Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: March 17 - 23, 2024
- Thread starter nomifyle
- Start date
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
A continuation from last weeks thread on storing BBQ sauce and Ketsup. I do store both, some of my ketsup has turned dark, but smells and tastes fine. Now I'm not sure about it. DH requires ketsup on several things. Particularly on things I've cooked that he probably doesn't care for, which unfortunately is frequent.
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SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The color was off on my bbq sauce. It was almost black. It smelled ok, but the taste was a bit off. I was afraid to get a big taste of it for fear I would get something nasty from it. I didn't want to take a chance with it. I stored up 3 bottles of ketchup that did the same thing. They turned dark, and I threw them away without even testing them. I didn't consider them a big loss. I just keep one bottle on hand for a few months in the fridge. Now, it will be that way with bbq sauce, too.
Everyone is different, though, and I'm sure others will voice their own opinions as well.
Toosh
Veteran Member
I'm extending our fruit orchard this week. LOL - that sounds like I have several acres - I don't. It's just a normal suburban corner lot. I already have 15 fruit trees. After watching Dave Wilson on YouTube I'm going to try his method and plant 12 more. Ordered online. Scheduled to arrive on Tuesday.
He uses pruning to keep trees small - like 6-7' tall. No ladder needed. He plants closer together - sometimes 3' apart. He says that a backyard grower does not need a big tree where the birds harvest the top half. Keep it small so you can maintain it. Plan for a harvest of 20-25 lbs from a tree this size. Get different varieties of the same fruit to extend the harvest season. That way you're not overwhelmed with harvest all at one time and have it go to waste.
My new trees should put me in apples from June thru December. The total orchard will now be:
5 peach, 5 cherry, 7 apple, 4 pear, 4 plum and 2 fig. We should be eating good, for longer. We shall see.
Now for all the digging ...
He uses pruning to keep trees small - like 6-7' tall. No ladder needed. He plants closer together - sometimes 3' apart. He says that a backyard grower does not need a big tree where the birds harvest the top half. Keep it small so you can maintain it. Plan for a harvest of 20-25 lbs from a tree this size. Get different varieties of the same fruit to extend the harvest season. That way you're not overwhelmed with harvest all at one time and have it go to waste.
My new trees should put me in apples from June thru December. The total orchard will now be:
5 peach, 5 cherry, 7 apple, 4 pear, 4 plum and 2 fig. We should be eating good, for longer. We shall see.
Now for all the digging ...
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
Good afternoon, Kyrsyan and everyone! It's a windy 33 degrees with partial sunshine.
I got one of the back mower tires on (did the front two several days ago, no problem!). The bolts on the back tires didn't want to come off. I've been spraying them with PB Blaster and using a longer wrench. The left one finally came off, but the right one is still stuck. I'll get it another blast and then try to borrow an impact wrench if that doesn't do the trick. I suspect the last mower guy I hired to tune-up the beast used an impact wrench on the back tires. It's unnecessary! A regular wrench is fine.
The pop-up drain looks like it will fit, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow when the plumbing parts stores (the real ones) are open in case anything goes wrong.
Along with messing with the tires, I made and cooked a meatloaf, along with several pork chops with a bread crumb coating, along with a small batch of mashed potatoes and another small batch of rice. That'll be sides for this week, plus the last of the frozen steamed veggies. After I pay property taxes, I'll restock the freezer with more frozen veggies and meat before the summer starts. If the balloon goes up before then, I'll try to make a store run. I do have canned veggies. I'm trying to hold those in reserve until it's too hot to cook. I frequently add them to cold salads. It won't be too long until I can just go to the garden for meals, my garden, not a restaurant, LOL!
So that's Sunday. If anyone cares, the new season of "Call the Midwife" starts on PBS tonight. It's only 6 or 8 weeks, so not a long commitment.
Have an excellent day, everyone!
I got one of the back mower tires on (did the front two several days ago, no problem!). The bolts on the back tires didn't want to come off. I've been spraying them with PB Blaster and using a longer wrench. The left one finally came off, but the right one is still stuck. I'll get it another blast and then try to borrow an impact wrench if that doesn't do the trick. I suspect the last mower guy I hired to tune-up the beast used an impact wrench on the back tires. It's unnecessary! A regular wrench is fine.
