Prep Genrl PREP THREAD - 3/16/14 to 3/22/14

[ReneeT]

It's a work weekend, to be followed by a busy week, so I don't have hopes of getting a lot done this week. Did get off to a decent start last night though, as a co-worker brought in my portion of a group order - 20 small, led, 'squeeze' dynamo flashlights, and 4 pepper spray pens. Tried out one of the flashlights and it stayed lit for over 2 hours on just 5 'squeezes!' They aren't the brightest thing on the block, but - at $2.50 each - will certainly do for getting around the house/work in a minor emergency. Four will be going to a friend, some of the others will be going in Easter baskets. A couple of the pens will be going to work with daughter - it's amazing to me that there are still a few men out there that don't understand the difference between a liscensed massage therapist and a hooker

Coupons and sales are so-so this week.

CVS has Purex laundry detergent on sale Buy One, Get TWO free; there is a coupon out for $1.50 off a jug of 'No Sort' Purex, so if this is included in the sale it would be a really great deal - buy 3 @ $6.99 each; two are free so total $6.99 - 3, $1.50 coupons = 3 jugs/$1.50. If the 'No Sort' isn't included, it's an ehh deal.

Scott tp 12-18 pks are $6.99 each with a 75 cent coupon; and are part of a 'Buy $20; get $5 ECB deal' - 3 @ $6.99 = $21 - 3, 75 cent coupons ($2.25) = $18.75 - $5 ECB back = $13.75/48 rolls = 27 cents a roll for the 18 pks; 38 cents a roll for the 12 pks . It's an okay stock up price on the 18 pks; not great on the 12 pks.

Right Guard Extreme Clear deoderant is on sale 2/$6; get a $1 ECB when you buy 2. There are coupons for $2/1 RG Extreme clear so the deal would work out as follows: Buy 2 @ 2/$6 - 2, $2/1 coupons ($4) = $2 out of pocket; get back a $1 ECB; net cost 50 cents each.

Crest 'Be' toothpaste is $4.99/tube; get $4 ECB back; there are $1/1 coupons in this week's inserts so buy 2 @ $4.99 = $10 - 2, $2 coupons = $8 out of pocket; get back $8 in ECBs.

There is also a diaper/baby products deal going on at the moment - Buy $30; get $10 ECBs; included in the deal are CVS brand baby wipes, which are also on sale for Buy One; Get One 50% off - I will have to check the prices on the wipes to see if this is a worthwhile deal - I'll have time to do that tomorrow when I stop in to pick up Hubby's script's after his appointment at the oral surgeon.

Last useful sales I'm looking at there are the CVS brand vitamins and batteries that are on sale Buy One Get One Free - the batteries seem to hold up very well under kid toy use; and I use these sales to keep up my stock of adult and children's multivitamins and assorted other 'letter' vitamins: C, B12, etc... The sublingual B12's really help when I am dragging during a night shift, or if I have to stay up after working one (just don't try them if you're planning on sleeping in a few hours!)

I'll stop on the way home from work tomorrow to pick up a flat cut corned beef brisket @ $3.29 lb - though I'm not sure if I'll get it cooked tomorrow or not, as Hubby won't be able to eat, and I'm not sure when I'll finally get to bed after working tonight and sitting at the oral surgeons office all morning before driving him home and keeping an eye on him until he's clear of sedation. I set out a canning jar of buttermilk to thaw so that I can make some soda bread to go along with the corned beef and cabbage; but if I'm really tired, I may just use the buttermilk in cornbread instead - it's faster.

Back to the dentist and pick up the other vehicle on Tuesday, work again on Wednesday and Friday nights, boys overnight on Saturday; planning on catching up on sleep and laundry on Thursday and Sunday lol!

Darn; time to pull on the scrubs and head out the door!

Have a safe and happy week, all!

