Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 29-April 4

moldy

Veteran Member
Where's Renee? You OK?

DH has been cleaning and organizing one of the outbuildings. He found a bunch of drinking glasses, so they are washed and in the cabinet. The jelly jars we were using can now be used for jelly. He also found a bunch of hats and beanies with new tags (and a few mouse holes, but small ones),so they are washed and put with the winter gear. I went thru some bags I bought on a whim at the thrift store. While quarantined, DD is getting bored and asked for some crafting stuff. I have a bunch of crochet hooks and yarn to send her now (she'll have to look to youtube for guidance and instruction, but she'll have the materials without cost). I think each bag cost around $4, and had tons of pins, needles, embroidery hoops and patterns, and quilting stuff along with the crochet items.

I canned up some pork today to try to empty a freezer, found uses for some plastic stuff that was needed (cardboard boxes on concrete don't last long), and planted some peas.
 

JMG91

Veteran Member
I also recently did some canning--for the first time--and was quite pleased that the house didn't blow up. :lol: I got some new chickens last week, and have been working hard at the garden this week. So far, I have about 53 strawberry plants, 6 tomato plants, several herbs, a TON of bush beans and potatoes, and plan to add some more herbs in the next several days. Tractor Supply also had some really nice plants, so I grabbed another grape vine, some gooseberries, raspberries, and several other types of berry plants.

I'm also waiting on a call from our well guy so that I can get our new hand pump installed. I'm terribly excited about that! I just don't have the space to store enough water for our family, animals, etc., and this will be a HUGE load off my mind!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I'm having trouble getting anything done, its just my hurricane waiting frame of mind. DH on the other hand is keeping busy, (he's never waited for a hurricane) completing the brooder room for the new chicks that are about to hatch. He has really fortified that room because we've lost several chickies in the past to unknown varments. He's still drilling (so to speak) on his well, takes a few turns every day even in the rain. I think I saw him planting more green beans. All the other plants are looking good, the rain helps. I have been giving him at least two meals a day though.

Judy
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
I have finished the work on my side job (after a week) and made more money than my regular job would pay for a month. Since I'm not working my regular job, I guess that is a good thing :)

I have cleaned up my office for the first time in years, and can actually see my desk and use it properly. I had to go to the bank today, and to the post office, so I did the weekly grocery shopping while I was out (gloves and mask). Got plenty of junk food, milk, cheese, hot dogs, strawberries, canned beans, egg salad, wine, toilet paper, distilled water, bread, and vitamins. Store was pretty well stocked, though really low on cereal, pasta, coffee, tp, and cleaning supplies. I was just keeping us topped off and keeping an eye on things. A lot more people wearing masks this week.

Now I should have some free time to actually work on some hobbies. I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet for a bit.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Since I haven't been anywhere for a good three weeks I was wondering if many people were wearing masks. We don't need anything except for this to be over. I just bitched at my poor DH.

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Since I haven't been anywhere for a good three weeks I was wondering if many people were wearing masks. We don't need anything except for this to be over. I just bitched at my poor DH.

Judy

From what I'm hearing, most people aren't wearing masks around here. We've got a few friends and family who are still out and about, having to still work. They check in with us regularly. They're not seeing many mask wearers anywhere. We've been locked away a month now, and are still sane! I haven't had to beat Cary over the head, yet. I made him a Lemon Ice Box Pie this morning. That settled him down a bit! LOL!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
From what I'm hearing, most people aren't wearing masks around here. We've got a few friends and family who are still out and about, having to still work. They check in with us regularly. They're not seeing many mask wearers anywhere. We've been locked away a month now, and are still sane! I haven't had to beat Cary over the head, yet. I made him a Lemon Ice Box Pie this morning. That settled him down a bit! LOL!
Good idea about the pie, I'll make DH his favorite pie.

