Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: June 18~24, 2023

[nomifyle]

We've had half of our goats in the south pasture for the past several months. With that big tree on the ground there are tons of leaves so DH put them all together up near the house. This morning two of the billys were fighting. And those two have been together all the time. Two of our females had been in the south pasture so maybe that's why they were fighting. I saw one of the boys with his nose in the air like he had been smelling pee.

DH is off to the VA this morning to get his INR checked. He's rarely out of whack on that, he doesn't like any of the food he's not supposed to eat.

I've got plenty to do while he's gone, it remains to be seen if I get any of it done. I do need to do a couple loads of laundry.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

DH is off to the VA this morning to get his INR checked.

Judy, what is INR?

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I've got the laundry hung out and the gardens weeded. Time for a break! Cary has already eaten lunch and is napping. He'll get back to splitting and stacking on the firewood later this afternoon. It's too hot in the heat of the day to be out exerting oneself.

I'm working on chicken breasts for supper, after I finish my break. Oven fried chicken breast, homemade mac & cheese, and green beans. Cary will have a dinner roll and peanut butter cookies for his dessert. Cary eats whatever he likes with his doctor's permission as long as it's low salt and watches his deep fried foods. He is nowhere near being overweight, so the sweets don't cause him to gain weight. I guess he's active enough to keep it worked off. He's been at a healthy weight all his life. Lowest dose of meds, because of hereditary conditions that diet changes won't do much to fix.

 

[nomifyle]

Judy, what is INR?

"The INR, or International Normalized Ratio, is a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot. A prothrombin time (PT) is a another blood test done to help measure your INR. The higher your PT or INR, the longer your blood takes to clot. An elevated PT or INR means your blood is taking longer to clot than your healthcare provider believes is healthy for you. When your PT or INR is too high, you have an increased risk of bleeding."

He takes warfrin to thin his blood, so it gets check once a month, that is unless its out of whack and then they check it more often.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

"The INR, or International Normalized Ratio, is a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot. A prothrombin time (PT) is a another blood test done to help measure your INR. The higher your PT or INR, the longer your blood takes to clot. An elevated PT or INR means your blood is taking longer to clot than your healthcare provider believes is healthy for you. When your PT or INR is too high, you have an increased risk of bleeding."

He takes warfrin to thin his blood, so it gets check once a month, that is unless its out of whack and then they check it more often.

Thanks, Judy. I could almost remember what that was, but just couldn't call it up in my mind. Because of certain anti-antibodies my body makes from Lupus, my blood is too thick from time to time. I take a baby aspirin every day for that. I've had the INR test done, too. That's why it sounded familiar to me.

 

[kyrsyan]

Hugs and prayers for everyone. I've missed coming here. Work descended into chaos. By the beginning of last week I told boss no more "extra" projects until I get all that has been tossed on my plate under control.

This has been week one of no extra projects. I told her she had to wait until 7/10. That would get me through setting the new pattern, and holding it through the end of month/start of month cycles for all our clients.

The chaos was so bad that I've actually filled in a day by day schedule of exactly what I must do on what days. So I can make sure things don't slip through the cracks. For the next month and a half.

In the midst of all that was the stress over vehicle issues. The beginning of this week we were finally able to get the van to the comprehensive tire/front end shop I trust. Roughly $200 later, the van is stable. There were two other tires with missing weights, just not as severe as the first. And all that lovely vibration toasted the front and rear alignments. Because, of course, I have 4 wheel alignment. Tires balanced, rotated, and alignment fixed. She now drives like a dream. I just have to manage to get under her to put away the spare.

There is still a slight shimmy if I brake hard. 99.9% sure that is because we didn't turn the rotors the last time we put brake pads on. I will correct that error the next time we do brakes.

I started slowly getting a handle on regular life things this week. And today I finally got outside and got my hands in the dirt. I pulled all the remaining asparagus plants from the fridge and got them in pots. I just don't have the stamina to dig their holes at the moment.

And then I planted the sunchokes, again in pots. And laughed because they were already sprouting in their bag. And then I came in and cleaned up the pile of empty boxes and made son's cbd mix. While dealing with a grouchy son.

I have a good, electric water gun that will be filled with vinegar to deal with the squirrels that have decided to act fearless. Next step up is foam pellets and plastic pellets for the slingshot.

Seeds came in. I'm hoping to get them started tomorrow or this weekend.

None of the wintergreen made it. I'm going to have to find someone I trust to send me some. And I still haven't found jewelweed seeds.

I also need to get trellises up for the cucs. The rain the past week has them exploding.

