Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread - September 27 ~ October 3, 2020

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ReneeT

Veteran Member
Getting the thread started before I head down south a ways with my neighbor lady to go to a craft fair - that's usually not my type of thing, but I'm helping her hide out from someone (and she bribed me with pie :lol:)

Y'all let me know all the useful stuff you're getting done while I'm out lollygagging around :spns:

Take care - have a great day!!
 
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prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
Rotated another 5 gal can of gas. Just one more to go and that will be next week. Gas is finally below $2 a gallon here.

Also bought more rice and beans and got everything transferred to mylar bags. I use the 1 gallon ziplock style mylar bags instead of the super big ones as it is just the two of us. I found a place or two to stick another rubbermaid container full of them, so I will keep stocking.

I went to Walmart yesterday and got a few things for stocking up (like the rice and beans, some OTC meds). There were some gaps but it was the fullest I've seen it in months. So looks like there is still some time to stock up.
 
aviax2

aviax2

Veteran Member
Have fun Renee!

So far today I’ve been about as lazy as a gal can be, just drinking coffee, watching old westerns on tv and browsing a bit on the internet and resting. If I can find any energy I’m planning on getting started on Mondays chores and gathering up what I need and get things organized for canning tomorrow.

DH picked 2 milk crates of pears off our trees yesterday (that the deer didn’t get) so I’ll need to decide how I’ll put those up. He sliced a few and put in with the apples in the dehydrator. I’ve never had dried pears before but they’re pretty good so I may go that route. The grands should like them for snacks.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
No food or storage prepping being done here. I've been getting the house ready for winter. Taking out all my throws, flannel sheets, and blankets from the vacuum storage bags, washing, and drying them. Gathering pine cones for kindling. Raking pine straw for mulch. Taking up the tomato stakes from the garden beds. Cutting down all the old dead flowers from flower beds, etc....

I have another week to go, before I make another grocery run. I've got a pretty long list of used items that I need to restock already from this past week. Add another week to that list, and it seems stocking food never stops. Ya gotta eat, though!

Have a great week, Everybody! :rs:
 
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nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
After reading "One Second After" and "Deep Winter" Its making me look around here (more than usual) to see what I can see that needs to be done. DH is coming along quickly with expanding the camper porch, he is going to at least screen the front part in, which will keep the wasps out. He put finishing the meat processing shed on hold to do the porch extension.

A few months ago, from commodities, we got two big frozen packages of something. No tag or label, I had to get a big pot to thaw it out in on the stove. It smells good, I guess its either stew or soup. It's spicey, which DH can't eat, so I'll have to add stuff to it to absorb some of the spice. I'm thinking potatoes, corn and beans would work with that. If he still doesn't like it I'll be eating on it for a couple of days.

I think hunting season starts around here in a couple of weeks. I know people will fill up their freezers, but I doubt many or if all anyone will be canning any of it. I may have to resort to canning meat, but I really don't want to. I'm blessed to have the jars if I need to.

God is good all them time.

Judy
 
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Barb

Veteran Member
The Dollar Tree videos on another thread gave me some ideas. Guess I'll have to make a shopping list.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
My mystery frozen package turned out to be soup. Way too spicey for DH, I added a lot more to it, he ate small bowl and was up and down all night in the bathroom.

It worked out fine for me, so I'll be eating 5 quarts. I got it really hot and put it in quart jars, two with old lids and three with new lids, the three with new lids pinged. I figure I can leave those three in the fridge and they'll be okay for a good while. The other two I'll try to eat through them in the next few days. Kind of makes me want to actually pressure can soup or something like that. One of the foods that the family in "Deep Winter" enjoyed was homemade tomato soup, that the mom had previously canned.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
ivantherussian03

ivantherussian03

Veteran Member
Without normal customers things are slowing down. I started wood stove in morning. Wood has been seasonEd two years. We canned 32 pint jars of moose meat. Going to make some yummy meat sandwiches. Probably about time To clean and repair traps. Then we can sew hats and mittens to sell during winter And holiday.
 
ginnie6

ginnie6

Veteran Member
nomifyle said:
I got it really hot and put it in quart jars, two with old lids and three with new lids, the three with new lids pinged. I figure I can leave those three in the fridge and they'll be okay for a good while.

God is good all the time

Judy
Click to expand...