 

[moldy]

Renee - this is my easy week for the next month. Trying to work a bunch extra (thank you, IRS!), along with classes and an AI (artificial insemination for cattle) class. We planted 24 fruit trees yesterday - I have to get out and water and try to stake them today. Then finish repotting the peppers and start tomatoes - I'm running behind on that. I plan (haha!) to put together baked goods and meals to help with the next 3 weeks and try to get caught up on housekeeping and laundry. You know what they say, (wo)men plan and God laughs!

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Possible DOT

I have a DOT here. This morning we traveled out of the boonies to what the kids call civilization. After visiting 4 major local and national grocery chains looking for shelf stable canned hams. No joke, the grocery stores in our area have stopped carrying the one pound shelf stable canned hams or any shelf stable canned hams. I did find Ham Patties at one store but no hams. They all had larger canned hams with a black that require refrigeration (not shelf stable). The hams I wanted were finally found in of all places a pharmacy chain store. Needless to say I made a small dent in their inventory.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I have a DOT here. This morning we traveled out of the boonies to what the kids call civilization. After visiting 4 major local and national grocery chains looking for shelf stable canned hams. No joke, the grocery stores in our area have stopped carrying the one pound shelf stable canned hams or any shelf stable canned hams. I did find Ham Patties at one store but no hams. They all had larger canned hams with a black that require refrigeration (not shelf stable). The hams I wanted were finally found in of all places a pharmacy chain store. Needless to say I made a small dent in their inventory.

They are a very popular item that is for sure. Not sure if you have places like this but here is where I always get mine (I send boxes to my cousin who is a contractor and right now is over in Africa):
Dollar General
Aldi
some of the dollar tree type stores that carry groceries
IGA

Sorry OGM about the irritating lack of the thing you went out looking for. Had the same thing happen to me at the Feed Store today. Had to get four smaller bags of the dog food I have been getting intstead of two large bags which would have been cheaper.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I mentioned on another thread that hubby and I went to the gun show on Sunday and got three new "members" of our workforce ... Mossberg, Sig Sauer, and Springfield by name. Rounded out our workforce nicely though there are still some positions waiting to be filled. We also added to our ammo collection but as others here stating fairly regularly .22lr is very hard to find and that (and 9mm) are the rounds we practice with the most. Everyone at the gun show was out of .22lr before lunch on the first day of the show. Local wallyworlds are only allowing 3 boxes per customer per day of .22lr and that's assuming they have any in.

I also got a new crossbow, went from a 50 lb up to an 80 lb. I'm not near good enough to go hunting with it but I have managed to get a couple of pesky snakes with it so I'm getting there. Need lots more practice though.

Restocked the dog food today. I swear Darth Molly would eat a steer horns to tail if we let her. So far however she is staying nice and trim. We did have to change her food because of scratching. Means and even more expensive brand but that's just one of those things I guess ... which is why I stock up.

Didn't make it to Aldi like I wanted to. It has been raining cats and dogs here today. We needed the wet but it surely impeded my plans. We are leaving tonight for the BOL and I had hoped to take another load up with us. I'll have to take it next month and simply be content to rotate out what I can on this trip.

Finally got a 2T portable hard drive and boy is it nice to be able to park copies of all of our important papers, scanned docs, pictures, etc. and have us whenever we are traveling. Like the comfort that affords.

Strawberries are finally all processed. Ten flats. By the time I was finished with them my fingers were almost raw. Picking the last lemons off my trees this weekend and hope to have several quarts preserved and some peel candied as well. Orange trees are blooming around here and the smell is divine.

 

[blueberry]

Albertson's had pork chops on sale for 99¢ a pound, for the family pack. I could not pass up that price, and I wrapped them all individually for the freezer. As I went through the produce dept., I could not help but notice the very high prices. If you don't have a garden, it is not too late.

