Prep Genrl weekly prep thread April 21-April 27

[SouthernBreeze]

Sherree, what do you marinate your pork chops in. I've got some pork I would like to marinate.

It depends. Tonight, I melted butter and dredged the chops in the butter on both sides. Placed them in a glass baking dish and sprinkled them with a bourbon and brown sugar spice rub. I let them marinate with the spice rub all day in the fridge and bake them when I start supper. Other times, I put the chops in a ziplock gallon storage bag, add Worcestershire sauce and Montreal Steak pork and steak seasoning. Shake all that up together good and lay the bag flat in the fridge to marinate all day. I use different spices and combination of different sauces depending on how I want them that night. Or, it can be something simple like laying the pork chops in an olive oil sprayed baking dish and sprinkling them with salt, black pepper, and lots of garlic powder after dredging them in melted butter. I always bake them in a 425 oven til done. No matter how I make them, they are always really tender and moist.

To me, making up the pork chops ahead of time with all the spices gives more flavor than just doing it right before you bake them.

 

[Meemur]

It's 57 degrees and cloudy. Pork chops sound great! However, it's Tuesday, and I have some ground beef, cheese, and lettuce left, which I'm going to turn into tacos a little later.

This morning I'm talking with tree cutters about the dead ash tree. I'd really like to get it down before the next major wind storm. It's big enough that I want an actual company with insurance to do the job. I word it that way because every other day, some yahoo with a pickup truck and a saw wants to cut that tree down for cash.

Ah, no. It's an 80 foot tree that's rotten at the top. This is a job for the bucket truck and an experienced crew.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It's 57 degrees and cloudy. Pork chops sound great! However, it's Tuesday, and I have some ground beef, cheese, and lettuce left, which I'm going to turn into tacos a little later.

This morning I'm talking with tree cutters about the dead ash tree. I'd really like to get it down before the next major wind storm. It's big enough that I want an actual company with insurance to do the job. I word it that way because every other day, some yahoo with a pickup truck and a saw wants to cut that tree down for cash.

Ah, no. It's an 80 foot tree that's rotten at the top. This is a job for the bucket truck and an experienced crew.

When we had the huge oak tree next to our house cut, we hired a well known reputable company that was fully insured. It cost more, but we wanted someone who knew what they were doing cutting ours.

 

[Meemur]

When we had the huge oak tree next to our house cut, we hired a well known reputable company that was fully insured. It cost more, but we wanted someone who knew what they were doing cutting ours.

Exactly! I don't want to be sued if there is an accident. Further, I don't want there to be any major accidents in the first place. These guys in pickups are too inexperienced to understand the dangers of climbing a large, half-rotted tree. This is a bucket truck job. I'm even showing the cutters the rotted limbs that have fallen. That's why I know this is a dangerous tree.

 

[Marseydoats]

Exactly! I don't want to be sued if there is an accident. Further, I don't want there to be any major accidents in the first place. These guys in pickups are too inexperienced to understand the dangers of climbing a large, half-rotted tree. This is a bucket truck job. I'm even showing the cutters the rotted limbs that have fallen. That's why I know this is a dangerous tree.

The local tree service guys, who I think are great, and really know what they're doing, managed to drop a huge oak tree on top of their bucket truck a couple months ago. It pretty much broke it in half. I don't know if a gust of wind caught it or the tree shifted wrong. Folks were driving by just to take photos of it. Luckily, nobody got killed.
Moral of the story, even if you know what you're doing, you can make a mistake. If it can possibly fall on the house, you and your cat should be elsewhere.

 

[nomifyle]

I never even thought about the precooked bacon not having to be refrigerated, especially since I got it in pick up and don't know where it is in the store. I'm going to get some more, its perfect for DH's breakfast.

I'm trying to get some things done, I did find a convenient home for all the glass containers. I've got some plastic containers that I'm going to miss using in the freezer, they are all the same size and stack nicely. The glass containers that come in a set are all different sizes and buying individual containers is pretty expensive, but I'll make do.

Its really expensive to get completely away from plastic. I won't be able to do it completely

 

[SouthernBreeze]

The local tree service guys, who I think are great, and really know what they're doing, managed to drop a huge oak tree on top of their bucket truck a couple months ago. It pretty much broke it in half. I don't know if a gust of wind caught it or the tree shifted wrong. Folks were driving by just to take photos of it. Luckily, nobody got killed.
Moral of the story, even if you know what you're doing, you can make a mistake. If it can possibly fall on the house, you and your cat should be elsewhere.

