Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: May 22~28, 2022
- Thread starter ReneeT
- Start date
We went to the farmers market yesterday morning. Our friend was selling a breakfast sausage hubby wanted to try. We picked up the layer feed I had forgotten earlier in the week. We also got a bag of game fish food for our pond in the woods. We can see fish in it. Probably just perch, but they are good eating.
After I got things put up from the town run, I jumped on the mower. Hubby finished repairs on the tedder we bought. We have more in parts than the piece cost us. But it was still under $1,000. We got done just before the storms hit. We got an inch of rain and 2 rounds of hail. The first had hail stones bigger than quarters. I have not looked out our garden or fruit trees yet.
I lost 2 of my older chicks. A snake squeezed one to death. The second somehow got out of the pen and got hung up in the dip net that I use to catch chickens. It strangled itself. Yesterday everyone made it through the day, so hopefully we are done with chicken tragedies.
Our weather is supposed to be cooler and less humid for this week. I am hoping we can get the rest of the electric fencing up. I need to get my peas in the ground. We are supposed to get more rain too. My small plum and pear tree have not recieved any more deer damage since we put up the partial fence. I am thinking they must have tested it. We still have 2 more sides to run. Then fence in the new spot for the peas and whatever I decide to plant there.
We need to cut hay when the weather clears up for a few good days. A few farmers got some done last week. Some got rained on and some got lucky and the showers missed them. We wanted the tedder repaired before cutting. It works good and will really help get things dry faster.
I forgot to mention that our Harps store has Ball canning lids for the first time in 2 years. I picked up 4 boxes of just flats. One box was empty. It was sealed shut from the factory. Just no lids in it. So check when buying lids. If I had just picked up 3 or 4 boxes in one hand, I might not have noticed how light the box felt. I gave it to a stocker who was going to give it to one of the store managers. This was the first time I encountered an empty box on the shelf.
After I got things put up from the town run, I jumped on the mower. Hubby finished repairs on the tedder we bought. We have more in parts than the piece cost us. But it was still under $1,000. We got done just before the storms hit. We got an inch of rain and 2 rounds of hail. The first had hail stones bigger than quarters. I have not looked out our garden or fruit trees yet.
I lost 2 of my older chicks. A snake squeezed one to death. The second somehow got out of the pen and got hung up in the dip net that I use to catch chickens. It strangled itself. Yesterday everyone made it through the day, so hopefully we are done with chicken tragedies.
Our weather is supposed to be cooler and less humid for this week. I am hoping we can get the rest of the electric fencing up. I need to get my peas in the ground. We are supposed to get more rain too. My small plum and pear tree have not recieved any more deer damage since we put up the partial fence. I am thinking they must have tested it. We still have 2 more sides to run. Then fence in the new spot for the peas and whatever I decide to plant there.
We need to cut hay when the weather clears up for a few good days. A few farmers got some done last week. Some got rained on and some got lucky and the showers missed them. We wanted the tedder repaired before cutting. It works good and will really help get things dry faster.
I forgot to mention that our Harps store has Ball canning lids for the first time in 2 years. I picked up 4 boxes of just flats. One box was empty. It was sealed shut from the factory. Just no lids in it. So check when buying lids. If I had just picked up 3 or 4 boxes in one hand, I might not have noticed how light the box felt. I gave it to a stocker who was going to give it to one of the store managers. This was the first time I encountered an empty box on the shelf.
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SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Even though our weather forecast called for rain, yesterday, last night, and today, we haven't received a drop. Hot and humid. Rain is still in our forecast through Wednesday, but we'll see if we get any at all.
One thing I'm noticing about our tomatoes and peppers. The plants are growing and very healthy, loaded in blooms, but all the blooms are falling off. No fruit. I'm not seeing any bees other than the boring bees, but they aren't bothering the gardens. We are fertilizing every 10 days with Miracle Gro. It's the only thing Cary will use. Also, we are keeping everything watered if things get too dry. I don't know what the problem is, but I'm really getting frustrated. The neighbor down the road has a large, beautiful garden plot, so I know it's not the weather. I think our raised beds needs more soil tending, before trying to plant in them, more bees, and the type of fertilizer we're using. Oh well. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Wednesday is my dreaded dental appointment day. I'm not looking forward to it at all. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that I will probably have to have all my teeth pulled and get dentures.
