Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: September 19 ~ 25, 2021

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Needing to make an attitude adjustment concerning cooking. I used to enjoy cooking but I'm kinda done. But, everything is so expensive I need to suck it up and get it done. Sigh. First world problems.

Me, too. I've gone back to cooking food for at least 5 suppers on Sunday, like a meatloaf and 3 pork chops, and then some sides, like mashed potatoes. Then I have a lot of frozen veggies in the freezer in small bags that cook in 5 - 7 minutes. I can toss the veggies in boiling water, reheat the potatoes and meat in the microwave, and have food on the table in under 10 minutes with a minimum of fuss and dishes.
 

WanderLore

Veteran Member
Good lord. Everyone is at odds and I'm here trying to finish paint.
Son coming to help. He can move anytime. See if we can get that done tomorrow.
Daughter pitching a fit cause his dogs are using the house for a potty box. And hubs let the dogs out at 5:30 this morning which caused everyone to start barking.
Geesh I'm just trying to finish up.
 

amazon

Veteran Member
I also prep food for the week on Sunday. Makes a huge difference. WanderLore, hope your day got better.

I finished dehydrating the apples. They're delicious! My apple peel jelly is cooling. I hope it sets. I read you can dehydrate marshmallows so I'm trying a small batch.

I bought 5 lbs organic ginger. I'm infusing raw honey with ginger, onion and garlic. Ginger honey is very good. Anyway, how do yall store your ginger? It will mostly be used for tea or medicinally. Input appreciated!
I'm canning hamburger tomorrow. I still need to repackage some things. Maybe later this week. My order of 64 oz mason jars got cancelled at Ace. They can't get it. : (
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
You all have been so busy - and it's only Tuesday! (It is Tuesday, right? I swear half the time I don't know if I'm coming or going, let alone what day it is!)

I'd put some chicken thighs & water in the little crock pot yesterday afternoon to cook for the kittens; asked Hubby to put the meat in the fridge before he went to bed but he put the whole crock insert in there instead of putting it in a container. When I went to pull it out it had a lot of condensation on the outside and it slipped right out of my hands and went to the floor. The insert was fine, my mood, not so much... :lol: I stood and stared at it for a minute; then started putting down newspaper to soak up the broth and fat portion; kept layering the papers until the top layer was dry enough to walk on, then picked up the thighs and tossed them in to one of the two containers I use for cat food and in to the fridge, put the crock and lid in the sink; then picked up the soaked papers, gave the floor a quick mopping and went to bed (after a quick nap in the tub lol!) Told Hubby about my misadventures with chicken when he got home this evening and he said he managed to blow up his lunch in his Mama's microwave today, so there must be something in the air around here :lol:

I'd agreed to pick up anywhere from 4-6 hours at work tonight, but got a text sometime in the middle of the day while I was sleeping that said some one else wanted it and did I mind? And if I really wanted to work it, to text them before 5. Oh, heck NO I didn't mind!

The Covid testing seemed to go okay - I was the initial guinea pig since I snuck down to the testing area a few minutes early and ended up being the first one in line. I was in pretty good company - couple of security officers were behind me, then some maintenance guys and a gaggle of nurses and techs by the time I went in the door to the testing room. Took maybe 2 minutes and most of that was registering. The nurse whose station I went to was also wearing an N95, though whether that was because she hadn't vaxxed or was scared of us, I'm not sure, but she was very pleasant. She opened the swab packaging in front of me and told me to pull the swab out and to swab my own nose and place the swab in the tube; and that was it. No theragrippers noted on the swa - although the nurse asked me what I was looking for and I told her I just wanted to make sure it was clean. I may volunteer to help out at some of the following testing clinics, although they have offered to pay us to work them. I think it would be nice to show that I appreciate the lengths that they are willing to go to for staff.

Plans for tomorrow include going to the pool, canning more beans, cleaning house and getting youngest grandson to soccer practice; and I think that will be quite enough :lol: Although.... I am contemplating making another run up to the Amish bulk food store - when I was there last week, I picked up 2 boxes of gallon jars (8 total), but the only lids they had to fit them were plastic and I'd prefer metal. I did get the plastic lids as I can use them for fridge storage. They did have more of the bulk canning lids in stock that I'd purchased before - 10 dozen for $21.60, but they seem a bit thin to me. I guess I can run a load of pork 'n beans through the canner using some of those lids, then keep them in the upstairs panty where I can monitor them better to see if they seal/stay sealed.

