Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 7 ~ 13, 2021

school marm

Senior Member
I’d love to pick up a dehydrator some day and get started. Are they expensive?
Like hiwall mentioned above, dehydrators are relatively inexpensive. They can often be found in thrift stores or at garage sales for less than $10. Even a large top-of-the-line like Excalibur is around $200.

A freeze dryer, on the other hand, is substantially more expensive, $2,200-$4,500, depending on the size and oil pump you choose.

You can process more food in a dehydrator than in a freeze dryer in the same amount of time. However, you can do things in a freeze dryer that just don't work in a dehydrator. Foods like cheese, eggs, bacon, sour cream, cream cheese, avocados, etc.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
SouthernBreeze and CaryC- Prayers going up and will continue for you both this week along the with medical team.

DH and I had our 6 month dental cleaning and checkups yesterday, I have a cavity that I have to go back in for next month *sigh*. While we were in that town I went and got my bloodwork done since I hadn’t ate, now I need to set up an appt. with my Dr. and get new scripts for my meds. Since we took care of eye appts. in Jan. and got much needed new glasses we should be caught up until summer when it will be mammogram time. I’m thinking I need to make an appt. to get shots in my wore out knees. I go to Nashville for that and with everything that’s been going on this past year I haven’t wanted to go.

We still need to make a Sam’s run but with the Princess being here 3 days a week and 2 of those days are a bit longer since older brother has soccer practice on thone days, it makes finding the time a tad harder.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks so much for everyone's prayers!

I have an appointment to see my Rheumatologist March 29th, and an appt. to see my Ophthalmologist March 31st. This month is fully taken already. I'm pretty sure I will need new glasses.

This month I get to sign up for drawing SS. My 62nd birthday is coming up, yay! Another paycheck each month will be surely welcomed. I have a whole lists of projects lined up, once I start getting the checks, but mostly, they will all go into savings. I would love to have a greenhouse, and the necessity of getting a new car is also a possibility. I also need more dental work done which will require dentures. Nothing will happen immediately. Things will need to settle a bit first, and planning will have to be done.

I've got all of our bags packed and ready to go in the morning. Got all of my laundry done, house cleaned, phone calls made, so I guess we're as ready as we can be.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
OMG!!!! We just found out that Cary and I are going to be Grandma and Grandpa for the first time! Totally unexpected, since they were not planning to have any children. She is having some problems, went to the ER. She will be seeing her doctor on Thursday to find out more of what is going on. All we know right now is that she is pregnant. This is oldest DS and DDIL.

This opens up a whole new prepping world for me! Starting from scratch. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now with everything that's going on.
 

moldy

Veteran Member
DBoss talked me into working a night shift tonight. We've got a lot of ER people out sick, so it will be me and a float. It's OK - we always treat our float people well and they like floating to the ER. Haven't gotten much done today - have tried to sleep as much as possible. DH is feeling poorly - would appreciate prayers for him.

Prayers going up for you and Cary, SB. And so many others on the board. It seems like on TB and IRL there are so many people struggling with sickness. It truly feels almost spiritual in nature, but it definitely has physical attributes as well.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Picked up my token tonight it was a good meeting though there was only four of us. We weren't allowed to make coffee or hold hands during Lord's prayer afterward. But it was good meeting.
My daughter made a beautiful cake yesterday and both my sons at home brought me flowers it was very sweet. Most years no one remembers but me haha which is okay as long as I remember.
Out in my cabin with the dogs. Staying sober and clean is a huge part of prepping for me. That being said I'm going to lay down and watch the breaking bad series8bef05444a2e8d1910d69c6d696bf837.0.jpg
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Just did a pick up order at Walmart, it won't be ready until tomorrow. I'm adding some canned Chefbordee items that I don't have at all or much of. In addition to my use and replace items. Smoked sausage has gone way up, if they have it at all. I'm working my way through my bottled water storage and am thinking I need to replace to keep a certain amount on hand. I have quite a few cases, but I don't want to get caught short.

Wanderlove, good for you, my dad never was able to let go of the drink.

Praying for CaryC and Sherree.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Continued prayers for Sherree, CaryC, their DDIL and Moldys husband.

WanderLore-Thats great news and I wish you the best.

Judy-I’m working on getting an online order together too, I need to make a trip to the basement that I’ve been putting off (crappy knees makes it harder) before I push the order button.

