Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: Dec.24-Dec.30,2023

[SouthernBreeze]

The last time I paid attention to New Years eve was '99, had to watch the 2000 come in and see if the world was going to hell, another big hype for a nothing burger.

It's the same for us. We stayed up til past midnight to see what would happen. It was a big nothingburger. We had listened to all the doom and hype about it and went out and spent a fortune on food supplies. Never again. I gave away most of our food supplies after that. I donated it all to Mom's little church. They were glad to have it. We've built it all back now, though.

eta.....Us building back wasn't based on any doom, gloom, or hype. We felt, based on our biblical beliefs, that God was wanting us to prepare for the future end time events whatever those turn out to be. I don't even listen or read those kinds of reports anymore.

 

[briches]

Sherree- I came to this thread to see how you were doing. So glad it went so well for you. Prayers will continue!

Meemur - you have been on quite the roll. It is so inspiring. It feels so good to get things decluttered and organized. for me, it is always a work in progress.

 

[feralferret]

Slept a total of 10 1/2 hours last night. Only had just under 1 1/2 the night before due to having to get up for the plumber appointment. Stomach is settled and I feel MUCH better today.

We keep night shift hours normally, so getting up at 7 AM yesterday was really rough. That may have contributed to the digestive issues. The hours explain why you see me making posts in the middle of the night sometimes. The last 19 years before I retired, I was stuck working 10 1/2 hours on day shift and had to get up at 4:30 AM on work days. Not having to do that is the absolute best thing about retirement. I would rather even work overnights than days.

 

[briches]

Did some meal planning yesterday to ensure nothing goes to waste. We are eating on the spiral ham from Christmas and will be cooking one of the turkeys we have from the freezer today (yes, we have been letting it thaw). Can’t best it for cheap, good meat (ham at .99 a pound and turkey at .29 cents a pound).

Will be paying bills later and working on budget for first half of January. It is all allocated anyway as I have my budget down to a $0 budget pretty much (I have a purpose for each and every dollar).

Slow and steady ….

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I'm going over my monthly shopping list this morning. This time, it's going to be different items for the house more than food. I've developed holes in some of my leggings I wear for work/everyday pants around the house. I need to replace those. I'm replacing them with sweatpants. I'll order them from Blair. New salt & pepper shakers that have screw tops. New shower curtain, etc. Things that just wear out over time. If Walmart doesn't have all the items I'm looking for, I'll try Home Goods the next time I'm in Tupelo.

Cary sent off a rather large order to Sam's, yesterday. They had several items I buy in bulk on sale, so I took advantage of it. Still no shoes from either of my orders. Neither from Kaegreel or Keen.

Also, doing laundry, today, and dusting all the furniture. We need rain in a bad way. It would sure cut down on the dust inside and outside.

We had left-over oven fried boneless pork chop sandwiches with Swiss cheese and French fries for supper last night. I guess I need to cook a real meal, tonight, LOL. I'm thinking meatloaf, seasoned white rice, pinto beans, and dinner rolls (not homemade).

 

[Meemur]

It's Friday already? I need a whole month before I go back to paying work.
I don't want to say "back to work" because I've been working! Just not for pay, LOL!

I'm bogging down in trivia, but at least there's another load for the dump in the car.

I'm still working in the bedroom and kitchen. I didn't do a good job of arranging stuff when I moved in, and
I'm finally getting shelves and other furniture re-arranged. For example, I put the smaller, folding shelves in the kitchen. They really need to be in the bedroom, so I've been unloading, moving, and loading again. It'll be
really nice when it's finished.

Wishing everyone a great day!

 

[nomifyle]

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night and besides my normal sleeping meds I also took a muscle relaxer. I had to go to the bathroom and when I got back to my chair I reached around the back of the chair and lost my balance, caught myself but ended up on my behind. It was around 2:30 and I was determined to get off the floor by myself. I managed to put myself up on to my knees but could not stand the pain and sat back down. I had my robe on and it was hampering my attempt to get up so I took it off along with my socks because my feet kept slipping. I got a pillow in front of my chair and managed, with difficulty, to pull myself back up on my knees and raised my lift chair back enough to get on my feet. I had enough strength in my left arm but not my right arm. I have issues with both shoulders, but God blessed me with enough strength to get up. My wonderful lift chair is such a blessing.