The fruit trees finally started to blossom .... about 6 weeks later than usual. Bees have found the trees and I can hear the bees all the way in the house. Hopefully this will mean plenty of fruit.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Little bits here and there keep me going. I went to Publix and got 2 more jars of peanut butter (BOGO sale), 4 more cans of peanuts (on sale) and 10 boxes of pasta (BOGO sale).

Two trips to Petsmart with coupons and sales netted me 3+ months of wet cat food at about half price and 2 months of dry cat food at a fair price.

Went to a nearby town today to try to find their scratch and dent store--the only one within 100 miles. Kind of a bust as their prices were pretty high. I can do better on most things in mint condition and in date just with sales and coupons. I bought a few odds and ends including some dry beans, a couple of canning jars (50 cents each, with lids and rings), some coffee, chocolate, and some medical stuff like gauze wrap. Not worth a trip unless we are already headed to that town for another reason.

Topped off the car (gas up to $3.67, or over 20 cents in a week) and did laundry. Four more weeks of tax season and a steady paycheck.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Albertson's had pork chops on sale for 99¢ a pound, for the family pack. I could not pass up that price, and I wrapped them all individually for the freezer. As I went through the produce dept., I could not help but notice the very high prices. If you don't have a garden, it is not too late.

The fruit trees finally started to blossom .... about 6 weeks later than usual. Bees have found the trees and I can hear the bees all the way in the house. Hopefully this will mean plenty of fruit.

Poor little buzzy ones are probably starved. Got up here to the BOL last night and we set an empty can on the porch so it could be used for target practice. Got up this morning and it was covered in bees as soon as the rain stopped.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Up here at the BOL and rotating rather than buying anything fresh. This morning I made a scrambled egg (more like omelet) with powdered eggs. Then I made sawmill gravy and biscuits and I topped it off with some homemade maple-flavored sausage that I had in the freezer up here. Really need to clean out the freezers; we don't keep much but it needs to get used up and the freezer defrosted pretty chop chop.

Going to go see and help my parents tomorrow. Mom is doing the same thing and instead of us bringing something to them she asked us just to bring our appetites so that she could clean out their freezer a bit. Easier to do when they have company than when it is just the two of them.

Dad is down in his back again - he has arthritic spurs all up and down his spine - so hubby is going to take care of some delayed maintenance on their place. I'll work on their bathroom which needs the wax ring replaced and new guts in the toilet. The three that came with us will do their share toting and carrying for my mom.

I know that doesn't sound like much of a prep for us but what we can do for our parents now we won't regret not doing down the road when we no longer have the chance.

 

[ReneeT]

I've done no coupon shopping since I stopped on my way in to work Saturday evening and picked up my 10 boxes of Hefty brand zipper bags. I did try yesterday, when I stopped to pick up Hubby's scripts on the way home from the oral surgeon's; but they were out of stock on the two items I'd planned to get that day, and I didn't have my coupons with me nor time to think about any other deals. I'll try again later in the week; they usually get in stock on Thursday.

Picked up 6.3 hours of overtime last night but it came with a price; I'd been up - with just two, 20 minute power naps - since 2 pm Sunday afternoon; so by the time I got home from work at 2am this morning, I was at 36 hours and counting with no sleep. I wouldn't have done it but they were slammed, then had a call in, and had no one else who could cover until 1am - everyone else was either already working that shift, had worked all day, was working the next day, were out of town, or just out of hours (can only work 16.5 in a 24 hour stretch.) We're a small unit, so there isn't a whole lot of 'stretch'; and I just happened to be the unlucky one who had a bit lol!! Next week's check will be a nice one ~ 13+ hours of OT on it plus my reimbursement for the uniforms I bought last week; but I can guarantee you that I'm going to 'lose' my phone for the next 12 hours just in case there's another call in! Just hope no one remembers that Hubby's phone # is my old one!! Only good thing about going in was that a co-worker had approached me about buying one of ten 'shares' in a bag of $100 face value junk silver coins - just a little over spot, and a better price than I can get locally - and let me know when it would be in. If it flies, we're going to see about doing it monthly. He also asked if I could do another canning class for a group at a skills seminar, so we are going to try to figure out a date for that.