DH wants us to make a Sam’s trip but I’m going to put in an order first so when we do go we won’t have so much to unload when we get back. It’s about a little over a 3 hour round trip not to mention the time in the store and it just about does me in for a few days after. I’m hoping this will cut down on the time in the store too.
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
I finally remembered to drop off a bag of clothes at the textile recycle that I've been meaning to get rid of since the holidays.
Cleaned out my locker at work. I don't think they're going to let me retire, but at least it's done.
More retirement paperwork.
Neighbor plowed his garden yesterday and the dirt smelled SO good.
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
You know what they say about the word: Assume?

Since I was revamping my 72 hour kit I asked to update the kits for the rest of the family members. Will not go into excruciating detail. Will just say it was enlightening and I'm headed to a big box store.
:bhd:
I'm pretty sure I have what I need to update my 72 hour bag, I just have to get it together. I just dug out the sleeping bag I bought last fall that I had covering the vent in my office to block the heat that DH desires to have in the house, at least that keeps it at bay in this room. I did also buy a couple of large ponchos to put in it. Those cheapie ones don't last long, these will handle some wear.

I now have several cans of the chefboyarde pasta type foods, not course as many as I would like but its a beginning.

Back in the summer/fall of 2019 I bought quite a few of the "completes" shelf stable foods. I just told DH I'm going to rotate the and to expect one for supper tonight. I completely forgot about them when we had our last two power outages.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

coloradohermit

Veteran Member
Here in our little central CO county (where the forecast is rarely right) we're scheduled for 16-24 inches of snow later today thru Monday so I've been doing a few things that require electricity, just in case we lose power. I did laundry, the dishwasher is running and I baked cornbread to go with the beans I've pressure canned. Yesterday I brought in a bunch of extra firewood and filled up extra water jugs. I might make one last quick early morning run to the store for a few treats, but I really don't need anything, so we'll see.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Good Morning, Everyone!

We're home. Cary's surgery went extremely well. I updated everyone over in the Community Center Forum. Thanks to you all for the many prayers.

While Cary was in surgery, our DS called to tell me that our DDIL has had a miscarriage. Sad news for all. She goes back to her doctor, today, and we'll know more then. She may have to be admitted into the hospital for a D&C. So, please keep her and DS in your prayers.

:hugs:
 
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school marm

Senior Member
I made quite the haul yesterday at the grocery store, so that will keep me busy this week. They had pork roasts for 99 cents/lb, so I bought 60 lbs. They will be turned into pulled pork and frozen for short-term use and freeze-dried for longer-term storage. The discount meat section had a dozen packages of bacon deep discounted, so I scooped all those up. None of it was short-dated either. Four packages of diced ham. There was a boatload of cans of spray oil--vegetable, canola, butter-flavor, and olive oil. I got six cans of the olive oil spray. And I also got nine quarts of organic yogurt for 1/3 or regular retail.

Everything at the store was fully stocked, no limits.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I just got back from town getting Cary's prescriptions filled. Stopped in at Dollar General, and picked up a few items, mainly more doggie treats, some cans of potato soup, and snack items. Cary is on a soft food diet for the next few days, and I thought he might like the potato soup. We've never had any before. He's probably getting tired of chicken broth which is all he had and jello while in the hospital. He can have soups, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs starting today. No meat, yet.
 

paxsim2

Senior Member
I did a meat shop today, the prices were eye opening to say the least! I scored 15 lbs of marked down hamburger, I'm cooking it this afternoon for quick meals. 3 lbs of country style ribs and Fricks sliced ham, plus pork cutlets. They also had red peppers for .58 each so I got several.
Found the filter I needed for the Mr. Buddy heater. But no small propane canisters yet.
Bought some seed starting kits and some pablano pepper starts. The seed section at Tractor Supply in northeast Oklahoma was well stocked so if you need seeds you might check. Orschelns had seeds as well.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
I did a meat shop today, the prices were eye opening to say the least! I scored 15 lbs of marked down hamburger, I'm cooking it this afternoon for quick meals. 3 lbs of country style ribs and Fricks sliced ham, plus pork cutlets. They also had red peppers for .58 each so I got several.
Found the filter I needed for the Mr. Buddy heater. But no small propane canisters yet.
Bought some seed starting kits and some pablano pepper starts. The seed section at Tractor Supply in northeast Oklahoma was well stocked so if you need seeds you might check. Orschelns had seeds as well.

in regard to powering the Buddy Heater - should be able to find a propane extension hose - use a BBQ size tank (20lb) instead of the 1lb bottles >>> the extension hoses are generic for any propane powered device
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
in regard to powering the Buddy Heater - should be able to find a propane extension hose - use a BBQ size tank (20lb) instead of the 1lb bottles >>> the extension hoses are generic for any propane powered device
like this one but you could get one locally
 

moldy

Veteran Member
Got things ready for the storm - extra feed in the chicken house, a bale of hay in the back of the truck and it's plugged in, gas in all the vehicles. Got the last of the irrigation pipe picked up this afternoon, and most of the pruning done. So far - it's not snowing, but it's supposed to hit Saturday morning. I have extra clothes packed for work in case I have to stay overnight
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
like this one but you could get one locally
I have had a couple of those for years, although I've never used them. And I also have so me of the one pound canister around here somewhere. I had a Mr. Buddy heater but it was defective, its the only time I used the one pound canisters, although I have a camp stove that uses them. I know where the connectors are but have to dig deep to find the small canisters.

