Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 28 ~ December 4, 2021

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ReneeT

Veteran Member
Good Morning, All!! What is happening on the prep front at your place this week?

I'm holding back on spending at the moment in case I need to take a leave of absence/get fired from work due to not taking the vax, so my prep chores are mostly going to consist of trying to organize what I have, and beginning another inventory since things haven't been being added or subtracted from the lists, and things have been carried down to the storerooms but not put away.

I have a few other things on the list this week like dealing with the Social Security birthdate issue, finishing mowing off the gardens (when/if it's dry enough), gathering more of the hardy herbs and plants to hang them to dry for use this winter, and checking the seed company websites to see if I can place an order.

A bit later today, I need to run over to daughter's house and clean out her fridge, then make a run to the Evil Empire to pick up things like milk, eggs and bread to restock since they will get home late this evening.

Tomorrow, after I get back from the big town, I want to make up a few dishes to put in the freezer - enchiladas, bbq meatballs, more meatloaf mix, some side dishes like hash brown cassarole; then bag up and season some veggies to use for sheet pan meals - I'll add in shrimp, chicken, or smoked sausage when I'm ready to bake them.

Then I'll try to not to worry about the SNAFU going on at work - at least I've sort of caught up on sleep the past couple of days...

Take care all; wishing you all a safe, productive, and hopefully happy week!
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, I got up this morning with my Interstitial cystitis acting up big time. Not feeling well at all, and so much pain. I'm taking D-Mannose and AZO, and laying off all spicy foods for awhile. Our home fellowship has been canceled for today.

Tuesday morning, Cary goes back for another follow up check with his MD. He's doing great, though. I'm not going with him, since tracking says that our Mountain House order is to arrive that day. I want to be home for that, since they leave it at the gate at the road. We don't want to take a chance that someone will steal it if I don't go out when they leave it. They always honk to let us know they're out there.

Wednesday, is pay day, but I'm waiting til Thursday to go shopping in Big town. We generally don't go into Big town this time of year, but I want to go to Aldi's, and it's in Big town. Sam's, too. I'm going to try to get all my shopping done that day for the next 2 weeks. I hope I can get all my groceries at Aldi's. It's a nightmare trying to go to the Walmart in this town! The animals are very tribal, and you're almost taking your life in your hands by going there. It has gotten down right dangerous. It's so bad that cops patrol the parking lot and inside the store. Kroger is just as bad. On top of all that, we've got to venture to the mall. Cary's new watch needs the band resized, and we have to take it to Jared's to get it done. It's in the mall. We'll have to be in full battle gear when we go there. All in all, I'm not looking forward to this shopping trip.

Sometime in the next 2 weeks, Mom wants to go back for a visit/ stay with my aunt (her sister) in Alabama. We'll have to take her if youngest DS doesn't. To tell you the truth, I don't want to venture that far away from home, but Mom still has her head in the sand with a lot of things. There's no talking her out of it, once she makes up her mind. I don't know what I'm going to do with her.......at 81, she's set in her ways.

Wishing everyone a great week!
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Last Sunday we went to walmart, I could hardly stay on my feet I was so tired. And just bought a few things. I had a hard time just getting out of the truck.

Today we went to walmart, I needed box bottoms, and I bought two things, but walked around the store. Then we went to Dollar Tree, the one in this small town still has $1 prices. I only bought a handfull of things. Then we went to the local chicken place where we get chicken livers.
When we got home I was not wiped out, just somewhat tired.

such a difference in the week apart trips.