The pop-up drain looks like it will fit, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow when the plumbing parts stores (the real ones) are open in case anything goes wrong.
Along with messing with the tires, I made and cooked a meatloaf, along with several pork chops with a bread crumb coating, along with a small batch of mashed potatoes and another small batch of rice. That'll be sides for this week, plus the last of the frozen steamed veggies. After I pay property taxes, I'll restock the freezer with more frozen veggies and meat before the summer starts. If the balloon goes up before then, I'll try to make a store run. I do have canned veggies. I'm trying to hold those in reserve until it's too hot to cook. I frequently add them to cold salads. It won't be too long until I can just go to the garden for meals, my garden, not a restaurant, LOL!
So that's Sunday. If anyone cares, the new season of "Call the Midwife" starts on PBS tonight. It's only 6 or 8 weeks, so not a long commitment.
Have an excellent day, everyone!
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
It's coolish and rainy out, today. Nothing really going on. Cary is watching soccer games on tv and reading. He might have to start up the wood heater later on this afternoon. Going below freezing for a couple of nights. I'm glad I didn't go ahead and move my houseplants outside. I was tempted, though, with all the upper 70's we were having.
I browned a chuck roast dredged in flour, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Put it in the crockpot. Then, I made onion gravy with the leftover flour along with the pan drippings and poured that all over the roast. It smells so good cooking. I'll make peas, slaw, and mashed potatoes with biscuits tonight to go with the roast. We still have peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream for dessert. I usually make biscuits when I'm making some kind of gravy. Cary likes to dredge his biscuits in the gravy.
I have no idea what our plans for tomorrow will be.
I browned a chuck roast dredged in flour, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Put it in the crockpot. Then, I made onion gravy with the leftover flour along with the pan drippings and poured that all over the roast. It smells so good cooking. I'll make peas, slaw, and mashed potatoes with biscuits tonight to go with the roast. We still have peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream for dessert. I usually make biscuits when I'm making some kind of gravy. Cary likes to dredge his biscuits in the gravy.
I have no idea what our plans for tomorrow will be.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I'll bet it's gravy to die for! Yum!
Finally got the mower tire off! No tools or fingers were broken in this process.
The mower now has four new tires, and that will make it safer when I'm cutting on the backyard slope. I added a tiny bit of grease to the bolt threads, so I hope they will be easier to remove next time, although I hope I don't have to replace the wheels again for a long time.
I don't hate my paying job and I'm thankful to have it! But I do wish I had another week off. I'm getting back more energy, but it's taking a long time to finish tasks. Then again, they are getting finished, so that's a plus.
Finally got the mower tire off! No tools or fingers were broken in this process.
The mower now has four new tires, and that will make it safer when I'm cutting on the backyard slope. I added a tiny bit of grease to the bolt threads, so I hope they will be easier to remove next time, although I hope I don't have to replace the wheels again for a long time.
I don't hate my paying job and I'm thankful to have it! But I do wish I had another week off. I'm getting back more energy, but it's taking a long time to finish tasks. Then again, they are getting finished, so that's a plus.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
The sun tried to come out later this afternoon, but it was still brisk.
We had a good day, went to the piizza buffet place, I got a decent salad before I ate a couple of pizzas, maybe it was three. They aren't the best pizzas but they are cheap. I prefer a thin crust but these weren't to fat.
We stopped at walmart, I thought I only wanted one thing, but I ended up spending $60 and got a twenty back in cash. Not as much as I wanted to add to the stash, but it adds up. Good thing I get my check this coming week, I'm down to $5 in my checking account. Guess I don't have to worry about anyone stealing it.
I think I have what I need to get back on my diet. I had not been eating cottage for awhile but had several cartons of it in the fridge that DH ended up giving to the dog, he puts it on her dry food and she eats it. I did get more today as I usually eat it once a day on my golo diet. I like that diet, its fairly easy to stay on but not easy to eat out on. I've put on an extra 10 pounds in the last few months. I was just eating what he eats although I eat larger portions than he does. On the Golo diet the portions fill me up and I'm not hungary.