Judy
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Happy Day, the remaining pieces for my small (3k) solar system arrived today. Now I have everything I need to put it up (even some spare items). If the weather is good I will likely start the project next week. It will keep me busy while in isolation. The system will be for the refrigerator and a chest freezer and maybe a couple other small draw items.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've been online this morning looking at Kitchen Aid mixers. What size do ya'll ( anyone who has one) recommend? Mainly, I want one for kneading bread dough. I'm thinking the 4 1/2 qt would be big enough. Or, would it?

Not really a prepping topic, but with staying at home, and the bread shortages, I want to start making my own bread more often. Extra loaves can always go in the freezer. My shoulders and wrists just can't handle much kneading by hand anymore.
 

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
I almost have another planter on line. The wife and I worked all Saturday on it. We just need to add some chicken wire to keep the deer out and it is ready to load up with dirt. I'll post a picture later.

This will be the 2nd planter we brought on this year. I still have at least one more if not two do do this year.

At that point our capacity will have more than doubled.

Can we feed ourselves?

Heck no!

Will we ever be able to feed ourselves?

Heck no!

It will take some pressure off..... next in line Chickens!!
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I've been online this morning looking at Kitchen Aid mixers. What size do ya'll ( anyone who has one) recommend? Mainly, I want one for kneading bread dough. I'm thinking the 4 1/2 qt would be big enough. Or, would it?

Not really a prepping topic, but with staying at home, and the bread shortages, I want to start making my own bread more often. Extra loaves can always go in the freezer. My shoulders and wrists just can't handle much kneading by hand anymore.
If you possibly can, go for the Professional model. A 4 1/2 quart bowl will handle a ONE loaf recipe, but not much more. I've got a model which is a 6 quart bowl, and I'd love it to be bigger! I hate to say it (because I loved KitchenAids for years), but they aren't the machines they used to be. They are noisy, and I hope they fixed their nylon gear issues. Also, don't buy a grain grinding attachment... they have burned out more machines than anything else.

Summerthyme
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
If you possibly can, go for the Professional model. A 4 1/2 quart bowl will handle a ONE loaf recipe, but not much more. I've got a model which is a 6 quart bowl, and I'd love it to be bigger! I hate to say it (because I loved KitchenAids for years), but they aren't the machines they used to be. They are noisy, and I hope they fixed their nylon gear issues. Also, don't buy a grain grinding attachment... they have burned out more machines than anything else.

Summerthyme

Ok, thanks, Summerthyme. These things are expensive, so, I'll have to save a bit longer in order to get a larger 6 qt. I was hoping to get my order sent off today, but I'll wait.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Thanks, Moldy - it was a three day work weekend, and a busy one; not sure I was even aware that it was Sunday on Sunday lol!
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Had to go to the small small town about 5 miles from home. Last time I left the house was three weeks ago when I had really pressured DH to stock up on feed. He got plenty of corn but did not really stock up on laying mash. He didn't want to go because he thinks he would more easily get sick than me because when he had his pancreas surgery they also removed his spleen. I called the store to find out if they had what I needed and they did at normal prices. So I put vicks under my nose and ventured out. First I went by the only place to get cooked food and ordered lunch and then I sent to the store. I put my mask on and also gloves. I paid for the feed and grabbed a couple of junk food items plus a package of hot dog buns, and ice cream. Only one person in the store when I checked out. Got the laying pellets and chick starter loaded and picked up our take out food. Then home. Oh, I took off the gloves after I opened the passenger side of the truck, tossed them inside out on the floor.

If I get sick from that then we are all in trouble. No cases in my direct area.

Judy
 

prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
We ordered two months of cat food from Petsmart and did pickup from the store where they bring it out to your car. Then we ordered some treats and a couple of buckets of kitty litter from Chewy. With four cats, we go through a lot of stuff. We had a fair amount stocked, but we had $100 in gift cards for Petsmart (and didn't use all of it).

