SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wasn't there, at one time, large sugar cane plantations down in New Orleans? I thought it was still produced in large quantities down there. Judy?
Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 24 - March 30, 2024
- Thread starter nomifyle
- Start date
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Last I knew, Michigan was a major producer of beet sugar, which is why we tried to grow sugar beets. At the time, there was a sugar shortage, plus a lot of the southern cane plantations were said to be downsizing or closing out-right.
I used to drive by the Pioneer Sugar towers (beet sugar). These are off I-75 in Findlay, Ohio
I used to drive by the Pioneer Sugar towers (beet sugar). These are off I-75 in Findlay, Ohio
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
largest sugar beet operations is in the Far MidWest - The Dakota States are big - complete cycling of the beets and the offal parts because livestock feed >> the beet juice is the choice as the environmental friendly winter de-icer
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Local honey is good for allergies.
My favorite 7 children stopped by this afternoon. They were over the moon with the gifts I had for them. The girls loved their jewelry boxes and the boys also loved their tool kits. Little stinker would not put his down. They are such a blessing.
My favorite 7 children stopped by this afternoon. They were over the moon with the gifts I had for them. The girls loved their jewelry boxes and the boys also loved their tool kits. Little stinker would not put his down. They are such a blessing.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
They are raw. You cook them from their frozen state. Works great in a frying pan or on the grill. I just took the number of patties I wanted out of the box and put them in the frying pan. I added black pepper and plenty of garlic powder. They were great for our supper, tonight.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Like SB said they are raw, I actually don't season them, they are delish just the way they are. I've cooked them in a frying pan and also in the oven. We didn't care for them cooked in the oven.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yeah, I season those that aren't already seasoned. We just like using lots of garlic. Helps with BP.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm going to pay for my rebellion but it felt so good and I needed it. I was taking trash to the curb. I decided that I wanted to pull the cover off my garlic. Oh it is so beautiful with such thick stalks. And then, of course, I had to pull the weeds. I almost lost my balance once. But weeds are pulled and garlic is free.
I might do the onions after the next cold snap.
I get the turkey burgers. Son can't have beef. And for the life of me I can't make patties that hold together. Anyways, those are yummy and we love them.
My back is not happy with me, but the rest of me is sooo happy.
I might do the onions after the next cold snap.
I get the turkey burgers. Son can't have beef. And for the life of me I can't make patties that hold together. Anyways, those are yummy and we love them.
My back is not happy with me, but the rest of me is sooo happy.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
My handmade burgers tend to not hold together, either. Plus, I like the convenience of just taking them out of the freezer and cooking them. No thawing required.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Oh, my lower back may have been unhappy but my upper back is thrilled. There's been a knot next to the spine and just below the shoulder blade. It was starting to trigger the nerve. But now it's calmed down a lot.
Still fighting cankles. I'm pretty sure those will fade once I can start walking again. I'm debating saying screw it and starting again this week. I have some Trek poles I can use if my balance keeps acting up. I have reached the point of being seriously annoyed by the restrictions.
Still fighting cankles. I'm pretty sure those will fade once I can start walking again. I'm debating saying screw it and starting again this week. I have some Trek poles I can use if my balance keeps acting up. I have reached the point of being seriously annoyed by the restrictions.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I'm not a doctor . . . this is just what I do.
When I'm re-starting a walking routine, I start by walking up and down the driveway and then advance to walking up and down the road, slowly! After I've been doing that for a few days, then I walk a little farther -- slowly! -- and when I'm walking non-stop for ten minutes, then I start to pick up the pace.
I listen to my body. Some days I can walk briskly. Other days, I need to move more slowly. The key is to get out there. It's not a race.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Wife and I got our annual eye exams today. I will be having another appointment in two weeks regarding getting rid of the cataract in my left eye. I had the one in the right eye removed about five years ago.
Wife's glaucoma is stable, praise God. She has had laser surgery twice in both eyes for the glaucoma.
Still sorting and packing as time and strength permit. Hope to finish moving in a few weeks. Will probably be delayed a week from what we hoped because one of our grandsons is getting married, the one that is helping load and unload the truck when we take a big load.
BTW, the cane sugar is definitely better tasting than beet sugar. My wife is a great cook and has always refused to use he beet sugar because of the difference in taste. They also raise quite a few sugar beets in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Big processing plant about 50 miles SW of Amarillo.
Wife's glaucoma is stable, praise God. She has had laser surgery twice in both eyes for the glaucoma.
Still sorting and packing as time and strength permit. Hope to finish moving in a few weeks. Will probably be delayed a week from what we hoped because one of our grandsons is getting married, the one that is helping load and unload the truck when we take a big load.