We had a good day, went to the piizza buffet place, I got a decent salad before I ate a couple of pizzas, maybe it was three. They aren't the best pizzas but they are cheap. I prefer a thin crust but these weren't to fat.
We stopped at walmart, I thought I only wanted one thing, but I ended up spending $60 and got a twenty back in cash. Not as much as I wanted to add to the stash, but it adds up. Good thing I get my check this coming week, I'm down to $5 in my checking account. Guess I don't have to worry about anyone stealing it.
I think I have what I need to get back on my diet. I had not been eating cottage for awhile but had several cartons of it in the fridge that DH ended up giving to the dog, he puts it on her dry food and she eats it. I did get more today as I usually eat it once a day on my golo diet. I like that diet, its fairly easy to stay on but not easy to eat out on. I've put on an extra 10 pounds in the last few months. I was just eating what he eats although I eat larger portions than he does. On the Golo diet the portions fill me up and I'm not hungary.
Siskiyoumom
Veteran Member
We have been busy getting our veggie seeds planted for starts. Dear hubby started eight gallon jugs of winter sowing method veggie seeds. He has mowed tge garden, weed whacked, cut up tge maple that fell on the wood shed and has been busy tidying yo the garden.
I have been busy deep cleaning. I git most of the dust bunnies cleared of the ceiling and washed windows, and have begun the spring pantry cleaning and inventory.
Still working on getting donation bags filled to drop off next week. I may do a dump and recycling run at the end of next week.
I have been busy deep cleaning. I git most of the dust bunnies cleared of the ceiling and washed windows, and have begun the spring pantry cleaning and inventory.
Still working on getting donation bags filled to drop off next week. I may do a dump and recycling run at the end of next week.
tech
Veteran Member
And here I was concerned about the late start we got
but ours have a ton of blooms and at least 9 tomatoes on the vine.Blueberry bushes are loaded with berries already, too. For whatever reason the grape vines are just starting to green up.
Stay warm!
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
I have various seeds in paper cups on the kitchen table (south window).
That's the best I can do right now. It looks like snow is in the forecast for Thursday.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Chilly and sunny, looks wonderful outside.
DH took his truck to get the oil changed and I'm going to pick him up on the way to town to pick up commodities. We never know what or how much food we will be given, but are greatful for whatever it is. Last month was kind of sparse and we didn't have much to pass on to Morgan and her babies.
DH took his truck to get the oil changed and I'm going to pick him up on the way to town to pick up commodities. We never know what or how much food we will be given, but are greatful for whatever it is. Last month was kind of sparse and we didn't have much to pass on to Morgan and her babies.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Not much of anything getting done here, today. It's cold outside with a wind chill not much above freezing. It's sure not our normal March weather. Going down to 28, tonight.
Cary went out to try and split some firewood, and on the first pull of the cord to start it, the cord broke. He's taking it to the repair shop tomorrow. Hopefully, the man can show Cary how to do it himself for the next time it breaks. Might need to stock up on extra cord, too.
I've just been doing some light cleaning. Nothing really needs doing. I have two shower curtains for our tub. One on the inside of the tub and a decorative one on the outside. I took the outside cloth one down and washed it and got it rehung. I started going through all my cookbooks. Will finish up on those tomorrow. I'm tossing several of the ones I never use. If there is a recipe in one of those that I use from time to time, I'm writing it down and tossing the book. It's freeing up some shelf space in the kitchen.
Supper tonight will be chicken fried cube steaks with butter beans, steamed and buttered potato wedges, with cornbread and B&B pickles. No dessert tonight. We ate the last of the peach cobbler last night.
Cary went out to try and split some firewood, and on the first pull of the cord to start it, the cord broke. He's taking it to the repair shop tomorrow. Hopefully, the man can show Cary how to do it himself for the next time it breaks. Might need to stock up on extra cord, too.
I've just been doing some light cleaning. Nothing really needs doing. I have two shower curtains for our tub. One on the inside of the tub and a decorative one on the outside. I took the outside cloth one down and washed it and got it rehung. I started going through all my cookbooks. Will finish up on those tomorrow. I'm tossing several of the ones I never use. If there is a recipe in one of those that I use from time to time, I'm writing it down and tossing the book. It's freeing up some shelf space in the kitchen.