I want to put water trays out for the birds, but I don't want mosquitoes. I'm going to have to see if Mosquito Dunks are bird safe. It's up to the birds to stay cat safe.

And I'm looking into grounding mats. Or maybe just the thing for the shoes. I used to go barefoot everywhere until the yard got burrweed. Now the nerves in my feet are out of whack, or maybe because all of my callouses have disappeared, and walking barefoot is continually setting off pain whenever I step on the tiniest thing. It's kind of annoying. I miss being barefoot all the time.

Anyways, I know I've missed things but I'm so grateful that my brain is coming back online and the chaos is being dispersed. It felt like I was living in fight or flight mode there for a while. Not a day went by where we didn't find some new part of the whole mess that had to be cleaned up.

And despite my hard line, boss is actually pretty happy that I not only got things handled but I'm also wrangling them under control in a way that doesn't have one client taking over most of my time. Even though I'm handling everything for them except accounts payable.

And my sanity is coming back as I get outside and get my hands in the dirt. I don't know how to explain it if you don't experience it yourself. There is just something about working the soil or being out in the sun that calms things and lets my brain relax.

Anyways, missed you all. And saying prayers for things to go a bit smoothly for everyone. And healing and health for everyone. Night night.

 

[JasmineAndLace]

Kyrsyan, there are a couple of ads on Amazon for jewelweed seeds. Don't know if that is what you are looking for or not.

 

[ReneeT]

There used to be a patch of Jewelweed at the bottom of our road; I haven't noticed any orange flowers, but haven't been looking - my eyes have been up higher, looking for elderberries. I will start checking after I get back from daughter's house.

 

[kyrsyan]

Kyrsyan, there are a couple of ads on Amazon for jewelweed seeds. Don't know if that is what you are looking for or not.

It supposedly is. But do I trust the vendors to send what they say they are sending? Not normally on Amazon. The jewelweed I'm looking for is impatiens capensis. In some places it is considered a weed. There are "pretty" varieties that are the typically available seeds, but they don't have the same medicinal uses.

There used to be a patch of Jewelweed at the bottom of our road; I haven't noticed any orange flowers, but haven't been looking - my eyes have been up higher, looking for elderberries. I will start checking after I get back from daughter's house.

Cool. Thank you.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We've been out since daylight getting fertilizer around in the raised beds. I spotted my first baby squash, too. More banana peppers gathered, and I have 3 cucumbers almost big enough to pick. Now, 2 tomatoes ripening. Everything is looking a lot better. We are having problems with garden bugs, though. Cary dusted everything down good with garden dust, so that should help. We use Sevin on everything. We haven't had any success in past years using organic stuff. Have I mentioned how bad bugs are here in the South, LOL.

Our next round of rain and storms are for Sunday, according to our forecast. By then, the garden could use a bit of rain. Temps are back into the 90's nearing 100 and the humidity is going to be awful, so the heat index is going to be way up there for the next 7 days. 73% humidity outside right now at 80 degrees, already.

Nothing else really planned for today. Too hot outside to do anything out there the rest of the day. I'm glad I cooked enough chicken breasts last night to have leftovers tonight. I won't have to heat the kitchen, today, other than to warm it up. I'll make a quick stir fry to go with the chicken.

 

[kyrsyan]

OMG. Laughing this morning. I knew sunchokes were sturdy but one of the articles made me laugh out loud. I am now reconsidering their permanent home with that guidance in mind. It seems they are as stubborn as some of the invasives I am fighting. You can't can them or hold them for long in the fridge, so it looks like pulling them fresh and/or freezing them. I'm also considering just placing them in really deep, large pots in one spot in the yard. Or may 10 or 15 gallon plastic drums, painted so neighbors won't have meltdown. Where if they get loose, it won't be a crisis but I will try to contain them. If just because it will make harvesting them much easier. Also considering lining those same deep pots with grow bags to help keep them contained. Or at least placing landscape cloth in ways to keep it contained. I'd use trampoline mat but I can see roots working their way through that.

Btw, trampoline mats, so far, are making a wonderful ground cover to keep the weeds down and the plants watered. And they have little to no resistance to letting water through from above. Whereas the one area that I had to use landscape cloth, the water pools on top before it oh so slowly seeps through.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow I will need to water. That means I'll need to figure out how to turn off the water timer so I can manually water. We'll see how it goes. I miss my old timer and may order it's more modern replacement. Turns out the old timer can no longer handle the full sun exposure without the computer board inside overheating. But then, it's a good 15 years old so I guess it gets to retire.