Was cranky, cranky when I crawled out of bed at 0700 to get ready to drive Hubby to the dentist but did finally start feeling a little better around 10:30. He could drive by then, so I took him to get the car we'd left at the oral surgeon's office, then did a few errands - picked up some on sale bird feed at the farm store - where a bag of onion sets somehow fell into my cart ; then checked the thrift store for sheets (no luck), and picked up a chicken dinner 'special) since I hadn't eaten yet (being really tired makes me sick to my stomach) and knew I'd be starved by the time I got home. Last stop before home was in our little town to vote in the primary election before hitting the country roads for home.

Minimal plans for the rest of the day - temperature is up outside - 58*F, but there is a cold, cold wind coming out of the southeast and blowing moisture off the thawing farm fields that makes it miserable to be outside. The gusts are such that if I tried to hang anything on the line, it would be in the next county in short order, so I am just doing the minimum amount of laundry - scrubs 'n undies - and hoping for a calmer day on Thursday, when it is supposed to be even warmer and clear to do the rest. I want to get some more veggies and applesauce based fruit snacks put in the dehydrator this evening; and I do need to get the birdseed out of the car so that I can fill the birdfeeders. I'd like to get the new booster seat I bought for middle grandson installed, and his car seat switched to the other side of the car for littlest grandson - at least they outgrew the others at the same time lol! - but that may wait for Thursday as well. I think the first thing I'm going to do is flop down for a short nap, though!

 

[ReneeT]

The neighbor lady and I were finally able to get together to walk - did 3.1 miles in 62 minutes. Yeah, we're slow What can I say, it's been a long winter lol! The trip going went faster than the trip back; and not just because we were getting tired - we had a 27 mph wind pushing against us on the way home. We were sure glad to get back to my road - it's all hills and hollers, but at least they kept us mostly out of the wind except when we were cresting the hills, and most of them were in wooded areas.

Ended up going to bed early last night, and didn't get anything put in the dehydrator before I did, so today I mixed up the fruit snacks - 24 oz of strawberry applesauce and 1.5 oz (1/2 pkt) liquid pectin - and used up 7 of my 8 dehydrator trays with them, so will wait to do the frozen veggies until later. If I don't end up with a grandson or two tomorrow afternoon, I might take the 1/2 pint of blueberries I've got in the fridge and blend them up with a jar of home canned applesauce and some pectin for another batch of snacks - but if the boys come out, the blueberries will disappear before I get a chance to do so

More money went out today - and for a change, Hubby didn't bat an eye; in fact, he encouraged me!! Fillmorecontainer.com finally has US manufactured canning jar lids back in stock, so I ordered a case of 3,132 regular mouth lids (J00099), plus a sleeve of 288 wide mouth lids (J105109). The shipping was the killer; but with shipping the cost came out to 14.5 cents a lid, which I can't beat around here - the Dollar Generals around here haven't had lids for the past 4 years; and I wouldn't use a lid from China. A tip on shipping if anyone decides to order from them: If you live out in the country, have them shipped to an address in town; and the shipping will drop even lower if you have them shipped to a business; I saved almost $9 on the shipping by having them sent to the shop where Hubby works. I saved another $2 by giving them my email addy - maybe they'll let me know when the lids are in stock the next time lol!

If the lids are still available at Fillmore when I do my canning class, I may bag up some of the lids from this order and take them along with me to sell; then order another case. I'd like to have at least 5,000 in storage; we seem to go through them pretty fast, even though I do re-use some of the lids (yeah, I know, I know lol!) I did buy some of the 4everrecap lids last year; need to contact them to get my different gaskets as all the jars with those lids that were not used immediately failed; so not happy with them. I did pick up some Tattler lids last year as well - at the local grocery store of all places! - and they mostly sealed ok and I've had none fail in storage, so I may look at purchasing a few more of them if I can catch them on sale at a good price. Has anyone here tried the red or pink lids from Tattler? Seems like they are sometimes cheaper than the white ones...