One thing I'm noticing about our tomatoes and peppers. The plants are growing and very healthy, loaded in blooms, but all the blooms are falling off. No fruit. I'm not seeing any bees other than the boring bees, but they aren't bothering the gardens. We are fertilizing every 10 days with Miracle Gro. It's the only thing Cary will use. Also, we are keeping everything watered if things get too dry. I don't know what the problem is, but I'm really getting frustrated. The neighbor down the road has a large, beautiful garden plot, so I know it's not the weather. I think our raised beds needs more soil tending, before trying to plant in them, more bees, and the type of fertilizer we're using. Oh well. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears.
Wednesday is my dreaded dental appointment day. I'm not looking forward to it at all. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around the fact that I will probably have to have all my teeth pulled and get dentures.
Whew - it's amazing how just a few extra hours at work can make me so tired afterwards. Sometimes, I think it's more the work crew than the patients who are making me tired... Of course, chances are, they think the same when I'm there 
I'm the daffy old lady that sits there and mutters to herself to block out the noise from the rest of the crew while she's charting, occasionally turning around to growl at them "I can't hear myself think!" and "You wanna talk about your weekend, take it to the break room, our SA's don't need any help coming up with ideas." I did work with the nice, quiet crew on Friday night, so that helped ease me into the weekend a bit, though I did spend a LOT of yesterday sleeping - nap after work, fell asleep reading in my chair after supper, then slept all night - I almost feel caught up. Almost being a key word, 'cause I feel like I could probably take a nap right now 
Probably weather related - it's chilly feels like it could rain at any moment, though there is not any in the forecast for today - so far.
I picked up a few more plants at the Farmer's Market on Friday; ordered more herb plants from the neighbor lady, and ordered some elderberry starts from another seller that I will pick up next week - now I just need to find an appropriately damp place to plant them. Mine in the front yard have really popped up, but I'd like to have more since those ones didn't do as well last year. I dry, can, and juice elderberries for medical uses. I believe that my great grandfather's elderberry wine and 'brandy' may have been what kept our family's losses from the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic so low. Well, that; and that they lived so far back in the hills and hollers and shot at anyone who came near that they didn't recognize because, 'Revenuers'
This morning is going to be spent catching up on housework and getting ready for my next work week. This afternoon, I'm going to plant my sweet potatoes, then add more strawberry plants to the double height strawberry bed next to the house and poke some onion sets between them. I should probably poke some beet seeds in one of the raised beds as well - will have to remember to pick up more onion sets to plant in between them. Need to check the potatoes in storage to see if I have any that have sprouted so that I can plant them if so.
I also need to inventory what plants I still have on the porch that will need to go out in to the gardens so I can pick up anything that I need at the local greenhouse on Monday, or if she doesn't have what I need, at one of the big box stores when I get off work Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
Well, for some reason my laundry hasn't carried itself down to the utility room and hopped into the washer, so I guess I'm going to have to do it myself - You folks all take care out there; stay safe (and sane, if you can!)
I'm the daffy old lady that sits there and mutters to herself to block out the noise from the rest of the crew while she's charting, occasionally turning around to growl at them "I can't hear myself think!" and "You wanna talk about your weekend, take it to the break room, our SA's don't need any help coming up with ideas." I did work with the nice, quiet crew on Friday night, so that helped ease me into the weekend a bit, though I did spend a LOT of yesterday sleeping - nap after work, fell asleep reading in my chair after supper, then slept all night - I almost feel caught up. Almost being a key word, 'cause I feel like I could probably take a nap right now Probably weather related - it's chilly feels like it could rain at any moment, though there is not any in the forecast for today - so far.I picked up a few more plants at the Farmer's Market on Friday; ordered more herb plants from the neighbor lady, and ordered some elderberry starts from another seller that I will pick up next week - now I just need to find an appropriately damp place to plant them. Mine in the front yard have really popped up, but I'd like to have more since those ones didn't do as well last year. I dry, can, and juice elderberries for medical uses. I believe that my great grandfather's elderberry wine and 'brandy' may have been what kept our family's losses from the 1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic so low. Well, that; and that they lived so far back in the hills and hollers and shot at anyone who came near that they didn't recognize because, 'Revenuers'
This morning is going to be spent catching up on housework and getting ready for my next work week. This afternoon, I'm going to plant my sweet potatoes, then add more strawberry plants to the double height strawberry bed next to the house and poke some onion sets between them. I should probably poke some beet seeds in one of the raised beds as well - will have to remember to pick up more onion sets to plant in between them. Need to check the potatoes in storage to see if I have any that have sprouted so that I can plant them if so.