ETA I picked up several one pound packages of smoked sausage for the freezer, its gone way up in price.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

paxsim2

Senior Member
I should have added that the small canisters were for my Mr. Heater single burner cook top. We have the large ones for the heater. TSC was out of the hoses. I know I can use the large tanks with the burner but I like the small ones since they are easier for me to handle.
 

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
more in regard to the propane gas extension hoses - if you can salvage the supply hoses off the propane BBQ grills >>> the tank supply fitting is ready to go as is - the other end is a standard threaded fitting - Mr Heater sells a fitting for the appliance end of the hose .....
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
more in regard to the propane gas extension hoses - if you can salvage the supply hoses off the propane BBQ grills >>> the tank supply fitting is ready to go as is - the other end is a standard threaded fitting - Mr Heater sells a fitting for the appliance end of the hose .....
Remember the hose on a BBQ grill is for very very low pressure 'after' the regulator. Appliances that are designed to take the 1 pound propane bottles directly are designed to have the propane enter the appliance at full pressure. Don't try to cobble up a hose and run full pressure (maybe 200#) through it. The BBQ hoses are made for about 5#.
Otherwise I am 100% for repurposing items and I do it constantly.
 

Digger

Veteran Member
We have been getting some nice rain and warm weather. The strawberries I planted are growing. I had 2 bundles of 25. They were different varieties so I planted them in different areas. Yesterday, I counted 15 plants with new leaves in one area and 20 in the other. I hope to get a good bed established so I can grow what we use.

I also got the potatoes planted. I still have some onion sets to get in the ground. My sugar snap peas are coming up now.

Hubby saw his pain dr yesterday. They scheduled an injection for April. But the dr said if it gets better they can cancel. After we got home, hubby is thinking it maybe a kidney stone instead. He has had well over a dozen over the years. Time will tell.

We bought me a medium sized chainsaw yesterday. Now I can do more of the wood cutting. We need to get our wood shed refilled. We like to have 4 of wood years on hand going into winter. We are down to about 2 years at the moment. Our wood stove was so nice during the winter storm. We stayed toasty warm and our electric bill was normal. Our neighbor has a large 2 story home. It is about twice the square footage of ours. He said he wished he would have put in a wood heater before he retired. The lower level of his house got down to 55* during the storm and his electric bill was over $400. He said that is his highest electric bill ever. We were building our house when his was being built. So they are both 30 years old. But we used 2x6s for walls and upped the insulation. The people that built his, built it to show what big wings they were. They eventually let it go back to the bank and moved out of state. Our now neighbor, bought it at auction for a good price after it sat empty for a couple of years. He has had to put a lot of money into it. It was not taken care of and even had part of the wiring stripped out by the meth head kids the parents left there when they moved.
 

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We have been getting some nice rain and warm weather.
I'm glad you are. It snowed here last night and everything is white. It is supposed to snow here all day and night again (but not much even though we really need the moisture).
But I know spring will arrive here like it always does, in another couple months. And in July our rainy season will start and maybe the land will green up.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're going for a high today of 80*. I went through the house opening all the window blinds this morning, and am itching to begin my Spring cleaning. I did manage to also sweep and mop this morning while Frisco and Cary were still in bed. Beautiful weather we're having, but tomorrow brings in rain and thunderstorms off and on all next week. Temps will remain warm, though.

Lots of projects planned for outdoors, but it's going to be a slow process that will probably take into early Summer to get them all done. Cary has to completely heal first. No rush.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Red Wing Blackbirds in my yard today - sign of spring!!

Prayers offered up for your son and daughter in law, SouthernBreeze; and glad to hear that Cary is doing well.

Moldy - you stay safe on your way to/from work - I don't trust March weather for half a second - it sneaks up on you!

I'd like to thank everyone who generously offers help and advice through this thread - ya'll are the best!