BTW, the cane sugar is definitely better tasting than beet sugar. My wife is a great cook and has always refused to use he beet sugar because of the difference in taste. They also raise quite a few sugar beets in the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Big processing plant about 50 miles SW of Amarillo.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well... it's body parts. But yeah.
Same. I'll start with the block next to the house and grow it from there.
The drive to get moving is stronger than normal. There is likely an element of cabin fever. But it may also be hormones.
My hair is thinning out again... but has grown roughly 6" in the last 8 weeks. It is down to my thighs again and that has been a long time. The body is changing and it doesn't like extended down time. Maybe I'll get a good chunk of my to do list done this year.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Today is Cary's checkup. I don't know what his doctor will say about that spell he had Sunday. If he thinks Cary might have had a light stoke, he might send him out to the hospital for a scan or something. He's fine now, so we really don't know what to expect. BP was perfect this morning. Because of heredity, Cary is a high risk for strokes, so I'm sure his doctor will take all that into consideration. A change in med's might be required.
It's been a while, since we've been able to go out to eat, so that's on our agenda afterwards. Nothing else planned for Big Town, today.
It's been a while, since we've been able to go out to eat, so that's on our agenda afterwards. Nothing else planned for Big Town, today.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Keeping things organized is not my problem. I've just let my stock get down too low. I'm making a huge effort to restock everything on my next shopping trip. I won't be able to restock everything to where I want it to be all at once, but I'm anxious to start. I get the jitters when my stock gets low. I just don't think we have a lot of time left. I hate having to pay higher prices, but it is what it is.
Hit Safeway and the local independent grocer today - still spent about $130 on stuff that was all on sale. Flour,sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, bananas, fruit, Marie Callender pies (can't make them that cheap), and butter. I'll keep buying basics while I can afford it. I may have quite a few more than just DH and I before it all shakes out.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yeah. It's those basic ingredients I use most often that I'm low on. That's what I'm concentrating on restocking, first. It would be great if I can find all or most of them on sale when the time comes. I'll also be adding more dry beans to what I already have. I've still got lots of pint canning jars to can the dry beans, but the section where all my home canning goes is full atm.
My basics are flour, cornmeal, butter, cheeses, Cream of soups (chicken and cheddar cheese), evaporated milk, and tomato sauce that I'm low on.
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kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Today was our bulk food pickup. And I discovered that I misordered one item. Oh well, just another gallon jar, or two, of black beans for the pantry.
I'm truly enjoying the variety of vegetable sides that are safe for both son and I, and more affordable than what is available locally. Well, and they aren't available locally.
Dinner tonight is lamb chops. Tomorrow will be rotisserie chicken. Friday will be stir-fry to test out that veggies mix.
And there are son safe burritos. That's a challenge to find period.
Now to lunch and back to work. I got two hours in before the run. I'd really like to finish earliesh and get a walk in. And maybe get some measurements made for where/how the new garden beds will go.
I'm truly enjoying the variety of vegetable sides that are safe for both son and I, and more affordable than what is available locally. Well, and they aren't available locally.
Dinner tonight is lamb chops. Tomorrow will be rotisserie chicken. Friday will be stir-fry to test out that veggies mix.
And there are son safe burritos. That's a challenge to find period.
Now to lunch and back to work. I got two hours in before the run. I'd really like to finish earliesh and get a walk in. And maybe get some measurements made for where/how the new garden beds will go.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
So I have been anxious about my Subscribe and Save order for this month because of the issue I had with my credit card. I've decided to skip the whole order and save the money. It wasn't anything I absolutely had to have anyway. If I need something after I get my new card I'll just order it without the discount. I feel relieved.
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SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We just got back home for Big Town. We ate, before we came home.
Doctor thought that Cary possibly had a light stroke. I can't think of what it's called, a TIA or something like that. He is being scheduled for an MRI of his brain and an ultrasound on his carotid arteries. He was given an EKG and no heart irregularities. Doctor won't do anything with his medication, until the tests are done, and a diagnosis is made one way or the other. If another spell happens, I am to take him to the ER right then or call 911 if after dark. Doctor knows that I'm blind after dark. He goes back to see the doctor April 17th. All the test reports should be back by then.
I just wanted to give everyone an update. We're tired and a bit concerned. Will just relax and watch some tv the rest of the night.
Doctor thought that Cary possibly had a light stroke. I can't think of what it's called, a TIA or something like that. He is being scheduled for an MRI of his brain and an ultrasound on his carotid arteries. He was given an EKG and no heart irregularities. Doctor won't do anything with his medication, until the tests are done, and a diagnosis is made one way or the other. If another spell happens, I am to take him to the ER right then or call 911 if after dark. Doctor knows that I'm blind after dark. He goes back to see the doctor April 17th. All the test reports should be back by then.
