Prep Genrl Weekly thread Sept 11 thru Sept 17 2022

[SouthernBreeze]

Tomorrow is grocery shopping day. Since I've still got lots of ground beef in the freezers to can, I don't think I'll have storage space to can dry beans that I've been wanting to do. I need all available space for the meat. I've already bought bags of dry beans. Can I just leave them in the freezer without them getting too hard and dry to get soft when they're cooked? I've stored some dry beans in jars, before, and they never would get soft no matter how long I cooked them. I'm hoping that if I keep them in the freezer that won't happen. If they will stay good in the freezer, I want to buy several more bags tomorrow.

 

[skwentnaflyer]

I got a melon, wasn't sure it would happen. Turned out to be like a honeydew, with green flesh. I could smell it quite a ways away, surprised nothing else smelled it and got there first.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We had a nice visit with Mom, today. Her housekeeper was there, but we didn't let that stop us from visiting. She cleans Mom's house twice a week. Mom was sending her home with a couple of jars of her homemade grape jelly she made last week.

She was looking forward to having soup and tomato sandwiches for her supper, tonight, from the tomatoes I took to her. She makes the best potato soup I've ever tasted from scratch.

She had to show me all her new clothes she just bought. She bought one top that is too big for her, and she gave it to me. It fits me perfectly.

Mom was helping my niece go through some boxes of my deceased sister's things and found a framed picture of me and Cary. Mom gave that to me, too. It's an older picture, and Cary and I look nothing like what we did in the photo, LOL. I guess it's about 15-20 yrs. old. Cary still had brown hair, and I had a face full of make-up with short cut hair. People would still recognize Cary in the photo, but not me with all that make-up and short (almost shaved, except on top) hair.

 

[tech]

Like several others, it seems, we have nearly given up on Walmart. Very little selection and the prices have gone up to the point where no savings are to be had. Which is fine by me, since Rouse's is about a quarter mile from my route from work. I did make an unplanned stop for some coffee and a couple other items today after the "official" announcement of the rail issues...odd that the "news" hasn't said much until today. (But not really surprised.)
Reconfigured the wiring on one of the solar arrays Monday...same panels are now producing nearly 600 watt/hours per day more than before. I'll take the small wins where I can get them.
Noticed some of the LTS cans sitting askew...and found two cans of tomato powder swollen...not good! No obvious cause, but needless to say they got trashed.
Finally got another 55 gallon drum that didn't look like a truck had hit it, so filling it with gas is next on the agenda...before prices have a chance to shoot back up. *Only* 2.89/gallon today.

 

[etdeb]

TRASHED a case of Yoders canned bacon yesterday. Dated 2006, 4 cans opened to inspect and contents was black.

 

[briches]

Morning all. Catching up on the thread for the week. I had a lovely weekend away last weekend with my college friend reunion. Back to reality this weekend -

Had a couple of doctor’s appointments this week.
My wellness check was this past Monday. My cholesterol was over 300 and my triglycerides were over 1400 (should be under 150). In 2021 triglycerides they were 850. I was put on Crestor then and stopped taking it. That is no longer an option for me. I started taking Lipitor. I’m not crazy about taking a statin, but I’m not crazy about a heart attack or stroke either.

Got my mammogram done yesterday.

It is important to me to stay current on all my doctors’ appointments.

While “in town” yesterday, I went to a goodwill. I had some time, and it ended up being very productive. I bought seven pairs of jeans, two pajama pants, a pair of sweatpants and twelve tops for $88. I was thrilled!
I also used up some gift cards I had been holding for awhile and came home with 7 pounds of coffee (Dunkin’ donuts and Starbucks) and two bottles of wine. (Only $20 out of pocket for all of that).

It was a fun, frugal day while getting things done.

 

[nomifyle]

Morning all. Catching up on the thread for the week. I had a lovely weekend away last weekend with my college friend reunion. Back to reality this weekend -

Had a couple of doctor’s appointments this week.
My wellness check was this past Monday. My cholesterol was over 300 and my triglycerides were over 1400 (should be under 150). In 2021 triglycerides they were 850. I was put on Crestor then and stopped taking it. That is no longer an option for me. I started taking Lipitor. I’m not crazy about taking a statin, but I’m not crazy about a heart attack or stroke either.

Got my mammogram done yesterday.

It is important to me to stay current on all my doctors’ appointments.

