Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 30-Dec. 6, 2025

M

moldy

Has No Life - Lives on TB
It's the start of a new week. What are all of you doing? I'm prepping for class tomorrow - sweet bread mix (dry) made up to hand out and banana chocolate chip bread is cooling. Applesauce spice and date nut breads are still in the oven.

Will be a busy week at work and I also have class and another few gatherings I need to attend. It will fly by, I'm sure.
 
Thank you, moldy!

I didn't get home from taking care of the granddaughters until midnight (unexpected shift extension for their mom...and then she hit a deer on the way home!), and between the holiday cooking, travel, and then having them all day, I'm about half functional today! I wish I could use some of their energy, rather than be exhausted by it!

This week is the start of my yearly major Christmas sewing. I had the sewing loft all cleaned and organized in the late summer...and then we emptied and organized the storage units. Of course, I found several things I'd been missing for years, so in the sorting process, the loft got recluttered! I think I finally have it in order so I can get busy!
OH... FABRIHOLICS ALERT:

www.nickoftimefabric.com has *every yard* on sale for $4.99

They sell top quality...fabric like you used to be able to buy!

Also, they have a knit fabric called "Own Skin"...it is the most comfortable fabric I've ever found. Ive been using it for nightshirts...its the closest thing to sleeping naked you can get.

Because oldest grandson has severe "texture" issues, he apparently lives in the fleece pants I've made him for Christmas for several years. But fleece is too warm for the warmer months. This year, I'm going to make him a pair of lounge pants from the "Own Skin" fabric...its very lightweight, but opaque, and has enough structure it should hold shape well. I'll find out!

Summerthyme
 
Yes, I totally spaced out that I was posting on the older thread. Duh!

It's that sort of day. This second snow day has totally thrown off my regular Sunday routine. Then again, everyone I was concerned about has been visited by a plow or strong men with shovels, and I see a snow angel did a second pass on my driveway. I am blessed!

I think a nap is in my immediate future.
 
@summerthyme, I'm avoiding looking at that sale. But I keep hoping they get something like the SewLush fleece that Joann's sold. Son loves that texture.

I was debating some of their sherpa fabric but I can't stand the coarse texture sherpa materials.

Household chores today. Realizing that son no longer has even a basic sense of time now. That has led to a few issues. And some other problems. He is now bringing me his blankets to clean and/or dry after a window toss. But doesn't understand why it can't all happen at the same time. It's an improvement, stayed on a bigger problem.

I am trying to give him space for independence that he wants while still keeping him safe. And trying to find all the skill fractures to help him rebuild them. I have no clue how to work on the time one right now.
 
I've been awake since 5:30 am on the phone with Mom. She's really having a hard time. Plus, getting everything ready for home fellowship. I won't be able to start a new thread each time, because of circumstances that might come our way. So, don't wait on me to do it, LOL. Anyone can do it. I usually get on the board early. If I see that a new thread for the week hasn't been started, already, I go ahead and start one. I can't do that every time, though. At 1:30 in the afternoon ( which is when I finally got time to be here), with no new thread started, I was wondering how long, before someone realized that they were posting in the old thread, and started a new one.

We have a full week ahead. Tomorrow is the only day this week that we are free from going somewhere. Good thing. It's supposed to be pouring rain all day, tomorrow.

It's only 44 degrees outside right now with a stiff wind blowing and rainy. It's going to be the same all week. Supposed to get a break from the rain, Wednesday, before it starts up again, Thursday.
 
SouthernBreeze said:
I won't be able to start a new thread each time, because of circumstances that might come our way. So, don't wait on me to do it, LOL. Anyone can do it. I usually get on the board early. If I see that a new thread for the week hasn't been started, already, I go ahead and start one.
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Since I tend to stay up late, I've occasionally started the new thread. Since we had our Thanksgiving meal last night, I was chronologically challenged and spaced out that it was Sunday morning.