I just wanted to give everyone an update. We're tired and a bit concerned. Will just relax and watch some tv the rest of the night.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Its called a TIA, praying for ya'll.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Yes there were, don’t know what’s going on down there now, I sur hope that’s not part of the farm land that bill gates has been buying up
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well I got a surprise today. I finished all my work, and some extra, and then there was nothing. Boss was done for day as well. So we both got to have a calm afternoon.
Lamb chops were yummy. And the veg mix was well accepted by son. He completely devoured it.
Question for the fellow gardeners - my asparagus is popping. This is its second year so these are spindly tall shoots. Last year I never got any fern type leaves. Do I need to cut off these shoots now, and that will encourage the rest of the growth?
Anyways, going to go read a book if Kathy in FL or Sarawolf haven't put anything new up.
Lamb chops were yummy. And the veg mix was well accepted by son. He completely devoured it.
Question for the fellow gardeners - my asparagus is popping. This is its second year so these are spindly tall shoots. Last year I never got any fern type leaves. Do I need to cut off these shoots now, and that will encourage the rest of the growth?
Anyways, going to go read a book if Kathy in FL or Sarawolf haven't put anything new up.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
One of the things I have been doing is replacing my current tools and garden stuff with newer or improved versions.
Stuff like my hammer drill and Sawzall were/are the old Dewalt 18 volt system. Except those batteries are getting hard to find. And the tools are old, probably 15 years at this point, and slowly giving up the ghost. So the replacements are tucked away in a drawer for now. Because the new hammer drill is not like the old one. But I can use the new ones and save the old one for things that need that power, like holes in concrete block.
The new Sawzall can pivot the blade which will make some cleanup situations a lot easier, like the trees too close to the fence. And I'll probably get the circular saw as well.
And the shovels with wood handles that the carpenter bees just love, will be replace with ones that have fiberglass handles and a lifetime guarantee. And several other hand tools were replaced with the Fiskars versions because of their lifetime guarantee.
Not reckless spending but doing things so that the replacements will be here for longer.
And I went out to measure for putting the new garden beds in. Now I'm going to have to get marking paint. I want to mark the whole design so that I don't end up with random oversized or too small gaps this time. I'm looking forward to getting that all done, and I'll be increasing my planting space at the same time. I think some of the new beds on the road side may become things like stinging nettle, or strawberries, or milk thistle. Plants we will use but aren't quite as obvious as food or medicinal plants.
Stuff like my hammer drill and Sawzall were/are the old Dewalt 18 volt system. Except those batteries are getting hard to find. And the tools are old, probably 15 years at this point, and slowly giving up the ghost. So the replacements are tucked away in a drawer for now. Because the new hammer drill is not like the old one. But I can use the new ones and save the old one for things that need that power, like holes in concrete block.
The new Sawzall can pivot the blade which will make some cleanup situations a lot easier, like the trees too close to the fence. And I'll probably get the circular saw as well.
And the shovels with wood handles that the carpenter bees just love, will be replace with ones that have fiberglass handles and a lifetime guarantee. And several other hand tools were replaced with the Fiskars versions because of their lifetime guarantee.
Not reckless spending but doing things so that the replacements will be here for longer.
And I went out to measure for putting the new garden beds in. Now I'm going to have to get marking paint. I want to mark the whole design so that I don't end up with random oversized or too small gaps this time. I'm looking forward to getting that all done, and I'll be increasing my planting space at the same time. I think some of the new beds on the road side may become things like stinging nettle, or strawberries, or milk thistle. Plants we will use but aren't quite as obvious as food or medicinal plants.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
So don't harvest and let them grow. I can do that. But I'm going to need to support them somehow. Maybe a roll of garden fence just to keep them from falling in the walk path.
Thank you. There's so much out there that I wasn't sure. (Some of these are already 2 ft. I somehow missed the young growth even though I walk by them almost daily.)
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Busy Wednesday at work. Praying for you and Cary, SB.
I stopped at Fareway on the way home. They are lower-priced grocery chain with an in-house meat counter. Their house brands are often a few pennies more than Aldi, but their section is a lot better. They are much more affordable than HyVee. That said, when I need "gourmet" items for the holidays, I generally need to go to HyVee.
Fareway is probably most like Food Lion. HyVee is more like an upscale Publix.