While “in town” yesterday, I went to a goodwill. I had some time, and it ended up being very productive. I bought seven pairs of jeans, two pajama pants, a pair of sweatpants and twelve tops for $88. I was thrilled!
I also used up some gift cards I had been holding for awhile and came home with 7 pounds of coffee (Dunkin’ donuts and Starbucks) and two bottles of wine. (Only $20 out of pocket for all of that).

It was a fun, frugal day while getting things done.

There are other ways to lower your chlosterol and triglicerides than taking a statin, research is your friend. Its my understand that walking regularly will help wit the trig.

Good job at goodwill. I've scored a few tops at goodwill and another thrift store this summer. Just have to get them wash to get the perfume out of them.

I was looking at the weather for the next ten days, its looks like the heat will be coming back, 4 days at over 95, but I doubt it will be all day, low below 70. Winter is coming and I think fall will be a nice thought but won't last long before cold.

We went to church last night, Matthew 4:5-7. Its always nice to get together with church folks. I'm not sure if these people are keeping a full pantry, I hope so. they had supper last night and someone said they will be having food every Wednesday night. The food does draw more people. Its the same few every week.

Got up feeling normal this morning, a nice beautiful sunny day, a day the Lord has made.

Back to the usual stuff I do every day, no complaints.

 

[nomifyle]

No huge loads of laundry anymore, thank you Helen. A small load doesn't take long to both wash, dry and get put away.

Now if I could just say the same for the kitchen, I am not fond of doing dishes and I'm the dish washer.

 

[33dInd]

Mrs 33d gave me the day off
She is content that I finished all the concrete work around her above ground storm shelter
It is 6x10 and she wanted a small patio in front of it complete with sidewalk
So after 85 bags of ready mix it’s done
Well
Except for the roof and the brick
This thing is well suited for Oklahoma storms. 8 inch walls and a steel door
I used this different type of cement mixer called a mudmixer and it was great. No wheel barrel to move and lift. Rented it for $75 bucks. No more clunky cement mixers.

Electricity for her tv and radio

She got tired of making room under the stair well for her and her mother

 

[summerthyme]

Mrs 33d gave me the day off
She is content that I finished all the concrete work around her above ground storm shelter
It is 6x10 and she wanted a small patio in front of it complete with sidewalk
So after 85 bags of ready mix it’s done
Well
Except for the roof and the brick
This thing is well suited for Oklahoma storms. 8 inch walls and a steel door
I used this different type of cement mixer called a mudmixer and it was great. No wheel barrel to move and lift. Rented it for $75 bucks. No more clunky cement mixers.

Electricity for her tv and radio

She got tired of making room under the stair well for her and her mother

Happy wife, happy life! Good job!

Summerthyme (fringe benefit is not having to squeeze in under the stairs with your mother in law!)

 

[ioujc]

Yeeeeee Haaaaaw!!!

Looks like I WILL have some potatoes this fall!!! Remember last week I said none were coming up??? Well, the reds look like they won't be any good and they are not coming up at all.....but the Russets are coming up and racing to get grown!! Thought I saw some yesterday as I was leaving the garden, but only got a glimpse. The rotted hay where they are growing is a bit further out and I didn't want to track out there....it was getting hot. I was tired. But today, that was the first thing I checked.....and yep, I got taters comin' up!!!!

Still got lots to do in the garden......my tomatoes are now growing and bearing like crazy. I have decided that I am going to cover at least two of the rows via cattle panel hoop house and clear plastic. I have a type of tomato that is supposed to grow to 12-16 feet, and they have now decided to do it, and put out a number of HUGE tomatoes!!!

My asparagus patch is going crazy too. Big, beautiful shoots of asparagus, which I tend to eat raw, right off the plant...garden treats that can't wait!! Used to do that with ripe corn when I had teeth too. There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING as GOOD as raw, ripe sweet corn....like eating CANDY!!

OOOPS! Kinda got off topic there!

Nap time now.....and then I can't sleep at night! Wonder why????

 

[nomifyle]

My plan to freeze the green onions didn't work out. DH cut so much that I don't have the available freezer space and how long would that amount hold out in the freezer. So far I have two heaping trays in the dehydrator, I covered both trays with mesh to keep them from blowing around in the dehydrator. I have that much and more to cut up but I had to take a break, my eyes were watering and my nose started running and it was killing my back. I'm taking a break but will complete them before the day is out. The house is reaking of onions, but not too bad.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got back from our grocery run. I'm so proud of myself. I didn't buy anything, except coffee, 4 cans of mixed veggies, and 2 jars of bread and butter pickles for storage. Nothing else extra, just replacing what I've used over 2 weeks. It cut our grocery bill more than half of what it has been. I did find Hibiscus tea, so I bought a box of that to see if it will help lower my BP. It's still running on the high side, but not extreme.