I was rather upset this morning when I received a text at 6:14 AM from Walmart regarding order status. Anyone who sends that type of text earlier than at least 8 AM, preferably 9 AM has no sense whatsoever. My reaction when the phone went off was wondering who in the family was having an emergency. Being startled awake triggered my ventricular tachycardia that took five hours to go away. At least it wasn't a family emergency. Then I woke up around 8 AM with my right hand throbbing. Too soon to take another dose of gabapentin for the nerve pai so I put some 5% lidocaine cream on my damaged fingers. It calmed things down enough that I was able to get back to sleep and slept somewhat fitfully until 11 AM.

Feel like crap so far today as a result of the heart rhythm issue. Hopefully that will improve. It sure takes the wind out of my sails. I just want to stay warm and read today. No energy or motivation to do anything else except take a nap or two.

I have an appointment Thursday with my primary care doctor Also should be hearing from the wound clinic regarding scheduling a couple of x-rays, one for my right hand and one for my left foot.
 
I've been reading a lot lately about the benefits of sauna and red light therapy. Sadly, there are no saunas in my little town.

With the help of AI, I have been working to fashion a 1-person, enclosed, infrared sauna in my garage. 3 infrared bulbs plus 3 heat lamps. Each are 250w. Each bulb is plugged into a power strip with individual on/off switches so I can control each bulb individually as well as a Master Kill Switch. On a smart plug so I can turn it on from my phone to pre-heat. Blue tooth speaker nearby with relaxing spa music. An auto-off timer - so I don't cook myself should I fall asleep. Even put a smoke alarm in the garage ...just in case. Towels, eye protection goggles and water at arm's reach. This is gonna be sweeeeeet!

Today, I'll get the final touches done and will be basking in my new sauna all this week. Even hubby is excited to try it. Prepping for a pleasant distraction from winter, with health benefits.
 
feralferret said:
Since I tend to stay up late, I've occasionally started the new thread. Since we had our Thanksgiving meal last night, I was chronologically challenged and spaced out that it was Sunday morning.

I was rather upset this morning when I received a text at 6:14 AM from Walmart regarding order status. Anyone who sends that type of text earlier than at least 8 AM, preferably 9 AM has no sense whatsoever. My reaction when the phone went off was wondering who in the family was having an emergency. Being startled awake triggered my ventricular tachycardia that took five hours to go away. At least it wasn't a family emergency. Then I woke up around 8 AM with my right hand throbbing. Too soon to take another dose of gabapentin for the nerve pai so I put some 5% lidocaine cream on my damaged fingers. It calmed things down enough that I was able to get back to sleep and slept somewhat fitfully until 11 AM.

Feel like crap so far today as a result of the heart rhythm issue. Hopefully that will improve. It sure takes the wind out of my sails. I just want to stay warm and read today. No energy or motivation to do anything else except take a nap or two.

I have an appointment Thursday with my primary care doctor Also should be hearing from the wound clinic regarding scheduling a couple of x-rays, one for my right hand and one for my left foot.
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I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. I'm still praying for you and for your upcoming appointment.

Yeah. Starting a new thread each week is open to all. No certain person or person's responsibility. I guess it's whoever wants to get it started. That's the point I was trying to make. I was sorta discouraged by the fact that it was so late in the day, before anyone had done it, and was still posting in last weeks thread. That's all I will say about it. I sure don't want to make a "mountain" out of something that isn't there.
 
Cold but restful day. Finished editing what a friend says is her last book. She does county histories and they always contain the neatest stories. But the old timers who could tell those stories are disappearing fast.

Moved the surplus of monitors yesterday. 5 of them to check out. DD's suggestion of adapter worked so I am set with 3 monitors for work. Woo-hoo. Put 2 monitors on the old desktop we use for everything not work. Put a monitor on DH'S desktop computer since I had stolen his earlier. That computer is really ready to be scrapped. Scrapping one monitor. Remaining one boxed and stored.