Also got a new top sheet out of storage and cut it up for masks (we use a duvet so never need the top sheet). Got the pony tail holders at Family Dollar. So I made masks for some friends and for us and still have fabric in the closet.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're stocked up on our babies dog food for about 6 months, but his treats are running low. We'll probably have to order them online soon either from Petsmart or Chewy. We've ordered from Chewy before, but not Petsmart. I need to compare prices, I guess.

Cary has several large military scarves he bought at Army Surplus, and I have a whole drawer full of different color bandanas. If we have to make our own masks, this is what I plan to use. We haven't gone anywhere to use a mask, and unless it's an emergency, we don't plan to. Saves on the N95 masks we bought. I do like having other options, though, if they are needed.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Received 5 #10 cans of freeze dried food from Walmart today(also a few other food items). A couple weeks ago I ordered them when I happened to see Walmart had a few things in stock.
Though we have many months worth of food on hand I am trying to build up our supplies even more.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Received 5 #10 cans of freeze dried food from Walmart today(also a few other food items). A couple weeks ago I ordered them when I happened to see Walmart had a few things in stock.
Though we have many months worth of food on hand I am trying to build up our supplies even more.

We're doing the same here. I'm still ordering things/food online from Walmart and other places, too. Most items that I've ordered have been in stock with no problems with shipping. I'm trying to keep my pantry stocked as we use what I already have. I don't like the idea of using up what's in my pantry without replacing what I use day to day. I'll keep doing this, until things get back to normal, if it ever does.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
I think I finally got this incubator figured out. I had 24 chicks hatch. I had only been getting a hand full of eggs to hatch before. 2 chicks are iffy. They were the last to hatch and seem weak, but that happens sadly. With this hatch and the ones I bought, I will have more than I need. I did need a new rooster or two. I will pick a couple out of my hatch. The chicks I bought are supposed to be all pullets.

The garden is coming along good. We were at the feed store yesterday and I picked up the last strawberry plant they had and a pot of chives. I planted chive seeds, but this will give us a head start. My green beans are planted. I need to get corn planted today or tomorrow. After the 15th we can plant anything. I always have something to do. The question is do I have the energy.

Thursday we worked most of the day. We got out the log splitter and split some hickory rounds that we had from a tree we took out of the edge of the driveway. I still have to stack it in the shed. Poor hubby's back is still hurting from it. Back injuries suck. I hate that he hurts so much of the time. He may not be able to work like he used to, but he can still fix most any equipment we have.

No bees in my swarm traps yet. But I am still hoping. I have 2 nuks ordered so I will get bees one way or the other.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Way too cold here up in the mountains to plant yet. I hope it warms enough here this year to have a garden. It is hit or miss every year. Last year we were still getting freezes at night on the 4th of July but the year before was great and our garden really produced. We have our fingers crossed.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Last night I talked DH into taking me to Walmart this morning. He asked me why I wanted him to take me and i told him for security. But 7:30 came early and it was raining so I changed my mind. I only wanted to go to get sodas for him, although he does still have some. Now Walmart is saying only a certain number of people in the store at a time and I'm not desperate enough to stand in line in the rain for God only knows how long it would take and apparently they are limiting where you can actually go in the store. We do need some more tomato cages but DH has some field fence wire he can make cages out of.

The other day I wanted some popcorn (I just can't seem to stop eating) and could not find the top part to my air popcorn popper, I looked three different times, so I ordered a new one from Amazon. Of course when the new one gets here I'll find the part. Other than the rare times I'm ordering something at least my pocket book has taken a big break from spending, which is a good thing. I'm blessed.

Judy
 

moldy

Veteran Member
HIt a couple places today; the grocery store had a produce pack special... cabbage, 4 potatoes, 2 onions, a lb of carrots, 2 grapefruit, 2 oranges, 2 pears, 4 apples, 2 lbs of bananas, a lemon and 2 limes for $15. I bought 2. Then by Papa Murphy's - our local one is giving medical workers/first responders 40% off thru the end of the month. 2 VERY large pizzas cost less than $20.
 
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