I also need to inventory what plants I still have on the porch that will need to go out in to the gardens so I can pick up anything that I need at the local greenhouse on Monday, or if she doesn't have what I need, at one of the big box stores when I get off work Tuesday or Wednesday morning.
Well, for some reason my laundry hasn't carried itself down to the utility room and hopped into the washer, so I guess I'm going to have to do it myself - You folks all take care out there; stay safe (and sane, if you can!)
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
We finally got some rain last night and early morning. More is predicted later but its only 40% so unlikely we'll get it. DH said it only filled about two feet in his icb totes that have run off from the gutters. But better than nothing.
I've had three nights of lousy sleep since my lift chair died. DH said we will be getting me another one this week. I'm looking on marketplace for preowned because new ones are so expensive. I've seen a few that look nice but I definitely have to try it out before we buy.
I've had three nights of lousy sleep since my lift chair died. DH said we will be getting me another one this week. I'm looking on marketplace for preowned because new ones are so expensive. I've seen a few that look nice but I definitely have to try it out before we buy.
paxsim2
Senior Member
SB, we tap our tomatoes lightly or shake them to help with pollination. We had a "Tomato Man" who suggested it and it's what I did in greenhouse this winter. I had tomatoes come on my plants which I later killed. The squirrels took bites out them when I left the door due to the heat.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try shaking them and see if it helps. So many blooms, but they are drying up and falling off with no tomatoes or bell peppers. I'm thinking the squash and cukes will be the same way. They just haven't started blooming, yet. Banana peppers are doing great.
Is there a way to attract bees to the garden?
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It's been a busy weekend. Friday we had to cover everything due to a predicted freeze - it only got to 34, but I doubt the tomatoes and peppers would have liked it. Yesterday, we spent 5 hours (sigh!) getting boards for a deck DH is building with the guys from work on our property, and got rid of an old car (2 down, 27 to go - probably not that many, just feels like it some days!). Today, even though it's chilly, we finished all the planting. I haven't removed all the plant coverings because it's windy and still pretty cold (50ish).
I need to get some tea made and a few other things ready for the week. I start radiation tomorrow - DH is going for the first day, just to see how things go. This will mean my work day will start at 0615 and a lot of paperwork. I wanted to have some meals made up and in the freezer, but I don't have the time - or the room in the freezer. I really need to get them cleaned out!
I need to get some tea made and a few other things ready for the week. I start radiation tomorrow - DH is going for the first day, just to see how things go. This will mean my work day will start at 0615 and a lot of paperwork. I wanted to have some meals made up and in the freezer, but I don't have the time - or the room in the freezer. I really need to get them cleaned out!
Need your input - I have some pork steaks in the freezer. It has never been my favorite cut of meat, so I was thinking of cooking it like I do pork roast (marinated in brown sugar, spices and liquid smoke) shredding and canning for 'instant pulled pork'. What do you think?
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Vinegar soak for half hour should help too
briches
Veteran Member
Hubby’s hobby is growing tomatoes (And lots of them). He’s become quite the expert. I asked him what would cause this and he said heat. He tries to shade his tomatoes a bit when temps get over 90 degrees.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Ps: peach tree my son bought me last year for birthday, is LOADED!