When you put hot food in a sealed container in the fridge it allows bacteria to grow quickly. the heat needs to able to escape. When we used to have meals at church we'd cook for upwards of 150 and some dishes would have to be done early. The guy who is in charge actually ran a food counter and his son now owns restaraunts. They both say never put hot, covered food in the fridge. Its actually better to let the food set on the counter and cool before putting it in the fridge.


Prepping here....I've gone back and read One Second After. I read it years ago when it was online but I bought a copy to keep now. Next up is One Year After.
It's rather depressing. I'm thinking now though that all these files I have on the computer about how to do things need to be printed and in a binder. I'm also realizing the truth that if/when something happens most of my family will not be here.....that is scary. Even the ones that only work a few miles away may not make it home. I need to see if I can at least get the girls to carry a get home bag. Dh and Ds are hours away by vehicle which means they might never make it back. Even dd and dsil wouldn't be able to help as they are on the other side of the county. There is a really good chance that it would be just me and the 15yo ds here.....boy does that change things. I can block entrance to here fairly easily if need be but there are apartments across from us I won't be able to block. The neighbors next door will be a good ally as far as protection but I seriously don't think they're good on food.

In so many ways I'm so much better off than those in the book but having family spread all over, and these apartments (weren't there first time I read it) has really changed my view of how long we'll make it if it got like that.
 
amazon

amazon

Veteran Member
I bought more rice, oatmeal and dried potatoes. I've ordered some mylar bags and O2 absorbers. I also ordered a DIY vacuum sealer for jars from etsy. I'll let yall know how it works when I get it. Next I need a decent food dehydrator. I need to keep cleaning, getting rid of stuff downstairs. I need to get out fall clothes. I need to lose my Covid 19! And I need to decorate for fall! : ) Hope to get some apples this weekend to can too!
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Tomorrow is our shopping day. I have a pretty long list to restock. We eat a lot of rice, and I've got plenty of that stored, but we eat a ton of pasta, especially egg noodles. I don't have as much in stock as I thought I had, so will be adding those as a prep instead of just replacing what I've used.

Also, I need to bring in more canning jars from the storage barn, and get them washed. I've still got several dry goods that I need to get vacuum sealed in them. I've been buying lots of those cartons of dehydrated hash browns at Sam's. Those need vacuum sealing. I don't trust cardboard cartons for long term storage. I got a new supply of 02 absorbers. I've been mostly concentrating on canning the hash browns. I just don't have the room to can all the flour and cornmeal I have stored away in canning jars, so those will have to stay in the freezer.

The temps here are dropping into fall like temps. I plan to change out our closets from summer to winter clothing one day this week. Tomorrow night, we're supposed to dip down into the low 40's and possibly the upper 30's. Cary may have to start a fire in the wood heater. He's got everything cleaned and ready to go.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I did order two more gallons of lamp oil, that will give me 3 gallons and 6 half gallons containers of lamp oil. I decided not to get the keroscene. I'll get more lamp oil as I can.

DH picked 4 nice size cucumbers from our second plantings of them. The yellow squash seem to be having a problem, they get about 2-3 inches long and then shrink up. No clue what's causing that. The plants look great and have blossoms all over them. DH sliced up the cucumbers and I put them in the dehydrator.

I'm trying to cut back on the amount of allergy meds I'm taking to make them last longer. I do have a good supply though.

God is good all the time
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I forgot to mention that I need to pick up another coffee maker tomorrow while in town. I have a Cabela's stainless steel coffee pot I can use, but I have to make it on the stove. A coffee maker uses a lot less energy. Once the weather cools enough, I use the wood stove to make our coffee on. It's still not cold enough to crank the wood stove up.

I also need to buy another year's supply of my OTC vitamins and meds while out and about. I keep forgetting about those. I get most of them at Sam's. Walgreen's carries the rest. All of mine and Cary's prescription meds have been renewed for another year already. We get a supply every 3 months by mail. I saw my Rheumatologist, yesterday, and he wrote the last prescription I needed, HCQ for another year.
 
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summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
nomifyle said:
I did order two more gallons of lamp oil, that will give me 3 gallons and 6 half gallons containers of lamp oil. I decided not to get the keroscene. I'll get more lamp oil as I can.

DH picked 4 nice size cucumbers from our second plantings of them. The yellow squash seem to be having a problem, they get about 2-3 inches long and then shrink up. No clue what's causing that. The plants look great and have blossoms all over them. DH sliced up the cucumbers and I put them in the dehydrator.