Well, I'd better get off the computer and go talk to Hubby for a bit; we're thinking about a trip north so should probably look at the Atlas to see if we can do what we want in the time we have available.

You folks all take care out there; stay safe!
 
Last edited:

Meemur

Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Meemur, I've looked all over. I could order at a place online but shipping was really high. The Ace guy said they didn't expect to get anymore til next canning season.

I forgot where you live . . . you don't have any farm stores in the area?
Added: Maybe try SW Farm Supply?
 

spinner

Veteran Member
amazon, I store fresh ginger in the freezer. I just package and freeze it whole. When I want to use it I grate or chop it frozen. The texture is not quite like fresh, but for most uses it is fine and tastes fresh.
 

TxGal

Day by day
If you haven't tried Target in your area, we stopped into the closest one to us in Huntsville, TX, and were surprised to see a fair number of canning jars, lids, etc. Maybe the ones near you have some, not sure about online.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Canning jars are everywhere here. Cary went to a local hardware store, and they had jars stacked almost to the ceiling in a section of the store. The small hometown market where we buy groceries had the same. The local Dollar General had some, too, but not that many. I guess the shortage is regional.

I hope you find some, amazon.
 

Jeepcats27

Senior Member
Wow! Here in Central PA, we don't have ANY lids only a few dozen of jars. Target no lids, Tractor supply 0 lids, Ace 0 lids, Walmart 0 lids, Weiss & Giant & Karns (grocery stores) 0 lids, Agway 0 lids. It is sad. It seems like Newel Brands(parent company of the Ball canning division is trying to wipe them out.)I Can't believe all the revenue the company has lost due to their blindness!
 

Amethyst

Veteran Member
I soaked 4 pounds of Great Northern beans overnight and canned 13 pints of Pork and Beans and 5 quarts and 1 pint of Ham and Beans yesterday. This morning I was anxious to try the pork and beans so I opened a jar and had some along with an egg for breakfast. I think they needed a little more sugar but they will be fine in chili or other dishes.

Walmart put out canning lids a few days ago. They were gone in two days. There were several boxes regular Ball lids but the only wide mouth lids were in boxes with rings. Hope you find some, amazon.
 

coloradohermit

Veteran Member
I went out this morning and got my flu shot and filled another gas can. Now I'm stuck waiting for a call back from the fellow who's going to repair my privacy fence so it looks like housecleaning has moved up on the schedule. I'll also check out the online weekly ad flier for our local Kroger.
 

aviax2

Veteran Member
Canning jar lids are still hard to come by in my neck of the woods, I especially would like some wide mouth lids. DH looks every time he goes to the closest Walmart and said they don’t have jars anymore either.

I finally got my order of dehydrated bell peppers and broccolI, along with some pasta and sauce mix this week. Looks like I’m going to have to get in touch with Sam’s again about my last order. I was charged but didn’t get an item, it’s been 2 weeks today since I talked with them and I still haven’t received the item or had the charge taken off my credit card, grrr.

DH bought some whole chickens that were on sale and I discovered that my kitchen shears weren’t up to the job of cutting them in half. He managed to get the job done but I don’t have the strength in my hands for those kind of shears ( I gave my good boning pair to DD2) so I got a new pair this week. I’ll be ready next time!

Fall is my favorite season and it has arrived overnight!!! It’s 69 outside right now and breezy, my kind of weather, I love it!

SB- I’ve been concerned about Philkar too. Continued prayers going up for her.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Canning jar lids are still hard to come by in my neck of the woods, I especially would like some wide mouth lids. DH looks every time he goes to the closest Walmart and said they don’t have jars anymore either.

I finally got my order of dehydrated bell peppers and broccolI, along with some pasta and sauce mix this week. Looks like I’m going to have to get in touch with Sam’s again about my last order. I was charged but didn’t get an item, it’s been 2 weeks today since I talked with them and I still haven’t received the item or had the charge taken off my credit card, grrr.

DH bought some whole chickens that were on sale and I discovered that my kitchen shears weren’t up to the job of cutting them in half. He managed to get the job done but I don’t have the strength in my hands for those kind of shears ( I gave my good boning pair to DD2) so I got a new pair this week. I’ll be ready next time!

Fall is my favorite season and it has arrived overnight!!! It’s 69 outside right now and breezy, my kind of weather, I love it!

SB- I’ve been concerned about Philkar too. Continued prayers going up for her.