Supper tonight will be chicken fried cube steaks with butter beans, steamed and buttered potato wedges, with cornbread and B&B pickles. No dessert tonight. We ate the last of the peach cobbler last night.
That is very close to how I do my roast. I usually let mine cook a little while and add peeled carrots to it. I use to also put in cubed potatoes but the carrots were such a hit that I just doubled the amount and make mashed potaotes now. I like them better anyway but back in the day, when I was raising kids, a one pot meal was a cheat day for me. Back then, you didn't have to float a loan to buy a roast and we had them a couple times a month at least. Of course, I get so many meals out of one now that it really is fairly economical.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
That's the way my mom always cooked her roasts. Sometimes, I put in carrots and potatoes, but I was out of carrots, and Cary requested mashed potatoes this time. I always make my own gravy for whatever calls for it. We like onion gravy, so I cook my sliced onions in the pan drippings, until tender, then add those to the gravy as it cooks and thickens. I, once, bought those salty gravy packet mixes and jar gravies, but in trying to cut down on salt, I switched to making my own. The jar and mix gravies just didn't have the homemade taste we like best.
We have a chuck roast once or maybe twice a month. It depends on the price at the meat market as to how many I buy for the freezer. I don't buy large ones, either, since it's just us two.
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alpha
Veteran Member
We're trying something a bit different this year in the asparagus bed. I did a shallow rototilling to loosen the top soil, now we'll wait a few days before raking it out and then I'm going to put a three or four inch layer of wood chips down. We're still getting frosts at night so perhaps this will aid in reducing the weeds. The tree trimming company gave us three truckloads of chip to work with so I can add more if necessary.
I just made the final payment on my new buckling. He's only two weeks old so I won't pick him up until mid April when our goats are in milk too, but I wanted to make the contract official before any world events interfere. I did the same thing three weeks ago buying a new tractor before anything can go wrong (or diminished availability). Things seem to be getting crazier quicker and I'm really trying to stay ahead of the curve since I've grown accustomed to eating and living indoors. As soon as I get my smaller tractor/backhoe back from the mechanic I'll be dividing my new pasture into multiple grazing areas, and with each return trip (since the pasture is in the middle of a forty acre woodlot) I'll bring back some trees to cut for next years' firewood. My son and grands join in the splitting & stacking party so a good time is usually had by all.
My broiler day-olds are due the week of April 1 and the turkey's in the first week of June. That allows time to get the broilers out of the brooder and processed prior to starting the turkeys. Hopefully, in the midst of thrice daily bottle feedings for the baby goats, this will all go smoothly. lol
I just made the final payment on my new buckling. He's only two weeks old so I won't pick him up until mid April when our goats are in milk too, but I wanted to make the contract official before any world events interfere. I did the same thing three weeks ago buying a new tractor before anything can go wrong (or diminished availability). Things seem to be getting crazier quicker and I'm really trying to stay ahead of the curve since I've grown accustomed to eating and living indoors. As soon as I get my smaller tractor/backhoe back from the mechanic I'll be dividing my new pasture into multiple grazing areas, and with each return trip (since the pasture is in the middle of a forty acre woodlot) I'll bring back some trees to cut for next years' firewood. My son and grands join in the splitting & stacking party so a good time is usually had by all.
My broiler day-olds are due the week of April 1 and the turkey's in the first week of June. That allows time to get the broilers out of the brooder and processed prior to starting the turkeys. Hopefully, in the midst of thrice daily bottle feedings for the baby goats, this will all go smoothly. lol
I prefer homemade gravy and it's so easy to make. The packages are a little too processed and the taste isn't the best. I love brown gravy and the only way my mother made it was with corn starch which is good but I wanted the browned flour variety. She only browned flour for milk gravy so one of the first things I taught myself to make was brown gravy for those homemade mashed potatoes.
I keep instant mashed potatoes for the preps and occasionally use them just to keep them rotated and I have to say, the ones they make now are tons better than what was available back in the day.
I have a couple roasts in my freezer and I'm cooking one this weekend when the grands are here.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
The council on aging changed the date for picking up commodities and we did not know, so its next Monday instead of today.