The way the cutters did our tree wasn't to cut and lay the whole tree down. They started at the top and cut it down in small sections, getting the limbs off first. They had ropes tied to each limb that held it in place, once it was cut, so they could lay each limb on the ground.

Our DS hired a different company to do a huge tree in his side yard two weeks ago. They cut the whole tree down at one time, and it fell right across his new fence. Tore it up, too. They paid for having his fence redone, though.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I never even thought about the precooked bacon not having to be refrigerated, especially since I got it in pick up and don't know where it is in the store. I'm going to get some more, its perfect for DH's breakfast.

I'm trying to get some things done, I did find a convenient home for all the glass containers. I've got some plastic containers that I'm going to miss using in the freezer, they are all the same size and stack nicely. The glass containers that come in a set are all different sizes and buying individual containers is pretty expensive, but I'll make do.

Its really expensive to get completely away from plastic. I won't be able to do it completely

I've seen those sets of glass containers at Walmart and at Sam's. I would like to have a set, but I don't know what I would use them for. Left-overs, maybe. What I would need are large glass storage jars if I were to get rid of all my plastic containers that I store rice and pasta in. That would be way too expensive to buy those individually for the amount of rice and pasta I have in storage. They would all have to have tight fitting lids, not something that just snaps closed.

 

[nomifyle]

I've seen those sets of glass containers at Walmart and at Sam's. I would like to have a set, but I don't know what I would use them for. Left-overs, maybe. What I would need are large glass storage jars if I were to get rid of all my plastic containers that I store rice and pasta in. That would be way too expensive to buy those individually for the amount of rice and pasta I have in storage. They would all have to have tight fitting lids, not something that just snaps closed.

I stored mine in either paint cans, mylar of 1/2 gallon jars. I won't be redoing any of mt food storage. Microplastics will be the least of my concern if the shtf.

All the glass containers I've gotten for for left overs and other things in the fridg that I don't want to leave in the original package.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I stored mine in either paint cans, mylar of 1/2 gallon jars. I won't be redoing any of mt food storage. Microplastics will be the least of my concern if the shtf.

All the glass containers I've gotten for for left overs and other things in the fridg that I don't want to leave in the original package.

Ain't that the truth! We'll just be glad we have food to eat. I do have some pasta stored in the 1/2 gal canning jars, but I'm concerned about converting everything over to them, because of the weight they will add to my shelves. The plastic containers don't add any weight to speak of.

 

[moldy]

I pick up my glass gallon jars at thrift stores or from friends. woke up with a massive headache, so I called in to work. I think it is from the whipsaw weather conditions we've had the last week. Head still feels sore but is better. Trying just to putter around at home and not do too much.

 

[Illini Warrior]

in regard to hiring yahoo tree cutters and branch trimmers - if they drop a tree on a power or communication pole lines - take off on the run from the responsibility - good chance the utilities lawyers come after you - could be some huge $$$$ involved for an emergency crew working off shift & overtime .....

 

[Meemur]

Our power lines are buried. The tree is not close to my house. The main problems: it's tall and it's rotten at the top, so not safe to climb.

In any case, two companies showed today (I had 5 scheduled). I want to get at least 5 quotes because the prices are all over the map. I'm also getting the number of their insurance license and checking that on the state site. The two that showed up today are in good standing.

I have some recommendations, too, but two of them appear not to be insured, but I'll ask.

 

[kyrsyan]

Tiring day. Trained new person. It looks like she will be fine. She just needs time to get used to actual doing vs training. And the quirks of individual client accounts. But she is willing to learn and work, and that's half the battle right there.

Body is really starting to perk back up now that the UTI is being dealt with. Walking is faster. Body was not happy with having to cut the walk short this morning. And my brain is clearer. The wild cravings are also gone. Thank heavens.

All in all, things are going in a positive direction.