No other plans today beyond a soak in the tub and maybe a real short nap before I head in to work - at least it's only one night, then I have one off to recuperate!

 

[Kathy in FL]

After doing some work at my parents' place I took Mom thrift store shopping at a couple of places she had wanted to go but hadn't because of tight budgets. Did you know they are changing Tricare for Life again with regard to the prescriptions?! You don't even want to know how I feel about those idiots that keep trying to kill off the military retirees. Jackasses and worse, every one of them.

Anyway, Mom found exactly what she wanted ... jeans and some blouses as she's lost some weight recently ... and my girls found a few things too. I also picked up a bag of scrubs for oldest that were in really excellent condition for only a buck each. Can't beat that with a stick.

Now I'm back at the BOL, finished up cleaning the kitchen and closing for the night, doing a load of laundry, and hope to sit down with my inventories for a bit to see what I can afford to take home and what needs to stay here and where the holes are here and back at our primary.

 

[moldy]

Well, I'm glad all of you are getting stuff done. DAng allergies have kicked up bigtime, and I've been down for 2 days now. I HAVE to go to the bank today, other than that, I"m just trying to get ready to do a 4 day stretch starting Friday. This time with my sinuses has been worse than I can remember for a long time.

 

[anna43]

I started a major clean out of my closets yesterday and have a large bag of clothes ready to donate. Also, pulled together a box of books and other misc. items. Its hard to balance keeping clothing as preps and getting rid of excess. Most of what I cleared out were "office" clothes that I no longer need since I retired. Still I probably kept more than I needed to. I just don't want to donate stuff and then end up buying again because its needed.

I have the same issue with knicknack items. I don't want my house totally sterile, but I don't want clutter either. I'm narrowing down to mostly family pictures and house plants for decorations. I hate to dust!!!

Sorted out older towels to make room in the linen closet for newer fluffier towels. A luxury that I enjoy! The older towels were divided to keep and donate. The donate stack went to a grandson. The keeps ones will go in a vaccum bag to reduce bulk and get shoved under the guest room bed. I know the thinner towels will be easier to manage in a shtf situation where laundry is done by hand.

 

[psychgirl]

Well, I'm glad all of you are getting stuff done. DAng allergies have kicked up bigtime, and I've been down for 2 days now. I HAVE to go to the bank today, other than that, I"m just trying to get ready to do a 4 day stretch starting Friday. This time with my sinuses has been worse than I can remember for a long time.

Yep, allergies are bad this spring. I feel like I have a mildflu half the time. But if you have stinging nettle growing at your place, CAREFULLY pick some, steep the leaves for a drink, and use that as an "antihistamine type"" of beverage. Of course, please do your own research and reading about natural remedies/plants, and find out first if you are allergic to them. Last spring I picked a LOT of them and thought it helped with energy, as well as the crappy feeling.

NOT A DOCTOR!

 

[moldy]

I WISH I had nettle at my place! I even tried starting some last year, but it didn't take. I finally broke down and started on antibiotics - don't like it, but with a fever adn green drainage, they are needed. Still feeling crappy, even today.

Thanks for the advice, though.

 

[ReneeT]

Sorry to hear that you're down with allergies, Moldy ~ hope things clear up soon! Do you use local honey? I 'take' a spoonful each morning; and once the boys each turned a year old, give them a spoonful each day they are at my house - has seemed to help with the fall and spring allergy hits. Now - if I go somewhere else; like NC when the pines are throwing off pollen, I'd better have an antihistamine (usually clariten generic) with me for sure; the honey only helps with the local allergens. Hubs is stubborn, so I keep allergy meds on hand for him at all times - thank goodness for coupons, because most of the ones that 'work' for him are horribly expensive.

