Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: August 18 ~ 24, 2019

[ReneeT]

Hey everyone! What's up on the prep front today? I'm checking the ads in my Sunday papers for bargains, and also checking out shelves on the Menard's and Home Depot websites - gonna shake up the pantry storage a little bit and try to reclaim the closet in the grandsons' room for their clothing, etc. - AND get the pantry stock in an area where temps fluctuate a lot less; ie: down basement. It will require 2 - 30" shelf units, plus extra shelf boards. Pretty sure I can make do with one row of 3-4 jars/cans/etc... of each item and a weekly 're-stocking list' to replace what I've used from downstairs storage. Maybe that will help out my inventory issues as well. (If I put a lock on the darned door lol!)

We are also going to clear out a storeroom in the shed and give it a good cleaning, then move my 'extra' canning jars - that would be the ones that still need sorted/washed - into that area. We are having the shed painted, so need to get them moved within the next couple of weeks.

When we clear out that room, I'll be gaining at least 3 sets of metal shelving from there - they will need to be cleaned up and painted before being moved either down basement for food storage or to the other storeroom in the shed for maintenence items - plumbing/HVAC/carpentry/etc... supplies.

I am hoping to be able to go back to work next weekend - although my co-worker says that it's been horrible there lately - joint commission. (Probably don't need to say more than that!) We got dinged for some of the strangest stuff - like having chairs and bedside tables in patient rooms... I was planning to retire at age 70, but 65 is looking better and better. Guess that means I'd better make sure I have plenty of prep stock and garden supplies on hand before then

Take care all; stay safe out there!

 

[nomifyle]

Since I'm in the process of cleaning out my good size pantry, I've run across cans of food that are several years old. My brother bought my mother a big stash of canned turkey (she didn't eat chicken for some reason or another). She went into a nursing home in 12/12. In cleaning out her house I took all the canned food. The best buy date on the turkey is 2001. I just opened a can and it looked and smelled fine, no damage at all on the cans that are still in the plastic from Sams.

I combined the turkey with several different cans of veggies, seasoned with chicken boullion, tossed in a little small pasta stars and its on to simmer. Even though the can of turkey was a large can, it doesn't look like much meat, my pot is 4 qts and its filled way up, I may end up adding another can, or maybe some ground venison. It smells good, I'll add comments later when its cooked enough.

Judy

ETA: The "soup" is tasty.

 

[moldy]

I've used chicken I canned in 2010 recently and it was great! I canned up a bunch more chicken this weekend, so I can turn off one of the freezers. DH is pushing me to can or freeze dry more meat, so I imagine I will be doing that over the next few months. Seeing the lawyer tomorrow to start eviction of our tenants.... sigh. Really not looking forward to all the drama that I"m sure is on it's way.

 

[prudentwatcher]

I went through the LTS stuff and took inventory/tossed bulging cans earlier in the summer. Now I am working on the two large shelving units in my office that hold most of the canned goods for short term storage. We don't really use a lot of canned goods, so these are basically insurance. Lots of them were very old and some of the cans were in bad shape. All old old stuff is gone, things are mostly reorganized and I know what holes I need to fill (all of my canned corn got tossed!) So I started working on that project. I also added enough oatmeal for another mylar bag, lots of pb crackers (BOGO and a coupon), and I also bought a new pair of sneakers today. I am pretty much totally broke for the rest of the month, though if good deals pop up I might hit my emergency reserve that has been put back for this purpose.

 

[20Gauge]

I've used chicken I canned in 2010 recently and it was great! I canned up a bunch more chicken this weekend, so I can turn off one of the freezers. DH is pushing me to can or freeze dry more meat, so I imagine I will be doing that over the next few months. Seeing the lawyer tomorrow to start eviction of our tenants.... sigh. Really not looking forward to all the drama that I"m sure is on it's way.

What state do you live in?

In Georgia, you just give them a 3 day to pay notice, then file with court. Cost usually / was about $80 and then 3 weeks later you sit in front of a Judge who asks, are you current on the rent? Do you have receipts? No and No? Then you have 10 days ( used to be 7 ) to get out. The Sheriff will be then on xxx at xxx and either have your stuff out or the Landlord and his buddies will put it on the street!

A very decent process.