Bottom line was I was woozy from the meds causing me to loose my balance when I reached around the back of my chair. Lesson learned be vary careful when taking meds that will cause me to be woozy.

Its hell getting old and feeble. But I'm blessed that I'm in much better shape than I was just a little while back.

I slept late and have gotten little done today, its cold outside but the sun has been shinning. Tomorrow is another day, God is good all the time.

 

[Digger]

We had a good Christmas. We had everyone over for penne and meatballs on Christmas Eve. We had lots of deserts to pick from. It was much less stressful that our usual dinner of turkey or ham. We cooked the meatballs and sauce a day ahead. I bought bagged salad and added in a box of spring mix greens. I sent leftovers home with my single sister. She rarely cooks. She eats out or at the senior center a lot.

The 6 and 5 year old grandsons crack us up when we overheard them comparing their recent ER experiences. They were like a couple of old men sharing tales. The butter cookies I made were a big hit with them. They both took a baggie of cookies with them when they left.

Daughter's 2 kids got sick Christmas evening. Me and hubby came down sick a day or so later. Both kids had ear infections and little girl tested positive for RSV. Daughter and her husband are sick too, but not any wore than we are. Our daughter is more tired, but she is getting up with little girl a lot at night. Her husband hasn't missed work. Work is probably where it came from.

Hubby had a check up yesterday. They didn't give him anything for his crud. Just said lots of people had it. His lungs and ears were clear so over the counter meds and time is what it needs. We are both taking my elderberry syrup. I need to make more. This is the last qt. I froze my berries as I picked them.

Have a good day everyone

 

[briches]

Hubby is prepping the turkey for the oven now.
Today will be a relaxing day. I will get a walk in as well as some reading done.

I also need to drop off a devotional I got for “my penpal” at the local nursing home. It is a one way pen pal system, and I have met her. I try to drop her off gifts and notes weekly.

 

[Meemur]

Yep, running errands here, too. I'm playing a game with myself as to how many tasks I can finish before 5:00. If I hit my goal, I'm going to take the evening off and watch DVDs.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got a drizzle of rain overnight. Snow was predicted to be mixed in, but I don't think we got any. Didn't rain enough for us to get anything to help with the drought. The deck was a bit wet this morning, but the ground was already dry.

I'll be doing mostly housework, today. Home fellowship is tomorrow, so I always have the house neat and tidy. More laundry is already going. There was enough meatloaf left from supper last night, so I won't have to start from scratch for supper tonight. That's always a good thing. I'm all out of fresh potatoes, so I'll open a pack of instant mashed potatoes and make gravy for those., maybe a can of cream corn, and cornbread.

My shoes from Keen came in late yesterday evening! Perfect fit. Now, if I can just get the other pair. I don't like having to order all of my shoes online. There isn't a place to buy them in-store around here anymore to get a shoe in my size. Keen and Merrell have my size, so that's where I go. I won't be using the other one anymore (Kaegreel). I have yet to receive those.

 

[patriotgal]

Have the floor almost ready for automatic vacuum cleaner. Delivered several bags of stuff to womens shelter thrift store. Said sayonara to one client, cleaned my desk and took on 2 more. Spent quite a bit of time filing receipts because I had put it off for 2 months. Realized that for the first time in 10 years I don't have to spend a fortune on tax software this year. Hallelujah!

Made unexpected trip to town with one of grands. Found some good potatoes on sale. Bought 2 x 10# bags. They store very well in open tubs on shelf in garage in winter. Picked up a couple easy meals just because I have a little bit of space in freezer now.

Realized my sweat shirts are not yet unpacked. Gotta find that tub. Handled a zoom interview like a pro. Easy enough when you are old enough to say take me or leave me, really don't care .

Need to replace 2 bedside rugs but haven't found anything yet. Gave grand several ancient but nice rag rugs. She couldn't believe how heavy they are when in a stack. She loves them. Bought herself one at DG that fell into a gazillion pieces when she washed it. Told her that would not be a problem with these.

