Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread May 7--May 13, 2023

[ReneeT]

Sherree, I don't have problems with bees or yellow jackets swarming the feeders when I use Perky Pet feeders with Perky Pet Bee Guards on them. I don't know if your feeders can use them or not. The darned orioles have a tendency to pull them off the feeders and fling them on the ground, so I have to keep watch. I need to buy an oriole feeder to keep them busy so the hummingbirds can eat in peace.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Sherree, I don't have problems with bees or yellow jackets swarming the feeders when I use Perky feeders with Perkey Pet Bee Guards on them. I don't know if your feeders can use them or not. The darned orioles have a tendency to pull them off the feeders and fling them on the ground, so I have to keep watch. I need to buy an oriole feeder to keep them busy so the hummingbirds can eat in peace.

I've never heard of bee guards. I have hummingbird feeders all around, but I haven't put any food out for them, because of all the bees. We still have hummingbirds, and they love all my flowers. When we sit out back on the deck, we get buzzed by them all the time.

 

[aviax2]

Ive had three quiet days in a row and almost don’t know what to do with myself! Little granddaughter has been sick this week bless her heart and the quietness around the house is so odd. Hopefully she’ll be better and back over tomorrow.

I watered all the houseplants that she and I took out to the front porch last week, then watered all the rest that’s in the living room and moved a few around. Still have 5 more in the bedroom to attend to that I’ll probably wait on since she loves to help water. Those are sansevieria (or as I call them, snake plant) so they aren’t hurting.

Made some chicken salad for our lunch and used up the last few decent grapes in it. Still working on emptying the fridge of anything needing to be used soon. I’ve made a ton of progress last week and this week and it helped make menu planning easier. I still need to use up the apples/applesauce and over half a tall jar of queso from Sunday, might make muffins and bread with the former, not really sure what to use the queso in since the two of us aren’t going to eat that much in the way of chips and dip. Tonight we’re using some beef from the freezer, potatoes from the pantry and the rest of the slaw I made yesterday for supper.

 

[nomifyle]

I woke up about an hour ago and could not go back to sleep, I gave up trying about 30 minutes ago. Today may be a wash and I may try to go back to sleep later. I could use some coffee.

We went to church last night, DH had his dinner there. I think they had sandwiches and chips and dip, and the dessert table looked loaded down. People were coming to the table with several different kinds of desserts including DH. I ate before we left and had a meal when we got home. Cottage cheese with mandarin oranges. And a small stir fry with ground meat, broccoli and riced cauliflower, oh and zucchini yellow squash blend, just a few pieces. Yummy and I was completely satisfied. I had two cups of coffee with half and half at church. Their coffee is very strong and bitter which is why I put the half and half in it.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Our RAV4 didn't come, yesterday. Maybe today. I hope it comes today. That we give us time to get the insurance switched over and the tag bought, before we have to make a road trip Saturday into Alabama. It would give us a chance to take it for a good road test.

It was a big clean up job, but we got the limb off the roof and got a huge brush pile to burn, later. Everything is back to normal with all of that.

I received another $10 off coupon from Blair, so I ordered another pair of capris and a top to match. Free shipping, too. That's it for the summer. I told Cary that I would give any other coupons to Mom. I've been a customer of theirs for years, and I'm always getting some great deals, but I'm done for a while.

Since Cary's seeds haven't come up, yet, he decided to use larger pots and planted more seed, yesterday. More tomatoes, banana peppers, and watermelon. He has his mini greenhouse in a sunnier spot, so hopefully, they will come up this time.

I'm off to go do laundry now.........

 

[nomifyle]

with all the light rain we've been getting our tomato plants are growing like weeds. A very few didn't make it. And the squash and zucchini seeds have come up too, the weather is perfect for that.

Its dark and rainy today, thus far not hard though.

I did manage to get back to sleep after I'd been awake for a couple of hours. I made coffee and its so tasty this morning. The DE that I put in it makes its just a tiny bit chaulky tasting, but it doesn't bother me. My weight is still in good shape this morning, although I did not eat any no nos. I'm 3 1/2 weeks on my golo eating plan and I'm still not taking their pill.

