Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: September 26 ~ October 2, 2021

[ReneeT]

Good Morning, All! Hope you all are doing well this week As for myself, 8 solid hours of sleep worked wonders - I'm almost human again Thanks for tolerating my grumbling last week; I appreciate the tolerance!

I've been fussing about the panty (I always fuss about the pantry lol!), but a nice fat doe just sauntered across my front yard and is now at the edge of the neighbor's corn field, nibbling at the husks on an ear of corn. I remember the 70's all too well, and would have no problem at all finding her on my dinner plate - the only problem would be getting Hubby to go hunting before everyone and their brother is out hunting. I'll remind him how much he dislikes squirrel - the other critter we have more than an abundance of around here...

Yesterday was one grandson's soccer game, today is the other one's football game. I'll be home early enough to take a nap before work, so that will be a blessing. My daughter is planning a short trip with a friend, so on my days off, I will be spending evenings and nights at her house with the dog and grandsons - I won't get anything useful done at home, but I'm sure that Hubby will enjoy the peace and quiet

And speaking of getting things done, I'd better get busy so that I get to the football game on time! You folks all take care - stay safe out there!

 

[nomifyle]

DH is slowly but surely getting work done on the cabin. Looks like my brother is claiming it for his own, which is fine with us. I'm still trying to get my last grocery shopping stuff put away.

I ordered one of those neck and back massagers that BE mentioned in the Q thread. DH will probably claim it.

I watched a video about a small portable washing machine

19.43 run time

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnHVqCR8CMA&t=935s


He said it cleans well but he is concerned there is no safety feature when lifting the lid. It looked pretty good to me, but I'm not sure I would buy one.

We've been enjoying having coffee on the front porch since the weather is perfect lately.

Just trying to get every day things done. I've been scrubbing the bathroom this morning, looking good. I did two loads of clothes yesterday, I would not want to hang them outside unless I had no other option. My mother loved her fresh smelling sheets from being hung on the line. Clean is good enough for me.

My hand is about 90% better, but still aches. I've been putting a Lidocane patch on it and that helps some.

Looks like we are going out to each Chinese food today.

The leaves are starting to turn and its been in the 50's some at night. DH has started the wood stove a couple of mornings this week, he's impressed with the stove fan I got.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It's just "steady as she goes" for us this coming week. I have a doctor's appointment, Wednesday. It's just for a check up and blood work with my Rheumatologist.

Mom isn't doing any better. I wish there was something out there that would help give her some relief.

 

[Meemur]

Saying prayers for relief for your mom, Southern Breeze.

Central Iowa is headed back into the upper 80s, but I'm going to try not to let that bother me too much. It is cooling back into the 60s at night. I'm looking at it as Indian Summer without the freeze, and I need a hard freeze to kill the ragweed!

 

[Barry Natchitoches]

I got a pleasant surprise when I went in the back yard to water my fall crops.

I have a fence I built out of cheap chicken wire, to allow a place for climbing beans to grow. I got alot of snap beans off of it during the summer, and decided to let the vines dry and wither away before I double dug up the soil on either side of the fence, in preparation for next year.. So I quit watering that ground a month or more ago.

But mother nature had other ideas.

When I picked off dried pods a month or more ago (seeds to plant next year), some of the seed slipped through my fingers and dropped to the ground.

We have had alot of rain the last few weeks. So, I guess it didn’t matter that I didn’t water the fenced soil bed. Mother nature did it for me.

Today, I finally noticed - among all the dried vines were lots of green snap bean pods, perfect size for a big ole supper pot of green beans.

It took me a full hour to snap those beans after I picked them, there were so many.

So my dinner plans have changed - I am cooking up a huge pot full of home grown snap beans. I will add in some sliced onion, bacon bits, and a bit of pork fat I have left over from last night’s pork chop dinner.

Add to that a couple of boiled chicken leg quarters that I will finish off on the BBQ grill. I also have a few “too old” bananas, so I think I will make up some instant vanilla pudding and mix the ripened, sliced bananas into the pudding for a “quick and easy” banana pudding.

I love surprises.

 

[WanderLore]

Boys got several ribbons at fair for their 4H projects, one was huge! They were so excited to see them as they haven't ever done anything like this!
We all went and they stayed. Pooped us out walking and it was a madhouse.

This week we will shut the pool down, finish the cabin, put yard to bed. Other this and that.
There is still a ton of crop in the big garden. So there's that...