Met latest fur grand, an adorable, wiggly little shitzu mix. Got chewed out by our resident ruling red squirrel. He stopped me in my tracks when his tone changed to one I haven't heard since we raised a squirrel. Brought back memories. Totally made my day. He was not happy about the greats being in His area of the yard. After a long spiel, he sat on the basketball goal twitching his tail and grumbling. I often wonder how many of our yard squirrels are descendants of the one we raised.

If DH's sinus issues are better in a bit I will take him to West Plains for walleye. Meanwhile I will continue going through dishes. Have enough to cook for an army. Grandsons think it is cool that I have industrial size stockpots. I think they should think about taking them as souvenirs. I will pack dishes into tubs and keep for now. If a bunch of us end up under one roof again we will definitely need them.

Bought myself a new tee shirt. It reads "I love murder shows, comfy clothes and maybe 3 people." Gonna live in it this weekend.

 

[moldy]

Been sick the last couple days - probably flu or covid - they're both going around. Finally took some IVM yesterday and am starting to feel better. I think I picked it up in Goodwill the other day.

So - I cannot go into work until Wednesday. Cry me a river. If I had known about this, I would have been 'sick' a lot more often!! I can still work from home, which honestly, I prefer.

Still working thru the stuff to list on Ebay and trying to organize and clean the house. It seems like we spend the first half of our lives accumulating stuff, and the last half trying to get rid of it!! Made doughnuts in the air fryer this morning, and they turned out pretty well - better than when I fry them. I have a hard time keeping the temperature steady enough on the stove when frying, I need to use the air fryer more. I'm sure it uses less energy than the oven.

DD's inlaws had a 'going away' party for SIL that is getting deployed. I didn't go because of being sick - and it's an 8hour drive. I would have done it in a heartbeat, but there are still pretty awful roads between here and there from the last blizzard. Thankfully, DD was Ok with it. I plan on going to visit sometime next month to help cheer her up while he is gone. She has decided to go back to school while he is gone - I think it's a great idea.

 

[patriotgal]

I will have to try making doughnuts one of these days.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I will have to try making doughnuts one of these days.

I cheat big time when I make donuts. I use canned biscuits. Punch a hole through the middle, and deep fry. I make my own glaze. They're ok, but not as good as donut shop donuts.

 

[moldy]

I've been using a mix I bought at a kinda Mennonite store (now owned by more modern family members but still has a lot of the old stuff). Of course, one batch is 6 dozen! so I had to cut it down. The store is Home and they do ship. Really nice people. There is a photo of them in Granny's kitchen in the air fryer thread.

The doughnut mix you just had to add water and yeast. Quite good.

 

[kyrsyan]

I like doing baked donuts for son and have the pans to do them. I may have to look into doing some in the air fryer.

 

[patriotgal]

Gotta be yeast ones. Will check out the mix.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I like doing baked donuts for son and have the pans to do them. I may have to look into doing some in the air fryer.

I don't have an air fryer. I've been wanting one of those toaster ovens that can be used as an air frier and a grill as well as baking and toasting. I have no room in my kitchen for one, though. My microwave is on the blink. Once it goes, I'd like to replace with one of these. I hardly ever use the microwave.

 

[kyrsyan]

I don't have an air fryer. I've been wanting one of those toaster ovens that can be used as an air frier and a grill as well as baking and toasting. I have no room in my kitchen for one, though. My microwave is on the blink. Once it goes, I'd like to replace with one of these. I hardly ever use the microwave.

I got rid of the microwave about a year ago. It's been long enough that I don't even think of them when planning meals. Which was amusing at Christmas.

I have an air fryer and Instapot but no counter space for them. There are plans to do some purging in the kitchen which will clear space for items I do want to keep.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I got rid of the microwave about a year ago. It's been long enough that I don't even think of them when planning meals. Which was amusing at Christmas.

I have an air fryer and Instapot but no counter space for them. There are plans to do some purging in the kitchen which will clear space for items I do want to keep.

The only thing I use the microwave for is to warm up something. I have it on a nice baker's rack that Cary built for me. The toaster oven will go there when the microwave stops. I know I will get more use out of the toaster oven + than with another microwave.

