feralferret
Veteran Member
Yippee!
Prep Genrl Weekly prep thread - December 10-16, 2023
- Thread starter briches
- Start date
The neighbors across the street have two big dogs. One of them (black and furry) is very sociable and comes to visit my little dog. He scratches at the door for mine to come out and play, and often comes back in my house for pets and to say hello. The other one is a rangy yellow hound, and also visits from time to time, but he is a rambler and often goes walkabout for miles or hours. Yellow dog has figured out that if he comes in with mine, I will put him on a leash and take him across the street and put him in his own house. (By arrangement with neighbor)
Last night yelow dog (names redacted to protect both the innocent and guilty) came in with mine, and it was obvious that he had been out for hours -wet and cold- and wanted to go home. i leashed him and walked across the road and put him in, and his mom came out and thanked me. Hadn't realized how much ice was on the road- dark and wet, so neighbor loaned me some pull-on spikies for my boots.
So, today was boot day! Sorted my boots and put one pair of muck boots in the thrift store pile. Put the slip-on pair with the honkin' big ice cleats by the door for errands outside. My regular comfy boots are on their shelf, and I pulled out the newest pair and tried them with and without socks and wore them around the house until I felt at ease with them. Now I have to get down on hands and knees and see what all is hiding in the bottom of the closet, but the back of this job is broken; not one I get to every year. Funny how just dealing with something like the boot situation can show up both my procrastination, and give me such pleasure in overcoming it and pushing through to some completion.
It really was scary tottering around out there in the pitch black on the ice!
Last night yelow dog (names redacted to protect both the innocent and guilty) came in with mine, and it was obvious that he had been out for hours -wet and cold- and wanted to go home. i leashed him and walked across the road and put him in, and his mom came out and thanked me. Hadn't realized how much ice was on the road- dark and wet, so neighbor loaned me some pull-on spikies for my boots.
So, today was boot day! Sorted my boots and put one pair of muck boots in the thrift store pile. Put the slip-on pair with the honkin' big ice cleats by the door for errands outside. My regular comfy boots are on their shelf, and I pulled out the newest pair and tried them with and without socks and wore them around the house until I felt at ease with them. Now I have to get down on hands and knees and see what all is hiding in the bottom of the closet, but the back of this job is broken; not one I get to every year. Funny how just dealing with something like the boot situation can show up both my procrastination, and give me such pleasure in overcoming it and pushing through to some completion.
It really was scary tottering around out there in the pitch black on the ice!
Whoohoo! God is good!
Summerthyme (so where did all the scary info the doc was spewing come from, anyway?!)
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
in regard to the no water deal - are any neighbors close enough to patch into one of their homes? -
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
From the test results that were done in the month after I ended up in the hospital for AFIB. And by the guidelines, the aneurysm should have been on a regular monitoring.
But I've been on the lysine and vit c protocol since then. And apparently it works for me. Or appears to.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Yes, if he is in town at the time. He is out of town a lot.
We did part of my job yesterday. We picked up 3 areas that we usually do the second day. But now our 2nd day will be shorter. We didn't have a lot of trash to get but someone left us 4 tires. Three of them were big tires like off a dump truck. I was able to load them easier than I thought. We don't get a lot of tires, but some people are just idiots.
Saturday was our dinner with hubbys side of the family. It was nice. We did just finger foods. His brother has it as his house. They have a big room off their garage that holds us all.
I was making oatmeal raisin cookies to take half to the family dinner and half to the church dinner Sunday. I put 2 pans in the oven to bake. When I checked on them they were just spread out and flat as could be. I forgot to add the flour. LOL! So I made granola but really unhealthy granola. I threw some flour into the bowl of batter that was left and carried on. They were good.
After finishing my job yesterday, we went to Kroger and got their sale items before we missed them. I only got noodles and Ritz crackers. Kroger was out or doesn't carry the big cans of coffee that was on the sale. Next week looks like mayo, tostitos, and bacon will be my stock up items.
My chickens are barely laying. I am going to have to hatch some replacements this spring. And I need to cull some of these older ones. I can them and make broth. It's so much better than what you can buy. But the older i get, the more I dread doing it.
Have a good week everyone.
Saturday was our dinner with hubbys side of the family. It was nice. We did just finger foods. His brother has it as his house. They have a big room off their garage that holds us all.
I was making oatmeal raisin cookies to take half to the family dinner and half to the church dinner Sunday. I put 2 pans in the oven to bake. When I checked on them they were just spread out and flat as could be. I forgot to add the flour. LOL! So I made granola but really unhealthy granola. I threw some flour into the bowl of batter that was left and carried on. They were good.
After finishing my job yesterday, we went to Kroger and got their sale items before we missed them. I only got noodles and Ritz crackers. Kroger was out or doesn't carry the big cans of coffee that was on the sale. Next week looks like mayo, tostitos, and bacon will be my stock up items.