 

[paxsim2]

I had a blackberry branch tip propagate itself, I pulled it up accidentally. I stuck it back in but I want to stick it in a bigger pot. Everything I've read says I can but cutting it off of the mother plant is a little scary. But I'm going to do it and hope it makes it.
No Walmart pickup this week, taking a week off. I'm looking at the Generac solar generator, still trying to decide.
Love the tshirt wick idea, I have several I'm cutting up for rags so I'll do wicks at the same time.
Ordering a rick of wood, my helper should be here next weekend to help stack it.
Need to get super serious about downsizing.

 

[moldy]

More than a bit tired. We mostly stripped the garden of squash and melons today with the help of friends. Right now, I have a crate of long island cheese and butternut squash, and a crate of spaghetti squash sitting in my mudroom. Said crates are 4x4x4 ish. I also filled a large freezer with layered heads of cabbage and straw for the winter. I'm a tired girl tonight.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Added another mile to my daily ruck/dog run today. Serves 2 purposes , gets in shape for the coming festivities and also ready for small game season.

Such a nice day today, very cool, 59 and sunny, no humidity. The rucking was easy and no bugs for a change LOL

My dog was loving the cool air.

 

[summerthyme]

I had a blackberry branch tip propagate itself, I pulled it up accidentally. I stuck it back in but I want to stick it in a bigger pot. Everything I've read says I can but cutting it off of the mother plant is a little scary. But I'm going to do it and hope it makes it.
No Walmart pickup this week, taking a week off. I'm looking at the Generac solar generator, still trying to decide.
Love the tshirt wick idea, I have several I'm cutting up for rags so I'll do wicks at the same time.
Ordering a rick of wood, my helper should be here next weekend to help stack it.
Need to get super serious about downsizing.

If it's possible, put it in your preferred pot *without * cutting it from the parent for a week or even two. It will be well established when you "cut the cord".. or the branch.

Summerthyme

 

[paxsim2]

Thanks Summerthyme!

 

[prudentwatcher]

Just a few odds and ends for us, as we are out of room. A few cans of soup, some more cough medicine, 3 rolls of 85/15 hamburger, some rotel, a package of pork steaks (one for dinner, the rest for the freezer). More stuff for the food pantry--some chef boy-ar-dee (bogo made it 63 cents a can--if I didn't already have 200 cans I would have bought more for me) and some pancake mix.

My better half tolerates my prepping (other than saying "where are we going to put all of this stuff"?) but when it comes to the cats, the food shortage there has her rattled. Another $250 order off to Chewy's when we just did one last month. We just can't find stuff on the shelves here, except a bag of dry here and there. This order puts us up to 8 months for the kitties. Would still like more, but space is a real problem. I guess it doesn't matter if we go hungry (I have it covered), but God forbid the furbabies suffer a hunger pain!

 

[nomifyle]

Another order delivered by fedx from walmart and not at my front door. They do put it on the porch of the cabin, but that is not the porch of my house. I will continue to give the order the worst feedback I can until they get it right.

Instead of picking up another package of tp the last time I went to wm, I ordered it. The 20 roll package of scotts for $14, which is a good price. I just checked, its still $14 so I'm ordering another package.

Still trying to find places to put my last grocery shopping items.

DH is making really good progress on feeling better and getting done what he wants to do. I felt pretty good most of the day.

We had tacos for supper, baked two hamburger patties for another meal and browned enough ground meat for another batch of vegetable soup, which seems to be a winner for DH.

God is good all the time

Judy

God is good all the time

 

[Digger]

We went to town and ran a few errands. I wanted to get canning lids for my older cousin who has not ran across any since last year. She had enough to can this year with a few left for next year. But she will need more for next year. The larger Ace hardware had almost 3 cases of regular lids late last week. Today they were all gone. The only lids left were from China and neither of us trust those. Hopefully I will run across some soon. I have plenty for myself. I mostly use Tattler reusable lids except for things I make for gifts.

Most people here are not wearing masks. Our new state cases have dropped to under 500 for the day. Vaccinations have slowed. Hopefully we are past the worst.

Things are finally getting somewhat back to normal. We had a joint memorial for hubby's parents on Saturday. There are still loose ends to tie up and the house to clean out. The kids are not ready to face that yet. Hubby said Saturday night was the first night he has slept good in weeks. I knew he was stressed. Just getting through the day was exhausting.

Our son killed a deer with his bow on our place yesterday morning. That is one less to eat the garden next spring. But there are still at least 12 that hang around.