 

[patriotgal]

My instapot gets used a lot. It lives in a lower cabinet. Rarely use microwave. Pizza cooker gets brought out a couple x a month. If we are working in the shop I can use pizza cooker for almost anything simple.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

My instapot gets used a lot. It lives in a lower cabinet. Rarely use microwave. Pizza cooker gets brought out a couple x a month. If we are working in the shop I can use pizza cooker for almost anything simple.

I don't have any cabinets that I can use to store different gadgets. What little cabinet space I do have is where I store all my cookware that won't hang from the pot rack hanging from the ceiling. I have 2 of those. I have open shelves for all my plates, cups, drinking glasses, saucers, and bowls.

Sometimes, I wish my kitchen was as big as my whole house, LOL.

 

[nomifyle]

I did without a microwave for years and if not for DH I still wouldn't have one. When I bought my fema camper before I moved to the woods I took it out and put it in storage. DH came along and put it back in. I only use it for warming things but could easily go back to warming things in a pot on the stove and sometimes do just that.

 

[patriotgal]

I prefer warmed on stove any day to microwave warmed.

 

[kyrsyan]

I prefer warmed on stove any day to microwave warmed.

Or in the oven. Or some things, in the wok.

Microwave stuff cools off too fast.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I prefer warmed on stove any day to microwave warmed.

A lot of our leftovers get warmed on the stove and oven, especially if it's a one pot/skillet meal. Cary does use the microwave to pop his popcorn, but that can be done on the stove as well. Just have to buy regular popcorn. We've got lots of that stored, already. He doesn't eat a lot of it, though. I can't eat it for lack of chewing teeth.

Dad had an old beat up aluminum pot with a lid that he made his popcorn in on the stove. Melted a bit of bacon grease to pop it in and dumped it out in a large bowl and salted it. Best popcorn ever.

 

[connie]

I agree. Years ago my parents gave us a big microwave. No idea why. We rarely use it. I have small counter with sink in utility room and it takes up whole counter out there. I think I will ask hubby about relocating it to counter in garage. Just as close. I could live without it.

 

[Meemur]

I agree: I'd live without a microwave if I were home all of the time, but since I'm not, and I sometimes forget to take dinner out of the freezer, it saves my behind when that happens, plus I'm always re-heating my coffee.

But as to cooking rather than reheating . . . I'd rather use another method.

All right! Giving myself a huge pat on the back. I'm ready for New Year's, plus I successfully signed up for my Medicare Gap Plan (see Corkboard if you want details). I've been so annoyed with this project. It's great to have it finished, a huge load off my shoulders!

The last thing I want to accomplish in 2023 is to get the kayaks hung in the garage (install J hooks) and that requires an assistant, which I haven't been able to get. Maybe I'll make a "helper" out of scrap lumber. This is the last task on my "priority" list for this year. I also have a Plan B, which is to just hang them from ceiling hooks until I can get some help. I need that space . . .

Sending everyone good thoughts on the last day before New Year's Eve!

 

[patriotgal]

One of grands caught me using regular popcorn on stove. She got all excited. "You have popcorn seeds.!!!"

 

[feralferret]

Now that the Sabbath ended at sunset, I need to do a couple of loads of laundry.

We put out food and water for the birds and squirrels every day. The squirrel population got thinned out this summer by a large white cat that wanders the neighborhood. Today, I counted six squirrels on or near our deck where we put out food. I threw a couple of extra handfulls of peanuts out the door for them. It was a mad scramble to grab the peanuts. That is the most squirrels we have seen at one time in at least six months.

 

[nomifyle]

As for popcorn I have an air popper and I use organic popcorn, have a good supply of it. I've never eaten microwave popcorn.

 

[feralferret]

I've eaten quite a bit of microwave popcorn, especially when at work. I still prefer making it in a pan on the stove. I use some coconut oil and then sprinkle it with butter flavored salt when it is finished. Sometime I use plain popcorn salt and cheddar cheese powder.

 

[John Deere Girl]

One of grands caught me using regular popcorn on stove. She got all excited. "You have popcorn seeds.!!!"

Our microwave died last week so I'm fixing popcorn on the stove. I have no plans to replace the microwave. Popcorn was the only thing it was used for.

 

[briches]

I use our microwave a lot!