My chickens are barely laying. I am going to have to hatch some replacements this spring. And I need to cull some of these older ones. I can them and make broth. It's so much better than what you can buy. But the older i get, the more I dread doing it.
Have a good week everyone.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
you think he'd mind that much if you just used his outside hose bib? - that's if you can't get his permission ....
you'll have full water service in the house if you can hose from his bib to your best hose connection ....
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I got up this morning doing more laundry and washing more canning jars for all the boxes of salt I need to convert over. I've decided to just keep using canning jars and not look for decorative jars. I have hundreds of canning jars that will likely never be used. Mom has a storage shed full of canning jars that are mine if I ever need them. She doesn't garden anymore, so she has no need for hers. I don't have the room to bring them here, unless I need them.
I want to get more decluttering and cleaning done today. Today is the only day this week I'll be able to get much of anything done. Tomorrow is Cary's doctor visit. He has a few places to stop in at while we're in Big Town, too.
We're praying for a "good news" visit from his doctor.
I want to get more decluttering and cleaning done today. Today is the only day this week I'll be able to get much of anything done. Tomorrow is Cary's doctor visit. He has a few places to stop in at while we're in Big Town, too.
We're praying for a "good news" visit from his doctor.
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
if you have any future SHTF bartering in the back of your mind - salt is one of those premium barter items >>> the zip lock sandwich bags hold 1lb of salt each - they stack well for storage ...
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I keep all of the sugar I have in storage in zip-lock storage bags, and it doesn't get hard. So, why not salt? Thanks for that tid bit of info.
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
Some of hubs heart meds are so expensive that the pharmacy won't refill them until we have less than a week left. One of them I have been arguing with them over forever, they refuse to give me more than a 30 day supply at a time. Well the only heart Dr. in the practice that he goes to that I like, got put in charge of his prescriptions, and all of a sudden we have everything filled early with a 90 day supply, which is great.
I finally got my Christmas cards done and mailed off. I get later with it every year. It's the only time I hear from my west coast cousins or I wouldn't bother.
I've been throwing out clothes too. The zipper in my medium weight coat broke so I will need to find a new one. It was at least 30 years old so I more than got my money out of it.
I finally got my Christmas cards done and mailed off. I get later with it every year. It's the only time I hear from my west coast cousins or I wouldn't bother.
I've been throwing out clothes too. The zipper in my medium weight coat broke so I will need to find a new one. It was at least 30 years old so I more than got my money out of it.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've got 80 lbs of sugar in storage lying flat stacked on top of each other in a huge tote stored in 1 gallon ziplock storage bags. None of it has hardened. We don't use very much sugar at all. So, I have converted many boxes of salt into those same type of bags and am storing them in another huge tote the same way. Once Cary started bringing out salt in boxes from all over the house, I realized I have enough salt on hand to last us a lifetime and more! I didn't get it all done, today.
Did a bit more decluttering and cleaning along the way. I'll eventually get it all done.
I'm trying a new recipe for supper tonight. I hope it's good enough to include in my overall pantry meals. It's homemade Spanish rice, and I'm going to be using a can of those seasoned fajita steak strips in it to make it a one skillet meal. I don't know what I'll make to go with it, yet, but there will be cornbread and another side. I think the Spanish rice with the fajita strips will pair nicely together.
Did a bit more decluttering and cleaning along the way. I'll eventually get it all done.
I'm trying a new recipe for supper tonight. I hope it's good enough to include in my overall pantry meals. It's homemade Spanish rice, and I'm going to be using a can of those seasoned fajita steak strips in it to make it a one skillet meal. I don't know what I'll make to go with it, yet, but there will be cornbread and another side. I think the Spanish rice with the fajita strips will pair nicely together.
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Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Sunny and mid-30s. We need the moisture to break the drought, but I'm also very grateful that we made it this far into the season without having to shovel.
The outside work is almost finished, and I hauled several bags of free mulch from the city over to the community garden for good measure (others will drag it where it needs to go).
Next is a little top-off pantry shopping, mostly loss leaders from HyVee and Fareway.
I'll also make a holiday baking decision: while lots of folks love my bread and cookies, I'm not sure I'm up to a massive bake-a-thon this year, not to mention that bread flour is very pricey. I think my Christmas stollens might run close to $12 each to make (the decent candied fruits have really increased!) Not going to happen this year, but I'll see what's on sale when I go to the store.
I'm starting to think that one 9" x 11" pan of Rice Krispie Treats and a pound or two of fudge might be the extent of my baking. I'll also buy a bag of peppermint hard candies and then make some little gift bags with a few Rice Krispie squares, some fudge pieces, and a few hard candies. That will come together quickly and will be fine for my budget and energy levels. I use generic Rice Krispies and also grabbed several bags of semi-sweet baking chips when they went on sale right before Thanksgiving.