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Sometimes you have to agitate the plants to get em going. Shake em a bit. Always helps mine.
briches
Veteran Member
Hubby plants marigolds which can help some. They also help keep pests away. Hubby shakes his tomatoes too. I tease him when he “tickles his tomatoes”. Lol
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks! That may be the problem. It has been way too hot here for this time of year. The garden plants haven't really had enough time to develop good deep root systems, yet. Thankfully, this week will be much cooler. Only in the 80's which will give everything, including us, a break.
LOL. Before it started raining, I went out and gave everything a good shake down. I told the tomato and pepper plants that if shaking them didn't make them straighten up, I would choke them next go around......
And......It's Raining!
ETA. I also have marigolds planted in with the tomatoes. I always do that.
briches
Veteran Member
Praying for you moldy!
We had son‘s college graduation yesterday. It was a wonderful day of fun and celebration.
School is almost done for me for the summer, and I am ready for a break.
I continue working my lists and adding to our pantry as we use things up. I feel like we are about to have even tougher times ahead and just pray my efforts will be enough.
Slow and steady -
We had son‘s college graduation yesterday. It was a wonderful day of fun and celebration.
School is almost done for me for the summer, and I am ready for a break.
I continue working my lists and adding to our pantry as we use things up. I feel like we are about to have even tougher times ahead and just pray my efforts will be enough.
Slow and steady -
briches
Veteran Member
Thanks! That may be the problem. It has been way too hot here for this time of year. The garden plants haven't really had enough time to develop good deep root systems, yet. Thankfully, this week will be much cooler. Only in the 80's which will give everything, including us, a break.
LOL. Before it started raining, I went out and gave everything a good shake down. I told the tomato and pepper plants that if shaking them didn't make them straighten up, I would choke them next go around......
And......It's Raining!
ETA. I also have marigolds planted in with the tomatoes. I always do that.
For newly established tomatoes, it’s especially important to shade them when it’s really hot until they get a bit more established.
Hubby has become known as “tomato man” in our neighborhood.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
I got the boys 4-H fair stuff hung up in cabin. They have 4 projects so far. I put small nail on each side of the frames and tied a piece of skinny rope to that. Now it can be hung.
Noah is working on a huge coliseum that is almost 2000 pcs. Levi will do one too. I'm trying to cap them at 6 projects each LOL. Levi will also can his beets he's growing.
They are having a great time with the kittens in the cabin.
By the time I get done what has to get done, I'm too tired to worry too much about the world. It is what it is and all we can do is work on our little area.
Awana is out for the summer. They are on in soccer team. Due to prices of gas and everything else, we will be staying home a lot. But plenty to do here.
Noah is working on a huge coliseum that is almost 2000 pcs. Levi will do one too. I'm trying to cap them at 6 projects each LOL. Levi will also can his beets he's growing.
They are having a great time with the kittens in the cabin.
By the time I get done what has to get done, I'm too tired to worry too much about the world. It is what it is and all we can do is work on our little area.
Awana is out for the summer. They are on in soccer team. Due to prices of gas and everything else, we will be staying home a lot. But plenty to do here.
Thank you all so much for posting - We all hear so much bad news and warnings; it warms my heart to know that there are folks out there working to keep themselves, and their families cared for and safe. Such a blessing you all are to me! Family things got in the way of getting the stuff I wanted to plant today in the ground, but I only have four things on my to-do list for tomorrow - go to the sale barn for another load of composted manure, go to the pool with the neighbor lady to exercise, take a pre-work nap, and then go to work. I should be able to get it all done without any problems. The plants can wait a week or more to go in to the ground if needs be; but with more rain in the forecast, I didn't want to wait to get the compost - once I get it home I'll make sure that the back end is over grass rather than rocks. And then I'll make sure I tilt the trailer enough so any excess liquid will run out; and then I will tarp it with the black tarp - when we do finally get some sun and warmer weather again, it should dry out fairly well and be easy to move to the garden.