DH dropped his truck off at the mechanics to get the oil changed and change a sensor, I guess it will be ready tomorrow. First time I've driven in a good while. And its been so long that I've gone anywhere in my van that I didn't know the inspection sticker was expired, have to get that taken care of.
Sunny day but on the cool side and will get down to 40 or lower tonight.
DH dropped his truck off at the mechanics to get the oil changed and change a sensor, I guess it will be ready tomorrow. First time I've driven in a good while. And its been so long that I've gone anywhere in my van that I didn't know the inspection sticker was expired, have to get that taken care of.
Sunny day but on the cool side and will get down to 40 or lower tonight.
Turkeys to arrive April 7th. Looking for guineas. Seechrist bantam setting on 4 eggs. She steals more but we take them away as she is little! Getting 32 degree weather tonight so strawberries and potatoes are covered with straw. Hopefully orchard won’t get nipped too badly. Picked asparagus for the first time this year and we have strawberries that are turning!
Might have planted flowers too early in the greenhouse. But live and learn right?!
Might have planted flowers too early in the greenhouse. But live and learn right?!
patriotgal
Veteran Member
Loaded scrap today to take off in the morning. Got a letter from a dear friend. She is 92 and loving assisted living. So happy for her.
Cold day. Left some water dripping. Supposed to get 3 days of rain toward end of week. Was hoping to finish some outdoor cleanup. It's going to have to wait.
Cold day. Left some water dripping. Supposed to get 3 days of rain toward end of week. Was hoping to finish some outdoor cleanup. It's going to have to wait.
If those chips aren't aged for a good while, it may leach nitrogen out of your garden. I made that mistake, thankfully only on about 1/4 of my garden, and it took that spot about three years before anything thrived there again depspite my fertilizing efforts. My son did the same thing on his square foot garden one year. He was smarter than me and that fall, he came in with a really good fertilizing plan and redeemed his.
I also set a row back one year doing all sunflowers on it. They are heavy feeders and not realizing that, I just fertilized as usual. They were beautiful though and caught the eye of everyone driving by. I have learned almost everything about gardening the hard way lol.
West
Senior
I only put wood chips in the walkways now.
So far this year we have several volunteer potatoes and some sort of squash from last years garden. Some of the perennials are popping up too, asparagus, walking onions, three types of mints, rosemarry, and comfrey. Expect more, because we always leave the last of the crops to compost in the garden, then till it all back in. Of course the perennials have permanent areas, but the walking onions and mint never behave!
And just planted a bunch of onions, radishes, potatoes and marigolds etc...
So far this year we have several volunteer potatoes and some sort of squash from last years garden. Some of the perennials are popping up too, asparagus, walking onions, three types of mints, rosemarry, and comfrey. Expect more, because we always leave the last of the crops to compost in the garden, then till it all back in. Of course the perennials have permanent areas, but the walking onions and mint never behave!
And just planted a bunch of onions, radishes, potatoes and marigolds etc...
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I love walking onions but I can't seem to catch a break with them. Year before last I ordered about $60 in bulbs of two different types and about two weeks after I planted them, the flood washed all of them away. My neighbor gave me some elephant garlic bulbs and I planted them in my biggest raised bed and they seem to have just disappeared after coming up and doing ok last year. I'm hoping they are dormant under the dirt but my gut feeling is some little creature ate them.
West
Senior
We have the best luck with the walking onions by planting them in a big pot. The kind that has a water reservoir in the bottom. In the hottest/sunniest corner of the garden, with a good north wall as protection from the winter north winds. And stack straw around it in the winter as well.
Every year the tops seed out and replant themselves into other pots and walkways next to them.
Every year the tops seed out and replant themselves into other pots and walkways next to them.
Back again. I totally missed last week and haven't taken time to read it or the above posts. I've been trying to limit my screen time.
I planted 12 pods of 6 colors/varieties of peppers. Ten have come up and are looking good. I got a warming mat and grow light which helped with germination/growth, I'm sure. Today I planted 20 pods of tomatoes with 21 different varieties. I hate to say that as I'm sure anyone who hears it will think I need a visit to the funny farm. I'm one person who does not need that many tomatoes or peppers for that matter, but I just could not resist just one more variety! Heck, I'm even allergic to tomatoes so have to limit consumption. I guess my neighbors at the senior complex will benefit again this year.