I got box bottoms and only two other things. We did not need anything and I have no desire to stock more.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
M

moldy

Veteran Member
We had an awesome Thanksgiving, and I got to spend some much needed time in my apothecary today. I finished up my story on here (that also needed to get done). Besides work this week, I need to dig burdock and marshmallow, work on canning sweet potatoes (they were 33c/lb here last week!!), and maybe decorate for Christmas. And start Christmas cookies - that's probably the most important thing!!
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have a carton of eggs in the fridge that are about a month old. How do you tell if they are too old to use? Seems like I remember someone saying that if they float in a bowl of water, they are too old. Am I remembering that right?
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
moldy said:
That's exactly right, SB. Fresh eggs will sink. If they float, pitch them. If they are somewhere in the middle, I'll use them for baking if they smell and look ok when cracked open.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I got one out of the carton to make a hard boiled egg, and it floated in the water. I threw it away, cause I couldn't remember if that was a sign of a bad egg or not. Guess I'll throw out the whole carton just to be safe.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
This thread doesn't have many posts. I'm thinking its because most who post here are prepped up and/or after holiday resting or a combination of both.

I'm still working on the pantry room. The two remaining wooden bookcases are almost cleaned off, they will go in my brother's room in the cabin. And He said I can put my books on them or rather some of my books that are in stacks with no shelves for them.. "A room without out books is like a body without a soul"-Cicero. I've always loved that quote.

We have one more shelving unit to put together, Dh is getting a lot faster at putting them together. The only downside with these shelves are the wire shelves where something solid is needed under cans to keep them upright. DH has some luon that he is cutting for some of the shelves. The flats/box bottoms hold the cans very nicely and can be stacked on top of each other. I have some things stacked 4 cases high and they stay just fine. The plastic shelves that I did have started to bow with 3 cases high.

God is good all the time

judy
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm continuing to add to my stock every time I go grocery shopping. Thinking of ordering more Moutain House food for long term, too. Until my house explodes, I'll continue to add more food storage as long as it's available, and we can afford it. I'm shooting for 2 years worth of pantry food and 2 years of LTS food. I'm so glad that Cary is in agreement with me on it. Rotation, rotation, rotation......
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
We had a good Thanksgiving. Two of them actually. I cooked on Saturday and we are still eating leftovers. Tomorrow I will freeze some servings for a quick meal.

We moved some of the lumber out of hubbys parents carport. We just parked it in the barn yesterday. Today is my day to have the grandkids, so tomorrow we will work on it if hubby's back is up to it. We still have more lumber to load and bring home. I am very happy to have this extra lumber and the big load we bought.

We saw a bobcat crossing our driveway as we came home this afternoon. It is the first one we have seen here in years.

I feel like I need to purge some of this stuff we will never use. Cleaning out the in-laws house has me thinking about what the kids will have to deal with when we are gone. So far I have one small trash bag to donate. I have to much in the attic that needs to go.
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
Well. I was fighting that nasty cold for two weeks. Had vertigo which I never do. Exhausted. Didn't do very much, just what I had to.
I'm at my son's for the night. I stay here off and on when he has long shifts. It's nice and clean and quiet.
It is snowing very heavy. I drove over to dollar general which is just a couple miles. Jeep was covered in heavy snow in just the 20 minutes I was in there. Nasty mess.

I've been working a bit on cleaning for the big Christmas party. It's a lot. With several other people living in the house, it needs cleaned more.
My daughter and her man have been at odds so each staying in their rooms.
Thanksgiving was just a baked chicken and sides and was really good. But daughter stayed in her room. Her man came down, fixed a plate ate and went back up. Didn't speak to anyone.
Son came over for dinner but left after awhile since there was noticable tension. So it was basically me, hubs and the boys at the table. We tried to make it nice for them.
I took the boys to the little Christmas parade. It was well done but pouring wet slush snow and very cold.
I haven't been staying in my cabin as I just couldn't get up the snuff to keep the coal stove going.
So I'm stuck up in my hubs rooms and man cave. Cave is accurate. I'm sleeping on the ancient broke lazy boy. 4 dogs up there. The old dog in the chair with me, who has been sick and coughs and hacks a lot. Honey is better than cough syrup as he was having diarrhea from it.
The rooms need cleaned, painted etc so bad. I get overwhelmed up there. I clean daily but hubs, God love him, is a slob and a Horder big time. He pitches a fit if I try to clean much. It's really filthy.
So I'm trying to clean it enough to sleep up there, and I believe I will get back to my cabin.