I'm trying to cut back on the amount of allergy meds I'm taking to make them last longer. I do have a good supply though.

God is good all the time
Click to expand...
Are your squashes getting pollinated? That's usually about the size they die if there was no pollination. Have your hubby try hand pollinating a few... just break off a male blossom (the ones without a baby squash at the base). Peel off the petals, and use the pistil to dust over several female blooms. It's really simple.

Summerthyme
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
summerthyme said:
Are your squashes getting pollinated? That's usually about the size they die if there was no pollination. Have your hubby try hand pollinating a few... just break off a male blossom (the ones without a baby squash at the base). Peel off the petals, and use the pistil to dust over several female blooms. It's really simple.

Summerthyme
Click to expand...
I've seen bees out there, but I'll tell him about hand polinating, good to know how to do that. Thank you.

ETA: It's so much easier to see what is going on with the plants being in the 4' or so tall raised beds than when they are in the ground. We are keeping an eye on the watering for them. I love yellow squash, DH not so much.

I also placed an order for a pound of mixed onion bulbs, DH could not find any at Lowes and the local general store didn't have any either. Although we never seem to have much luck with growing onions. I never used fertilizer before but I bought some triple 13 and used some when I planted the second planting of squash and cucumbers. I'll use some when I plant the onion bulbs and garlic and see how that works out.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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R

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Boys 'n Toys - :lol: Had to run up north a ways to pick up a new enclosed trailer; Hubby says it's in case the boys get interested in motocross (he raced for years). I told him to hide it behind the shed so daughter doesn't know we have it, or her friends will be borrowing it all the time. I guess it will be handy to have if we have to bug out and it's possible to do so by vehicle (she says, trying to justify the purchase...) I hit the Amish store on the way home and picked up enough red-hot candies to make a few dozen pints of the bright red cinnamon applesauce older grandson likes, so we are set for that.

I have to work tonight and tomorrow night; then it's off to the pool Friday morning, followed by fish at the VFW - there is something to be said for a boring and predictable life, and I plan to enjoy every minute of it!! The neighbor lady is going to ride up to the pool with her Mama so she can drive me home because they figure I won't be safe to drive after pool and lunch - I'm so blessed to have good friends who worry about me :spns:

We will have the grandsons this weekend; Hubby works Saturday and has a shoot on Sunday if it doesn't rain, so that will preclude me getting much of anything done other than a bit of outside work. I need to get up to the orchard to get a bushel of apples to can in to applesauce and quarters, but am trying to stretch it out as long as I can as we have been swarmed by those annoying large gnats - the culprit for bringing them in appears to be a bag of potatoes. Keeping all the drains closed and hanging up those sticky fly strips has knocked the swarm down to where they are almost gone, but I'd rather wait a week and be sure before I start peeling mass quantities of apples.

I want to get out the dehydrator while I'm making applesauce and see if my boys enjoy the dried applesauce 'fruit roll ups' as much as they did when they were smaller. I just dump the applesauce on the solid sheets and smooth it out, then pop them in the dehydrator. You can add Jello or Kool-Aid powder to the applesauce before putting it on the sheets to change up the flavor a bit - I kinda like the black cherry and strawberry flavors. The Jello does make them a bit stickier though, and the Kool-Aid makes them sour - just a little something different to have on hand. I'm going to try something I read in one of Kathy's stories (Starting Over, and Over; I think) and dry some to the point of cracking it into chips to add to muffins.

Had the carpenter out to look over some jobs we want done - I had home canned chicken still out on the counter and now he wants me to teach him how to can meat - I mentioned pressure canners and he asked if he had to use one; guess I'd better start looking around at the thrift stores for a used one to pass on to him. Jars are insanely priced at them, so it may not be an option. If I do find him one, it'll likely need a new sealing ring; if so, I'll order another set of spares for my canners that use them as well.