That's what's happening at home today. Tomorrow, I'm back at work.
The outside work is almost finished, and I hauled several bags of free mulch from the city over to the community garden for good measure (others will drag it where it needs to go).
Next is a little top-off pantry shopping, mostly loss leaders from HyVee and Fareway.
I'll also make a holiday baking decision: while lots of folks love my bread and cookies, I'm not sure I'm up to a massive bake-a-thon this year, not to mention that bread flour is very pricey. I think my Christmas stollens might run close to $12 each to make (the decent candied fruits have really increased!) Not going to happen this year, but I'll see what's on sale when I go to the store.
I'm starting to think that one 9" x 11" pan of Rice Krispie Treats and a pound or two of fudge might be the extent of my baking. I'll also buy a bag of peppermint hard candies and then make some little gift bags with a few Rice Krispie squares, some fudge pieces, and a few hard candies. That will come together quickly and will be fine for my budget and energy levels. I use generic Rice Krispies and also grabbed several bags of semi-sweet baking chips when they went on sale right before Thanksgiving.
That's what's happening at home today. Tomorrow, I'm back at work.
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Sunny but cold today. I got a few things done today but not as much as I would have liked. Down in my back is an understatement. I kept pushing though to get at least some things done. got ground meat on to cook, trying to get back on my diet.
I was in the she shed looking for something and saw a wet box with a dehumidifier in it. Dh said some gallon jugs of water had leaked. Funny thing though is I don't remember buying the dehumidifier. Letting the instruction booklet dry out so I can figure out how to use it, Don't need it now, the humidity is very low.
I was in the she shed looking for something and saw a wet box with a dehumidifier in it. Dh said some gallon jugs of water had leaked. Funny thing though is I don't remember buying the dehumidifier. Letting the instruction booklet dry out so I can figure out how to use it, Don't need it now, the humidity is very low.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Long day again. Boss had a few surprises for me. I was so ready to wrap up.
I punted and we went to grab BBQ for dinner. I just did not have the energy to cook after a second long day.
Didn't get my walk until after sundown. Dang it was chilly. And my body did not want to do it. But it got done.
I thought I was toast after the walk but managed to wrangle son, have a long conversation with ex MIL, and wrap gifts.
Gift wrapping was a cheat. I got a mixed batch of drawstring foil bags with tags. The bag of gifts is a bit heavy but everything is wrapped and labeled. I have three gifts still to make. One has to be made by this weekend so I can get it shipped. The other two can hold until next weekend if needs be.
It's about time to start the end of day cleanup and bedtime rituals. I hope everyone had a blessed day.
I punted and we went to grab BBQ for dinner. I just did not have the energy to cook after a second long day.
Didn't get my walk until after sundown. Dang it was chilly. And my body did not want to do it. But it got done.
I thought I was toast after the walk but managed to wrangle son, have a long conversation with ex MIL, and wrap gifts.
Gift wrapping was a cheat. I got a mixed batch of drawstring foil bags with tags. The bag of gifts is a bit heavy but everything is wrapped and labeled. I have three gifts still to make. One has to be made by this weekend so I can get it shipped. The other two can hold until next weekend if needs be.
It's about time to start the end of day cleanup and bedtime rituals. I hope everyone had a blessed day.
Long day at work, then home. Not feeling well tonight - I think it's something I ate, but i don't know for sure. I'll drink some ginger tea before bed. Finished dipping the chocolate covered moonshine cherries for sis, so hopefully I will get the last of the presents in the mail tomorrow. The weather is supposed to get nasty in the afternoon, so I'll try to get out by at least mid-morning and get all the errands run.
I'm sorry! Do you have any charcoal? Best thing ever for incipient food poisoning...
Summerthyme
briches
Veteran Member
Just wanted to say I think you are very wise. You have so much to contribute in such a vast variety of areas. I appreciate the knowledge you share here.
AlaskaSue
North to the Future
Goodness, my dear friend - Please take care. Those icy days are not anything to fool with! And of course you took care of the puppers!
We have had snow, snow, howling blizzards and more snow here in the Mat-Su for weeks! But it’s lovely when things calm for a bit! Bless you! <3
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've managed to get all of my decluttering and cleaning out done, except for one long shelf in the laundry room. I'm so glad to have this all done. I will be careful to not let all this build up again. If it's not a need of some kind, I'm not keeping it. I have a lot less stuff to have to keep clean and organized now. Lots more space, too. I've actually got empty shelves now for all of Cary's new books he's bought over the summer.