My walking onions came while we were gone. It says on the instructions not to plant before mid-November for our area. The bed for them is already made, but while we wait about planting them, I can work a bit more organic material in the soil.

While in small town, we stopped in at a new wine and liquor store to see if they had our favorite wine and the price on it. It was a bit more expensive than our store in big town, but it will save us from having to make a special trip there to get it. So, we stocked up while we were there. We pass right by this place going to Walmart.

Stopped in Walgreens to pick up Cary's 3 month supply of all his meds. They refill them way before time. That has given him a very good stockpile of all his script meds.

 

[summerthyme]

My plan to freeze the green onions didn't work out. DH cut so much that I don't have the available freezer space and how long would that amount hold out in the freezer. So far I have two heaping trays in the dehydrator, I covered both trays with mesh to keep them from blowing around in the dehydrator. I have that much and more to cut up but I had to take a break, my eyes were watering and my nose started running and it was killing my back. I'm taking a break but will complete them before the day is out. The house is reaking of onions, but not too bad.

You'll love them dried! It's SO convenient to be able to toss a handful into a dish when you're in a hurry. In fact, I keep wanting to suggest to Sherree that she consider dehydrating her onions and peppers. Saves freezer space, and they last for years.

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

My plan to freeze the green onions didn't work out. DH cut so much that I don't have the available freezer space and how long would that amount hold out in the freezer. So far I have two heaping trays in the dehydrator, I covered both trays with mesh to keep them from blowing around in the dehydrator. I have that much and more to cut up but I had to take a break, my eyes were watering and my nose started running and it was killing my back. I'm taking a break but will complete them before the day is out. The house is reaking of onions, but not too bad.

I haven't even used my new dehydrator, yet. I'm waiting for apples to go on sale. If they don't, I'll still buy them by the bags and dehydrate. They will make great fried apple pies! I'm just too busy with other projects right now to do any dehydrating.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

You'll love them dried! It's SO convenient to be able to toss a handful into a dish when you're in a hurry. In fact, I keep wanting to suggest to Sherree that she consider dehydrating her onions and peppers. Saves freezer space, and they last for years.

Summerthyme

I've already got 7, #10 cans of dehydrated bell peppers, and 3 gallon jugs of dehydrated onions. I just want the onions to eat fresh with our meals, and some frozen peppers to have sorta fresh. I'll be dehydrating the peppers if they keep bearing the way they are now. I don't want too many in the freezer.

 

[TerriHaute]

TRASHED a case of Yoders canned bacon yesterday. Dated 2006, 4 cans opened to inspect and contents was black.

Uh oh, I’d better check mine. I’ve got some that old too.

 

[nomifyle]

You'll love them dried! It's SO convenient to be able to toss a handful into a dish when you're in a hurry. In fact, I keep wanting to suggest to Sherree that she consider dehydrating her onions and peppers. Saves freezer space, and they last for years.

Summerthyme

a couple of years ago I bought several canisters of dehydrated green onions from Thrive. I'd open a canister just to smell them. I've only opened one canister (they have a fairly decent shelf life unopened). I failed to vacuum seal some of the canister in jars and they got brown. I'll still use them but I keep forgetting to.

 

[nomifyle]

I've already got 7, #10 cans of dehydrated bell peppers, and 3 gallon jugs of dehydrated onions. I just want the onions to eat fresh with our meals, and some frozen peppers to have sorta fresh. I'll be dehydrating the peppers if they keep bearing the way they are now. I don't want too many in the freezer.

When I was growing up in the country people ate fresh onion with their meals, but my mother didn't do it and I got away from it. The same folks, my age, still eat raw onion with their meals, my stomach can't handle it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

When I was growing up in the country people ate fresh onion with their meals, but my mother didn't do it and I got away from it. The same folks, my age, still eat raw onion with their meals, my stomach can't handle it.

Mom and Dad always had multiplying onions. He would dig up a whole clump at a time, cut the roots off, and set them back out. We ate them raw with a lot of our meals, especially with a plate of purple hulls peas, potatoes, a meat, and cornbread. I love to eat raw green onions with just plain old cornbread. Chopped up in scrambled eggs, salads, or in omelets are good, too.

 

[33dInd]

Happy wife, happy life! Good job!

Summerthyme (fringe benefit is not having to squeeze in under the stairs with your mother in law!)

You assume I was allowed

 

[etdeb]

Ju

No huge loads of laundry anymore, thank you Helen. A small load doesn't take long to both wash, dry and get put away.