I'm still missing the last shipment (the 4th) of my Sam's order. From my tracking, it hasn't even been shipped out, yet. It's been almost 2 weeks. It's taking longer and longer to get shipments from them. I placed one order, and it has arrived in 3 (so far) different shipments from all over the country.

Yeah, it's only 69 right now, here, too. I'm even a bit chilled sitting here in the house. Supposed to be in the upper 40's tonight! Too cold for this time of the year. Cary is out cutting up more wood for my stove.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
SB- I’ve been having that happen with Sam orders for the past several months, even when ordering from different stores.

It's getting to the point that I would almost go in store at Sam's to do my shopping if it weren't for the crowds of people, and Covid still going like wild fire, here. I like the ease of sitting at home doing my shopping, but the wait is something else, entirely. Not ever receiving what you order is getting to be a greater possibility as well.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
If you want to shop and avoid crowds, I've found that going between 7 and 8 am is definitely the time to go. Very few shoppers that early.

Seems that no matter how hard I try, we can never get out of the house before 11am! It's all Cary's fault. He has to drink a whole pot of coffee every morning, before he gets to moving. Our Sam's is 30 mins. away. I may have to "light a fire" under his behind if my shipments keep being late.
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
Got 1 vehicle fixed and back home. My keys got stuck to someone else's $1100 mechanic bill and I was about to panic. Mine was only $600 and change...
The indoor cats have told me that they will starve to death before they eat the beef variety cat food that I bought back in the spring when I couldn't get anything else. The barn cats will very grudgingly eat it, but they let me know they don't like it. Ordinarily, I would just leave it and feed it to the chickens over the cold winter months but I don't have room, so the chickens are getting it now.
I had ordered dh some more of the faux salt that he uses, from a different WM vendor, and they sent me a case of cheese straws instead. I still haven't gotten that straightened out.
Did another WM order, and it wasn't supposed to be here until next week, but everything showed up today, and it was right, thank goodness.
We're back to 90 degree weather and I sure can't leave the puppy in the truck while I run errands. We have to go to the dump early tomorrow morning, the trash is running over. Hopefully I can get dh to watch her on Fri so I can go to the store.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Canned more ham and bean soup and pork and beans, played with kittens, and took an unplanned nap today. It was a good day :) Tomorrow the power is scheduled to be out again so I'll get up early and make sure everything is on the chargers; power packs have already been checked and are at 100%. I put more beans on to soak, so may can one more canner load of pork 'n beans if I have enough energy... It's a work night, but it's the last one this week so I'll have time to rest up for the soccer game on Saturday and the JFL game on Sunday...
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
We're taking Mom to see her doctor, today. She has Shingles! A bad case of them, too. She has a 101 temp, also. We're going into big town. I don't know if she'll feel up to letting me do a bit of shopping while there, or not.

I got up this morning with a strong sense that something really bad was about to happen. It's just a feeling, but I can't shake it. Maybe, I'm just reading too much doom, lately. I don't know. We're going to try to get back home as soon as we can. I want to be close at home if something happens.

I got a notice, this morning, that my last Sam's shipment is supposed to arrive, today. Finally.
 

ReneeT

Veteran Member
Your poor Mama, Sherree!! When my father had shingles, they gave us a cream that was made with hot peppers; it seemed to help. I think it was Zostrix. I would apply it to his shoulder blade area where the shingles were, noticed after a couple of days that the arthritis in my hands wasn't nearly as bad as usual... :rolleyes: Just make sure you don't rub your eyes afterwards, or anywhere, ummm...tender.

I had to run some stuff over to daughter today; while I was there, I asked if she knew anyone who boarded cats in her town; silly girl offered to keep the kittens for me if we get to go on our planned trip next month. I guess it's payback for keeping the grand-dog so often - I'm just not sure she realizes exactly how much payback it will end up being... :lol:

I ran to the Evil Empire while I was in town to pick up a couple things that Hubby wanted; meandered over to the far side of the store to see if there was anything good in the clearance aisles. I was wandering through housewares on my way back toward the checkout and found an area about 8' long and 4 shelves high filled with pint, quart, and half gallon canning jars. They also had a couple of boxes of 9 each 'Asparagus' jars as my Granny called them - tall, 24 oz, wide mouth jars, so I grabbed those. They had 5 unopened boxes that had 24 - 12 ct boxes of a dozen regular mouth Ball brand lids - I want to say they were $2.48/box. I picked up an already opened box that had 10 boxes of lids that were in a box. They also had 6 full 24 count boxes of a dozen wide mouth lids. I have to stop to pick up a 'script at the WalMart in my work town on my way home tomorrow, so will check to see what they have in the line of canning gear. I'm also going to stop by Dollar General to see if they happened to get in any back ordered Golden Harvest lids on my way home from work tomorrow. morning.