Hope you're all doing well, and I'll try to get back and catch up on my reading soon.
I planted 12 pods of 6 colors/varieties of peppers. Ten have come up and are looking good. I got a warming mat and grow light which helped with germination/growth, I'm sure. Today I planted 20 pods of tomatoes with 21 different varieties. I hate to say that as I'm sure anyone who hears it will think I need a visit to the funny farm. I'm one person who does not need that many tomatoes or peppers for that matter, but I just could not resist just one more variety! Heck, I'm even allergic to tomatoes so have to limit consumption. I guess my neighbors at the senior complex will benefit again this year.
Hope you're all doing well, and I'll try to get back and catch up on my reading soon.
WanderLore
Veteran Member
Morning everyone.
Been up since 5. Coffee and stove.
After chores and checking everything this morning I'll head to Toledo to see what going on. Scot and I talked several times last night. He's miserable but his nurses are taking good care of him.
I'm supposed to meet with social worker today to discuss options. I have to either have help at home or he will have to go to short term rehab. Both probably.
My walking onions are doing great. My tulips and daffodils came up.
It's turned cold again and we had lake effect grapple all day but doesn't look like anything stuck.
Believe it or not I've stayed on my keto diet the last month, get my sugar down.
Grabbing whatever was there to eat is not a healthy plan.
Our washer is not agitating will. Scot when better, took it apart and found the splines in agitator had completely disappeared. So he wound duct tape in there and that's kind of working.
Scots cell isn't charging. I'll have to fix when I get to hospital today. Loose port.
I planted some seeds my grandson saved from his old plant. One germinated and is doing great in the south window.
Better get going, sun is coming up. Have a blessed day everyone!
Been up since 5. Coffee and stove.
After chores and checking everything this morning I'll head to Toledo to see what going on. Scot and I talked several times last night. He's miserable but his nurses are taking good care of him.
I'm supposed to meet with social worker today to discuss options. I have to either have help at home or he will have to go to short term rehab. Both probably.
My walking onions are doing great. My tulips and daffodils came up.
It's turned cold again and we had lake effect grapple all day but doesn't look like anything stuck.
Believe it or not I've stayed on my keto diet the last month, get my sugar down.
Grabbing whatever was there to eat is not a healthy plan.
Our washer is not agitating will. Scot when better, took it apart and found the splines in agitator had completely disappeared. So he wound duct tape in there and that's kind of working.
Scots cell isn't charging. I'll have to fix when I get to hospital today. Loose port.
I planted some seeds my grandson saved from his old plant. One germinated and is doing great in the south window.
Better get going, sun is coming up. Have a blessed day everyone!
Illini Warrior
Illini Warrior
ditto on using wood chips for compost material or strait garden topping - HUGE imbalance involved and unknown tree chips can include all kinds of fungus/contaminants - and - there's a chance of getting the random tree like a black walnut that is nature's vegetation killer .....
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Browned flour gravy is what we like best, with onions. I use it with roasts and porkchops in the crockpot. I always make mashed potatoes with the pork chops, so the gravy works. Mom made it to use over chicken simmered on the stove after she browned the chicken, too. We just like the taste of homemade and the packet mixes are lacking in that flavor. I do still have some mixes stored, but they are vacuum sealed. I don't plan to use them, unless it's an emergency. I had rather take up space storing flour than gravy mixes.
I also have storage bags full of instant mashed potatoes in the freezer to use when no potatoes are available for whatever reason. Sometimes, I just run out of fresh potatoes in between grocery visits. Same reason for storing dehydrated hash browns. I don't care too much for the instant, but Cary loves his potatoes even if they are instant.
I agree. I also store the dehydrated hash browns for the same reason. We do eat rice occasionally but our main starch is potatoes. We eat very little pasta but the grands do like macaroni and cheese and I make the occasional pot of spaghetti or ghoulash.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary and Frisco have headed out to get the cord replaced on the wood splitter. Even though it's cold outside today, he still plans to split all the wood he cut up the other day when he gets back home. We had below freezing temps overnight. Only 59 for our high, today.
I'll still be sorting through all my cookbooks, today. I'm only saving two or three that I use on a regular basis. All the others get thrown out.