Now if I could just say the same for the kitchen, I am not fond of doing dishes and I'm the dish washer

 

[etdeb]

Judy did you see the video I shared on FB about knee braces. I finally got an appointment Sept 30th.

 

[nomifyle]

Judy did you see the video I shared on FB about knee braces. I finally got an appointment Sept 30th.

I must have missed it

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Picked up some over the counter on sale pain meds and a few more cans of veggies for the pantry. Even 2, 3, 4, extra picked up consistently add up.

Checked out the pantry and found out we'd nibbled away at the canned meat and were almost out of some varieties. Thought there was a good bit put by and surprise! It didn't go as far or last as long as estimated. Glad this happened now so adjustments can be made and hope there is still some time to replenish. With prices what they are its going to pinch.

 

[ReneeT]

Had a great time; made it home a bit ago, but I am worn out. Thank you all for your participation in the thread - I really enjoy reading all of your posts. Heading to bed; will chat with you all once I get caught up on grandkids, sleep, and housework!

I have to work the night of the 17th; I would very much appreciate a volunteer to get the thread started on Sunday the 18th if anyone is willing

 

[briches]

There are other ways to lower your chlosterol and triglicerides than taking a statin, research is your friend. Its my understand that walking regularly will help wit the trig.

Good job at goodwill. I've scored a few tops at goodwill and another thrift store this summer. Just have to get them wash to get the perfume out of them.

I was looking at the weather for the next ten days, its looks like the heat will be coming back, 4 days at over 95, but I doubt it will be all day, low below 70. Winter is coming and I think fall will be a nice thought but won't last long before cold.

We went to church last night, Matthew 4:5-7. Its always nice to get together with church folks. I'm not sure if these people are keeping a full pantry, I hope so. they had supper last night and someone said they will be having food every Wednesday night. The food does draw more people. Its the same few every week.

Got up feeling normal this morning, a nice beautiful sunny day, a day the Lord has made.

Back to the usual stuff I do every day, no complaints.

I have done a bit of research and have tried many of those things. I walk daily and eat decently. I spoke with the doctor about that as well. He said while diet and exercise won’t hurt me, my numbers are so high that it’s genetics. I am adopted so have zero family history.
I will continue to keep reading. I’m also having my lab work checked routinely (December will be the next time) to check levels as well as liver levels. I’m not thrilled with it but certainly don’t want a heart attack or stroke.

 

[nomifyle]

I have done a bit of research and have tried many of those things. I walk daily and eat decently. I spoke with the doctor about that as well. He said while diet and exercise won’t hurt me, my numbers are so high that it’s genetics. I am adopted so have zero family history.
I will continue to keep reading. I’m also having my lab work checked routinely (December will be the next time) to check levels as well as liver levels. I’m not thrilled with it but certainly don’t want a heart attack or stroke.

While I am absolutely against taking statins, I do have to admit that some folks may need them, but not every one. God bless

 

[philkar]

Can I put in my 2 cents worth on Cholesterol? I dropped my bad cholesterol by using plant sterols and Krill oil capsules. My triglycerides also dropped but I can't remember by how much but they were in normal range. Doc was very pleased and shocked!

 

[nomifyle]

Got all the green onions in the dehydrator, the first two trays are completely dried and in a jar, didn’t fill half of a quart jar. Four trays to go, I’m going to put the finished onions in smaller jars.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Hint for those on a salt free or lower sodium diet?

Not giving medical advice just sharing a recent discovery. Pulled a few things going out of date out of the pantry and one of those somethings was a box of Stove Top Stuffing. After being on a low sodium diet that first bite was like eating a mouthful of salt.

 

[Digger]

Hubby tried out his new hay mower. We now have more square bales in the barn to sell. I put up 64 bales one day then the next day our son came up and helped put those 60+ up. These bales are a nice weight. We could cut a little more, but there is more trash weeds in what is left. I need a break and have tomatoes to can. I think we are done with hay this year.

We did part of my contract job Monday. I got paid extra to cut a medium Cypress tree that someone had cut partway through. So that little extra money will be nice. I still have 2 other contracts to do before the end of the month.

I lost a chicken while we were working in the field late. I have been free ranging during the day. The dog goes with me on the farm unless I lock her in the pen. I figure it was a coyote. Whatever it was, it grabbed a chicken and took it off the bluff. It might have been a fox too. Our dog has been barking at coyotes at night though. So the chickens are penned up for a few weeks. They are not happy either. The price of feed keeps going up, but I will have to feed more till they can go out again.