 

[philkar]

Hello everyone! Lots going on in our neck of the woods. Planting time for us! So we are working 12 hour days and go to bed hoping we haven't left any body parts outside! Just teasing of course but I am sure you know the feeling. Just a few sweet potatoes left in the root cellar but they are losing their sweetness. I am baking, peeling, and then freezing them and then will serve them with brown sugar and butter. I know lots of calories but we seem to be burning those all up right now. Looks like we will be having a great fruit year. Since the late freeze got most every fruit last year we are very thankful. Also putting up strawberries every other day. So nice to have something we can grab a handful of while working!
Barn is sporting new kittens and baby birds. Thankfully the birds are up in the rafters or the kittens mom would be serving them a special snack I am sure. I tease hubs that I expect to go out to the barn one day to find that Momma cat has used the power tools and built a ladder to the rafters!
A big thanks to all that encouraged me to pursue planting medicinal herbs. Everything germinated in the greenhouse and has been transplanted to the herb bed. Now to learn how to preserve all of them! Tinctures here I come!
Hope all of you who have been under the weather are feeling better! Praying for all of you. May we all find strength and dwell in peace.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Cary got the call from our Internist letting him know that his echo showed no abnormalities. Carotid arteries are good and heart is good. No more testing. Internist told him to just keep doing what he's been doing and to continue to watch his salt and cholesterol intake and get plenty of exercise.

80 degree day, today. Lots to do outside. No rain for a change. We need a good solid week without any rain and 80+ degree temps. Got to get that soil dry and warm.

 

[nomifyle]

Good for Cary's report, I know that's a relief.

Warmer weather here today, its over cast right now but warmish.

I've replaced a couple of my most used skillets, that are the carote brand. They had gotten in bad shape. And I also am replacing my plastic spatulas with silicone ones. I like the plastic ones, but these new ones will work well.

I quit using my cast iron pans for two reasons, one too much iron in my blood and they are just too heavy. I miss them, but you have to do what you have to do. But I still have them in case I ever have to cook outside.

I cut the tip of my finger yesterday with one of my new paring knives, its very sharp. Its a pain to use with a band aid on it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Good for Cary's report, I know that's a relief.

Warmer weather here today, its over cast right now but warmish.

I've replaced a couple of my most used skillets, that are the carote brand. They had gotten in bad shape. And I also am replacing my plastic spatulas with silicone ones. I like the plastic ones, but these new ones will work well.

I quit using my cast iron pans for two reasons, one too much iron in my blood and they are just too heavy. I miss them, but you have to do what you have to do. But I still have them in case I ever have to cook outside.

I cut the tip of my finger yesterday with one of my new paring knives, its very sharp. Its a pain to use with a band aid on it.

Yes, a huge relief. If he can just keep his BP down to within normal range, he'll be doing great. High BP doesn't go well with his kidney issue or strokes. BP hasn't been really high, but higher than what our Internist wants it to be. A change in his meds were needed. So far, the new med dosage isn't working. BP was 141/93 this morning.

I did some reorganizing in my kitchen the other day trying to make room for more storage space. I got rid of some old pots and pans that had outlived their usefulness. I use only glass, stainless steel, and cast iron when I'm cooking. Stainless steel utensils, too. Some of my cast iron is getting a bit too heavy for me, too, especially when the Lupus Arthritis in my fingers act up. I can't grasp the handles very well to pick them up.

 

[Meemur]

It's 52 and sunny. I've got to go to work in a few minutes, but a walk around the pond is in my future!

 

[nomifyle]

Yes, a huge relief. If he can just keep his BP down to within normal range, he'll be doing great. High BP doesn't go well with his kidney issue or strokes. BP hasn't been really high, but higher than what our Internist wants it to be. A change in his meds were needed. So far, the new med dosage isn't working. BP was 141/93 this morning.

I did some reorganizing in my kitchen the other day trying to make room for more storage space. I got rid of some old pots and pans that had outlived their usefulness. I use only glass, stainless steel, and cast iron when I'm cooking. Stainless steel utensils, too. Some of my cast iron is getting a bit too heavy for me, too, especially when the Lupus Arthritis in my fingers act up. I can't grasp the handles very well to pick them up.

I keep forgetting about glass, I have my mothers vision ware out in the she shed. I lost all of mine in Katrina. I've always had issues with food sticking in it.

I've got one bottom cabinet in my kitchen that badly needs to be cleaned out.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I keep forgetting about glass, I have my mothers vision ware out in the she shed. I lost all of mine in Katrina. I've always had issues with food sticking in it.

I've got one bottom cabinet in my kitchen that badly needs to be cleaned out.

I've got a set of nice glass mixing bowls, and all of my baking and casserole dishes are glass. That's it. I always use olive oil spray or butter to coat the pans, before I use them. I still have food to stick every now and then, but not often, and not to the point that they have to have a good scrubbing down with a scratch pad.

I baked the pork chops last night in a glass baking dish. No scrubbing/scratching needed when washed.