While I've got you on the line - so to speak - I have a question I'd like to ask. I think I remember, in your photo of your new canning/food prep area, seeing what appeared to be a cast iron, 4 legged, 2 burner, stand alone propane 'stove' sitting on one of the counters. I just saw one for sale in my local farm store's ad and wondered how you liked yours? Canning on a camp stove is nearly impossible - doesn't heat up FOREVER!; and I've had trouble regulating the heat on a the old turkey fryer base I was given. I'm looking for something that I can take along to venues when I teach canning classes, as most seem to have electric stoves, which frustrate me to no end! I want something that works like a regular propane stove! My next choice would be to put the turkery fryer and some burners/etc... from an old stove in the shed and lock Hubby in until he swaps them out for me!

Stopped on the way home from work yesterday to use some coupons, finally!
Walgreen's:
Right Guard 'Clear' Deoderant - 4 @ 2/$6 = $12
Right Guard Total Defense Body Wash - 4 @ $4.99 = $19.96
Stride Gum - 4 @ 2/$2 = $4
Total: $35.96
Used:
Right Guard body wash was buy one, get one free, so that took off $9.98
2 - $1/2 Right Guard deoderant store coupons = $2
2 - Right Guard body wash coupons $2/2 = $4
4 - $2/1 Right Guard Clear deoderant coupons = $8
2 - $1/2 Stride coupons = $2
Total: $25.98
Paid $10 and change out of pocket with tax; got back a $5/$30 'Happy Cash' coupon for next week

CVS:
3 - 18 pks Scott Soft n Strong tp @ $6.99 each $20.97
2 - gallons milk @ $2.99 each = $5.98
Total: $26.95
Used:
3 - 75 cent Scott coupons = $2.25
1 - $5 ECB from prescription plan (each 10 prescriptions = $5 ECB)
1 - $4.98 ECB from previous purchase
Total: $12.23
Paid $14.72 + tax; got back $5 ECB on Scott and $2 ECB on milk

The tp came out to around 25 cents/roll after coupons/ecbs; which is a decent price. Didn't do the diaper deal as daughter agreed to go with the slip on diapers, saving the regular type for bedtime, so we are good to go with those.

My co-worker friend brought me some more coupons yesterday, so I will be doing the deoderant deal again on my way in to work tonight.

Daughter asked me to stop by Aldi's when I called her from CVS, so I picked her up 4 pkg each of blueberries @ $1.49 and blackberries @ 99 cents; then did a bit of shopping for myself. Hubby's favorite cheese puffs were $1.29/bag there compared to $2 everywhere else so I got 4 to stuff in the pantry; then I picked up 3 doz eggs @ $1.19/doz, 6 more jars of the strawberry applesauce @ $1.49 each, 4 cartons 1/2&1/2 @ $1.49 each ($2.29 cheapest elsewhere), one 42 oz tub 'quick' oats @ $2.29, 4 boxes of flavored instant oats @ $1.49 each (for Hubby, at his request, as he gets used to his new dentures), 6-1# bags dry split peas @ 69 cents each to can homemade split pea w/ham soup), 2 cans pitted sweet cherries @ $1.49 each (to blend up with homemade applesauce for fruit leather/snacks), and 2 more cans pineapple rings @ 69 cents each (for drying).

Headed home then, got the perishables put away, shut off the furnace, and flopped down on the couch for a quick nap. Daughter dropped the boys off at noon - she had to donate blood/help at blood drive - so we had a quick snack, then headed outside to play. MGS was riding his bike in the road when he fell over - one of the training wheels had come loose and flipped up. We made a little parade heading for the machine shed - Meem (their word for Grandma), toting a bicycle; MGS, howling "Papaw will fix it", and LGS, bringing up the rear to see why brother was pitching a fit Proved to MGS that Meem can handle a wrench and left him happily 'working' on his bike - admonishing him that Papaw's wrench does NOT leave the shed!!; then went to play kickball with LGS.