 

[vestige]

We went to town and ran a few errands. I wanted to get canning lids for my older cousin who has not ran across any since last year. She had enough to can this year with a few left for next year. But she will need more for next year. The larger Ace hardware had almost 3 cases of regular lids late last week. Today they were all gone. The only lids left were from China and neither of us trust those. Hopefully I will run across some soon. I have plenty for myself. I mostly use Tattler reusable lids except for things I make for gifts.

Most people here are not wearing masks. Our new state cases have dropped to under 500 for the day. Vaccinations have slowed. Hopefully we are past the worst.

Things are finally getting somewhat back to normal. We had a joint memorial for hubby's parents on Saturday. There are still loose ends to tie up and the house to clean out. The kids are not ready to face that yet. Hubby said Saturday night was the first night he has slept good in weeks. I knew he was stressed. Just getting through the day was exhausting.

Our son killed a deer with his bow on our place yesterday morning. That is one less to eat the garden next spring. But there are still at least 12 that hang around.

Kill more deer.

 

[Digger]

We are trying. Well son and the neighbors are. I only hunt modern gun. But son has offered to loan me his bow

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We did some security prepping for a friend in our group, yesterday. She had bought some security cameras for her outside area. She called, and ask Cary if he would come down, and install them for her.

I also took her a big box of commodities that Mom had received, but didn't want. There were 3 boxes of food. Mom kept one for herself, and gave the other 2 to me. I shared one with our friend.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm busy doing laundry and cleaning house, today. Laundry is on the line, since it's another beautiful day. After today, our schedule will be a bit hectic, so I wanted to get all my chores out of the way.

Tomorrow, I have a doctor appointment in Big town. It'll take up most of the afternoon.

Thursday, I need to make a run to Walmart for a few items, and plan to stop in at TSC for some long sleeved T's for myself. I may just make a day of it, and go ahead, and do my regular bi-monthly grocery shopping while in Small town.

Friday, Cary has to go into Big town to have his 6 month CT-Scan done on the kidney that was partially removed to make sure no cancer has returned. If Sam's isn't too crowded, I'd like to stop in there, before returning home.

Saturday, is opening day of squirrel season, here, and the hunting party will meet here at our place, before heading out.

Sunday, Home Bible study and fellowship with our group.

Monday, Cary has a doctor appointment to see his Urologist for the results of the CT-Scan.

By Tuesday, we'll be needing a vacation!

 

[John Deere Girl]

I got all the quilts and blankets washed. I've been doing fall cleaning and organizing this week. I placed a big grocery order, now I need to put it away.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Trying to organize! Found some raman that was only a month or two off it's best by date. Yeah right. That day had come and gone that's for sure. Was it edible? Maybe? Did it taste right? No.

 

[nomifyle]

Finally, finally got a chance to talk to the fedx driver this afternoon and showed him which porch is mine and which is not. So prayerfully that problem is solved.

Doing a little cleaning and trying to get stuff put away, I need another room or taller rafters.

While I was outside talking to the Fedx driver the mosquitos just about ate me up. I tried several things to stop the itching and finally hydrogen peroxide seemed to help, might have been the combination of every thing I tried.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[Murt]

My wife helped someone with their garden--she came home with 2 bushels of peas (they're in the pressure canner as I type) and 50 lbs of just dug sweet potatoes
This will probably wrap up out canning for the year---we were blessed with a bumper year--the pantry runneth over


ETA--my wife just told me that we are not through canning--we will be canning some of the sweet potatoes next

 

[WanderLore]

Judy, apple cider vinegar is my go-to for all that, it works wonders. Grandson got stung by yellow jacket today. Put the vinegar on and it was like he never got it after about 5 mins. I usually rub it on with fingers or put on rag and hold it.

Murt, same here. It's been a great year for the gardens!

 

[moldy]

Picked the last of the broccoli last night and the seed pods, but haven't gotten around to de-seeding them. Tomorrow will be grocery shopping and canning turnips.

 

[nomifyle]

Judy, apple cider vinegar is my go-to for all that, it works wonders. Grandson got stung by yellow jacket today. Put the vinegar on and it was like he never got it after about 5 mins. I usually rub it on with fingers or put on rag and hold it.

Murt, same here. It's been a great year for the gardens!

LOL, I put ACV on the bites right before I sprayed hydrogen peroxide on them. It stopped the itching.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[tech]

Got two 4'x72" shelving units set up so I can get some of the LTS foods moved into an easier to access location...plus, it frees up an armoir and a chifferobe for clothes (gotta keep the wife happy!)
Finally got the replacement burner for the stove in...first one was shattered during shipment. (gotta keep the wife happy!)
Replacement washer and drier are ready for action. (gotta keep the wife happy!)
Now to find room for the chest freezer. (gotta keep the wife happy!)