The Spanish rice recipe with the seasoned fajita steak strips turned out pretty good last night. I'm going to be tweaking the recipe a bit when I make it again. 1 whole can of diced tomatoes was just too much for our liking, and I think it needs a bit more spice, maybe some taco seasoning. Using the steak strips turned out really well in it, though.
We'll be leaving later this afternoon for Cary's doctor visit.
The Spanish rice recipe with the seasoned fajita steak strips turned out pretty good last night. I'm going to be tweaking the recipe a bit when I make it again. 1 whole can of diced tomatoes was just too much for our liking, and I think it needs a bit more spice, maybe some taco seasoning. Using the steak strips turned out really well in it, though.
We'll be leaving later this afternoon for Cary's doctor visit.
My "Spanish Rice" recipe is an adaptation of my mom's (clearly a 1950s money stretcher) recipe. It's usually made to use up leftover rice.
It's just sautéed ground beef, with plenty on onions and sweet peppers... I add the peppers late so they retain some crunch. Then add ketchup until it's about a good "Sloppy Joe" consistency. Once its heated through, add cooked white rice... if it seems too dry, add a bit more ketchup (or a bit of water).
I also add either a drop or two of Tabasco sauce, or plenty of freshly ground black pepper.
Not gourmet food by a long shot, but filling comfort food on a chili day.
Summerthyme
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Your recipe sounds a lot less complicated than mine! I was thinking of using a half can of tomato sauce, instead of the whole can of diced tomatoes next time. We didn't like the chunks of tomatoes in it, and it was too tomatoey for us. Ketchup would work, too. Thanks!
briches
Veteran Member
That sounds similar to “goolash” that we had growing up but we used macaroni instead of rice.
briches
Veteran Member
What a powerful feeling of getting so decluttered and organized. I need to do more and simply remind myself that small progress each day is still progress!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've just done a little every day, until it was all done. There wasn't a whole lot to declutter, since I have a small house, and there just wasn't room for a lot of stuff that wasn't needed already. But, I had old stuff that needed to be gotten rid of that was just taking up space. Clothes that I no longer wanted, old gifts that I've had for years (most of those were gifts from oldest DS's ex), etc. I cleaned all the shelves, cabinets, drawers, and closets as I went.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I used my last can of diced tomatoes last night. I'll be using all my home canned pints/quarts of stewed tomatoes from now on. Just not in this recipe. I don't even own a blender, so I can't puree anything.
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
In working on the camper DH has found quite a few canning jars, many with rusty lids. I had a tote full of canning jar lids out on my screened in porch that we packed in plastic, I hauled the bag in the house and emptied the bag. There were more regular mouth lids than I thought, but they are the lids and rings. And also a decent supply of wide mouth lids and rings and lids.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
although not to fond of diced tomatoes I do like the petite diced tomatoes, seems like better tomatoes.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've got cases and cases of quarts and pints of my home canned stewed tomatoes. I'm glad I finally used up all the store bought cans, so I could start on the home canned. I'd rather have my own than store bought. Stewed tomatoes are lots better than chunks for our taste.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
You have my prayers, briches.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
LOL. I haven't had American cheese slices in so long I've forgotten what it taste like. Cary turned me on to different European cheeses when we got married. I was so naive that I didn't even know all of those other cheeses existed, LOL.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We like gouda, sharp cheddar, and aged Swiss for our grilled cheese with a smoked ham slice added. Cary likes some other cheeses, but I can't pronounce them much less spell them. They are those stinky cheeses that I don't like.
feralferret
Veteran Member
Extra sharp cheddar cheese!
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Laughing at myself. Another long day. But I did take the time to walk at lunch. I really did not like walking after dark last night. And walking during the day gives me time to move and stretch and keep my spine from getting quite so pissed at me.
And I'm no longer worried about the blood clotting effect that the hormone was having. Just scratched my arm and discovered that my body no longer has a problem making a bloody mess.
Off to prep for tomorrow. Boss was hinting that I can take the full day if I want to. Since I'm already at the hours that I normally get for a full week, I might do that. But not likely. She just tossed a client my way for clean-up. And I already want to burn the client file, after 24 hours.
I love a variety of cheeses. I just get an assortment to hold me through the month. And some extra in the freezer. And now I think I'm having grilled cheese for dinner. Son is getting waffles. That should work.
And I'm no longer worried about the blood clotting effect that the hormone was having. Just scratched my arm and discovered that my body no longer has a problem making a bloody mess.
Off to prep for tomorrow. Boss was hinting that I can take the full day if I want to. Since I'm already at the hours that I normally get for a full week, I might do that. But not likely. She just tossed a client my way for clean-up. And I already want to burn the client file, after 24 hours.
I love a variety of cheeses. I just get an assortment to hold me through the month. And some extra in the freezer. And now I think I'm having grilled cheese for dinner. Son is getting waffles. That should work.