In any case, they had some little boxes of cane sugar, several flavors of the Simply Fruit jellies (no high fructose syrup), and plenty of local honey. They also had one and five pound packages of beet sugar. I want to check sugar prices at Aldi and maybe I'll get more cane sugar on my next trip. I did get some local honey because they had several $3 containers left. Most of the smaller sizes were $7! (Eek!)
I don't use a lot of honey, but it's nice in tea or in honey and lemon drinks during cold and allegery season.
It keeps just fine in the basement.
I can't believe that it's Wednesday already. And Easter is Sunday! This year is just flying by for me.
I stopped at Fareway on the way home. They are lower-priced grocery chain with an in-house meat counter. Their house brands are often a few pennies more than Aldi, but their section is a lot better. They are much more affordable than HyVee. That said, when I need "gourmet" items for the holidays, I generally need to go to HyVee.
Fareway is probably most like Food Lion. HyVee is more like an upscale Publix.
In any case, they had some little boxes of cane sugar, several flavors of the Simply Fruit jellies (no high fructose syrup), and plenty of local honey. They also had one and five pound packages of beet sugar. I want to check sugar prices at Aldi and maybe I'll get more cane sugar on my next trip. I did get some local honey because they had several $3 containers left. Most of the smaller sizes were $7! (Eek!)
I don't use a lot of honey, but it's nice in tea or in honey and lemon drinks during cold and allegery season.
It keeps just fine in the basement.
I can't believe that it's Wednesday already. And Easter is Sunday! This year is just flying by for me.
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SB so sorry to hear about Cary. Have already been praying. I,too, Meemur can't believe it is almost April already! The native azaleas and dogwoods are in bloom here. I have about talked myself into trying propagation of some of them here on our place. Last year I fertilized the dogwoods that are in the woods. I feel that they have more blooms this year but that probably is just me! Greenhouse is cruising along nicely. I can see lots of growth every day. Today we harvested all the turnips and part of the rutabagas. All preservation for us is done so the chickens got everything else. Hubs says their yolks should be green not yellow after all we fed them today. Seabright that we named Baby continues to set on a clutch of eggs. I candled them today thinking they would be on day 21 on Easter but the chicks? look small and maybe nothing in one of the eggs. Turkey coop is almost finished. And part of the harrowing is done! Got a few skips in the potato rows and will remedy that tomorrow. What I don't have done is cracking all those walnuts and shelling the corn from last year. Oh well a little every day. How does that old saying go? How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!!
aviax2
Veteran Member
@SouthernBreeze Prayers up for Cary and you.
I went for a blood draw yesterday morning in preparation for an upcoming Dr. appt. then stopped by Kroger for some of the sale items. They had some pasta on sale so I bought 6 packs of fettuccine, 8 lbs of butter, 3 packs of chicken breast, 3 packs of extra sharp cheddar, 2 packs of t.p., plus some fresh veggies and fruit. DH got a new supply of chips and ice cream but only sale items and things we had digital coupons for.
Have a great day everyone!
I went for a blood draw yesterday morning in preparation for an upcoming Dr. appt. then stopped by Kroger for some of the sale items. They had some pasta on sale so I bought 6 packs of fettuccine, 8 lbs of butter, 3 packs of chicken breast, 3 packs of extra sharp cheddar, 2 packs of t.p., plus some fresh veggies and fruit. DH got a new supply of chips and ice cream but only sale items and things we had digital coupons for.
Have a great day everyone!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you all for your prayers. They are very much appreciated. He's fine this morning. Just waiting on the different clinics to call with appointments for all the testing. I'm trying to get him to take a break from everything for a while to give his body a rest period from all the stress we've been going through. He's stubborn just like most men. I can't keep him from doing what he wants to do. If I can just get him to slow down a bit, that would help. He's not one to just sit still for very long.
It's a beautiful sunny day, today. Highs in the mid 60's. After today, our temps will be going back up into the 70's and 80's. I can hardly wait! My azaleas are all in full bloom. Hopefully, the lawn tractor will be ready for pickup this afternoon. The yard already needs mowing really bad. I'll offer to help with that, but Cary loves doing yard work and when I mow, I always seem to break something, LOL. Cary always tells me it isn't my fault, but it's happened so often, I'm afraid to touch the thing.
I'm working on my shopping list, today. Basics, mostly, but after going through the pantry, yesterday, there are other food items that are beginning to get low, too. When you eat straight from your pantry for a whole month and nothing else, you realize just how much stored food you go through! I fear that a lot of folks are going to come up short, unless you raise or grow your own food.