I'm concerned about work - not my job so much, but what our CNAs (and other employees in lower paying positions - housekeeping, culinary, phlebotomy, etc...) are going to do if fuel goes up to $10/gallon? My favorite CNA makes $12/hr and drives 40 miles each way to work - it will cost her at least 3 hours worth of her pay each day she works to get to and from work. Luckily, our shifts are 12.5 hours, so only 3 days a week; but who can afford that on $12/hr?
Sammy55
Veteran Member
I'm relatively new to this this part of TB. I've checked it out a time or two, but life has been too busy to actually read too much or even post. My DH has had medical problems/surgery/treatments for the past over 4 years, so all of that - and the worries! - have been taking a lot of my time. But I'm trying to get a handle on things now and get back to "getting prepared and prepped up." So, I figured this thread would be a good place to keep myself on track. I hope....
I've got a disaster of a house. Preps all over the place. And everything needs to be organized, put in its place, and cleaned good. We've been talking about selling and moving so that we can handle the house and yard work easier, but with TSHTF forecast, I don't know if we'll be able to do it fast enough. Our house is in no shape right now to list it! So, cleaning and organizing is top on my list, as well as getting the garden beds cleaned out and planted. And if selling and moving is what God wants for us, He'll let us know and show us the way to get there.
I also have a messy office that I'm working to get a handle on. Lots of paperwork being sorted and put where it's supposed to be - filed, boxed up, in the garbage. Never ending project!
I bought 6 blueberry plants and 3 Nanking cherry bushes that I need to get planted. That's on my list for tomorrow, along with cleaning out some garden beds.
I bought 55 gallon barrels last year and had them cut the long way (top to bottom) and filled with dirt. Those are my garden beds. 48 of them (24 barrels cut into two). They work for me so far. It's less bending that I need to do and that is easier on my arthritic back and hip. But it would be easier if the upright frames were made. We have the lumber for most of the frames. But DH wasn't able to physically make the frames, and DS and DGS didn't come over last year to make them either before I had to have them planted. So I'm hoping and praying that the frames can get made within the next week or two so that I can get those beds raised up and easier for me to plant and tend. Any one want to come over and help make the frames? I'll spring for dinner for ya! LOL!!
I also have to finish raking the lawn. The grass needs to be mowed, but there are still a few areas that need to be raked. I'm almost ready to say, "just mow it all over!" But I'd rather have those pieces of wood and bark (from hauling firewood to the house this winter) all raked up. That has to get done this week as we need to get the lawn mowed.
I don't work anymore (retired early for medical reasons). But I do have a couple of meetings this week and DH's oncology appointment and a car fix appointment and my doctor appointment, so it'll be a busy week. But I've got a list going and hoping to get some of the above projects done or at on their way to being done.
Hope you all have a great week! And hope that we all make good strides to being ready for whatever is coming!
I've got a disaster of a house. Preps all over the place. And everything needs to be organized, put in its place, and cleaned good. We've been talking about selling and moving so that we can handle the house and yard work easier, but with TSHTF forecast, I don't know if we'll be able to do it fast enough. Our house is in no shape right now to list it! So, cleaning and organizing is top on my list, as well as getting the garden beds cleaned out and planted. And if selling and moving is what God wants for us, He'll let us know and show us the way to get there.
I also have a messy office that I'm working to get a handle on. Lots of paperwork being sorted and put where it's supposed to be - filed, boxed up, in the garbage. Never ending project!
I bought 6 blueberry plants and 3 Nanking cherry bushes that I need to get planted. That's on my list for tomorrow, along with cleaning out some garden beds.
I bought 55 gallon barrels last year and had them cut the long way (top to bottom) and filled with dirt. Those are my garden beds. 48 of them (24 barrels cut into two). They work for me so far. It's less bending that I need to do and that is easier on my arthritic back and hip. But it would be easier if the upright frames were made. We have the lumber for most of the frames. But DH wasn't able to physically make the frames, and DS and DGS didn't come over last year to make them either before I had to have them planted. So I'm hoping and praying that the frames can get made within the next week or two so that I can get those beds raised up and easier for me to plant and tend. Any one want to come over and help make the frames? I'll spring for dinner for ya! LOL!!
