Weekly Prep Thread, June 22 - July 5, 2008

[The Freeholder]

We're going to continue with our "stocking up the pantry" plan for this week. Of course, things are getting pretty full, so we're going to have to put on a hold soon and evaluate our position and how much more we can realistically store and then use before they expire. We may also look at storing more freeze-dry stuff, which has a much longer shelf life.

Also, we're working on thing to make our house more energy efficient as much as that's possible without breaking the bank. Right now I'm on the basics, such as chasing air leakage. It's a small thing in terms of money (although it can take considerable time) but it pays back in a big way.

 

[Deena in GA]

We're replanting part of the garden. Hubby finally got the well fixed so now we can water some at least. Unfortunately, the water table in the well is so low that it doesn't last long, but some is better than none.

We just got back from grocery shopping and I finished topping off our supply of plastic wrap, Ziplock bags and spray cleaners. We should have enough for a couple of years now. Not exactly necessities, but nice to have - and I bought almost every bit of them on sale.

We went to a peach farm yesterday and bought two boxes of #3's. I started canning them last night and will finish up today.

 

[amarilla]

Deena, I love peach jam.

Today we worked on getting the tree weeds cut down so we can expand the garden. Neighbors came out and said "chop away." Even on their side of the fence. I suspect they are preppers. DH isn't but he is willing to expand the garden a little.

A

 

[Running Dog]

Drying strawberries. They are $25.00 a flat. Already picked. I can't get on my knees to pick anymore. That is flat out too much. But I got some any way. Got to store up food.

 

[teadrinker]

I agree runningdog...strawberries are to expensive here as well.

We went picking at a u-pick farm, but I had helpers, still $16 a flat!!

I have canned some of them. I found a recipe on how to can them and it worked out great. I also dried a flat too.

Peaches..oh how I would love to get some. But I guess I will have to wait until later in July for them.

Went to Aldi's yesterday...prices going up there as well. Found chickens at another store for $3.99 for the whole chicken so I bought some and canned them as well.

 

[herbgarden]

I didn't know you could can strawberries. That would be great.
Does anyone know if you are able to can frozen corn?
I am so busy with the garden and current canning-even with 2 large pressure canners, I don't have the time to can everything. And we aren't as fond of dehydrated corn. I do a lot of dehydrated corn for soups and crock pot dishes,but to just eat as a side dish we prefer frozen or canned.
That is all I'm doing this week-pulling up spring pea vines,getting ground ready for fall planting,picking and canning,freezing or dehydrating.(Trying to save the freezer space for meat sales)
Everyone have a great prep week.

 

[prudentwatcher]

I finally consolidated all of the bags in the den on the floor into the preps or into a box. Have a better idea of what I have and where it is now. Took about 20lbs of sugar and transferred it to one of those popcorn tins we had leftover from Christmas. That helped clear out some of the other space I needed. I have enough rice for 2 tins, but am having to do the freezing of the rice little by little as my freezer is full. It will take a couple of weeks to get it all done.

Nothing on sale over the weekend to get me excited. Sale papers for the grocery stores come out tomorrow, so we'll see what they have out there.

PS--filled popcorn tins get stacked behind the sofas in the living room.

 

[savurselvs]

Sams / taters

picked up 2 cartons each of flakes and hash browns
another set of soaker hoses (might need to enlarge the garden) and another 120' lifetime hose , filled up 2, 6 gallon cans o' gas (used up in the boat last weekend)
planted Additional row of corn, more radishes, zucchini, more cukes, short n' sweet carrots.
called and tried to negotiate 1000 gallons of propane(some now some later)
worked more on the metal roof

 

[sparkky]

DW helped me get the orchard fence project done today, I'll make the gate tomorrow and set it. putting some chicken wire around the bottom will finish it off.

need to do some mowing up there too.

need to work on the firewood for the winter soon too. got it down but not cut or split.

 

[eXe]

Added a few more military gas cans to replace the plastic ones I was using.

Got some more mountain house stuff from a local place in town (Yes, we now have a survival store lol)

Added some shotgun ammo

Ordered another solar panels for the 2nd solar setup

Have some ham radio accessories on the way ordered them last week.

 

[Texas Writer]

The canned bacon I ordered arrived, so I immediately ordered a 25-pound pack of powdered tomato. Expect it this week.

I love tomato-based products (catsup, tomato sauce, etc.), but they're not very good prep items.

 

[prudentwatcher]

Albertson's was having a good 4 day sale. I got sodas, 2 cases of bottled water, 4 cans of pork and beans (29 cents each) and 3 packages of sliced cheese (99 cents each). They had meat on sale (chicken and hamburger) but my freezer is too full right now to store anything and I won't have time to can anything for a week or two. Might run out there on Tuesday for the meat...hate to pass up those prices.

Nothing else of value on sale.

 

[Running Dog]

I just got another order from Emergency Essentials.
The freeze dried strawberries are fantastic! Much Cheaper and much better than my own dehydrated berries.
My berries were $25.00 a flat which turned into 6 cups of hard berries. My time to do them, plus heating up the house on a warm day.
The freeze dried, from EE. Just under $22.00 which one can = 12 cups.

 

[Pass Go]

I ordered a case of Yoder's bacon.

No bacon hell for us.

I have a working order going at Honeyville grain for buckets, mylar and O2 absorbers so far.

Continuing to layer preps.

Seems I'm never done.

 

[WalknTrot]

My #10 cans of non-fat dry milk came from EE's today. Tomorrow a.m. will start butchering broilers for the freezer, then off to mow hay in the afternoon. Garden work will have to get done whenever there's a minute. Busy time of year coming up!

 

[Running Dog]

WalknTrot: Have you tried their milk? I see that they have a new one out, in the July magazine. I have not tried the milk.
Enjoy the 4th!

 

[WalknTrot]

WalknTrot: Have you tried their milk? I see that they have a new one out, in the July magazine. I have not tried the milk.
Enjoy the 4th!

Running Dog,

I haven't opened a can...hate to break into those fresh #10's unless I have to, but I did buy their new fortified stuff. There are less servings (48) than the other brand they sell, but the fortified aspect sold me. I will mostly use it for cooking and baking anyway, so taste is not a huge issue for me.

 

[The Freeholder]

DS and I went to a thresher's reunion yesterday, and I ran into some really good bargains on tools. New (taken out of kits) 18v DeWalt XRP batteries at $90/2 (at Lowe's they're $90 each), and auto fuse selections were also inexpensive. Lots of tools for good prices, especially the old (antique sort) and unusual. Also lots of Chinese junk, but that's obvious and easy to avoid.

I almost bought a good-looking set of brace bits, in a wood case for $45, but I wasn't sure how to evaluate their condition, outside of "no rust".

I wish I had taken more cash, but I didn't think about seeing things like this. We'd never been to one of these before, and didn't know what to expect.