It's a beautiful sunny day, today. Highs in the mid 60's. After today, our temps will be going back up into the 70's and 80's. I can hardly wait! My azaleas are all in full bloom. Hopefully, the lawn tractor will be ready for pickup this afternoon. The yard already needs mowing really bad. I'll offer to help with that, but Cary loves doing yard work and when I mow, I always seem to break something, LOL. Cary always tells me it isn't my fault, but it's happened so often, I'm afraid to touch the thing.
I'm working on my shopping list, today. Basics, mostly, but after going through the pantry, yesterday, there are other food items that are beginning to get low, too. When you eat straight from your pantry for a whole month and nothing else, you realize just how much stored food you go through! I fear that a lot of folks are going to come up short, unless you raise or grow your own food.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Oh, I know, SB. The pantry can become lean quickly, plus beans and rice are no longer as affordable as they once were. It wasn't that long ago when a broke single person could eat on $1 day in the US. Now? I couldn't do it, not unless I wanted to be as big as a house from all those carbs and chemicals, and it would still be closer to $3.50/day.
A more pleasant topic: the temps are warming up! It's in the low 50s, going up to the 60s tomorrow. I'm working in the garage, again. I'm reinforcing the walls and putting up foam board insulation as I can afford it. Once property taxes are paid, I'll have a little more for re-stocking the pantry and further work in the garage. I don't want to put too much more money into it, but -- in general -- insulation is a money-saver in the winter: the last owner paid almost $350 in February. My bill (last winter) was $130. It was $89 this winter, but it was warmer than usual.
A more pleasant topic: the temps are warming up! It's in the low 50s, going up to the 60s tomorrow. I'm working in the garage, again. I'm reinforcing the walls and putting up foam board insulation as I can afford it. Once property taxes are paid, I'll have a little more for re-stocking the pantry and further work in the garage. I don't want to put too much more money into it, but -- in general -- insulation is a money-saver in the winter: the last owner paid almost $350 in February. My bill (last winter) was $130. It was $89 this winter, but it was warmer than usual.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
In 2024, no such thing. Find room for them or give them to other gardeners who value food crops. I'm breaking new ground for more potatoes. I continue to have a bad feeling that we're going to need full larders this fall and winter for many reasons. I submit that you'll be extremely happy in the coming years to have those bushes and trees.
I get it . . . my back is unhappy with me. I've had to slow down and get more garden help.
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Our weather today is like SB's, sunny and mild. Although I don't look forward to the higher temps.
Not much going on today, I have stuff I need to do, but alas, its a toss up if I get them done.
We got the USDA commodities today, the smaller boxes that we get. Canned fruit cocktail, corn, green beans, a can of meat, cereal, juice, oatmeal. The cereal went to the goats, we don't eat it and I could not give that garbage to a human being. The juice goes to the children and the oatmeal we save for baby chickens. Dried pinto beans and white rice go to the children, along with peanut butter and the commodity cheese. The children like the cheese, I think they make nachos from it. I'm always greatful for what we are given, even though we don't eat some of it, but I am also greatful for having someone to share it with.
Not much going on today, I have stuff I need to do, but alas, its a toss up if I get them done.
We got the USDA commodities today, the smaller boxes that we get. Canned fruit cocktail, corn, green beans, a can of meat, cereal, juice, oatmeal. The cereal went to the goats, we don't eat it and I could not give that garbage to a human being. The juice goes to the children and the oatmeal we save for baby chickens. Dried pinto beans and white rice go to the children, along with peanut butter and the commodity cheese. The children like the cheese, I think they make nachos from it. I'm always greatful for what we are given, even though we don't eat some of it, but I am also greatful for having someone to share it with.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I hear you on the cereal. Most of the commercial stuff has been bad for the last decade. I do eat oatmeal (5 days a week, bacon or sausage + eggs on the weekend), but I get that in bulk from the co-op because I'm worried about GMOs.
I also make oatmeal cookies with dried fruit periodically. I only use about 1/4 of the recommended sugar.
I also make oatmeal cookies with dried fruit periodically. I only use about 1/4 of the recommended sugar.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I wish that we could still have a huge garden. We have the space for it, but not the health. Without someone helping us, it's just not in our future. DS and DDIL have their own garden to tend. It sure would help if we had a tractor, disk, and plows. Cary just can't use the big TroyBilt any longer. It works him to death, and he doesn't have the stamina he once had when younger. I think everyone that can have a huge garden should do so if it's possible. The few raised beds we have remaining won't grow enough to get us by in hard times. We can't live off of squash, peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes!
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
No you can't live off of it but they are nice to have, except for the peppers, neither DH nor eat peppers. DH may grow a few squash and zucchini, but mostly it will be tomatoes and green onions, and hopefully some garlic.