I have no way to explain the brain exhaustion from the last few weeks. It's like a headache but not. I'm just so glad to feel it fading away.

We're having stray cat and uncontained dog issues again. So I'm going to have to get the foam sling shot pellets. I don't want to hurt them, just encourage them to stay away from my cats and not start fights. Only one of mine goes out. And nowadays he doesn't go out as often as he used to. And he tries to stay near me when I'm outside. But the dang dog and cats just wouldn't listen.

Fun memory to share from the last week. Son was playing his "stomp the concrete wet" game when it started raining. No thunder and lightning, so I didn't do anything. He was laughing his heart out as he ran back and forth to make sure that every piece of concrete was thoroughly wet. It happened twice more and he was just thrilled. And it carried over all day. And he slept really well that night.

 

[hd5574]

I hate to heat up the kitchen in the summer also....
I have the standard size gas stove.....I few years back I purchased a convection oven. ....ii is large enough to cook a 12" pizza.....I can easily fix casserole dishes and such..has a rotisserie attachment...which I never use because....we have a Costco membership and everytime we go I grab one of their chickens for $4.99..i can't buy a chicken that large for that price....the money saved on the chickens pays for the membership...not to mention the gas savings over a years time...
The oven heats up real quickly....and doesn't heat up the kitchen...love the thing..since I have a very small kitchen with washing machine and dryer in it....it lives on top of the dryer...also handy in the winter want a second oven...at different temperature..it has helped reduce the electric bill cause less ac needed to cool the kitchen.... it's all good.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I hate to heat up the kitchen in the summer also....
I have the standard size gas stove.....I few years back I purchased a convection oven. ....ii is large enough to cook a 12" pizza.....I can easily fix casserole dishes and such..has a rotisserie attachment...which I never use because....we have a Costco membership and everytime we go I grab one of their chickens for $4.99..i can't buy a chicken that large for that price....the money saved on the chickens pays for the membership...not to mention the gas savings over a years time...
The oven heats up real quickly....and doesn't heat up the kitchen...love the thing..since I have a very small kitchen with washing machine and dryer in it....it lives on top of the dryer...also handy in the winter want a second oven...at different temperature..it has helped reduce the electric bill cause less ac needed to cool the kitchen.... it's all good.

We eat very light in the summer because of the heat and humidity down here. If I have to cook, I do a big batch so as not to have to cook the next night. Most of the time, I use the microwave just to warm, but tonight, I'll heat the chicken in the oven. The microwave makes fried chicken a bit soggy. I do so wish I had a toaster oven, air fryer, rotisserie, and grill all in one!

 

[spinner]

I have the standard size gas stove.....I few years back I purchased a convection oven. ....ii is large enough to cook a 12" pizza.....I can easily fix casserole dishes and such

Which convection oven did you purchase? I have a very old one that I am afraid of losing and would like to find a back up. It has to be large enough to bake a large loaf of bread. Mine is a Farberware and it is very large. I use it all of the time because it uses so much less energy than my gas oven. I guess they don't make one like this any more - I have looked for them. Most of them are air fry ovens now and too small.

 

[nomifyle]

We also were given two boxes of frozen (farm raised) catfish. DH baked one box and it turned out okay but soft (I think he cooked it too long). Today he pan fried the baked fish (in coconut oil) and it was delish. We also baked three chicken leg quarters and he has them in a frying pan and the look good too.

We got the propane tank filled back up, $221 for 71 gallons. DH said that's not bad for us to have electric while the power was out. Me, I think its a lot, but them I'm paying part of it. What this experience has shown me is that our propane supply might last a week. I'm thinking that with all the trouble he had with the smaller generator might have used a bit of propane just working with trying to keep it going.

 

[kyrsyan]

Planted seeds for mullein, helichrysum italicum, clary sage, and hibiscus sabdariffa.

The first three will go in the ground in the front garden beds when they get strong enough. The plan is to let them take over there, until there is enough to transplant to different areas in/around the front ditch.

I have arnica chamissonis seed as well. But I also bought some plugs of it earlier this year. I'm going to move the plants to another of those garden beds when they get strong enough. And same thing with them.

Son was on day three of migraine and it was starting to compound, so I pulled the new med sampler. And that was an astounding fail. Did absolutely nothing.

So phone call to pharmacist to verify what I found online about med interactions. Then a dose of ketorlac. At that point it took the ketorlac about 45 minutes to get the edge off. And I'll likely have to do at least 2 more doses to break it.

And then there will be a call to the doctor to stop trying to get insurance approval because it doesn't work for him.