Shortly thereafter, co-worker Buddy pulled in with his truck bed full of mulch from his town's yard waste site. He'd brought the boys 3 - $2 bills for their pig banks - he saves his aluminium cans and takes them for recycling to the place that pays in $2 bills because they amuse him. Gave 2 to LGS and 1 to MGS, explaining to MGS that LGS needed to catch up as MGS already had several of them in his pig bank. LGS was about done in by then, and quickly fell asleep on Buddy's lap as we were chatting, so was put down for a nap. We unloaded the mulch into a large flower/raspberry bed, with MGS helping rake . It didn't cover quite half the bed, so Buddy is going to bring another load out later today - he and I consider it a part of our exercise program lol!! The summer he lived with Hubby and I (after an accident), he lost 60# and gained a lot of strength just by doing normal chores out here, so he considers the farm his gym

Well, just pulled out the first load of laundry and put in the second; guess I'd better go get these sheets on the line, the pineapple in the dehydrator, and do up the dishes before Buddy shows up with the next load of mulch!

 

[moldy]

Took some robitussin AC last night and still couldn't fall asleep until after 3 am. Going to try working tonight - Prayers, please!!

Renee - my canning kitchen has two regular gas stoves (hooked to propane), then a built-in in the center. It is made of concrete block, and can be used as a rocket stove (start a fire in the lower part and the heat funnels to the top. I still need to get a sheet metal top for that part, though. On one side, there are 2 turkey fryer rings (propane also) for my big canners. they are 41 qt AAs, and I worry that putting them on a regular stove would crush it. The turkey fryers work well, although one requires more 'finesse' with it if I'm pressure canning. On the other side of the built-in is a canning stove I got at Cabela's. Just a real simple, two burner propane stove and I LOVE it for canning. It is probably what I use the most. I saw them on sale at our local farm store for $89 this spring, so they aren't an expensive item.

Snowing here now, so DH and oldest DD are napping- youngest DD is working on homework. DH already took a calf into the sale, and they have been spreading manure on the garden for teh last couple days while I've been down.

 

[peekaboo]

This week and next week I am working on getting the rest of my herbs started in my indoor grow set up. I'm on the hunt for a particular type of bush that grows well here in the full sun. Its a big bushy thing that I want to plant along the west side of my house. I'm also looking into growing saffron as a cash crop.

I've been eyeing my freezer trying to decide what meats to can next week. I have a couple of turkeys and hams that I think need to be done up. I just have this nagging thing to get my freezers as empty as possible to protect from loss. Why I don't know but I've learned to pay attention.

We're finalizing our plans to be as utility free as possible over the summer. We're set up to be gas free using the solar cooking and a lg hot plate.

We are setting up our large black trash cans to heat water for showers and cleaning. We use a heavy duty fountain pump to pump it into the shower and kitchen. Here in AZ the water gets hot enough that we have to add cooler water because the barrel water is to hot.

I have on order outdoor solar flood lights, the type with the leads between the solar panels and the light its self. I have smaller ones like this in the bath and hall way, the new larger ones will go in the kitchen and living room. This year I think I need to invest in some new solar path lighting, the ones we have are many years old, they still work but I want back up just in case I really need them.

Lots of things in the works, not much completely finish yet,,,,,but we're working at it.

 

[ReneeT]

I've got one pkg of 'cold' medication that has sudafed in it, Moldy; I save it for those times when I'm near death but gotta go in. Hate the way the sudafed makes me feel - heart racing, etc...; but it gets the job done.