Today, I've been resting up from my work week - need brain rest more than I do body rest, but it was not a pretty week either way around. So far, the only things I've gotten are doing the dishes, tossing my work clothes in the washer, going outside to dump the compost pot and to fill bird feeders, wiping down the clothesline, loading newspapers in to the van to recycle - and bringing in packaged set of shelves that I: A. Don't remember buying; and B. Don't recall what I bought them for. Sleep deprivation + a debit card = dangerous combo :lol: Maybe I'll use them to start garden plants; who knows?!?

Then I did a walk around of the yard and garden areas to see what needed done out there - that helped clear my mind a little. I have a ton of outside work to get done if the weather would just start cooperating! But - lucky me! - I was able to schedule another vacation from work in late April/early May. And when I get back from that one, I'm gonna go over the schedule book with a fine tooth comb and see if I can find any other open spots 'cause I don't think I'll be able to wait for my scheduled September and October vacations. It's been crazy enough that I'm about ready to agree to the knee replacement my ortho had been pestering me about - just to get the rest :lol: Luckily, he's been too busy with all the surgeries that were put on hold over Covid - we're still running full everywhere - except OB (surprising me!!)

I also popped in to fillmorecontainer.com a bit ago - they have canning jar flats (the lid part only) in stock in a couple of types - but the PRICE!! It made my heart go pitty-pat - and not in a good way! 42 cents/lid in a 175 ct sleeve - not counting shipping! REMOVED LINK RE: DIFFERENT PRODUCT; SEE POST BELOW. They do have one piece lids for a lower cost; around 27 cents; I've not used those for canning, but I'm considering it. I noticed Rural King had a box of them setting out the other day with canning lids written on the box; may pick up a a couple of canner load's worth there and try them before placing a bigger order. I'm going to end up canning more in quarts - don't like to since it's usually just the two of us, but it beats running out of lids.

I was waiting to hear if the 2 younger grandsons were coming out today; turns out that they have a cookout at the other grandparents, so I can spend my time getting stuff done around here - or just enjoying peace and quiet; both have been in short supply lately. I need to run in to Dollar General for a few things sometime today; maybe CVS too, but I could put CVS off until tomorrow - I have $8 in extra care bucks that expire then. There isn't anything on sale at CVS this week or next that I really need or want so I will likely spend it on Easter candy for the boy's baskets.

Well, I'm not getting anything accomplished, so I guess I'd better get up and enjoy my unencumbered day - you folks take care to stay safe out there!
 
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nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I've tried two of the chef boyardee foods that I just bought. The mac n cheese was okay, needed something but I couldn't figure out what. One can is plenty for two people and we really like mac n cheese. The other is the lasagna, it was okay, way too much gravy and not much in the way of noodles, and I saw a couple of specks that might be called meat. It was filling and I would eat it. The dog will love the extra gravy. I've eaten their ravoli off and on for years. I could probably add extra noodles to the lasagna and a bit of dehydrated venison with all the extra gravy and it might be enough for two.

I'm sure I'm late to the game of doing this, but I've started to keep track of our meals to see what we actually eat and how often.

I got into a freezer last night that I hardly ever open and found stuff I'd forgotten about. Venison tender loin from 2016. DH said it was probably from the buck he killed that year and was a little strong. He will eat and I would would too, but my teeth are too sensitive to to chew a solid piece of meat. Its okay because my favorite cut of meat has always been ground.

I did find a new tooth paste, Parpdontax. A little pricey, but very beneficial. During the snow storm I had horrible dental pain all over my mouth, I think I must have been clinching my teeth due to stress. It went on for three days, debilitating pain. I started oil pulling again and using the new tooth paste and no more dental pain.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I just couldn't resist getting outside, today, and getting my hands dirty! I cleaned up one of my flower beds. My flowers and bulbs are beginning to come up, so I had to get that done. Am still waiting about buying new shrubs to replace the ones that died down the edge of my front porch. Looks awful without the shrubs being there, but, oh well, in time.......

Judy. One of my aunts uses cans of Chef Boyardee Ravioli to make a delicious crockpot full of lasagna. I can't remember what all she uses to make it, but the ravioli is the starter base. She made it for us when we went to visit her over in Alabama.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
I apologize, re: Fillmore Container - those were not the lids I thought I bookmarked - the ones I thought I bookmarked were silver lids item # TLS070; and they are showing as in stock.
 

mecoastie

Veteran Member
Finished a little over 3 gallons of maple syrup today. Got 4 roosters in the pot making chicken stock to freeze. Should have been 5 but one got away and I am not chasing him around the yard. Picked up the fencing for the backyard. Starting to cut more firewood. Boiling tomorrow. Still need to do my taxes.
 
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