Lids are pretty much impossible to find in this area - and if you do see them, the prices are insane. I've got a decent stock pile but plan to watch for them to start reappearing and will try to double my stock if they do. The nearby Amish store had two boxes of Ball brand half gallon jars (6 per box), and the same of quart jars (dozen), and most of a pallet of no-name pint jars, plus 10 boxes of gallon jars (4/box). I have seen a case or two of Ball jars at the two Wal-Marts I go to but have plenty so left them for others. I give most of the non branded jars that cross my path to the beekeeper who has hives on our ground, but I have pressure canned in non branded jars in the past and had no problems - but I make sure to only can cheap stuff in them just in case :lol:

Well dang - guess it's about time to start getting ready for work; I have to leave early because co-worker Buddy just called to tell me that he grabbed supper for me when he went to get something for himself, so I need to allow a little extra time to pick it up. Cheesecake is involved, so I'm pretty sure it's worth the effort :lol:

You folks all stay safe out there!
 
D

Digger

Veteran Member
I went to my favorite thrift store today. They just put out the ladies winter wear last Saturday. I needed a robe. I found one and a Lands End night gown. I got another pair of Members Mark Jean's. I also got a Duluth Trading Henley that still had the store tags, one pair of flannel lounge pants, and some underwear for the 2 year old grand boy that is potty training. Everyone cleaning out their closet has been a real blessing to those of us we like to stretch our dollar.

While I was at the thrift store, hubby went to Ace hardware and got us a new atomic clock. Our old one would not read the outside temperature anymore. I like to know how cold it is in the winter without going outside.

We stopped at Neighborhood Market in Russellville Arkansas. Tomato products and bread was low. I did not look at all the shelves. It was a quick trip in and out.

We cut hay for a third time. It is thinner, so we cut the whole field. I have one customer wanting to pick up out of the field. I hope that there is still some for me to put in the barn. I get $2.25 more a bale out of the barn.
 
hiwall

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wife wanted a couple things from town today so we drove in. I did buy some more of the heavy needles I use for hand sewing leather goods. There was one box of jar lids($2.89) left in the store but we did not need any so we left it for others. Wife bought some heavy wool socks for our two grown boys for Christmas gifts. She needed a few other things for the kids that she picked up.
We are leaving Friday to visit the kids (they live in the next state) that's why we needed a few Christmas gifts, even though they are grown men and can certainly buy their own stuff :) One kid is getting a new rifle with ammo from us. The other we will likely just give an equal amount of cash. Neither one Needs anything.
 
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moldy

Veteran Member
DD was visiting this week, so I have been scarce on here. We butchered chickens and turkeys, canned chicken, went to the range, cleaned guns (so she learned how). Hit a local brewery she likes (have to support local business, ya know!) and went fishing. Yesterday the dogs cornered a coyote in an open grain bin, so we had to deal with that too.

Looking forward to going to visit her and the rest of the family next week - we'll load up our car this time with produce for everybody. I think we harvested the last of the watermelons and peppers, but I still need to can up a bunch of turnips and potatoes.
 
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prudentwatcher

Veteran Member
I hit Aldi's today and did a mini prep haul: a package of paper plates, a roll of plastic wrap, 4 lbs black beans, 4 lbs spaghetti, 4 of those little bags of elbows from the Mexican section (for soups), 2 cans corned beef hash, 3 boxes noodle soup, 4 cans cream of chicken soup and 3 cans of fried apples. Most of the rest was for regular pantry stuff, but also got another 5 lb bag of yellow potatoes. They were on sale for $1.99 a bag, which around here is a great deal, as they usually go for $4.99 a bag. Went through the box I had the last two bags stored in and found that 2 little ones had rotted, so cleaned it out and added clean newspaper and put the new potatoes on the bottom.
 
Cyclonemom

Cyclonemom

Veteran Member
Everytime I stop at the grocery store this month I pickup 2 cans of corn, 2 cans of green beans, 2 cans of black beans, 2 cans of pinto beans, 2 cans of media crema, and 2 cans of potatoes.

Doesn't take long to buildup a supply for only $20 max. Often much less.

Next month it will be canned fruit varieties.

Month after that back to veggies.
 
paxsim2

paxsim2

Senior Member
Picked up a Walmart order, now I need to find the time to get organized and onto the shelves. Have a few things to plant for fall but not much, need to move things off of the deck before it freezes.