And thank you for your replay re: stoves ~ the one from Cabela's was the one I was thinking of; it is priced similarly at the local farm store. I'm glad to hear that it works well for canning; I will probably pick one up to use in my classes/for outside canning. I only have one canner that will hold a double layer of quarts - I'll be honest and admit that I just don't want to work up enough of anything (especially green beans - gaaah!!) at one time to fill a double layer of quarts!! Most of my canners hold 7 qts/9 pts; I like to work up enough stuff to go in one; get it going, then do enough to fill another - my back and feet appreciate me switching off types of work. When the freezer died a few years back, I had three canners and a steam juicer going full blast for 4 long days ~ I bought a much smaller freezer when I replaced the dead one, and ramped up the canning and dehydrating

Had a busy morning in to early afternoon on Friday - washed 4 loads of laundry and hung 3.5 of them on the line; whizzed up one can of the cherries, sans syrup (saved in freezer for adding to lemonade) and a quart of homemade applesauce in the food processor and used it to fill 3.75 fruit leather sheets; eeked out the last sheet with some strawberry applesauce from the fridge. It must have been good - Daughter and grandsons ate an entire sheet of it when she dropped them off yesterday afternoon Did 4 trays of pineapple rings (36 total) as well. Buddy showed up with another truck of mulch and we got it spread in the open half of the flower bed. One more load, tossed on top of the area the is planted to perennials, should finish up that area. Then there are all the rest...

Minimal plans for this morning as both boys are sick, and Hubby isn't feeling the greatest either. I need to wash a load of dark clothes, but will dry them in the dryer - it's turned off cold again so the heat will be appreciated in the house. I pulled some more canned sweet cherries out of the pantry and will put a double batch of cherry applesauce fruit leather in to the dehydrator once I get it emptied. I've got some over-ripe bananas that I rescued from being tossed into the trash at work (we have a fruit bowl for our patients) so they will need something done with them - banana muffins, maybe; or mashed and frozen for muffins or smoothies. Hmmm...wonder what cherry banana fruit leather would taste like...

Off to chase down some boys...

 

[Kathy in FL]

Used some amazon gift cards up to purchase a few books I have had on the wish list for over a year. I also bought regular and wide mouth jar attachments for my food saver. Then with the last bit of gift cards bought shelf stable hummus, shelf stable tofu, and a few flavors of clif bars that I can't get locally - banana nut, carrot cake - because hubby will use them as a meal replacement when he can't stop and eat.

Plans for the coming week are to prep for middle child's 18th bday and get cap n' gown pics taken. And then there are the taxes to finish, etc. ick.

 

[ReneeT]

Took the grandsons home this evening - and forgot to bring along the cereal daughter had asked for. No problem, CVS had a sale
2 - boxes Cheerios @ 2/$5
1 - pkg CVS diapers @ $6.99 (I know, I said I wasn't going to get anymore...)
1 - pkg CVS basic paper towels @ 79 cents
Total: $12.78
Used:
1 - 79 cent Basic paper towel scanner coupon
1 - $1/2 General Mills cereal coupon
1 - 20% off purchase scanner coupon = $2.56 (Usually you can't use these on sale items, but since it expired today, she tried it and it worked!)
1 - $5 pharmacy reward extra care buck
1 - $1 ECB
1 - 99 cent ECB
Total: $11.34
Paid: $1.44 + .27 cents tax; got back a $3 ECB on the diapers and a $2 ECB on the cereal.

While the boys and I napped today (we were all three tired - they didn't feel well, so I was up with them off and on through the night), Hubby (who slept upstairs last night and didn't hear a thing!) took advantage of a cousin being down at the cabin and roped him into watching him cut a few trees down to make a clear shooting area down in one of our hollers. Then they lopped down a few smaller trees and made a gently curving/sloping path down to said area, and cut the largest tree into stools for seating. I've a funny feeling that some of the treated 2x8's I had on hand for another project are going to end up in a table for down there... No complaint - it will be nice to have a small range a short walk away so that we don't have to go to the club to shoot anything bigger than a .22 - even if the club is only a few miles away!