 

[20Gauge]

We canned another 5 pints of hot peppers this weekend. We chop and prep them for using in Salsa. At this point all we have to do is drain them and add the pint to the mix. These are the hotter ones as they were picked in August. Due to the heat, they are much hotter than at any other time of the year. Also, this was the first time the wife actually canned something. She usually preps the food, but I do the actual canning. After she was done, she said I can still do the canning. Too boring for her.

I also finally placed hooks on the back of my shed so that I can hang some of my ladders. I still need several more hooks to get everything off the ground. This is a needed task as things grow everywhere, (not good things), so we have to mow everywhere.

I also worked on the one of the new planters. It just needs dirt and the drip system installed. You can see from the pictures the rock, ( for drainage ), has been added as well as the chicken wire. The wire is good for keeping deer out as well as adds a support for the frame work so that it doesn't blow away during the annual hurricanes. The total height for this planter is 7 feet from the top of the stone walls. A bit more than I had planned, but good for the plants we will use for the location.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've been slacking off on buying for storage, unless I see sales that I just can't pass up.

What DH and myself have been working on the last few weeks is yardwork. As we get older, we realize that there are just some things we will no longer be able to do upkeep on. We've already given up on gardening for the most part. So, we have been busy taking down old trellis's, gates, and clearing away old flower beds and gardens that I can no longer work. We're shooting for having very little maintenance work left to do in our yard as we get older. It's been hot hard work but, we're getting there. In between doing all of this work, DH has been laying in more firewood.

 

[20Gauge]

I've been slacking off on buying for storage, unless I see sales that I just can't pass up.

What DH and myself have been working on the last few weeks is yardwork. As we get older, we realize that there are just some things we will no longer be able to do upkeep on. We've already given up on gardening for the most part. So, we have been busy taking down old trellis's, gates, and clearing away old flower beds and gardens that I can no longer work. We're shooting for having very little maintenance work left to do in our yard as we get older. It's been hot hard work but, we're getting there. In between doing all of this work, DH has been laying in more firewood.

Not a bad plan. You have to plan for getting older, but like most things, few people actually do so.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Not a bad plan. You have to plan for getting older, but like most things, few people actually do so.

DH has a lawn tractor, and keeping the lawn mowed is all there will be to do, once we get everything else cleared out of the way. We still have a few fences that we plan to take down, but we're waiting on cooler weather for that chore. Then, we will have a wide open lawn that looks nice, without a lot of maintenance.

 

[20Gauge]

DH has a lawn tractor, and keeping the lawn mowed is all there will be to do, once we get everything else cleared out of the way. We still have a few fences that we plan to take down, but we're waiting on cooler weather for that chore. Then, we will have a wide open lawn that looks nice, without a lot of maintenance.

I can't mow at this point. It has been far too wet the last 3 weeks. I have about an inch of water either on top of the grass or the water table is just below the surface. Any pressure at all and it comes to the surface.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I can't mow at this point. It has been far too wet the last 3 weeks. I have about an inch of water either on top of the grass or the water table is just below the surface. Any pressure at all and it comes to the surface.

Right now, we're right the opposite. Too dry, and the grass is withering in the heat. We're still under a heat advisory.

 

[nomifyle]

Before DH came on the scene going on 6 years ago, I kept the grass down around the trailer and a path to my school bus which I used for storage. He seems to love to cut grass, well probably he likes it to look nice. He does most everything outside, I'm allergic and if there is a bug around its going to bite me, plus the intense heat we are having right now. DH is almost 76, but a real worker. He has cut back on some things, we are trying to get away from having pigs, we have two that we need to get rid of. We don't need any more pork in the freezers for the forseeable future. He saw a wild boar in the pig area, so he's afraid that our remaining female will be prego again this year. The boar bit the dust, and got dragged off. We are down to chickens and goats. They are not really labor intensive.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Before DH came on the scene going on 6 years ago, I kept the grass down around the trailer and a path to my school bus which I used for storage. He seems to love to cut grass, well probably he likes it to look nice. He does most everything outside, I'm allergic and if there is a bug around its going to bite me, plus the intense heat we are having right now. DH is almost 76, but a real worker. He has cut back on some things, we are trying to get away from having pigs, we have two that we need to get rid of. We don't need any more pork in the freezers for the forseeable future. He saw a wild boar in the pig area, so he's afraid that our remaining female will be prego again this year. The boar bit the dust, and got dragged off. We are down to chickens and goats. They are not really labor intensive.