The jeep had car repairs that were almost 900$.
I did find the free tables at the dump though and left some stuff and got some really nice stuff for gifts too.

I went to Walmart today, get the boys some boots as they literally have no shoes. Got the turkey and ham. Other items. Store was well stocked.
We don't need much of anything praise the Lord.

There weren't any activities this past week due to holiday but they start back this week for the boys. They are doing splendid with their guitar playing. I feel sad for them though. They miss kids. It's always been hard to make friends here people don't include you unless they have known you forever.
I'm always looking for things for the boys to do. They do have their buddy on the corner and we went down to visit yesterday for awhile then brought him home with us for a few hours.

That's about it from here. I wish I was able to work part time, jobs paying good everywhere. I'll keep looking.

Sorry for the dissertation lol. Read Judy's post so thought I'd just tell it all.

Many things to get done. Miles to go before I sleep.
 
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philkar

Veteran Member
nomifyle said:
Last Sunday we went to walmart, I could hardly stay on my feet I was so tired. And just bought a few things. I had a hard time just getting out of the truck.

Today we went to walmart, I needed box bottoms, and I bought two things, but walked around the store. Then we went to Dollar Tree, the one in this small town still has $1 prices. I only bought a handfull of things. Then we went to the local chicken place where we get chicken livers.
When we got home I was not wiped out, just somewhat tired.

such a difference in the week apart trips.

I got box bottoms and only two other things. We did not need anything and I have no desire to stock more.

God is good all the time

Judy
Click to expand...
That's good news Judy!
 
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philkar

Veteran Member
Well I think everyone is slow to post due to added work of Christmas and just taking stock. Deciding which pieces of doom porn to embrace and what is truth. My headspace gets cluttered after a while! We removed peanuts from the dryer and parched some of them for me to use in cookies. After parching I grind them into peanut butter with a little added peanut oil.
We are still cleaning yard and gardens. I have just cataloged the seed for next year. We straightened our paper goods pantry. On Sunday I get a new baby! Yes I know totally not needed...but totally wanted! Pic following!
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
Oh how precious!

Ps: ran in to Kroger today also. Very tall very large black woman standing ringing the red kettle bell.
We have very very few black people in our county.
I thought about the thread on the SA comments and chuckled. Just the situation.
Most of the bell ringers here are on public benefits and are required to work the red kettle certain number hours a week, paid about $8.00 an hour
 
briches

briches

Veteran Member
Morning all. Just wanted to chime in and say hello. I haven’t gotten much prepping done this week - just enjoying reading here when I can and back to work yesterday.
Hubby and I had an enjoyable Thanksgiving break.I’m starting to learn (and trying to convince myself) that as my boys get older (they are young adults), that holidays might look a little different and that’s okay. I do treasure the time when we are able to get together.

Hope everyone reading this has a joyful day.
 
hiwall

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We were gone to Colorado for a week to spend the holiday with our kids. We all had a great time.
Talked some about prepping (they have always been onboard).

Home safe now and though we Never go shopping, we are considering a trip to the closest small city for a day of shopping for things that we cannot have shipped. Maybe also do a walk-through of the stores to pick up things we have not thought of yet.
It seems like the time of chaos is fast approaching.
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
WanderLore said:
Oh how precious!

Ps: ran in to Kroger today also. Very tall very large black woman standing ringing the red kettle bell.
We have very very few black people in our county.
I thought about the thread on the SA comments and chuckled. Just the situation.
Most of the bell ringers here are on public benefits and are required to work the red kettle certain number hours a week, paid about $8.00 an hour
Click to expand...

I have mental laz about nephew that rings the bell this time of the year - he uses the opportunity to work the shoppers for personal tips $$$ by "helping" people with their packages ....

most people actually think the bell ringers are volunteers and are surprised when they snarl & bite .....
 