Hmmm...beginning to see a trend here
...but that's ok with me!

 

[spinner]

While I was outside talking to the Fedx driver the mosquitos just about ate me up. I tried several things to stop the itching and finally hydrogen peroxide seemed to help, might have been the combination of every thing I tried.

Campho-phenique is the best for bites. It is an old remedy that my grand-parents taught me. I have been using it all summer for bites. The mosquitos have been horrible this summer.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Campho-phenique is the best for bites. It is an old remedy that my grand-parents taught me. I have been using it all summer for bites. The mosquitos have been horrible this summer.

Same here with the mosquitos. We can't stay outside in the afternoons. They would eat us alive.

Horse flies are bad here, too. I got bit by 2 on the same day. One was on the top of my big toe, and the other was on the top of the other foot. That was back in the early part of summer. Those same 2 spots are still itching, and I've put everything I know on them. There's still 2 small red bumps where the bites are. This is a bone deep itch, not like a mosquito bite.

 

[nomifyle]

Campho-phenique is the best for bites. It is an old remedy that my grand-parents taught me. I have been using it all summer for bites. The mosquitos have been horrible this summer.

I had completely forgotten about Campho-phenique and I don't think I have any. OMG something I don't have. It sure has gotten expensive, but I'll get some pronto.

Thanks,

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[amazon]

I'm still working on apples. Advise needed. I canned apple slices in their juice. I maceration them for 24 hours then canned them. Steam canner at right pressure for 20 min. They all sealed, but there's only about 1/3 of juice left. If I reprocess they'll mush. I can drain and dehydrate or make applesauce. Do you think they're OK or would you reprocess?

Also has anyone made Cinchona tincture? I'm planning to make some using vodka and letting it sit 4 to 6 weeks.

I made Summer's Elderberry syrup for MIL. Can I leave at room temp?

Anyone know a trick for scraping ginger root? I'm using a spoon, but the nooks and crannies are a challenge.

Such terrible news about Nightwolf. Makes you remember to count your blessings and hug those you love.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Everything went well at my doctor visit, today. I was a bit nervous about him mentioning the Covid xax. He came bouncing into the exam room with a big smile on his face. I thought, "Oh good. He's in a good mood!" He was. He started off by telling me that he was covered for anything. What he meant was that he had both jabs, had had Covid, and had the monoclonal antibody therapy! So, he was covered, LOL. He didn't even ask me if I had the jabs or not. I guess he thought, "Why try to make her get one when mine didn't do me any good". His nurse told me that she hadn't taken the jabs, and she wasn't going to. It was a nice visit. We sat, and talked about his recent purchase of a 40 acre farm.

Anyway, he took me off my prescription HCQ, because I've developed Macular Degeneration. I've still got a 2 year supply stored here at the house, though. I'll take them if I need to if I get Covid. He's going to wait for 6 months to see how well I do without the HCQ. If organ involvement gets worse, he plans to start me on Methotrexate, or any one of those super bad drugs. I absolutely do not want to take any of that!


We stopped in at Sam's while in town. Filled up the car with gas, and got it washed. Store was pretty well stocked with limits of one on paper towels and TP. I picked up 2 more cases of pinto beans, another case of sweet peas, another bottle of Tone's taco seasoning, 2 smoked, boneless, half hams, a jug of mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups for Cary, a box of assorted chips, and another large case of bottled water. I went ahead and bought the hams for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was afraid that there might not be any by that time. They'll go in my freezer.

So, tomorrow is my grocery shopping day. A trip to Walmart, TSC, and Food Giant.

I'm still sorta in shock over Nightwolf! My heart goes out to Melodi. It was almost like Nightwolf, himself, was a member here. He will be missed.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I plan to stock up on a few hams and turkeys for the holidays. I just have to find them in the store. I'm still deep cleaning and organizing everything, and I'm very happy to say that I've made great progress! I'm very concerned about the possibility of a government default mid October, so I'm really trying to make sure we have everything we need for a while. I'm actually thinking of paying a few utility bills ahead for a few months time. If SS, VA, EBT isn't issued , things will get ugly quickly, and I do not want my family out in public at that point, and I also will not order anything for delivery either.

 

[Meemur]

I'm actually thinking of paying a few utility bills ahead for a few months time.

Be sure you get hard copies of receipts if you do.
I'll probably do that with at least the water bill. They are local.