I also have to finish raking the lawn. The grass needs to be mowed, but there are still a few areas that need to be raked. I'm almost ready to say, "just mow it all over!" But I'd rather have those pieces of wood and bark (from hauling firewood to the house this winter) all raked up. That has to get done this week as we need to get the lawn mowed.
I don't work anymore (retired early for medical reasons). But I do have a couple of meetings this week and DH's oncology appointment and a car fix appointment and my doctor appointment, so it'll be a busy week. But I've got a list going and hoping to get some of the above projects done or at on their way to being done.
Hope you all have a great week! And hope that we all make good strides to being ready for whatever is coming!
Barry Natchitoches
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Welcome to our part of the website, Sammy55!
This is the pleasant - even uplifting - side of the web forum.
No doom and gloom here (well, relatively little). Here we all share and work together to make the best situation possible - now and in the future - for ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods and for out TB2K friends.
We are really glad you found us.
And don’t worry about your messy house. This is not Zoom - we cannot see it, anyway! My grandmother used to say that a messy house is one that people truly LIVE in.
So, set a spell and join us! You’ll be glad you did.
This is the pleasant - even uplifting - side of the web forum.
No doom and gloom here (well, relatively little). Here we all share and work together to make the best situation possible - now and in the future - for ourselves, our families, our neighborhoods and for out TB2K friends.
We are really glad you found us.
And don’t worry about your messy house. This is not Zoom - we cannot see it, anyway! My grandmother used to say that a messy house is one that people truly LIVE in.
So, set a spell and join us! You’ll be glad you did.
Barry Natchitoches
Has No Life - Lives on TB
SB,
I had some blossoms drop on my tomato plants this week, too. 90+ degree heat is hard on a still growing tomato plant. But don’t worry. You will get more blossoms, and next week will not be so hot.
I had some blossoms drop on my tomato plants this week, too. 90+ degree heat is hard on a still growing tomato plant. But don’t worry. You will get more blossoms, and next week will not be so hot.
JasmineAndLace
Senior Member
Our temperatures here have been running in the 40's and 50's with rain, rain, rain. I'm sure as soon as the rain stops we will zoom up into the 80's to 90's and that just isn't good for plants or people either one. I have a lot planted in containers on my back porch as well as some raised beds--now just need to figure out how to keep the deer, rabbits and squirrels out of them.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
Holy Smokes - a half barrel would weigh a ton - take one hell of a stout wood frame >>> I'd take something like concrete block stand over wood any day ....
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WanderLore
Veteran Member
Yes I'm thinking cement blocks too for that.
We cut barrels in half long ways years ago for dog houses. They work good. Igloos are for the other mutts.
Doc appt and errands today. It's turned cooler again, was 40s in cabin this morning. Warm up for weekend.
Welcome to you new folks to our prep discussion!
We cut barrels in half long ways years ago for dog houses. They work good. Igloos are for the other mutts.
Doc appt and errands today. It's turned cooler again, was 40s in cabin this morning. Warm up for weekend.
Welcome to you new folks to our prep discussion!
It has been cool since our rain. Yesterday we got a lot done. We unloaded what fire wood was left in the porch wood rack and cleaned under it. Then put down a new tarp and refilled the rack all the way full. We are ready for fall. The tarp is under the rack on one side then folds over the wood to keep blowing rain or snow off.
Next I cleaned the porch off of the clutter that had acclimated. Most of it either went to the barn or the trash. I also cleaned my old rabbit barn. It is just a cattle panel hoop house with a tarp. I need to take it apart and rebuild it. I still have a few items to take to the barn. Mostly feeders and such. We don't have rabbits anymore. I use it to isolate chickens or to pen them before butchering.
Hubby worked on our old hay mower. It is repaired and ready to cut hay when we get enough dry days. We are expecting rain the next several days. The hay needs to be cut soon.
I set out part of my tomatoes. I still have some more and some peppers to set out. Maybe I will get some done today. Slow and steady really adds up in the projects completed.