I am still adding to the pantry. But I am about out of room. I still have to get the last stuff I bought put away.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I got up this morning ready to get to work. I washed a load of laundry, and put them in the dryer, cause they were dress clothes. No ironing for me! That is one job I just won't do, unless I have to. What is wrinkled, after the dryer, gets taken to the dry cleaners for pressing.

I cooked out more ground beef. Tomorrow is another canning day. After that, Cary and I cleaned out the old freezer to where we could pull out all remaining ground beef. Put everything back in with the ground beef on top. I've still got several pounds left. I thought I was almost finished with it from this old freezer, but no. Some of it is dated 2020, so if it smells funky, I'll still can it up for dog food. It won't be wasted. We organized the freezer as we put everything back in. That left about 1/4 of the freezer empty. Once all the ground beef is canned up, all that will be left is bacon, Polish sausage, bags of shredded cheddar cheese, wieners, bologna, cornmeal, and flour, plus odd and end frozen goods I also buy. I have no idea how much ground beef is in the other freezer. It should be no older than 6 months to a year.

I think we're going into another heat wave starting Sunday. Not good for my mustard and turnips, but wonderful for the peas, peppers, tomatoes and squash. I hope I can pick some turnip greens, before too much damage is done. Should be ready to start picking Monday.

I have 2 huge ferns on my front porch. One is hanging and the other is sitting in a fern stand. I noticed that every time I swept the porch, little black round balls were underneath both. I got to investigating, and both of them had been invaded by army worms. Cary took both of them out into the yard and sprayed them good with malathion. That did the job. That also works to keep them out of my pecan tree, too.

I sent off orders to Sam's and Blair this morning.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ok, question. I was reading in another thread that olive oil becomes toxic at 140 F. Is this true? I use olive oil all the time cooking omelets and stir fry. Never made us sick. I don't use very high heat, just low to medium, but have never checked the temp.

 

[moldy]

I think if that was true, we'd all be dead.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I think if that was true, we'd all be dead.

Thank you, moldy. I didn't think it was true, but wanted to check with ya'll. I know it will burn and smoke if used on too high a temp, but I had never heard of it becoming toxic.

 

[etdeb]

I must have missed it

I think it was Wednesday

 

[nomifyle]

I think it was Wednesday

I've looked around and can't find it. My FB is sort of wonky.

Green onions all done, almost two quarts. I'm going to seal them in small jars.

Now I'm going to work my way through all the frozen vegetables that I have. Dh has a small freezer in his processing shop and I had stashed veggies there and didn't realize just how many. Working through all of them from all the freezers is going to take awhile. But I'm on a roll with it.

With my knee doing better I'm working my way into to getting more steps in, not a huge amount but better than I had been able to do.

I found a package of nice fish in one of the freezers, its been in there are a good while. DH decided to fry it, but I couldn't eat mine, too freezer burned, the dog will gobble it down.

ETA: I did a search with your name and it said the content isn't available because the owner only shares with a small amount of people.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Now I'm going to work my way through all the frozen vegetables that I have. Dh has a small freezer in his processing shop and I had stashed veggies there and didn't realize just how many. Working through all of them from all the freezers is going to take awhile. But I'm on a roll with it.

What type of frozen veggies are you dehydrating, Judy? I haven't used mine, yet, and I'm with the understanding that dehydrated veggies are only good to be used in soups. Can you use them reconstituted as a side dish like fresh or canned veggies? I don't know anything about dehydrating. I've only used dehydrated bell peppers, onions, and shredded hash browns.

 

[nomifyle]

What type of frozen veggies are you dehydrating, Judy? I haven't used mine, yet, and I'm with the understanding that dehydrated veggies are only good to be used in soups. Can you use them reconstituted as a side dish like fresh or canned veggies? I don't know anything about dehydrating. I've only used dehydrated bell peppers, onions, and shredded hash browns.

I buy the frozen vegetables that we eat. Frankly I've always used them in soups. I just dehydrated brocolli, caulaflower and whole green beans. (sorry my spelling is so awful). And I just put brussel sprouts and mixed vegetables in the dehydrator. The brussel sprouts will probably go in soups too along with the mixed vegetables. With the brussel sprouts I re hydrate and chop up because Dh would not eat them otherwise if they were whole. And come to think of it I may powder the brussel sprouts to add to other things too.

When I dehydrated the green onion tops I also put a cover over each tray because they will blow off the trays, at least in my dehydrator (I have have and excalibur). I have sheets that I put on the trays for messy things like tomatoes, so I just lay one over each tray of something that will blow off the trays.