Guess I'd better go take my pre-work nap if I'm going to get one. You folks all stay safe out there!
 

Digger

Veteran Member
We did some errands today. I found the tick spray I was looking to put back for next year. I now have 6 cans to put up. I found 2 cans at 2 different store a few days ago. Today we went to the large Ace hardware store. They had 6 and I got 4. They also had regular mouth canning lids and wide mouth with rings. I got 4 regular mouth lids.

Next we went to Neighborhood Market and got some things. Beans were kind of low and rice too. But I got what I needed. We bought big canisters of hot cocoa. I like it in my coffee. We also got more coffee and TP. But the best deal was on the clearance aisle. They had 3 64oz bottles of lamp oil on clearance for .50 cents bottle. I bought all three. We will keep one and give one to each kid for their house.

On the way home we stopped at our small town pharmacy. I bought me a new purse. It is leather and a concealed carry bag. They are more reasonably priced there than anywhere else I have shopped.

I need to get all this stored away now. :hmm:
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Your poor Mama, Sherree!! When my father had shingles, they gave us a cream that was made with hot peppers; it seemed to help. I think it was Zostrix. I would apply it to his shoulder blade area where the shingles were, noticed after a couple of days that the arthritis in my hands wasn't nearly as bad as usual... :rolleyes: Just make sure you don't rub your eyes afterwards, or anywhere, ummm...tender.


We just got back, after dropping Mom back off at her house. She's really having a hard go of it right now. Doctor gave her a script med, but told her it might not do much good, since she needed to have started it right away. She's waited 5 days to see the doctor. The rash is down the inside of one of her legs, on her behind, and pubic area!!!!! She's miserable. She has been told by a friend that she can sit in the tub with hot water and baking soda as a home remedy. That has given her a bit of relief. For the most part, it just has to run it's course. She's 81 yrs. old, and is having a hard time trying walk or sit, not to mention having to go to the bathroom!

My Sam's order came in, finally. It was shipped from the state of Washington!!!!
 

amazon

Veteran Member
God Bless You Hiwall! I went on walmart.com to see if the 64 oz were in stock online, and it said they had 2 at my closest WM. I threw on my jeans and tore out over there! They had SIX 6 packs!! Woo hoo!!!! I've been looking for months. I bought 4 of the 6 packs and left 2. They had one flat of pint and a half. I haven't seen those in I don't know how long. So I bought that too. I also bought some low sugar Sure Gel and cheesecloth. Hiwall I believe G-d used you to help me. Thanks so much. : )
 

nomifyle

TB Fanatic
I finally got fed up with Fedx not delivering my packages to my front door. I've complained and complained to fedx and they still insist on putting my packages some where else and calling it delivered to my front door. With each delivered order wm asks if I was satisfied and now I'm giving them bad reviews on the shipping. They refunded my next to last order. I wouldn't use wm.com except they have better prices on many things than amazon. I will keep giving them a bad review until they get it straight. My next to last order fedx delivered a package in the middle of a path on the ground and we didn't find it for two or three days. And then they swore they delivered another package to my house but they left it at the post office. I raised hell and they refunded that order.

I'm not looking to get something for nothing, I just want my packages delivered to my front door instead of some where else, especially since I hurt my hand and its really hard to get the boxes to the house.

I think my brother has decided that he likes the cabin that DH has been building. He kicked in some cash for materials and is now buying a couple of air conditioners and beds for the cabin. What DH really needs is help, but there is none to be had. Praise the Lord DH is doing much better, his blue eyes are nice and clear and he looks better.

God is good all the time

Judy
 

John Deere Girl

Veteran Member
I finally got fed up with Fedx not delivering my packages to my front door. I've complained and complained to fedx and they still insist on putting my packages some where else and calling it delivered to my front door. With each delivered order wm asks if I was satisfied and now I'm giving them bad reviews on the shipping. They refunded my next to last order. I wouldn't use wm.com except they have better prices on many things than amazon. I will keep giving them a bad review until they get it straight. My next to last order fedx delivered a package in the middle of a path on the ground and we didn't find it for two or three days. And then they swore they delivered another package to my house but they left it at the post office. I raised hell and they refunded that order.