But he is much happier now and wanted tickles and kisses.

The inline chlorinator for his pool has proven to be a wonderful aid. I haven't had to use shock even once. When the tablets ran out, I refilled and the water was clear after the next filter cycle.

We got his sunsail back up and that seems to have helped him some. And time in the pool helps him sleep better and reduces his migraine frequency. Probably because it hydrates him, and the water is cool which reduces the heat that migraines trigger in him.

I get to go to a Quilter's Sew-sale tomorrow. That should be interesting.

I sent Russell Stover hard candies, sugar free, to Dad for Father's Day. We all like the root beer flavor, but after being addicted to root beer barrels, the flavor seems weak. Fortunately one of his other favorite flavors, butterscotch, is pretty amazing. It's really hard to tell that these are sugar free.

I haven't heard back about the version of peanut m&m's. But since he's also calorie counting, I figure those will get tried sometime next week.

My logic is really simple. Good tasting alternates make it much less likely that someone will be tempted to risk regular candies. Even sugar free aren't for every day. But they work when that craving hits.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm back on my diet for two days. I lost what I gained during our power outage. Last night I really wanted something to eat (I don't think I'd eaten my days worth yet) so I sauteed some frozen broccoli in butter, it was delish and completely satisfied my hunger.

I've had a headache for several days, usually my sinus/allergy meds at least dull it. But today its getting worse. The other day I bought some extra strength Headache relief with acetaminophen, aspirin and caffene in it. Just took two, hope it helps. I'm trying to hold off taking one of my rx pain pills. Although I have a supply, I'm stingy with it.

ETA: it looks like that dollar tree headache stuff is helping. My head barely hurts, and my shoulder pain is so much less. I have no issues with taking aspirin so I must may buy some more. Even my hands are so much better.

 

[hd5574]

Which convection oven did you purchase? I have a very old one that I am afraid of losing and would like to find a back up. It has to be large enough to bake a large loaf of bread. Mine is a Farberware and it is very large. I use it all of the time because it uses so much less energy than my gas oven. I guess they don't make one like this any more - I have looked for them. Most of them are air fry ovens now and too small.

I have a Hamilton Beach...it will take a 12" pizza pan and side to side it will take 13"...I have a couple of dishes that are a little larger and put them in on an angle and they work fine..
I have had it about 3 years I guess..love it

 

[Digger]

We got the grandkids on Monday afternoon. Daughter and son in law used the kid free time to cut down a tree that the storm broke. Hubby cut hay while I took care of the kids. The kids wore me out.

I have been being tired and achy a lot. I decided to stop my thyroid medication for a few days. I feel so much better! Even only taking 1/2 a pill every day or 2 was not working for me. I don't know what the deal is with me. But Wednesday through Friday i got so much done. And that is after stopping medication.
On Tuesday I mowed part of the yard while hubby teddered the hay.
Wednesday morning I tilled the garden. Then in the afternoon we baled 125 square bales of hay. I sold all but 10 bales off the field. I put those in the barn. I helped my customers load their hay. I still was not just exhausted.

Thursday we did my contract job. I am glad that is done before the extreme heat we will be seeing the next few days.

My dr asked about me getting a bone density test done since I will be 60 my birthday. I told her I thought I would wait. But I guess I did a do it yourself test. I had just put a bale of hay on the trailer, turned and took a couple of steps toward the next. I stepped in a critter hole in the field and fell flat. My left shoulder hurt the most for a couple of days. Nothing broke so I think I am good. Wednesday night i did not sleep well because my shoulder hurt. But Thursday night i slept hard and slept in till nearly 8. My shoulder is just a little sore today. Today i got up early to work in the garden. I am just having coffee and waiting on daylight. I can nap later if I need to.

Yesterday I put 3 qt bags of peaches in the freezer. Then I ran a canner of green beans. I have to run another of beans today. I have a canning stove out on my porch so I don't heat up the house. Some of my potatoes are ready to dig too. I am sure that there are peaches to pick too. It's a busy time of year.

Take care everyone. Be careful in the heat.

 

[philkar]

Busy busy here. Topped off durables this past week along with picking up extras for the elders that are living with us. The elders slow down my productivity but it is worth it. Barn organization is coming along slowly. Shelving being added along with hangers for garden tools. Produce is coming in which means canning kitchen is going night and day! Wild blueberries are plenteous this year! Continue to pray for y’all… just praying on the run!

 

[nomifyle]

Geeze Digger and Philkar, I'm tired just reading your posts, ya'll get so much done, what a blessing for you. And the rest of you busy ladies too.