I talked to my niece, who is in the Texas national guard, yesterday. She said they always go to the border in riot gear. Her boy friend is already down there and she said she is going to visit him this weekend. She said its just as dangerous in San Antonio as it is at the border.

 

[John Deere Girl]

I played in the garden this morning, and got weeding done, planted more potatoes, cucumbers, pole beans, and sunflowers. I'm planning to finish all the rest of the planting in a bit. This afternoon I have a friend coming to help me with fencing.

 

[etdeb]

with all the light rain we've been getting our tomato plants are growing like weeds. A very few didn't make it. And the squash and zucchini seeds have come up too, the weather is perfect for that.

Its dark and rainy today, thus far not hard though.

I did manage to get back to sleep after I'd been awake for a couple of hours. I made coffee and its so tasty this morning. The DE that I put in it makes its just a tiny bit chaulky tasting, but it doesn't bother me. My weight is still in good shape this morning, although I did not eat any no nos. I'm 3 1/2 weeks on my golo eating plan and I'm still not taking their pill.

I talked to my niece, who is in the Texas national guard, yesterday. She said they always go to the border in riot gear. Her boy friend is already down there and she said she is going to visit him this weekend. She said its just as dangerous in San Antonio as it is at the border.

I hope you miss the system moving out of E Texas finally. We receuved 6 inches since 4am

 

[nomifyle]

I hope you miss the system moving out of E Texas finally. We receuved 6 inches since 4am

It finally hit here a couple of hours ago, but has let up some. It rained really hard and we were under a tornado warning.

 

[bluelady]

Tonight is a big temptation, with DH having pizza, but I'm gong to soldier on and not eat it. I've come this far without eating badly, I'm losing and I don't want to fall off. God is good all the time.

If you're too tempted, just pick the good stuff off the top!

 

[SouthernBreeze]

If you're too tempted, just pick the good stuff off the top!

Yep. That's what I did last night when we had pizza!

 

[etdeb]

It finally hit here a couple of hours ago, but has let up some. It rained really hard and we were under a tornado warning.

News out of Shreveport said we got 9 inches

 

[nomifyle]

If you're too tempted, just pick the good stuff off the top!

LOL, it was a frozen pizza, nothing particularly good on it. And in the end I was not tempted and was down a pound the next day.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

LOL, it was a frozen pizza, nothing particularly good on it. And in the end I was not tempted and was down a pound the next day.

I'm not in the least tempted by any part of a frozen pizza, either. LOL! I love pizza, even though right now, I'm only getting to eat the toppings. They have to be custom made, though, not frozen.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm not in the least tempted by any part of a frozen pizza, either. LOL! I love pizza, even though right now, I'm only getting to eat the toppings. They have to be custom made, though, not frozen.

I love this frozen pizza, but I was not tempted. We don't eat any other kind. I've had the best and this suits me just fine.

 

[nomifyle]

In an effort to eat the right amounts of proteins, fat, veg and carb today, I was careful to have 3 oz of ground meat, which I warmed in coconut oil (fat), I added some frozen kale (which is actually tasty) sliced red onion, and some riced cauliflower and then I scrambled one egg into the mixture that I had seasoned with coconut aminos. My carb was a slice of ezekiel bread with a tiny amount of butter. The butter may have been a little too much fat, but I'm not sure. I was hungry before I ate but completely satisfied after I ate. Dh had ham and eggs.

Rain always makes me sleep so I snuggled up in my chair and nodded off (I'd originally gotten up at 3:00 am) and just woke up a little while ago.

I may chop up the remainder of my small tomatoes and have cottage cheese and a little bit of canned no sugar added mandarin oranges. It tastes like dessert its so tasty.