I'm already digging my walking onions. They are going like gangbusters. Cary made a space for them next to the side of the deck. I started out with one row of 12 bulbs. I now have a whole bed that have made nice sized clumps. I've only had them for 2 years. I heavily mulch them over the winter with raked leaves from our oak trees. I'm thinking of moving some of the clumps to one of the raised beds this Fall. I love having a never-ending supply of onions.
I'll still be sorting through all my cookbooks, today. I'm only saving two or three that I use on a regular basis. All the others get thrown out.
I'm already digging my walking onions. They are going like gangbusters. Cary made a space for them next to the side of the deck. I started out with one row of 12 bulbs. I now have a whole bed that have made nice sized clumps. I've only had them for 2 years. I heavily mulch them over the winter with raked leaves from our oak trees. I'm thinking of moving some of the clumps to one of the raised beds this Fall. I love having a never-ending supply of onions.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I've got a ton of rice stored, but we don't eat rice very often. It's pasta and potatoes for our starches. I only have a couple of pantry meals that uses rice. We do like rice, but I don't have a lot of ways to use it. Neither of us like just plain rice as a side dish.
Meemur
Voice on the Prairie / FJB!
All of this talk about gravy is making me hungry! I might have to eat the rest of my apple.
I'm back at my paying job this week, so I'll be reading but not posting as much. Today is the last 60 degree day for awhile, and snow is in our forecast. I'd rather it be in the 70s so I can start some planting outside. In a few weeks . . .
I'm back at my paying job this week, so I'll be reading but not posting as much. Today is the last 60 degree day for awhile, and snow is in our forecast. I'd rather it be in the 70s so I can start some planting outside. In a few weeks . . .
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
It has gotten colder here too, in the 30's last night and 61 by my bed.
DH bought some tomato plants a couple of days ago, but too cold at night to put them out.
We have to go pick up DH's truck in a few minutes. I think while I'm out and driving I might go by the lady I get plants from. I got creole tomato plants from her for a couple of years but they were a bust, she said hers were too and she's a master gardener.
I made Goulosh last night, instead of boxed mac and cheese I use the canned macaroni and cheese. That part was okay but one of the cans of chili was not the brand DH's stomach can take and it was a bit spicy. The left overs went to the dog, she gets my mistakes. The canned mac and cheese was okay with the chili but I prefer the boxed kind. I grew up thinking the boxed kind was real mac and cheese. Boy was I surprised when I actually ate baked macaroni and Cheese. Total difference, the baked was totally delish. I ate it at a restaurant in Chalmette called Rocky and Carlos and thank God they came back after katrina, kind of as institution in Chalmette. Their other food is wonderful too. LOL DH probably would not like it. I miss Italians and their food, there generally aren't any where I live now.
DH bought some tomato plants a couple of days ago, but too cold at night to put them out.
We have to go pick up DH's truck in a few minutes. I think while I'm out and driving I might go by the lady I get plants from. I got creole tomato plants from her for a couple of years but they were a bust, she said hers were too and she's a master gardener.
I made Goulosh last night, instead of boxed mac and cheese I use the canned macaroni and cheese. That part was okay but one of the cans of chili was not the brand DH's stomach can take and it was a bit spicy. The left overs went to the dog, she gets my mistakes. The canned mac and cheese was okay with the chili but I prefer the boxed kind. I grew up thinking the boxed kind was real mac and cheese. Boy was I surprised when I actually ate baked macaroni and Cheese. Total difference, the baked was totally delish. I ate it at a restaurant in Chalmette called Rocky and Carlos and thank God they came back after katrina, kind of as institution in Chalmette. Their other food is wonderful too. LOL DH probably would not like it. I miss Italians and their food, there generally aren't any where I live now.
Exactly, on all of it. We don't dislike rice, it's just that we like mashed potatoes more but I've got a good bit of rice in my preps because it stores well and the potatoes won't last forever. When I was a child, we had rice for breakfast often with milk, butter and sugar. I had no idea people ate it for any other meal and without sugar lol.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Lots of times growing up, Grandma would make a pot of rice for our lunch. We would add butter and lots of sugar. I don't even like it like that, anymore. I can tolerate rice pudding, but I don't really care for it. Cary, either.