If I get just a few things done in a day I'm doing good. Although my daily average number of steps has increased some.

The kitchen became a disaster during the power outage and I'm still trying to get it back in order.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

It's going to be a hot one, today. Temp rising to 96 degrees with the heat index at 102. Too hot to do anything outside. Cary is trying to finish up his wood pile. If he could work all day, he would get it finished, but in this heat, he can't. He's already out there working on it, before it gets any hotter. I made a walk around in all the gardens, already. Everything still looks really good. I pulled out all my old flat bedsheets that I use for shade cover in the gardens. I have trouble with all the peppers getting sun scald every year. The old sheets work great. Since all the peppers are in cages, I just hang the sheets over the cages and secure with clothespins. I never throw away old flat bedsheets and pillowcases. Lots of uses for them.

Cary and I got all those old cases of green beans out of the pantry room and moved to the kitchen. Now, I have space to put all the new green beans from the garden in the pantry. I need him to help me with doing the cases of older canned tomatoes, too. I think I still have two cases of those that were canned a few years ago. I don't have shelf space in my kitchen, so all the older canned veggies are being stacked in the corner. We're praying for a bumper crop of green beans and tomatoes this year. Along with canning a bumper crop, plus all the store bought green beans and tomatoes, I'll have no need to buy those for several years.

For the past 2 days, I've gone without my knee brace. No pain at all, until last night. My knee woke me up hurting a bit, so this morning I put the brace back on. I do believe that it is healing. It's just a slower process than I was expecting.

 

[ReneeT]

Kyrsyan, I went down to the end of the road and checked for Jewelweed - I found multiple small plants but only a couple of larger ones were blooming so far. I wrote Jewelweed on my July calendar so that I will remember to go down and check for seed pods.

 

[hd5574]

I save all my old sheets also.... just cut the corners on the fitted ones...
We also use in the garden in the spring to cover plants if we have chance of a frost.....as we often do here in Central Virginia ...
Picked green beans yesterday in the rain will have to pick again today..and both yellow and green squash..have snow peas coming out of our ears..will need to pick them again today..and cukes..will be canning squash soon....

we have a friend who truck farms and they plant tomatoes in the dirt in their hoop house then roll the sides up...so we have been eating their fresh tomatoes for three weeks now...they will have melons this week or next.... can't wait... our tomatoes and melons are making but will be a while...
We have a million thornless blackberries that will be ripening soon..I will be busy canning them..they make a wonderful side in the winter...
Have nearly finished the red raspberries..we will expand those next year...
Time to get busy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

.will be canning squash soon....

I'd love to be able to can my yellow summer squash, too, but my electric pressure canner book doesn't tell me how to do it. The only canning recipe for squash is for acorn or butternut squash. I want to can it with onions, just like you buy at the grocery store. I wonder if the same recipe can be used for yellow summer squash?

 

[kyrsyan]

Kyrsyan, I went down to the end of the road and checked for Jewelweed - I found multiple small plants but only a couple of larger ones were blooming so far. I wrote Jewelweed on my July calendar so that I will remember to go down and check for seed pods.

Thank you. It's somewhat amusing that something so useful is considered a weed so no one sells the seeds. It's not a weed everywhere!

Slow and late morning. I gave myself permission to sleep late. Friend will be here in just over and hour to do some things while I run to the city for a quilting club sew-sale and to pick up some groceries. The grocery store forgot to tell me that they were out of some things when a friend grabbed the last order. I want to make shepherd's pie, and I need turnip and jicama to add to the mashed topping. I'm thinking about a really quick Costco run just to get a rotisserie chicken for tonight's dinner. Because when I get home, I still have to repack tomato soup and ham cubes. And something else that is escaping my brain at the moment.

Some time this week I need to go measure my larger garden pots so I can then go find grow bags to fit inside. And get that on the list of things to get so they are here when the sunchokes are ready to be potted up again. And get the pots cleaned out so that I can give the exterior a coat of paint to help them last in the sun longer.

Anyways, need to go do breakfast so that I can people without being rude.

 

[kyrsyan]

I'd love to be able to can my yellow summer squash, too, but my electric canner book doesn't tell me how to do it. The only canning recipe for squash is for acorn or butternut squash. I want to can it with onions, just like you buy at the grocery store. I wonder if the same recipe can be used for yellow summer squash?

Onions have to be pressure canned unless pickled. So does yellow squash. And yellow squash turns to mush with pressure canning.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Onions have to be pressure canned unless pickled. So does yellow squash. And yellow squash turns to mush with pressure canning.