M

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
Well if you want really friendly, socialized chickens, buy them from a little girl! I got some mutt chickens from a kid, and they are the friendliest hens I've had in years. And they didn't miss a beat in laying when they got moved. So nice to have good eggs again! The only problem is they're used to free ranging, and none of that here. Too many coyotes. I am going to have to re-inforce the coop to keep them from getting out.
Went yesterday and ran a bunch of errands in the big town. I hate to go there anymore. We have no farm supply in our little town, and I had to have new chicken waterers. They only had one kind of plastic ones and I couldn't figure out how to get them together. The clerk had a hard time with them too, but he finally got his together. I gave up and decided that dh would have to do it when I got home.
Wanted some new tools. Dh ran over my fan rake with the tractor after he dropped it in the tall grass and didn't pick it up. They had no rakes or pitchforks at all.
Went to the library and stocked up. I've got enough books to last me the rest of the year and finish out my Goodreads challenge. I even got the latest Bess Crawford that I've been wanting to read. What I missed most about lock down was the library being closed.
Puppy chewed another leash in two. I'm glad I bought extra ones with my last Chewy order. She brought a dirt clod to bed with her last night. No matter how often I sweep, she finds some trash to eat.
Oh well, break time's over. I've got a couple hundred pounds of feed to unload and regular barn chores to do and I need to get some more firestarters.
Hope everybody has a good week!
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
When my oldest son got married I decided i would never have to cook a holiday meal. That was around '05 and I've not cooked one since. No matter that my sons are not speaking to me, well the youngest relented, I'm still not cooking much during the holidays.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
When my oldest son got married I decided i would never have to cook a holiday meal. That was around '05 and I've not cooked one since. No matter that my sons are not speaking to me, well the youngest relented, I'm still not cooking much during the holidays.

God is good all the time

Judy
Click to expand...


Cooking for the holidays is one of my favorite things to do. I don't do it as much now that the boys are grown, but Cary still appreciates it. He still likes homemade Christmas cookies, candy, and pies. When we have a family gathering, I don't have all the cooking to do. Everyone brings a dish or two.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
SouthernBreeze said:
Cooking for the holidays is one of my favorite things to do. I don't do it as much now that the boys are grown, but Cary still appreciates it. When we have a family gathering, I don't have all the cooking to do. Everyone brings a dish or two.
Click to expand...
I'm just not that fond of cooking and unfortunately DH doesn't like a lot of what I cook, so except for the things he does like there is no sense in getting my feelings hurt. He likes everything fried (although I've noticed that he is cooking some things in the oven lately) and I never learned how to deep fry (Its not that healthy). So he is cooking some things and I cook things for myself.

It is truly a blessing to be able to do things for myself after covid. I've always done for myself but when I was sick I couldn't, if I got out of my chair I had a tendancy to fall.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
Man it really snowed last night. Chatted with son when he got home. Then 20mph all the way to the farm.
It will be mostly melted by days end.
Hubs asked me what I want for Christmas. I said clean your rooms. So I'm holding him to it.

Got the holiday cards and party invites out. Have to do a little shop tomorrow but that should be it.
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
There is so much food in the house but hubs always wants to go out to eat.
I told him one year that I was going to serve him little Debbie's, chips, and candy and that was Christmas dinner lol.

Everyone is bringing something and other than a few things I'm letting daughter and her man do the rest of the cooking. They seem to have made up.

I'm not going to do an overabundance of cleaning. Make it festive but I don't think anyone will care.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Mom is taking us, our DS's/DDIL, my niece/her family, and my nephew all out for our Christmas dinner together. She does this every year. I just hope we can pull it off, again, without killing each other! Yeah, it can get that bad, almost. Niece, her husband, plus both of her daughters are radical leftists. Her brother, my nephew, is gay, and a radical leftist. Hope he doesn't bring his boyfriend! Both, niece and nephew are outspoken, and wants everyone to listen to what they have to say on any subject. You do not disagree, or fur will fly. I'll be so glad when this ordeal is over!

Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day, we'll have our small family gathering at our house the same as Thanksgiving. So peaceful.
 
Seeker22

Seeker22

Has No Life - Lives on TB
nomifyle said:
/snip/"A room without out books is like a body without a soul"-Cicero. I've always loved that quote.
Click to expand...

