'm hoping this will work. It came with some zip lock bags and I'm hopeful that sealing cheese in the bags will hold the mold at bay. I'm hoping the bags are reusable, we'll see, it will depend on what I put in them.
Judy
Judy
Judy... if you wrap bricks of cheese in a vinegar soaked cloth (or quality paper towel... I just use pieces of muslin, snd wash and reuse them... "butter muslin" would also work) it will prevent mold from developing for a long time.
I've dated cans and packages for years, but I also write the price on many of the items. It makes an easy way to see price increases, if you don't keep a price book.
Summerthyme
I've dated cans and packages for years, but I also write the price on many of the items. It makes an easy way to see price increases, if you don't keep a price book.
Summerthyme
prudentwatcher
Veteran Member
I finally got everything from the garage clothes find washed and put away. That turned out to be five loads of laundry, to show you how much I found, and that didn't count the stuff that I'm giving away.
Trip to Walmart today for little things like OTC meds, canning lids, muffin mix, cleaning supplies (found Lysol spray for the first time since covid-19 started!!!), and a few other misc. things. Bought a loom thingy in the craft department so I can make caps and things from yarn. Will have to see how that goes. I have tons of yarn.
Bagged up 2 gallon size mylar bags of rice with oxy absorbers, so another 15 lbs of rice put away for long term storage.
Trip to Walmart today for little things like OTC meds, canning lids, muffin mix, cleaning supplies (found Lysol spray for the first time since covid-19 started!!!), and a few other misc. things. Bought a loom thingy in the craft department so I can make caps and things from yarn. Will have to see how that goes. I have tons of yarn.
Bagged up 2 gallon size mylar bags of rice with oxy absorbers, so another 15 lbs of rice put away for long term storage.
I've been concentrating on the garden. Had a problem with deer getting in. It ate up most of 15 tomato plants and all of my butter peas. So frustrating! We thought they were jumping the 6 1/2 ft fence, so we tried various things to keep them out with no success. Finally found a small area of fencing that it was going under. I never knew deer would get down and go under things! Once we fixed that, we've had no more problems, so we've been replanting.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Warning on availability of propane camp stoves.
I tried to pick up a hefty propane burner to do my canning, especially my pressure canning outside. It helps keep the heat out of the house during canning season.
Anyhow checked hardware stores, big box stores, Home Depot and no burners or camp stoves. Well, none I felt safe putting a pressure canner on. One department store had an off brand camp stove that ran off small cylinders but not the bigger tanks. So DH ordered me one online.
The long suffering manager at Home Depot showed me a page long print out of manufactures who were no longer delivering products. He's stuck between the CV-19 and China tarriffs.
If you've been putting off purchasing one, you might want to reconsider.
I tried to pick up a hefty propane burner to do my canning, especially my pressure canning outside. It helps keep the heat out of the house during canning season.
Anyhow checked hardware stores, big box stores, Home Depot and no burners or camp stoves. Well, none I felt safe putting a pressure canner on. One department store had an off brand camp stove that ran off small cylinders but not the bigger tanks. So DH ordered me one online.
The long suffering manager at Home Depot showed me a page long print out of manufactures who were no longer delivering products. He's stuck between the CV-19 and China tarriffs.
If you've been putting off purchasing one, you might want to reconsider.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
all the Coleman "white gas" camp stoves convert to propane with the LP bottle adapter - an extension hose can then adapt for the 20lb BBQ size tanks ....
really a nice set up for fuel adaptability ...
Hubby got his glasses ordered after taking in his old frames to get some like them. They are getting in very few new frames, but could get his old ones. He said their display was getting pretty low. I just hope that they really come in.
We had to take a trip to Conway AR. While we were there, we went to the fish market. They had just came in with the mornings catfish. We bought 10 pounds of dressed catfish for $1.50 a pound. I filleted at home. That saves 3 or more dollars a pound. We also got some nice shrimp. He goes and picks up frozen shrimp at the gulf.
We cut half our hay field. It all sold off the field. I put two bales in the barn that had some green in it from underneath the trees. We will cut the other half later this week. I have just 15 bales left in the barn from last year.
I finished picking the cherries. I probably got about 2 and a half gallons. I canned part for pies and froze enough to make 2 batches of jam. This morning I have to pull the onions that are ready before we get rain from the gulf. The garden is doing good. Just keeping up is the hard part. I still have cherries in the frig to pit and sugar snap peas to freeze. I have lots of work I need to get done. Hubby helps where he can, but his back won't let him do much gardening.
I bought some straight run chicks at Atwoods. I think they are all roosters. I have 8 in old rabbit cages feeding them out till I can process them. I have never gotten just roosters buying there before. I bought just pullets at Tractor Supply and hatched some eggs. So I have plenty of new birds. I have too many eggs at the moment. The dogs are going to have some scrambled for dinner.