Thanks for that bit of info! I was wondering how mushy they might turn out being canned. Those you buy at the grocery store in cans are very mushy. I buy them, though. I'd much rather they not be so mushy, and was hoping if I can them myself, they would be firmer. I think I'll pass now.

 

[nomifyle]

Thanks for that bit of info! I was wondering how mushy they might turn out being canned. Those you buy at the grocery store in cans are very mushy. I buy them, though. I'd much rather they not be so mushy, and was hoping if I can them myself, they would be firmer. I think I'll pass now.

I have a friend that makes yellow squash and onion pickles, pretty good too. That's a way to preserve yellow squash.

 

[kyrsyan]

Thanks for that bit of info! I was wondering how mushy they might turn out being canned. Those you buy at the grocery store in cans are very mushy. I buy them, though. I'd much rather they not be so mushy, and was hoping if I can them myself, they would be firmer. I think I'll pass now.

There is a specialty way that businesses can use to can that let's them can things not able to be canned at home. But the results aren't always better. They can be chunked and frozen. They'll still come out a bit soft but not as much as canning.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have a friend that makes yellow squash and onion pickles, pretty good too. That's a way to preserve yellow squash.

My mom and dad made those a lot, too. They also made a sweet relish using yellow squash. I never cared for it much. I think I'll just chunk up mine and put in the freezer. I love boiled squash with onions cooked in with them. I've never tried to put up any squash, so don't know much about it.

 

[hd5574]

I have old canning books(Ball and Kerr) that have canning summer squash info...I used to can it ...without problems...read somewhere that they lost all the records on the summer squash ...rather than re-do the info they just said can't can it.. don't know if that is true or not..but we have never gotten sick from my canning..

There is a guy..James R Coffey, 607 E.Pulaski Hwy...Elkton, MD 21921-6021
Who has written 2canning books... Country Canning Cookbook and Country Canning Cookbook II...
He learned to can from his grandmother..she used a 1939 Kerry bulletin for all her canning...many of his recipes are blue ribbon winners from county fairs.
I was lucky enough to get both of his books the last time I was in Intercourse, PA.....Amazon may have them from time to time...the times and instructions vary from other books....but these recipes are very old and have been used for years..no one has fall ill from them...

My Amish friends ..reuse lids and even jars from the grocery store that have rubber seals...and some water bath everything...because they don't have a pressure canner..the.books above have the old times to water-bath low acid foods...

There are lots of rebel canning recipes out there..the books above would...be considered rebel.... because they are not FDA....approved....as would some of my grandmother's canning recipes...she was born in 1870....and her kids lived ..and grandkids also

I have both an All American and a Presto Digital Electric Canner ..I use all my pressure recipes in my electric canner not just the few that come in the book with the canner...I just used the required time.. everything for me is ten pounds pressured..I was taught to pressure mixed jars for the veggie requiring the longest time..or soup the time for the meat..

I learned from women who had been canning all their lives ...one old enough to be my grandmother and another old enough to be my mom... when I was learning to can back in the early 1970s canning wasn't scary...just a normal thing to do..it seems like they are trying to scare people now....there are a number of Amish and Mennonite cookbooks that have more canning information..and things that were fine but not anymore...I will can my yellow squash...using my tried and true recipe...but each person must make up their own mind..about what they chose to can

 

[kyrsyan]

I'm running away now.

Got to sale. Got enough 4 way stretch knits to make at least 3 more tubes for son.

Stopped and grabbed rotisserie chicken, cheese, and turnips. Then I grabbed the site to store order and headed home.

Halfway home the vibration from he-double hockey sticks came back. I ended up cutting off onto backroads to get the rest of the way home.

I'm going to make dinner and chill for a while. Then see about getting some cleaning done.

Friend got on garage roof and cleaned off the dead limbs but we didn't get the leaning tree down. Maybe next weekend. He did find a spent 22 round on the roof.

The second timer also cannot handle the sun. So both are inside until I figure out a plan. That water spigot is full sun for most of the day. I'm thinking of, first, putting the timer at the 4 way splitter which will make it easier to just pull the hose for other uses without having to mess with the timer. And second, taking one of the plastic boxes I have and using it as a "shelter" for the timer and 4 way.

And a squirrel decided to dig in the pots of just planted sunchokes. Apparently they don't like sunchokes. And to see if the seeds trays had anything for it. So I'm going to cut down one of the frost covers to serve as a protective cover until the seedlings are up and bigger. And plastic pellets are on the way.