 

[Meemur]

SB re: heavy pans. I have a lighter pot and a pan for ouchie days. There are "safe" non-stick pans. I totally agree about food tasting better in cast iron, and I use it a lot of the time, but since I don't have help, some days I need to use the alternatives or make something in the toaster oven or microwave.

 

[nomifyle]

A pot roast just does not taste the same cooked in a slow cooker instead of a cast iron dutch oven. Although its been years since I cooked a roast at all, too expensive.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

SB re: heavy pans. I have a lighter pot and a pan for ouchie days. There are "safe" non-stick pans. I totally agree about food tasting better in cast iron, and I use it a lot of the time, but since I don't have help, some days I need to use the alternatives or make something in the toaster oven or microwave.

I've always just planned what I'm going to cook to match how my fingers are doing that day. If my fingers are hurting, I'm experiencing a lot of fatigue that day as well, so I keep the meals simple. If they are acting up, I plan to use lighter cookware, too. My larger cast iron skillets are what I have problems with.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I went for a nice long walk while Cary was cutting up more firewood from the pile. Beautiful day. I also went through all of our garden seeds and pulled out what I wanted to plant, plus the flower seeds Cary wanted. We've had seed starts and the tomato and pepper plants in a sunny window in the laundry room, but today, they got moved out onto the patio table to get better climatized, before planting. I worked in my flowers for a bit, too, but it got too sunny for me in that location, so I had to stop. I have to limit my time in the direct sunlight to 10 mins. a day.

If all goes well, we plan to till up the raised beds tomorrow afternoon. Cary is too tired to do it now. He got a lot of wood cut. Handling those big logs takes a bunch out of him. Not as young as he used to be at almost 72.

Tonight's supper will be left-over pork chops, yellow rice, purple hull peas, sesame rolls, and no dessert. I plan to make a cake, tomorrow. I don't know what kind, yet. I'll have to see what kind of cake mixes are in the freezer. It's been a while, since I've bought any. Store bought buttercream frosting is all I have left. Cary's favorite.

 

[anna43]

My timing and turning off my dryer that wasn't shutting off ended last night. When I went to take the stuff out the metal was hot enough to burn and the laundry very toasty. Today I went to town and bought a used, reconditioned dryer.

I have pretty much stopped using my larger cast iron skillets, but I have several smaller ones that work well for one person and the weight isn't bad.

Last Thursday I went to the library in larger town after doctor's appointment. I checked out six books and six magazines. I read all of them so returned them today and checked out six more books. I have three out from local library and have already read one of them. I'm trying to do more reading and less screen time.

While I was in town today, I went to one thrift shop and found two pair of slacks, a pair of petal pusher pants and two knit shirts. I've already run them through the washer twice and have them hanging in the basement. I will have to wash them another time or two to get rid of the perfume of whatever fabric softener or Free-breeze (sp) they used. The companies advertise the @#$@% scent lasting three months and I believe it. Why or why do people think they have to scent everything in their lives??

My garden was tilled yesterday, and I planted my potatoes this afternoon. If the weather stays decent, I plan to plant lettuce, radishes and ?? tomorrow. I'm planning to take it easy and not overdo each day. Daughter's friend tilled for me and said he'll come back to help put up the fence. No point in planting anything if I do not fence out the rabbits. If I did not live in town, I swear I'd be shooting them rather than fencing them. Of course, the deer will step right over the rabbit fencing, but I can't afford deer fencing.

 

[feralferret]

I'm lying in a hospital bed right now. Foot that was swollen so badly has developed an open sore that has been draining for almost two weeks. It has not responded to oral antibiotics, so am in hospital on IV antibiotics. Will likely have to have surgery on it. Will know more after they do an MRI. Prayers requested.

At least youngest son is here to help out with some much needed yard work, so my wife is not by herself at home.

 

[philkar]

Praying!

I'm lying in a hospital bed right now. Foot that was swollen so badly has developed an open sore that has been draining for almost two weeks. It has not responded to oral antibiotics, so am in hospital on IV antibiotics. Will likely have to have surgery on it. Will know more after they do an MRI. Prayers requested.

At least youngest son is here to help out with some much needed yard work, so my wife is not by herself at home.

 

[kyrsyan]

@feralferret , may it fully heal with minimal intervention. And may you all be fully supported.

 

[hd5574]

I'm lying in a hospital bed right now. Foot that was swollen so badly has developed an open sore that has been draining for almost two weeks. It has not responded to oral antibiotics, so am in hospital on IV antibiotics. Will likely have to have surgery on it. Will know more after they do an MRI. Prayers requested.