Well, my coffee cup is empty. I better go pull onions.
We had to take a trip to Conway AR. While we were there, we went to the fish market. They had just came in with the mornings catfish. We bought 10 pounds of dressed catfish for $1.50 a pound. I filleted at home. That saves 3 or more dollars a pound. We also got some nice shrimp. He goes and picks up frozen shrimp at the gulf.
We cut half our hay field. It all sold off the field. I put two bales in the barn that had some green in it from underneath the trees. We will cut the other half later this week. I have just 15 bales left in the barn from last year.
I finished picking the cherries. I probably got about 2 and a half gallons. I canned part for pies and froze enough to make 2 batches of jam. This morning I have to pull the onions that are ready before we get rain from the gulf. The garden is doing good. Just keeping up is the hard part. I still have cherries in the frig to pit and sugar snap peas to freeze. I have lots of work I need to get done. Hubby helps where he can, but his back won't let him do much gardening.
I bought some straight run chicks at Atwoods. I think they are all roosters. I have 8 in old rabbit cages feeding them out till I can process them. I have never gotten just roosters buying there before. I bought just pullets at Tractor Supply and hatched some eggs. So I have plenty of new birds. I have too many eggs at the moment. The dogs are going to have some scrambled for dinner.
Well, my coffee cup is empty. I better go pull onions.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
By daylight, I was outside taking care of things in the garden this morning. Getting ready for the soaking rains and storms that will be coming this afternoon. Hopefully, there won't be any hail! I would be horrified if hail beat everything into the ground! BTDT.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Southern Breeze, I had not even thought there might be hail.I did get the onions pulled. I also found a small snake in the mulch.
Yeah, possible tornadoes this afternoon for us if things go according to plan. Hail isn't out of the question.
We have already been over run by snakes this year. Just the other day, our dog killed a copperhead. We've also had chicken snakes, garter snakes, and black racers. Keeps me on my toes!
You might try Bayou Classic's website, although they could be closed today as they're down in MS IIRC. We really like their big cast iron propane burners: Bayou Classic Single Propane Burners
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
To do my canning outdoors, I use a propane turkey fryer stand.
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
These heavy old fashioned ones are the best for canning.
Cast Iron Stove, Double Burner Stove
This Carolina Cooker® double burner cast iron stove makes outdoor cooking simple.
www.agrisupply.com
Glad your dog got the snake and not the other way around. I lost two good dogs and a hog to rattlers back when I lived in Fl.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
No, he didn't get bit, thank God! I looked him over really good. We had Boxers in past years, and our oldest male got bit by a copperhead. He almost died, before we could get him to our vet.
Oh, and we, too, have rattlers here. Son almost got bit by one in our driveway. We haven't seen one this year, so far.
Old Gray Mare
TB Fanatic
Thank you. DH ordered one online. I plan to open it today and make sure everythings there.
Glad I picked up a 2 burner camp stove in Jan planning to can outside this year.
I am in E Texas and already killed 15 snakes since March. Can't keep cats because of coyotes. Once we lost our cats the mice moved in and between the wet weather bring a big from season and mice we are over run with copperheads and moccasins. Local timber clearing and run the rattlers out also.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I have the the one burner crawfish boil thing to use outside. But DH is putting my beautiful gas stove on the screened in porch, so if I decide to can I can do it there.
We were supposed to get rain all day but thus far nothing, I think the storm went further east. Although we could use the rain.
Judy
We were supposed to get rain all day but thus far nothing, I think the storm went further east. Although we could use the rain.
Judy
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've been concerned for you down there, Judy. Glad everything is ok, but yeah, we're getting your rain right now. Hard soaking rain and very breezy.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Once again, we're cleaning up a mess this morning. Around 2 am, we got a storm from Cristobal with high winds and torrential rain. Another tree down in our front yard out at the road. It fell on our wood fence, and did major damage to it. Cary is already out with his chainsaw trying to cut it off the fence, so he can repair it. He still hasn't been able to repair the fence from when the other tree blew down, swiped our house, and took out our satellite dish. Lots of work, but more free firewood.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Years ago when I was making all of my clothes I learned how to make my own clothes patterns. I had some grid type of fabric to use to make a pattern.
Judy
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Many many things froze even though we had most things covered. It also froze the next night but by then the damage was done.
I fear the freezing weather is not completely done for the season. Bad place to be a prepper.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that, hiwall. Will you try again later?
hiwall
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Needless to say but we have a very short growing season here. Sometimes it gets down below freezing every month of the year. This year we were having near record high temps for the last month or better. But it only takes one night of freezing temps to ruin everything.
Like many places in the west, we have very low humidity, often 10% or less. Because of the low humidity we have large temperature swings every day from the nightly lows to the afternoon highs. Often 40 degree swings in a day and sometimes 50 degree swings.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I understand. You can't do much when your climate doesn't cooperate.