I get why the birds and squirrels love my yard. I have trees. And plants. And those things have been disappearing around me. But there's got to be a balance.

On a positive note, Dad got his birthday gift, about a week early, and absolutely loves it. It took a bit for him and I to find something that he wanted. But the side attachment tables for his planer turned out to be more useful than he expected. The comment was that if he had known how useful they were going to be, he would have gotten them a lot sooner.

I'm still keeping my eye out for a tabletop cnc cutter for him. Maybe I'll get lucky before Christmas.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I have old canning books(Ball and Kerr) that have canning summer squash info...I used to can it ...without problems...read somewhere that they lost all the records on the summer squash ...rather than re-do the info they just said can't can it.. don't know if that is true or not..but we have never gotten sick from my canning..

There is a guy..James R Coffey, 607 E.Pulaski Hwy...Elkton, MD 21921-6021
Who has written 2canning books... Country Canning Cookbook and Country Canning Cookbook II...
He learned to can from his grandmother..she used a 1939 Kerry bulletin for all her canning...many of his recipes are blue ribbon winners from county fairs.
I was lucky enough to get both of his books the last time I was in Intercourse, PA.....Amazon may have them from time to time...the times and instructions vary from other books....but these recipes are very old and have been used for years..no one has fall ill from them...

My Amish friends ..reuse lids and even jars from the grocery store that have rubber seals...and some water bath everything...because they don't have a pressure canner..the.books above have the old times to water-bath low acid foods...

There are lots of rebel canning recipes out there..the books above would...be considered rebel.... because they are not FDA....approved....as would some of my grandmother's canning recipes...she was born in 1870....and her kids lived ..and grandkids also

I have both an All American and a Presto Digital Electric Canner ..I use all my pressure recipes in my electric canner not just the few that come in the book with the canner...I just used the required time.. everything for me is ten pounds pressured..I was taught to pressure mixed jars for the veggie requiring the longest time..or soup the time for the meat..

I learned from women who had been canning all their lives ...one old enough to be my grandmother and another old enough to be my mom... when I was learning to can back in the early 1970s canning wasn't scary...just a normal thing to do..it seems like they are trying to scare people now....there are a number of Amish and Mennonite cookbooks that have more canning information..and things that were fine but not anymore...I will can my yellow squash...using my tried and true recipe...but each person must make up their own mind..about what they chose to can

I'm using my electric pressure canner, too. How would you pressure can your yellow squash! Do I have to cook it first? My canner is set for 10 lbs pressure. I don't know how long to can it, though. The canning book I have is the one that came with my canner. It's all I have. Maybe, I'll just use the recipe for canning the acorn and butternut squash.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm running away now.

Got to sale. Got enough 4 way stretch knits to make at least 3 more tubes for son.

Stopped and grabbed rotisserie chicken, cheese, and turnips. Then I grabbed the site to store order and headed home.

Halfway home the vibration from he-double hockey sticks came back. I ended up cutting off onto backroads to get the rest of the way home.

I'm going to make dinner and chill for a while. Then see about getting some cleaning done.

Friend got on garage roof and cleaned off the dead limbs but we didn't get the leaning tree down. Maybe next weekend. He did find a spent 22 round on the roof.

The second timer also cannot handle the sun. So both are inside until I figure out a plan. That water spigot is full sun for most of the day. I'm thinking of, first, putting the timer at the 4 way splitter which will make it easier to just pull the hose for other uses without having to mess with the timer. And second, taking one of the plastic boxes I have and using it as a "shelter" for the timer and 4 way.

And a squirrel decided to dig in the pots of just planted sunchokes. Apparently they don't like sunchokes. And to see if the seeds trays had anything for it. So I'm going to cut down one of the frost covers to serve as a protective cover until the seedlings are up and bigger. And plastic pellets are on the way.

I get why the birds and squirrels love my yard. I have trees. And plants. And those things have been disappearing around me. But there's got to be a balance.

On a positive note, Dad got his birthday gift, about a week early, and absolutely loves it. It took a bit for him and I to find something that he wanted. But the side attachment tables for his planer turned out to be more useful than he expected. The comment was that if he had known how useful they were going to be, he would have gotten them a lot sooner.

I'm still keeping my eye out for a tabletop cnc cutter for him. Maybe I'll get lucky before Christmas.

Would you share your squash canning recipe with us please and than you.

When DH was growing they water bathed everything and whole chickens in 1/2 gallon jars. He said they'd take the canned whole chicken out of the jar, cut it up and fry it. He and his deceased wife of 49 years canned a lot, he always had a huge garden. Me, I think I would be hard pressed to eat anything he canned.