I'm not looking to get something for nothing, I just want my packages delivered to my front door instead of some where else, especially since I hurt my hand and its really hard to get the boxes to the house.

I think my brother has decided that he likes the cabin that DH has been building. He kicked in some cash for materials and is now buying a couple of air conditioners and beds for the cabin. What DH really needs is help, but there is none to be had. Praise the Lord DH is doing much better, his blue eyes are nice and clear and he looks better.

God is good all the time

Judy
I can sympathize on the deliveries. We had a wonderful mailman who delivered to our porch if we had any packages or when DH meds came. I kept Gatorade for him, shared garden produce, and got a Christmas gift for he and his wife each year. He's not there anymore. Now we have a lazy mail person that packages against our mailbox and shoves packages until they fall out the back. I have to watch for him daily if I want our mail. So frustrating!
 

summerthyme

Administrator
_______________
I finally got fed up with Fedx not delivering my packages to my front door. I've complained and complained to fedx and they still insist on putting my packages some where else and calling it delivered to my front door. With each delivered order wm asks if I was satisfied and now I'm giving them bad reviews on the shipping. They refunded my next to last order. I wouldn't use wm.com except they have better prices on many things than amazon. I will keep giving them a bad review until they get it straight. My next to last order fedx delivered a package in the middle of a path on the ground and we didn't find it for two or three days. And then they swore they delivered another package to my house but they left it at the post office. I raised hell and they refunded that order.

I'm not looking to get something for nothing, I just want my packages delivered to my front door instead of some where else, especially since I hurt my hand and its really hard to get the boxes to the house.

I think my brother has decided that he likes the cabin that DH has been building. He kicked in some cash for materials and is now buying a couple of air conditioners and beds for the cabin. What DH really needs is help, but there is none to be had. Praise the Lord DH is doing much better, his blue eyes are nice and clear and he looks better.

God is good all the time

Judy
I'm so glad DH is feeling better, Judy! God is indeed good!

This afternoon we came home in the middle of an all day steady rain to fine someone had delivered a package of Pampers diapers- setting them ON TOP of the Rubbermaid box CLEARLY LABELED Packages in large block letters! Good grief!

(Meanwhile, I was recently chastened for my expectations (by my conscience, or that still, small Voice) at Walmart when I noticed the only somewhat open cashier was a Downs syndrome woman. I was pleasantly surprised at how businesslike she was and how accurate she was. She wasn't the fastest moving cashier I've seen, but I think overall, it was more accurate and more pleasant!)

Oh, I forgot! The USPS delivery moron left packages on the honor pumpkin stand!!!... on a state route! There are pumpkins everywhere around- no one's stealing pumpkins. But Amazon packages!? Come on, man!

Summerthyme
 

chumly2071

Contributing Member
With the continued discussions and concerns about shortages, I finally got off my backside and ordered a couple back up sets of filter elements for my gravity water filter setup. Expensive, but peace of mind.
Saturday while the rest of the family is out doing the St Jude walk (my mini me is a St Jude kiddo), I will likely hit up my LGS and see how bad it hurts if he has any powder left, and also probably hit up Aldi as well. I have a new saw chain grinder that I need to get mounted and try out as well.

Work, preps, and all has too much on my mind, need to find a little zen. Outpatient thing today went well, but it is not good when the Dr is surprised at what they found (but fairly confident all is well, remain calm), and also when the anesthesiologist laughs and says it took 4 vials of propofol to knock you out and you were an expensive date...

sigh....
 

Marseydoats

Veteran Member
Judy, I have been complaining about FedEx misdeliveries for 2 years, and it hasn't done a bit of good. My last Chewy order, I checked just before I went to bed, and they had thrown it out in the middle of the driveway. I guess I should just be thankful they threw it out in MY driveway, instead of somebody else's. And didn't run over the package again.
 

SouthernBreeze

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Since our property is fenced and gated, we have a spot out at the road, on the inside of our fence/gate, where FedEx places all of our deliveries. If we're not at home at the time of delivery, and it's raining, she puts the packages in a plastic cover, before setting them over the fence. Most of the time, we're at home when deliveries are made, and she honks at us to let us know she's out at the road. We've never had any problems with her, except for the time Cary saw her pitch something over the fence for our dog. Thankfully, it was just a snack for him, but Cary gave her a stern talking to for doing it. Told her not to be giving our dog anything, unless she asks first. So far, she hasn't.
 
Top