Week is gonna be crazy. 47 hours to work but plenty of breaks. Chili and BBQ for sandwiches ready for meals. Packing for KC. Would like to go Saturday and have a day before the running begins but DH refuses to visit his mom without me so Sunday it is. Have my winter gloves, beanies and scarves out. I don't like coats. I would rather layer 3 zip up hoodies so I can peel as necessary. Will make sure I wash 3 hoodies this week.

Probably won't be out except for school runs and dinner to celebrate anniversary. Kids are one of the few parents in their neighborhood who don't keep children running with tons of extracurricular stuff. Might be guitar lessons because one of the kids want to do so. Neighboring parents live in their cars due to forcing their kids into every available program, often running until bedtime. So stupid.
 
SouthernBreeze said:
I've been awake since 5:30 am on the phone with Mom. She's really having a hard time. Plus, getting everything ready for home fellowship. I won't be able to start a new thread each time, because of circumstances that might come our way. So, don't wait on me to do it, LOL. Anyone can do it. I usually get on the board early. If I see that a new thread for the week hasn't been started, already, I go ahead and start one. I can't do that every time, though. At 1:30 in the afternoon ( which is when I finally got time to be here), with no new thread started, I was wondering how long, before someone realized that they were posting in the old thread, and started a new one.

We have a full week ahead. Tomorrow is the only day this week that we are free from going somewhere. Good thing. It's supposed to be pouring rain all day, tomorrow.

It's only 44 degrees outside right now with a stiff wind blowing and rainy. It's going to be the same all week. Supposed to get a break from the rain, Wednesday, before it starts up again, Thursday.
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Don't stress. I don't think there is a set time for starting a thread and it changes from time to time. Usually there's one person who starts doing it on the regular and nobody wants to step on their toes by jumping in. We appreciate you taking on the job for so long.

Honestly, I think a monthly thread would be better because there's valuable info in some of these threads that just falls off the map. Personally, I'd like to have one big thread like some of the others such as the Q thread...but that's just me.
 
I'm not dragging the pie crust recipe over here but I do want to say, we all just had a piece of the cold pumpkin pie after supper and the crust was the same texture as it was when it was warm last night. It didn't have that slightly tough or greasy texture some crusts do cold. It still had the mouth feel of a shortbread cookie. I could not be happier with it. In the next night or two, we'll be having left over pot pie so we'll see if it's the same too.

It reminds me of a pie crust recipe I used all the time as a newlywed...it was a no roll crust developed by a woman who had lost an arm. I mostly used it to make pumpkin pies because DH really liked them. It was made with oil and that's why it kept it's texture, even cold. I'm going to dig that thing out again and give it a try...just for fun, if I can find it. I suspect both DIL's would be interested.

I predict I'll be back in my fat girl clothes before long lol. My Levi's are already too tight. I'll be back on my protein shakes and intermittent fasting tomorrow.
 
No church online today. I guess 20 people did show up. I was trying to clear up mess on sidewalk left by guy that plowed my driveway. He used his Ranger to plow half of the front yard and ran back and forth over the sidewalk numerous times which left an icy/snowy mess. A friend and I went out an worked on it a bit, then sanded and salted it planning to work on it again. A young man from our church stopped by on his way to church and said he'd stop after and finish it -- Bless Him!! Anyway, by the time he stopped by the sun, salt and sand had softened things up enough it was a quick job for him. If I need help in the future, I will call him and pay him for his work. BTW, I'm guessing we got around 14" of snow. Sure hope this isn't a year when this snow is still around in April.

Finally got dishes washed mainly silverware this evening. I was about to run out of salad forks too!! This was my major accomplishment inside today other than reading another book.

It's currently 8º/feels like -2º but no wind to speak of. Working out in the bright sun made it feel warmer than the 19º it was. I had a 3-foot drift across the full length of the sidewalk. Guy pushed snow to the end of the walk into a 4-to-5-foot pile which means next snow with wind from the W or NW the drift on the sidewalk will the 5-to-6 feet deep. He also destroyed the plastic drainage setup from the eave spout. I hate making judgments on first impressions, but he seemed about as smart as a doorknob. Also, didn't want to use his shovel just the Ranger plow. Also, cannot figure out plowing the grass area of the front yard.