Next I cleaned the porch off of the clutter that had acclimated. Most of it either went to the barn or the trash. I also cleaned my old rabbit barn. It is just a cattle panel hoop house with a tarp. I need to take it apart and rebuild it. I still have a few items to take to the barn. Mostly feeders and such. We don't have rabbits anymore. I use it to isolate chickens or to pen them before butchering.
Hubby worked on our old hay mower. It is repaired and ready to cut hay when we get enough dry days. We are expecting rain the next several days. The hay needs to be cut soon.
I set out part of my tomatoes. I still have some more and some peppers to set out. Maybe I will get some done today. Slow and steady really adds up in the projects completed.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wouldn't ya know it?!!!! The coons raided my mulberry tree! 
I wasn't planning to use them for anything, but they make for some delicious eats for snacking.
We finally got some much needed rain and cooler temps. It's still pretty humid, though. It looks like it could start raining again any minute. I'm not going to complain. It might just be what our gardens need right now. I got all my laundry done and sun dried, so it can rain for a few days, before I need to do laundry again. Cary missed the opportunity to get the yard mowed, before the rain set in, but if it begins to look shabby, folks will just think we're trying to conserve gas, and not mowing as often.........partly true.
Welcome to all our newcomers! It's my favorite part of the forum. I've learned so much by hanging out here. It also offers me a "safe space" from the doom, gloom, and insanity on the rest of the forum.
I wasn't planning to use them for anything, but they make for some delicious eats for snacking.We finally got some much needed rain and cooler temps. It's still pretty humid, though. It looks like it could start raining again any minute. I'm not going to complain. It might just be what our gardens need right now. I got all my laundry done and sun dried, so it can rain for a few days, before I need to do laundry again. Cary missed the opportunity to get the yard mowed, before the rain set in, but if it begins to look shabby, folks will just think we're trying to conserve gas, and not mowing as often.........partly true.
Welcome to all our newcomers! It's my favorite part of the forum. I've learned so much by hanging out here. It also offers me a "safe space" from the doom, gloom, and insanity on the rest of the forum.
Ordinary Girl
Veteran Member
Hi everyone, this is my first time on this section of TB, I never knew it existed. I know I will learn from all of you and I definitely have a lot to learn.
I have been buying meat lately. High quality beef at unbelievably low prices, chicken when I can find it and pork roasts. I e been vacuum sealing and freezing it all. I now have 6 freezers and am at the point that I MUST learn to can. I have had an all American pressure canner for years but haven’t used it because I’m terrified I will do it wrong and kill my family. Seriously. But, the time has come to ‘man up’ and make a go of it.
Between all that I’ve started a very large vegetable garden. This is my first garden as well. I’m really enjoying it though.
I have been buying meat lately. High quality beef at unbelievably low prices, chicken when I can find it and pork roasts. I e been vacuum sealing and freezing it all. I now have 6 freezers and am at the point that I MUST learn to can. I have had an all American pressure canner for years but haven’t used it because I’m terrified I will do it wrong and kill my family. Seriously. But, the time has come to ‘man up’ and make a go of it.
Between all that I’ve started a very large vegetable garden. This is my first garden as well. I’m really enjoying it though.
Well, no sale barn compost today - the rain that was in the forecast for Tuesday night showed up last night instead, so it is way too wet for them to get in to load it - not to mention it would take a week to dry out enough for me to be able to move it! (I'm getting wimpy in my old age.) Way I look at it - It might as well dry out in their lot as in my trailer.
With the cool temps (high 40's right now; then up in to the low 60's) plus more rain in the forecast starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I'm just going to have to be satisfied with planting the raised beds and figuring out the rest of it as I go - I reckon I can always plant the garden with the rows a bit wider and put the compost down in the paths in between the rows and till it in - the plants should still be able to get some good from it.
It's wet enough that I don't think that Hubby is going to be able to mow the yard today - gonna be a jungle out there by the time we can get it done!! Oh, and once the rain stops, it's supposed to be in the mid to high 80's temperature wise... Gotta love this weather!! Oh well, at least the weeds should be easy to pull out of the ground
Well, my ride to the pool will be here shortly; time to go round up my suit and swim bag. Then it will be home for a nap, and then up a little early to either fix something for my work lunches or to head to town early enough to hit Lee's for chicken strips - the 5 piece meal will feed me both of my work days with a little left over.