I bought a package of frozen spaghetti squash and it was disgusting, I'll be sure not to do that again.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Still no new vehicle. It will come in when it comes in. It's sure trying our patience, though. Cary has a friend who had to wait 4 months for his, and I was talking to my dentist about us having to wait on ours. He told me he also had to wait on his new car for about 4 months, too. So, it may be 4 months, before ours arrives. It's been a month, already, since they put our name on the one we want. Plus, we've paid half of its cost, with the rest being paid upon arrival.

We got a thunderstorm yesterday afternoon with more in the forecast for today. The rain was just the right amount for our gardens. Everything is so lush and green this morning. We might as well forget about planting the larger garden. Cary either doesn't have time to till and plant, or it's too wet. So, I guess I'll still be stocking green beans from the grocery store.

Road trip is still on for tomorrow.

 

[ReneeT]

May I please have a volunteer to start next week's thread on Sunday? Thanks!

 

[kyrsyan]

This week has been insane for work. Yesterday I finally got a mental handle on everything and started getting things stabilized. I headed into today with a much better frame of mind and stability.

I'm torn over this weekend. I need to get the last few garden plants for early planting. I'm putting in tomato as seed, but need more peppers and squash. And seedless watermelon. And I need to get by Harbor Freight. And I'd like to get by the Russell Stover store to get the sugar free chocolate chips for my Mom. But those places are all over the map. Two on opposite sides of the city. And the third in another town.

Finally got everything for maintenance meds set up and the first order put through. Next week I need to dig into whether I can do that for son's meds. He has two insurances. So while one will allow it, the other may not.

Does anyone have clary sage plants? I could really use a few starts. It has been tested and helps with menopause and diabetes, but the only leaves I could find to buy come from Germany, for a total of $60+ for 1 pound. Not doing that. And the essential oil overwhelms the flavor of everything else, even at one drop for 20 oz of water.

 

[John Deere Girl]

This week has been insane for work. Yesterday I finally got a mental handle on everything and started getting things stabilized. I headed into today with a much better frame of mind and stability.

I'm torn over this weekend. I need to get the last few garden plants for early planting. I'm putting in tomato as seed, but need more peppers and squash. And seedless watermelon. And I need to get by Harbor Freight. And I'd like to get by the Russell Stover store to get the sugar free chocolate chips for my Mom. But those places are all over the map. Two on opposite sides of the city. And the third in another town.

Finally got everything for maintenance meds set up and the first order put through. Next week I need to dig into whether I can do that for son's meds. He has two insurances. So while one will allow it, the other may not.

Does anyone have clary sage plants? I could really use a few starts. It has been tested and helps with menopause and diabetes, but the only leaves I could find to buy come from Germany, for a total of $60+ for 1 pound. Not doing that. And the essential oil overwhelms the flavor of everything else, even at one drop for 20 oz of water.

I looked on Amazon, and they have seeds you can buy for clary sage. I've never grown it, but it says easy to grow. It's $9 and some change for a packet.

 

[kyrsyan]

I looked on Amazon, and they have seeds you can buy for clary sage. I've never grown it, but it says easy to grow. It's $9 and some change for a packet.

I may have to go that way. Just called the "specialty" nurseries around here. No one has it in stock. I'm a mixed bag with starting from seed, so let's hope it's easy to grow.

 

[kyrsyan]

I was stressing tomatoes, and more peppers. And more squash. Because when I got out with the chalk line, I realized I could honestly fit a lot more plants in.

And then found a small greenhouse about 15 minutes north of me that only wanted $20/flat for 36 plant flats. Regardless of mix. 2 flats and two 3 packs ordered. So everything to fill in the gaps. I'll still have to get more melons in a few weeks. But if they have them, I'll get the plants there.

And they will pull it all so I don't have to worry about son. He can ride with me. And that makes it priceless.

Going to be honest, I'm normally somewhat lackadaisical about the veg garden. This year I'm not. I'm planting it to the gills. And looking at what it will take to fill the beds again in the fall with other veg that we eat. I've seen some interesting video on onions and garlic. I'd like to try both again.

And that's all separate from the fruit and herbs.