I can stay home tomorrow but have appointments Tuesday and Wednesday so will be out and about.
 
Anna I just don't know how you do it girlfriend!

Got down to 10 last night so brought the two dogs in from the garage kennel. Everyone got along except the old pug, who decided to p on all the blankets.
Washer is going. No dryer so hang them over the doors.
Just getting coffee. Son got up and helped and tended the stove. We'll go out in hour or so and do chores. Have to take buckets out and fill for horses. We have used a lot of tank heaters, but the electric in that old barn is bad so they get shocked. The buckets work out actually good.
They get filled right at well pump. Do this twice a day.
The next two weeks will be pretty cold. Then last few weeks of December will warm up.

I am on board for a monthly prep thread. Maybe we could try it and see how it works?
 
I'm against a monthly thread because the Q thread is so overwhelming! I'm good at skimming, but having to skim two long threads would not be something that I want to do right now.

[There are several posters on the Q thread who don't post much, but when they do, I pay attention. That makes skimming a little easier. I'm also watching for several specific topics.]

Still, if that's what the majority of posters want, I will adjust.
 
Meemur said:
I'm against a monthly thread because the Q thread is so overwhelming! I'm good at skimming, but having to skim two long threads would not be something that I want to do right now.

[There are several posters on the Q thread who don't post much, but when they do, I pay attention. That makes skimming a little easier. I'm also watching for several specific topics.]

Still, if that's what the majority of posters want, I will adjust.
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I'm with you, Meemur. A month long thread would be too overwhelming to search and read through. Everything gets lost in the shuffle. I usually stop reading a thread that just keeps going and going. I will browse it from time to time just to get any updates, but that's about it.

There may not be a set time for a new weekly thread to be started, but going almost all day, before it happened, made me wonder if anyone was going to. That's why I said something. I felt like everyone was waiting for me to do it.

It's not hard to continue a conversation from the old thread in a new one. Just pick the conversation right back up. I've done it several times, even moving my last post to a new thread, or a quote from someone else that I want to respond to. All it takes is a copy and paste.

Plus, will it be just as hard for someone to start a new monthly thread as it seems to be to start a new weekly thread?
 
Meemur said:
If I could go back in time, I would've started the thread. As I wrote, I just spaced it out. I have zero problems starting it.
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I have no problem with starting the new thread each week, either, and would be glad to, unless for some reason I can't.

I'm sure it will all work out. The weekly threads are my favorite. Once Renee left, it was just left up to anyone who wanted to do it. Usually, the first person on the board on Sunday morning that thought about it and volunteered.
 
I think the weekly thread has worked out well. *Someone* will eventually notice its lack and start the new one...if it's a few hours later on a Sunday, no biggie... it just means no one had anything important they wanted to say!

It keeps the discussion somewhat on topic, as well!

Because each thread starts with the same title, with just the date changing, its simple enough to use our Search feature and see a list of the previous threads.

And if you weren't finished commenting on subject in the previous week's thread, just click on the number of the post you are responding to, copy the post address, and paste it into your post in the new thread, for reference.

Summerthyme
 
What a Monday. Started logging in to work at 6:30. Software refused to let me in...got in and computer froze...had everything go black once. Got in at 7:15. Back to back suff because of holiday last week so morning going fast.

On lunch break. Have now figured out a good schedule including full hour for lunch. Chili cheese dog went down good.

Weather can't decide what it wants to do. Mostly nothing with occas sleet or rain. Kids are snowed in at KC. No school.

Fireplace and heaters cranked up. DH making a list for prep stuff to pick up while in KC. Too cold out for him to work in barn or garage.

Stay warm!
 
It's 44 degrees right now with rain. Nothing has been done, today, except washing, drying, and folding the last load of laundry for the week. Just reading and watching soccer games with Cary, mostly. A lazy day for us getting ready for the rest of a hectic week.