A room without books AND houseplants is like that for me. I heat with Propane, so don't remember if gas is bad for houseplants? Maybe somebody can school me? I'd really like to put some plants back in here but don't want to kill the poor things.

The project for this week is building a second Chicken Coop which will be a growout pen for the young chooks and hopefully have a few seedlings under grow lights, too. Ran out of cattle panel that we were using to make the skeleton for this thing. Was bummed for a few hours and then realised we had a stash of those behind the Cabin. Yay! Work continues apace.

Does anybody know a fast growing vine that can live in dry, hot areas and isn't deadly to chickens and rabbits? I need to put some green over a few things out here. Prepping for times when I might not have electricity to run A/C.

I too, need to work in my apothecary. Being your own doctor is work.
 
Seeker22

Seeker22

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks for the good news, ya'll! My Mom and I used to grow African Violets in a wick water system. I still have the planter she bought 30 years ago. I am slowly finding ceramic double stack wick water planters at the Thrift. They are so expensive new. There are certain things from my younger days I miss and Violets is one of them. Definitely NOT a prep item (unless you put that under Preps That Feed the Spirit). Without those, I'd shrivel up and die.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Seeker22 said:
Thanks for the good news, ya'll! My Mom and I used to grow African Violets in a wick water system. I still have the planter she bought 30 years ago. I am slowly finding ceramic double stack wick water planters at the Thrift. They are so expensive new. There are certain things from my younger days I miss and Violets is one of them. Definitely NOT a prep item (unless you put that under Preps That Feed the Spirit). Without those, I'd shrivel up and die.
Click to expand...

My maternal grandmother got me started with African violets back when I was a teenager. She loved those things, and had many. She rooted me all the colors she had. Sadly, my house doesn't have enough direct sunlight to grow them now. I had a grow light, but I had to get rid of it to have more room in my very small house. I have several low light houseplants, though.
 
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WanderLore

Veteran Member
Seeker22 said:
A room without books AND houseplants is like that for me. I heat with Propane, so don't remember if gas is bad for houseplants? Maybe somebody can school me? I'd really like to put some plants back in here but don't want to kill the poor things.

The project for this week is building a second Chicken Coop which will be a growout pen for the young chooks and hopefully have a few seedlings under grow lights, too. Ran out of cattle panel that we were using to make the skeleton for this thing. Was bummed for a few hours and then realised we had a stash of those behind the Cabin. Yay! Work continues apace.

Does anybody know a fast growing vine that can live in dry, hot areas and isn't deadly to chickens and rabbits? I need to put some green over a few things out here. Prepping for times when I might not have electricity to run A/C.

I too, need to work in my apothecary. Being your own doctor is work.
Click to expand...

I am planning on putting in clamatis next year around cabin. Not sure if I spelled it right.
It's a vine and says not harmful.
Many different colors.
Other than that, I usually plant peas and then green pole beans around the coop. And sunflowers.
Makes good shade and gives back too.
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
Clematis is gorgeous, but quite slow growing. I had a sky blue one I planted to cover a large stump in the front yard. It was stunning in Jube, and always put out a few blooms in September just before frost.

Grapevines make a great dual purpose shade cover. They'll need pruning yearly. But annuals... pole beans or cucumbers, CAN also work.

Summerthyme
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I'd love to have plants and i tried in this current house, but little to no good sunlight. I have a few dust catchers (fake plants) around, they do add some color. I do not have a green thumb)

I'm hoping and praying once we get the pantry room organized (and we are making progress) that the rest of the house will shape up too.

I've decided to move most of my paperbacks (and there are many) to the shelves in my brother's cabin. This will free up several book shelves in my office/computer room for new acquisitions.

ETA: For over a year I watched youtube videos regarding prepping. I'm so sick of the fear mongering. I'm well prepped and don't need or want warnings to stack it to the ceiling. So I've gone through and unfollowed almost all of the prepping video channels that I have been subscribing to, including VP. and a few more on close to the chopping block. If I need information I'll search for it. New people to prepping really do need to watch some of those videos though. I get most of the information I need right here on TB.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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