Take care all; wishing you a safe and happy week!
With the cool temps (high 40's right now; then up in to the low 60's) plus more rain in the forecast starting Tuesday evening and continuing through Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I'm just going to have to be satisfied with planting the raised beds and figuring out the rest of it as I go - I reckon I can always plant the garden with the rows a bit wider and put the compost down in the paths in between the rows and till it in - the plants should still be able to get some good from it.
It's wet enough that I don't think that Hubby is going to be able to mow the yard today - gonna be a jungle out there by the time we can get it done!! Oh, and once the rain stops, it's supposed to be in the mid to high 80's temperature wise... Gotta love this weather!! Oh well, at least the weeds should be easy to pull out of the ground
Well, my ride to the pool will be here shortly; time to go round up my suit and swim bag. Then it will be home for a nap, and then up a little early to either fix something for my work lunches or to head to town early enough to hit Lee's for chicken strips - the 5 piece meal will feed me both of my work days with a little left over.
Take care all; wishing you a safe and happy week!
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
second & thirdly reason for cement blocks is their possible use for planters - the open cores can be filled and used for production or for some flowery decoration ....
Good morning everyone, I sure envy those of you with homesteads. I miss gardening terribly. I know it sounds silly but my favorite thing to do was pull radishes and onions. The thrill of finding the really good ones.
I keep adding to my preps a little here and there and added a bucket of wheat and lentils today. If we don't use them my friends will. I see that my grain grinders are worth more than gold now with the price increases. I have the good one that I can grind everything with and also a cheaper one. I sold my new canner to a friend on here. Can't do that much work anymore.
I hope against hope that somehow this all works out but I don't hold out much hope. Good luck everyone with your gardens.
I keep adding to my preps a little here and there and added a bucket of wheat and lentils today. If we don't use them my friends will. I see that my grain grinders are worth more than gold now with the price increases. I have the good one that I can grind everything with and also a cheaper one. I sold my new canner to a friend on here. Can't do that much work anymore.
I hope against hope that somehow this all works out but I don't hold out much hope. Good luck everyone with your gardens.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I hadn't been to walmart in a month. Prices high and several holes on the shelves and many things spread out. I spent almost $200 and for me that is a lot. I did buy quite a few different kinds of frozen veggies. I got a nice package of ribs for DH for father's day. I figured I'd better get it while the getting was good. The only canned food was two cans of artichoke hearts. A couple packages of ham steaks. Their 88 cents a loaf crappy white bread has gone up to 93 cents and there wasn't a lot of it. I got two loaves for the freezer. Even the crappy bread is okay for a sandwich from time to time. I've still got stuff to put away, but all the cold and frozen things are put away. I also got a rotisserie chicken, I was tired.
I also picked up commodities, we got two whole chickens. DH went ho hum but I was glad to get them, he really only like fried chicken and chicken salad.
I also picked up commodities, we got two whole chickens. DH went ho hum but I was glad to get them, he really only like fried chicken and chicken salad.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Judy, what do artichoke hearts taste like? I was offered a large can.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
They are probably an acquired taste, I’ll have to open a can and let you know, in New Orleans it’s popular to stuff them and you tear a leaf off and scrape the contents off with your teeth and oh my how delicious ETA: This is prepared with a whole artichoke.
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Artichokes taste like NO OTHER VEGETABLE...I like them in water not oil....good in salads, Greek pizzas (no red sauce...add garlic minced, just a little, sliced olives, red onions( minced), dried tomato bits, artichokes and a good white cheese) can't remember what kind of sauce............google it.........
DH loves fresh artichokes. One way I use the canned ones is a take on stuffed artichokes. I make a breadcrumb stuffing with garlic, herbs, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and of course, breadcrumbs ( I like to mix various breads, but especially whole wheat). I put the drained artichokes in a baking dish in a single layer and spread the stuffing over them. Bake at 350 f. till everything is hot and cooked through. Not quite like fresh, but good enough in its own right.