I made Swamp Potatoes for our supper, tonight, with homemade honey wheat bread. Just threw it all in the crockpot to cook, until we're ready to eat. The whole meal cooks in the crock pot.

Mom is doing better, today. She was really close with her sister, and visited her almost every day in the rehab/nursing facility. Even before she went there, Mom would visit her at her home and cooked and took food to her. She will be ok, though.
 
Gloomy cloudy day 18º/feels like 9º, and very light snow showers off and on. Too light to show on radar. Final count on snow was 18". They are just now plowing the lot at the senior apartment complex across the street, so cars parked on both sides of the street since yesterday afternoon. Dangerous to say the least. Residents are trained to move cars to street as soon as street is fully plowed and typically their lot is plowed the same day. Lots of complaining going on! My friend is parked in my driveway. I let d-i-l park in my drive when she was living there which is safer than the street.

I have a load of laundry in the washer and now need to add up ledgers for November and enter totals on spreadsheet. Lots of little projects done but nothing major today. Did some rearranging of laundry room cupboard where I store things brought up from basement pantry, filled container for this week's meds, put away clean dishes (now have something in silverware drawer :) ) and made a major search for package of paper plates. I KNOW I have a package somewhere but did not find them. Did find some Styrofoam plates that I will use. I've only bought paper for years so know these are very old but might as well use them and get them out of the house.

I added paper plates to my shopping list as I do like to keep several packages in my preps plus a small supply in the kitchen.

I'm tired of rich holiday leftovers so made myself some tapioca pudding which is one of my favorite comfort foods. It is amazing how expensive tapioca has become.
 
We finished planting 30 roses before the rain is to begin. 45 ish degrees here. Most everything outside is done now. Hubs to have surgery in 2 weeks that will keep him down for about 10 weeks so need to get everything done that we need done before surgery! Will start stuffing the greenhouse in a few weeks! We continue to pray for all of you.
 
Anyone can start the new thread. Renee did it for a long time now it’s anyone who is up and thinks about it. I never read those long threads and if it goes to that I’ll just start a short one.

Last day of anything left of the ribs, mostly sauce and some beans, I’m going to mix it with some jambalaya to cut the spice

It’s cold and rainy
 
anna43 said:
I'm tired of rich holiday leftovers
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Me too. I had planned to get something to eat at the senior center. Published menu said hamburger stew which I like. Instead they were serving turkey, etc. I think that I will get a couple of beef corn dogs that I have left in the freezer. There is still about two thirds of a three pound turkey breast roast left and some sides. I will get a slice of the leftover pecan pie for dessert as it is a rare treat.

I went to the grocery store earlier hoping to get some marked down ground beef. There was none but the 86% lean was on sale so I got two pounds. We were down to two pounds left in the freezer.

Snowed off and on all day but the ground was still warm enough that it didn't stick on the pavement. It sure did on the car though. The winter weather advisory ends in an hour at 9 PM.
 
Central Iowa is going into the deep freeze on Thursday. It's supposed to be -8 or some such.
I've located and washed my thermo undies, plus I located the rest of my wool socks. I had put them away in the closet.

I'm going to try to reschedule things so that I don't have to go anywhere, but Thursday is typically my longer errand day because there's significantly fewer people in Walmart and such than on Saturdays.

Once we get past the mini ice age, it should warm back up to more seasonable temperatures. This snow and cold is January weather!
 
We are predicted to get a little snow and sleet overnight but no accumulation..then changing to rain..we are hanging so far at 35 degrees
It is to early here for January weather...

We should be fine after tonight and tomorrow for few days...so most likely will make a small grocery store run before the weekend..for fresh...grabbed a ham on sale..and that will be next..
Made a huge pot of beef vegetable soup...and will end up freezing a few servings...for other days..down the road..
All in the heavy weather say safe...
 