Judy

CaryC likes to mow, too. With our lawn tractor, he can do it in no time. He's always loved a nice looking lawn. At 67, he'll still be able to do that for a good many years, yet. That's all he'll have to do, though. I'm very photosensitive, and can't do much outdoors anymore to help him out. Getting our yard in shape for older age folks is to our advantage. I see it as much as prepping for our future as having food in storage and other survival skills.

 

[school marm]

I picked up another 15 pounds of coconut oil. It was very inexpensive, actually cheaper than butter right now, makes a perfect butter substitute in baking and cooking, and stores really well.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Ok, I have a problem. Our son just brought over 12 lbs. of Butter Cream frosting that you get in buckets from Walmart! He bought it as a "gag" gift for DH. I have no idea what to do with 12 lbs of frosting. The expiration date is next month, too.

Can it be divided up and frozen? Or would that ruin it? I hate to see it go to waste, but it will just sitting here on my countertop.

Suggestions, other than making a lot of cakes? LOL!

 

[Marseydoats]

You can divide it up and freeze it. You'll probably have to re-whip it to be able to spread it on a cake.
Or feed it to chickens and pigs. If it wasn't so hot out, I'd think it would probably be good for a couple mos past expiration date.
Good luck!

 

[summerthyme]

I know homemade butter cream frosting freezes well. I'd say the commercial stuff probably will, as well. Divide it into small enough containers (even heavy ziplock baggies will work) so there isn't a lot of air space, or else lay a piece of saran wrap directly on top of the frosting if it's in a larger container, before putting the lid on (you're just excluding as much air as possible from any exposed surface area.

Enjoy your winter baking! (hint... the stuff is really good on sugar cookies as well as cake)

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Many thanks to the both of you! I was afraid to freeze it, before asking. I've already made a chocolate cake using the frosting. I sure will divide it up, and freeze it! Cary absolutely loves Butter Cream frosting, thus the "gag" gift from our son! He was caught dipping his peanut butter cookies in a jar of my store bought frosting! Naughty man! LOL.

 

[summerthyme]

Don't be surprised if your frozen stock, er... shrinks... unless you disguise it somehow! My mom used to make a banana buttercream frosting and freeze it as a way to preserve bananas that were getting overripe. That stuff was SO good frozen! Way too sweet for me these days (it was really almost to sweet then, even for my sugar-addict sweet tooth), but Mom often didn't have nearly as much frosting in the freezer as she thought! LOL!

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Don't be surprised if your frozen stock, er... shrinks... unless you disguise it somehow! My mom used to make a banana buttercream frosting and freeze it as a way to preserve bananas that were getting overripe. That stuff was SO good frozen! Way too sweet for me these days (it was really almost to sweet then, even for my sugar-addict sweet tooth), but Mom often didn't have nearly as much frosting in the freezer as she thought! LOL!

Summerthyme

LOL! I'll be sure and number my bags. He's a sugar addict, too. He could almost live off of sugar cookies with butter cream frosting on them. He's already had two LARGE pieces of the chocolate cake I made this morning. He'll probably have another one before bed. I usually make what I call my Oreo Cake using chocolate cake batter with plain vanilla frosting. Since I had this frosting, I used it on the cake instead.

 

[20Gauge]

Not a prep officially, but we are seeing 2 flocks of turkeys. Total number is about 20 strong. I have enclosed a fuzzy picture, (humidity issue), you can see them in the background before the car.

 

[20Gauge]

Hopefully a better picture.....

 

[Marseydoats]

I was a little worried about going to Walmart with all the shootings that have been happening, but juice just doesn't survive the "ship to home." They had everything I wanted, but man did prices go thru the roof in the last 2 weeks. Spam, which is a staple in this house, is now $2.92 a can. They did have my Well Yes soup and they haven't had any in over a year. Dh told me I bought too much sugar, if he only knew... He is totally clueless about what's in the LTS.

 

[TxGal]

We did a Costco trip yesterday, just a usual run, nothing out of the ordinary. But I did notice prices are creeping up there, too. One that stood out for me is the bundle pkg of Rummo Organic Spaghetti - I don't know how many individual 1lb pkgs are in the bundle (maybe 6?), but the pack has been $6.99 for as long as I can remember. Yesterday it was $8.99.

And Kroger, good heavens! A 1.5 qt container of Breyers ice cream is now $6.49! What the heck!

 

[prudentwatcher]

I added two cases of canned veggies from Save-A-Lot yesterday. Their stock was considerably lower than last week.