I want to know, not guess, what I can do with the space I already have. I know already that there's a chance that I'm overplanting tomatoes. But at the same time, I'm not sure. We've been using quite a bit of Rotel, ketchup, and fire roasted tomatoes through the last year.

And extra can be sent to parents to help their food budget a bit. Their retirement accounts have taken some serious hits and this is something I can do to help without injuring feelings. And once they are full up, I can send some with friends.

Boss is happy to see the end of the week. But also happy that I've spotted some things so I can get them fixed now. Which also involved some things that didn't get billed out on client's behalf. (Not our mistake.) The client is happy. Boss is happy. And I have extra work doing clean-up for a few weeks. The only person not happy is the one who was making the errors.

Made Mom happy with an early Mothers Day gift of flowers, keto ice cream, and keto brownies. For her birthday I'm planning on sending her the ingredients to make keto chocolate chip cookies. Then she can make the dough and freeze it in rolls small enough to pull and use one at a time. Things she won't buy for herself.

Now I'm going to review planting and chill out.

Oh, and I found safe non dairy versions of sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk at Azure Standard. So that will likely be an order this month. I have to stick with shelf stable purchases for a while. At least until I repack the ground lamb and refill the ground turkey.

 

[moldy]

Managed to do a little cleaning, make a FB post for my business, and frost some small cakes. Oh, and open up accounts at a credit union. Just really unhappy with our bank. Also hit DG - their canning jars are down in price from everywhere else I"ve seen - ten dollars for a case of pints, twelve for quarts.

 

[anna43]

Not much being accomplished around here. We had a really nice rain shower yesterday, so I haven't been able to work outside. More rain is in the forecast tonight and the next couple of days so it will be a week before I can get back in the garden. The garden that is planted is up except for lettuce. I planted two short rows and not a single seed has come up. The peas were looking great, but the rabbits must have gotten to them so now not great at all. I have something approaching the number of the national debt in tree seeds germinated in the garden. I hoed it over just before the rain, but you could not tell that I did today.

I did get my burn pile burned. The wind came up after it was burning and I ended up with scorched grass. I watered it down so the fire didn't spread. I've had two serving of asparagus from the garden and probably could cut another now. I never have enough to freeze but sure do enjoy eating it fresh. Probably radishes in another week. Onions are looking good and I may cut some tops to add to dishes.

It is so discouraging waiting and waiting for people who say they'll call to call. When I called for annual generator service, I was told 2 weeks a month ago and when I called again last week was told "soon." If I have to call again, I'm asking for their definition of "soon". Then, the mud jacking company said they'd do the job in three weeks a month ago. I haven't called them back yet. Then I had two weeks when my garbage wasn't picked up. Called city hall and they gave me a number to call that was never answered (1st week). Second week I went to city hall and made a complaint. Dimwit tried to give me the phone number again and I informed her that I did not think it was my responsibility to call. I pay the city not the garbage men so the city should be responsible for providing service. Then no newspaper for two days so called about that. Basically, a week of frustration. Now I'm getting political calls to attend town meetings, to participate in surveys and to listen to how wonderful the candidate is. No problem hanging up on them, but it interrupts what I'm doing to run to answer the phone. I'm working very hard not to turn into a grumpy old lady, but they are really trying my patience!!

I went to the store today and the prices just rocked me. I'm so hungry for salad greens, but the prices at the store are ridiculous. I definitely need to get a grow light set up in the basement for next winter. My d-i-l was with me, and we neither bought what was on our lists due to prices. I bought 2 butterfly pork chops which cost $6.56 which isn't bad because that is four meals for me. The price of flour shocked both of us. She wanted a 3# bag of frozen blueberries which were about $15 so she didn't buy them. This was a Fareway store. They did have some good specials but not on things we needed. Three jars of spaghetti sauce 99¢ each if you purchased 3. Neither of us needed that. I did get a half gallon of strawberry lemonade for 99¢. I'm so thankful for Aldi, although their prices are continuing to go up as well.