 

[John Deere Girl]

Be sure you get hard copies of receipts if you do.
I'll probably do that with at least the water bill. They are local.

I definitely will!

 

[summerthyme]

I'm still working on apples. Advise needed. I canned apple slices in their juice. I maceration them for 24 hours then canned them. Steam canner at right pressure for 20 min. They all sealed, but there's only about 1/3 of juice left. If I reprocess they'll mush. I can drain and dehydrate or make applesauce. Do you think they're OK or would you reprocess?

Also has anyone made Cinchona tincture? I'm planning to make some using vodka and letting it sit 4 to 6 weeks.

I made Summer's Elderberry syrup for MIL. Can I leave at room temp?

Anyone know a trick for scraping ginger root? I'm using a spoon, but the nooks and crannies are a challenge.

Such terrible news about Nightwolf. Makes you remember to count your blessings and hug those you love.

Your apple slices should be fine. Wash the jars extra carefully... mold can form on food bits on the outside and then "follow" it under the seal into the jar. It *usually* ruins the seal, but not always. Just check them once in awhile, and plan on using them this winter.

If you added the vodka to the elderberry syrup using my recipe, it's shelf stable at room temp.

Summerthyme

 

[moldy]

Well, I PLANNED to can turnips today, but ended up grocery shopping, delivering produce to the food bank, helping DH dig up a water line so he could put a valve on it, and attending a work meeting - oh, and a load of laundry. Didn't even get the turnips picked.

 

[nomifyle]

Well, I'm making my third batch of vegetable beef soup. The first batch I used canned ground meat and DH never said a word about it, in the past he didn't like the texture, but that was in spaghetti.

I've been putting the soup in serving size containers for the freezer and I used the last one yesterday for DH.

I counted 8 cans for various ingredients in a 6 quart stock pot. One ingredient I was scratching around for was green beans. I know I have a good stash of them, at least I think so. In the first batch I used french cut green beans and we both said the cut ones would be better. My oldest cans are the french cut and I need to use them first. I'll use them for something else.

I only used one can of beef broth and at this point I've added no water, only the liquid from the cans of vegetables and beans. DH complained about the chick peas but I added a can anyway. I used two cans of corn, one can of green beans, one can of mixed vegetables, one can of chili beans, and a couple of cans of something else. I have to be careful about seasoning because he's very picky. I use white pepper so he can't see the pepper.

Got green beans on my list. Although I know I have a good supply somewhere. It almost doesn't count if you can't find it.

God is good all the time.

Judy

 

[WanderLore]

One horse down with thrush. They are working on her.
Son got his softner and pex faucet for outside in.
Working on interior of cabin and shelves today.
Mammogram tomorrow an then Big shopping.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got back from our grocery shopping trip. A big haul. I also had to stop at the post office to pick up more stamps. Yeah, we still use those, LOL.....Went to the bank for budget cash to spend. We pay everything in cash.

Walmart was first. Cary picked up his script meds, and got a hair cut. I bought more media crema, a couple of cans of Hormel White bean and chicken chili to see if we would like it. If so, I'll start adding more of that to storage. Two more cans of Bacon Spam, and their Margaret Holme's canned cabbage and butter beans were still on sale, so I bought 2 flats of those. I picked up two loaves of the seeded French bread and two bags of Kaiser rolls.

At Tractor Supply, I bought doggie treats and 2 Carhartt long sleeve T's for Cary, and 5 long sleeve T's plus 2 short sleeves for myself. That's it for our winter clothing buying. I can't think of anything else in the line of clothes for this winter that we need. We're good on boots and shoes.

Food Giant is where I buy the bulk of my groceries. Good stock on everything. I mostly just bought a 2 weeks supply of regular groceries/meat, plus a few more items for storage such as egg noodles, instant mashed potatoes, cake and cookie mixes, vinegar, and a few more items I can't think of right now. There were plenty of cases of bottled green tea, and Cary bought 3 of those.

I'm tired! I've got it all dated and put away. I think we'll just have fried egg sandwiches and chips for supper tonight. Too tired to cook.

Tomorrow, Cary has to be at the hospsital for his CT Scan. He could sure use some prayer that everything with his kidney is normal. No signs of cancer returning. We are a bit nervous about it.

 

[paxsim2]

I finally got a hoodie I ordered Tuesday, it's heavy duty and was on sale.
Order ivermectin pills from Homelab hoping for delivery tomorrow.
Fixing bean soup for tonight, using canned beans and pantry items.
I'm hoping for rain this evening.
Harvested basil and zinnia seeds.
Prayers for everyone here.