Filling 1 gallon bottles that dh gets his distilled water in, these are thick, nice jugs. Getting ready to pack up stuff for donation and selling.
 
blackguard

blackguard

Veteran Member
Just did a fairly heavy grocery run, store was well stocked (western OK). Also this week with the help of a friend installed some barbed wire atop the wire fence by the house. My arms look like i went a couple of rounds with three feral cats lol. Cleaned up and reorganized the garage (shop) which had been getting out of control. Did an ammo inventory and so it's been a productive week so far.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
Had to go to a somewhat local (20 miles away) general store to pick up 5/4 for DH to finish my porch extention because Lowes didn't have any. Of course we are blessed to find it all, the price was reasonable. I also picked up 2 gallons of kerosene at half the price of Lowes. So I got 2 gallons for the price of one at Lowes. Good buy.

ETA The other day I was able to find and buy 2 cases of pint jars. I have Jiffy corn bread mix that needs to get out of the boxes and into jars, so far I've done 12 jars, now to vacuum seal and find a space on the shelves.

Always thinking of how to do things better. I have a large amount of canning jars that need to be washed and since I don't have a dishwasher to do it in (like 20 or more cases) I've decided to set up a washing station out on my porch expansion. I've got a four food folding table to put a wash tub on and a space for a propane thing to boil water on. So I can soak the jars in hot soapy water, maybe overnight, scrub them up, drain and dry them. Then store them in all the cardboard boxes that jars came in and then put that in plastic bags to keep them reasonably clean and stack them up on the porch. Its closed in on three sides and will be screened in on the front side with a screen door (I love to bang a screen door, childish I know but fun).

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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marsh

marsh

On TB every waking moment
I need to replace a deadbolt lock on my door. I recall we had a locksmith member and a thread years ago where he recommended some locks. Anyone have a link? I have searched but it is like a needle in a haystack.
 
hiwall

hiwall

Has No Life - Lives on TB
marsh said:
I need to replace a deadbolt lock on my door. I recall we had a locksmith member and a thread years ago where he recommended some locks. Anyone have a link? I have searched but it is like a needle in a haystack.
Click to expand...
This guy shows how easy it is to get into any lock.
www.youtube.com

LockPickingLawyer

This channel aims to educate consumers about weaknesses and defects in security devices so they can make better security decisions. It should go without sayi...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
I have a question about storing cornmeal in gallon freezer storage bags. I'm absolutely out of room to store any more dry goods in vacuum sealed jars. I just canned up several more boxes of dehydrated hash browns. I was thinking that I might be able to store cornmeal in the storage bags with O2 absorbers. Would that work for long term, or will the bags lose their seal over time? The bags would then be stackable taking up much less room.
 
SouthernBreeze

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
hiwall said:
Mylar bags are not supposed to and that is why everyone uses them. Any regular plastic bag is slightly porous
Click to expand...

Ok, thanks. Guess I'll be ordering mylar bags then. I have got to empty some of this out of my freezers. I've got around 50 lbs of flour and 50 lbs. cornmeal stored there. I'd love to have even more, but not in the freezers.
 
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mecoastie

Veteran Member
Pick 2 batteries up for my solar system today. I will have all the big components then. Connectors are on order and need to get some wire to get everything together. Garlic still needs to go in this weekend. Should have gone in 2 weeks ago. My daughter drew up a plan for stacking the rabbits in the existing shelter. Got to get the materials dug out for that this weekend. I should have it all in the lumber pile. Feeling better as I now have my big projects set. Looking for a second chest freezer for my bee frames and other projects. Also looking at getting a wringer washer. That isn't a hard prep. More of something to tinker with because I like old stuff but it would save water over a conventional washer. That is what I am telling the boss when I show up with it in the truck.
 
nomifyle

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
SouthernBreeze said:
I have a question about storing cornmeal in gallon freezer storage bags. I'm absolutely out of room to store any more dry goods in vacuum sealed jars. I just canned up several more boxes of dehydrated hash browns. I was thinking that I might be able to store cornmeal in the storage bags with O2 absorbers. Would that work for long term, or will the bags lose their seal over time? The bags would then be stackable taking up much less room.
Click to expand...
Many years ago I read about storing food in paint cans, I bought them by the case. I bought two gallon baggies, filled with product, put in 02s, twist tied the baggies and pounded the lid shut, last year or so I opened a can of basmati rice and it was pristine. I have Over 100 cans of product stored like that, stored in a shed that is not climate controlled. I’m cleaning that shed out soon.

today I’m defrosting our big upright freezer, the top two shelves are solid ice. Getting the seal replace by our appliance guy is on the list of things to do this fall.

God is good all the time

Judy
 
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