I'm thinking I need to buy more flour for my preps even though I have quite a bit already. I don't understand why the price for plain white flour is so high.

 

[anna43]

Managed to do a little cleaning, make a FB post for my business, and frost some small cakes. Oh, and open up accounts at a credit union. Just really unhappy with our bank. Also hit DG - their canning jars are down in price from everywhere else I"ve seen - ten dollars for a case of pints, twelve for quarts.

I recently realized that instead of searching for canning jars as I've been doing most of my life, I suddenly have boxes and boxes of jars that I'll likely never use again. Guess this is another part of getting old.

 

[summerthyme]

I was stressing tomatoes, and more peppers. And more squash. Because when I got out with the chalk line, I realized I could honestly fit a lot more plants in.

And then found a small greenhouse about 15 minutes north of me that only wanted $20/flat for 36 plant flats. Regardless of mix. 2 flats and two 3 packs ordered. So everything to fill in the gaps. I'll still have to get more melons in a few weeks. But if they have them, I'll get the plants there.

I want to know, not guess, what I can do with the space I already have. I know already that there's a chance that I'm overplanting tomatoes. But at the same time, I'm not sure. We've been using quite a bit of Rotel, ketchup, and fire roasted tomatoes through the last year.

Kyrsyan... if you have a dehydrator, tomatoes dry very well. And a bushel can dry down to about a gallon of tomato powder... which will store well for years if kept cool, dry and dark.

Also, you could save quite a bit of cash by buying a packet or two of melon seeds and presprouting them... transplanting vine plants tends to set them back, but sprouting seeds in damp paper towels just until they have a nice strong root starting (5-7 days, generally) will give you a strong plant which will easily catch up to the transplants, for a fraction of the cost.

I started pre sprouting most of my vines when the seed prices started getting ridiculous... instead of planting 5 seeds and then th8nning to the strongest one, I plant a single, pre sprouted seed.

Summerthyme

 

[kyrsyan]

Kyrsyan... if you have a dehydrator, tomatoes dry very well. And a bushel can dry down to about a gallon of tomato powder... which will store well for years if kept cool, dry and dark.

Also, you could save quite a bit of cash by buying a packet or two of melon seeds and presprouting them... transplanting vine plants tends to set them back, but sprouting seeds in damp paper towels just until they have a nice strong root starting (5-7 days, generally) will give you a strong plant which will easily catch up to the transplants, for a fraction of the cost.

I started pre sprouting most of my vines when the seed prices started getting ridiculous... instead of planting 5 seeds and then th8nning to the strongest one, I plant a single, pre sprouted seed.

Summerthyme

Oh I've dried tomatoes before. A banker box will make roughly 2 cups of powder. And large containers of plain dried tomatoes have been appreciated by different family members as add ins for their recipes. Mom isn't as good about using those so her stuff will likely be fresh and/or canned.

I may do that for the honeydew melons. All they had was cantaloupe. And I'm still looking for seedless watermelon. Melons make yummy candy when dehydrated. I have to hide the jars from my son.

I'm debating pumpkins but I think I'm just going to go with a few good winter squash varieties. The seeds are just as edible and we'll get more use out of them.

The body is wiping out from doing the lawn and then the hour run to get plants. And the "false period" isn't helping. I'm thinking lunch. And then getting laundry started. And then back outside for a bit. My focus for this upcoming week is getting the plants in the ground. With the exception of tomatoes, everything else is from staggered plantings which should stagger the harvest.

 

[hd5574]

Kyrsyan... if you have a dehydrator, tomatoes dry very well. And a bushel can dry down to about a gallon of tomato powder... which will store well for years if kept cool, dry and dark.

Also, you could save quite a bit of cash by buying a packet or two of melon seeds and presprouting them... transplanting vine plants tends to set them back, but sprouting seeds in damp paper towels just until they have a nice strong root starting (5-7 days, generally) will give you a strong plant which will easily catch up to the transplants, for a fraction of the cost.