We baked a box of frozen catfish a couple of days ago. The next day he pan fried some and it was delish and he fried some again today, still delish.

I'm back on my diet, sort of. I'm not eating anything off the food plan I'm just not eating it they way they say. I lost what I gained when the power was off but now I'm stuck again.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Praise God! Cary got all his work on our firewood done, today! Tomorrow, he plans to clean up the whole area around the woodshed. We have enough firewood laid by to last us 3-4 years without having to cut more. It's a great feeling knowing we have a way to heat and cook without power if it comes to that for the next few years.

After visiting the gardens this afternoon, I got 4 ripe tomatoes and 2 nice cucumbers! Peppers can wait til tomorrow or the next day to get a better size on them. Cary's late tomato plants from the seed he started are beginning to bloom. Since rain is in our forecast for tonight, I didn't put the sheets out for shade cover. I'm not seeing signs of sun scald, yet, but it's coming.

It has been hot, today. Heat index got up to 104. We have severe storms in our forecast for tonight into tomorrow night. We need the rain with this hot weather, but not the storms. The heat just sucks the moisture right out of the ground.

 

[nomifyle]

No rain in sight for the next several days. DH has come in sweating from working on the generator shed, but I haven't even stuck my nose outside. I'm basking in the ac.

 

[kyrsyan]

@nomifyle , I haven't canned summer squash. I freeze it or dehydrate whatever we can't eat. Since I can no longer have most chips, I'm going to try making some from summer squash. I miss queso and salsa.

My sinuses just decided to try and back up. I pulled the hinoki wood oil and they are already settling.

Son is in a mood. I used some oil on him. And then I gave him styrofoam. Yes, he'll make a mess. But he also almost instantly calmed down. I ordered him some pop tubes. Those should arrive Monday and he can use them to work out his upset. Without making a mess.

Part of today's projects was getting cleats mounted for the sunshade ropes. That worked wonderfully. The sail is now high and tight again. And I can tighten them easily. Although I may have to drop it tomorrow during the storms.

The other part was getting the dump Gorilla cart assembled. My existing wheelbarrow is slowly dying so the Gorilla cart here to help take the heavier loads. And it has the tip basin so I can just dump it like a regular wheelbarrow. But without having to tip the whole thing.

Son likes the new fabrics. I'll probably get the tubes sewn tomorrow during the storms. And I got another light for the sewing machine table. Just an LED strip light to put behind the machine.

And the body is insisting on rest now.

 

[philkar]

I have old canning books(Ball and Kerr) that have canning summer squash info...I used to can it ...without problems...read somewhere that they lost all the records on the summer squash ...rather than re-do the info they just said can't can it.. don't know if that is true or not..but we have never gotten sick from my canning..

There is a guy..James R Coffey, 607 E.Pulaski Hwy...Elkton, MD 21921-6021
Who has written 2canning books... Country Canning Cookbook and Country Canning Cookbook II...
He learned to can from his grandmother..she used a 1939 Kerry bulletin for all her canning...many of his recipes are blue ribbon winners from county fairs.
I was lucky enough to get both of his books the last time I was in Intercourse, PA.....Amazon may have them from time to time...the times and instructions vary from other books....but these recipes are very old and have been used for years..no one has fall ill from them...

My Amish friends ..reuse lids and even jars from the grocery store that have rubber seals...and some water bath everything...because they don't have a pressure canner..the.books above have the old times to water-bath low acid foods...

There are lots of rebel canning recipes out there..the books above would...be considered rebel.... because they are not FDA....approved....as would some of my grandmother's canning recipes...she was born in 1870....and her kids lived ..and grandkids also

I have both an All American and a Presto Digital Electric Canner ..I use all my pressure recipes in my electric canner not just the few that come in the book with the canner...I just used the required time.. everything for me is ten pounds pressured..I was taught to pressure mixed jars for the veggie requiring the longest time..or soup the time for the meat..

I learned from women who had been canning all their lives ...one old enough to be my grandmother and another old enough to be my mom... when I was learning to can back in the early 1970s canning wasn't scary...just a normal thing to do..it seems like they are trying to scare people now....there are a number of Amish and Mennonite cookbooks that have more canning information..and things that were fine but not anymore...I will can my yellow squash...using my tried and true recipe...but each person must make up their own mind..about what they chose to can

I have heard the same story about the FDA and canning squash. I can summer squash but use pressure canner. But everyone has to make there own choices.