At least youngest son is here to help out with some much needed yard work, so my wife is not by herself at home.

Praying for you

 

[summerthyme]

Prayers from here, as well. Any chance of someone bringing you some colloidal silver. It's definitely on the list of "it can't hurt, and I've seen it help too many times to attribute it to chance. It seems to work well with ( and augment the action of) all classes of antibiotics.

Summerthyme

 

[Meemur]

Prayers from my corner, as well. I second the colloidal silver. There's a lot of so-called cures around that do nothing, but this solution has proved its worth to me, fixing several sores on my legs that just weren't healing right.

 

[moldy]

@anna43 , you might try washing the clothes in vinegar - it might help take out the smell.

@feralferret , praying for you.

Had a 2 hour conversation with youngest DD. It made my whole week!!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Adding my prayers, too, feralferret.

 

[kyrsyan]

1.61 miles this morning. The body was of two minds on whether to add the extra bit. But in the end, I did it. Most of the problems are abdominal and back muscles that would have been affected by the surgery.

Yesterday was 1.35.

I'm still taking a trek pole with me. I almost decided not to yesterday but then the muscles around one of my knees locked up about a 1/4 mile in. I just slowly walked it out. I'll keep bringing the trek pole for a few more weeks. I have this feeling that if I wasn't walking and moving, I'd quickly discover that my range of motion was becoming more and more limited. The family has a saying about if you stop moving, you start dying. I'm beginning to think that they have meant it on a physical level as much as a mental level.

 

[nomifyle]

I do better when I'm more active and then I get lazy and don't do much and I pay for it. I could lay around most days with a good heart, but I try not to, although having been on vacation for 15 years its a challenge.

I've made a big dent in the kitchen, but have a little more to go.

I was up and down all night with bathroom issues but finally got a handle on it, I took a short nap and feel better.

I have a small, 2 things, pickup order at walmart, we have through Saturday to get it done. And DH has to go to the bank to get his phone number changed on his records. They don't do that over the phone, only in person.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If I don't get up and stay moving, my back gets so stiff on me I can hardly move. I walk every day that the weather permits. It does wonders to work out the stiffness, not to mention the weight loss and the added health benefits. There is one thing that Cary and I both agreed on when he retired. That is to always stay as active as possible. Easier to do during the summer, because we're already outside doing stuff.

I've already made a cake this morning and done a load of laundry, put those in the dryer, and already have them folded and put away. I'm just waiting on the temp outside to warm enough so that I can get outside and get busy. We plan to till the gardens this afternoon.

Looking at our extended weather forecast, It looks like summer is here to stay. Our temps will only get warmer from here on out. No rain until Monday.

 

[anna43]

Feralferret, praying for your complete recovery.

Moldy, I did use vinegar and washing soda. Someone at Bible Study today mentioned a product she'd heard advertised that is supposed to remove any scent including skunk. Thought I'd look for it because I get tired of having to wash stuff four or five times before I can wear it. Slacks I can usually get by with washing three times, but shirts next to my face require more washes.

Allergies are kicking my butt the last few days. I went to bed at 9:00 p.m. (usually no earlier than midnight) and slept until 5:30 a.m. (unheard of!) and am wanting to lay down for a nap. It's windy again and my yard is currently being mowed so I think I'll stay in until later before planting anything. Rain is in the forecast for the next few days, so I'd like to get at least lettuce and radishes planted.

My tomato and pepper plants are looking very good. The tomatoes are ready to be transplanted again, but if I do there won't be room under the light for everything. I'm going with it's better for them to have light than bigger pots!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Well, I got everything done inside, and we went out to till the gardens. Wouldn't you know it....the tiller won't crank!!! Cary is still working on it. I hope it doesn't have to go in the shop to get fixed. That's going to throw us off as far as getting the gardens done, before it rains again. I was so hoping that we could get them all done this week, since we have nowhere to go all week.

I went for my walk, instead.

I pulled my recipe for homemade sourdough bread this morning. I've got to get my starter going, before I can start on the bread. It will take a couple of days for the starter to be ready. It's been a while, since I've made homemade bread.

 

[feralferret]

Thank you to all for your prayers. MRI showed that the infection had NOT entered the bone! As a result the surgery today was minimal for removal of affected tissue. Praise God! Should be discharged in a couple of days.

Looking at a stretch of potential significant severe weather here from tomorrow afternoon through Sunday. Hope my house does not lose power since I am not there to setup the generator.