I started pre sprouting most of my vines when the seed prices started getting ridiculous... instead of planting 5 seeds and then th8nning to the strongest one, I plant a single, pre sprouted seed.

Summerthyme

I fully agree...I have started sprouting all my large seeds...we sprout climbers snow peas, pole green beans, pole butter beans, and large squash seeds..just stick them in a bowl in a wet paper towel until they develop a large strong root. . then pop them in the ground...no grow lights. ..no pots... no hardening off...basically no fuss...way of growing lots of veggies...if the seed is large enough to handle easily we are sprouting them. ..no thinning...plus you know the seed is viable before you plant it. Growing,food the easy way.l

 

[summerthyme]

Oh I've dried tomatoes before. A banker box will make roughly 2 cups of powder. And large containers of plain dried tomatoes have been appreciated by different family members as add ins for their recipes. Mom isn't as good about using those so her stuff will likely be fresh and/or canned.

I may do that for the honeydew melons. All they had was cantaloupe. And I'm still looking for seedless watermelon. Melons make yummy candy when dehydrated. I have to hide the jars from my son.

I'm debating pumpkins but I think I'm just going to go with a few good winter squash varieties. The seeds are just as edible and we'll get more use out of them.

The body is wiping out from doing the lawn and then the hour run to get plants. And the "false period" isn't helping. I'm thinking lunch. And then getting laundry started. And then back outside for a bit. My focus for this upcoming week is getting the plants in the ground. With the exception of tomatoes, everything else is from staggered plantings which should stagger the harvest.

Seedless watermelon seeds are expensive and hard to find... Ebay does have some. If you want something to provide edible seeds and flesh, try Baby Bear pumpkins. They have "semi hulless" seeds which are wonderful roasted, plus the flesh is sweet and tender... makes good pies. They are small pumpkins... about 2#, but you get 8-10 per plant. And they are non hybrid, so you can save seeds.

Summerthyme

 

[kyrsyan]

Seedless watermelon seeds are expensive and hard to find... Ebay does have some. If you want something to provide edible seeds and flesh, try Baby Bear pumpkins. They have "semi hulless" seeds which are wonderful roasted, plus the flesh is sweet and tender... makes good pies. They are small pumpkins... about 2#, but you get 8-10 per plant. And they are non hybrid, so you can save seeds.

Summerthyme

I'll look at them. We don't mind the shells. I discover that if you do a soaking brine before roasting, the shells are pretty edible. Son never cared, he would still devour. I find it easier on my teeth.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm envious of all the planting going on. DH is taking care of what is in our gardens. He said there are blooms on some of the tomato plants and the zucchini and yellow squash seeds are peaking through the ground.

I've been going over my next grocery list. Recently I bought some frozen kale. Its really good to add to a stir fry, which is what most of my meals are. I've added two more bags of the kale to my next list. I'm still waiting for next Friday to buy from that list. But I need a couple of things before then, grape tomatoes and more cottage cheese.

DH is giving me a pedicure for mother's day, so I'll make that quick shop then. I don't want to spend much money at the store before next friday because I want to pull a little more cash out of the bank.

 

[kyrsyan]

Well, I was going to finish the lawn. But friend decided that today was the day he could help. And this weekend it was fixing son's bed.

Son has a heavy duty twin bed frame that we reinforced with an additional support all the way down the center. And a piece of 1/4 plywood across the top of the frame, screw in place.

But all of his bouncing and body slamming had caused bolts to come loose and fall out over the past couple of years. It had reached a point where I couldn't move the bed without one leg or another tilting badly.

The biggest problem was that it triggered a stress out in my son. He was absolutely panicked about his mattresses being off the bed.

Otherwise it was actually pretty simple. Friend pulled on of the remaining bolts and took it to the local hardware store. Ten minutes later he was back with all the bolts needed. Not even ten minutes after that all the bolts were in and tightened.

But son did not calm until his mattresses were back on. And when we brought back all of his blankets and pillows, he started laughing.

I even had a few minutes to create another compression sheet and get that on there.

But now I'm absolutely wiped.