Got a dusting last night on top of what's out there, which is a lot. Fog this morning.
Getting coffee. Not rushing out to do chores.
I don't much care either way about how the thread gets done. Whatever everyone wants is fine.
Got all the dogs in the house. Washing blankets and hung around the house. Had to cancel chiro yesterday. Try to make appt for tomorrow.
I have a Christmas party planned for the 14th. Just my family and two friends. Did invite Scots one daughter and the grands, but no reply since.
Don't need much for that.
Half gifts bought so far. Have to see what weather does. Still no tree up.
 
It's going to be a cold day according to our standards down here. 41 for our high and 26, tonight. The rain stopped, so it will be dry for our outing for Cary's doctor appointment. The wood heater is keeping us nice and cozy. This weather is more typical for us in December. January is usually our coldest month.

Today is my aunt's memorial service. It's at the same time as Cary's dr. appointment. I hate we're missing it, but in a way, I'm not. I don't do well at big social gatherings. I doubt there will be enough room in the chapel for everyone. Her DS, now retired and works the farm, and DDIL are/were big city officials, and the whole city, plus several churches in the area will be there. I'm sure there will be a huge wake afterwards where her church will have lots and lots of food catered in for the family and friends there at her church.

I pray everyone has a blessed day.
 
SB, I can relate, not to mention big crowds in the winter mean increased exposure to colds and flu. I'm going to take off several weeks around Christmas, and I'm doing my part to decrease my exposure to crud. I've got a lot of small house projects I want to complete before spring and the start of gardening season. I don't want to spend it in bed!
 
Anyone paying attention to the news about Campbell soup having lab grown in it. I have never been one to use it much any way but now what I do have in my pantry is going in the trash, wish there was a safe way to dispose of it all. Dh did say don’t throw out the chicken noodle, fortunately he rarely eats it, maybe once a year
 
Meemur said:
SB, I can relate, not to mention big crowds in the winter mean increased exposure to colds and flu. I'm going to take off several weeks around Christmas, and I'm doing my part to decrease my exposure to crud. I've got a lot of small house projects I want to complete before spring and the start of gardening season. I don't want to spend it in bed!
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So true about the exposure to colds and flu. Mom's side of the family runs in all the upper class social circles. I left that life years ago, and it makes me uncomfortable being around big social events, even my own aunt's memorial service. There will be well over 200 people there, I'm sure. Since Cary and I are considered members of the immediate family, all eyes would be on us, along with all the other immediate family members. It just makes me uncomfortable.
 
nomifyle said:
Anyone paying attention to the news about Campbell soup having lab grown in it. I have never been one to use it much any way but now what I do have in my pantry is going in the trash, wish there was a safe way to dispose of it all. Dh did say don’t throw out the chicken noodle, fortunately he rarely eats it, maybe once a year
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I think that was debunked, Judy. There was an article that came out about Campbell's using lab grown meat in their soups. It's was later debunked. Campbell's soup does have bioengineered food in it, though. It's the flour and oils (canola, corn, or soy) that are GMO products. There might be a few other ingredients, but those 2 are the ones I remember. I have a pantry full of different Campbell's soups, and I'm not throwing them away, because they have GMO flour or corn oil in them.
 
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Got to take my car in for winterization check at 1:00. Just looked at the forecast -8º tomorrow night and snow again on Saturday. So glad I can hibernate most of the time. My hair appointment was cancelled due to death of beautician's children's father. Very sad as the kids are just grade school age.

Did some cleaning this a.m. and need to continue that this afternoon along with car shuffle.

I sent a long letter and Thanksgiving card to friend in Florida and got a Christmas card from her today saying she hadn't heard from me for quite a while so guess they crossed in the mail. We're at an age when we don't hear from someone for a while we start worrying if they are still alive.

My dad used to say about Campbells chicken noodle soup -- that they dragged one chicken through two huge vats of soup just so they could call it chicken noodle. We didn't have canned soups very often when I was growing up and I don't eat canned soup much now. I did feed a lot of chicken noodle to my kids when they were younger, and I will eat chicken noodle when I'm sick. Otherwise, the canned soups have too much salt for me.
 
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