Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: November 24 ~ 30, 2019

[ReneeT]

Morning All! Hope everyone is doing well this week

Gotta take the truck in to the shop tomorrow to have a dent work worked on - a good size deer ran in to the side of it. I'll follow Hubby to town and pick him up, then we are going to do stock up runs to Aldi, WalMart, and Rural King. Canned veggies, assorted soups ('cream of' soups are on sale so time to stock up on those!), and bird feed will follow us home. Once home, I'm going to give the vehicle 'winter kits' a going over - my boys are getting bigger so I'm going to need to add a few things. After today, I am off work until Thanksgiving Day, so should have enough time to get it done.

Today will be my last donut run for work as I finally got my date to go back to night shift. I am looking forward to that - more time spent in the daylight and less chaos! It will probably take my body a little while to adjust, so if I forget what day it is for a few weeks and you haven't seen the thread started by Sunday noon, someone please take up my slack and start it for me.

And speaking of donuts - I'd better get ready to head for work! You folks take care out there; stay safe and have a great Thanksgiving!

 

[Digger]

Last week was crazy. We are still trying to get rested up. Hubby had 3 different dr appointments and a pesticide class 1 1/2 hours drive away. Grandsons other baby sitter was sick, I we had him 4 days too. Friday I had both grand boys for awhile. My house is still a mess, but we all survived. I did get some Christmas shopping done in among the confusion.

We bought our yearly case of sweet potatoes. That was about all the stocking up we did. We just bought the usual weekly stuff otherwise. My son did get two deer. So that is good for them. I didn't have time to dress one if I would have gotten time to shoot one. I did try out my varmint gun on a skunk. The sites are dead on.

We got started on adding the leaves from the yard to the garden. We have lots of leaves. Using them as deep mulch for the garden really cuts down on my weeding time. The older I get, the more important saving time and energy are.

The work on our pole barn should begin Monday. We could not rent the man lift we wanted till in December. But we can get a smaller one now. Hubby will get it and they can do the sides and front. Then the back will have to be later. Hubby asked me about putting in electric lights. But we would not use them often, so we are not adding lights. It is not worth the expense of another meter. We can just use headlights for the few times we are putting up hay late.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

We just got some great news! Our DS and DIL, in Texas, will be coming home Dec. 1st, and will be staying for a week with us. Even though he has MS, he's really doing great. The MS treatments he is receiving are working out really well for him. There hasn't been any progression, since he started taking them. He's had 4 treatments so far. One every 6 months. He still has problems he has to work through from time to time. Since they won't be here for Thanksgiving or Christmas, I'm gonna have another Thanksgiving/Christmas meal while they're here.

I'm not planning to do any stock runs anytime soon. It may be the middle of next month, before I can go.

 

[Dinghy]

Aldi has butter for $1.99, so I bought about 12 for the freezer. Also got some powdered and brown sugar. I haven’t seen any good sales on granulated sugar yet. Aldi and Walmart are still in the $1.70 area.

 

[Digger]

I forgot about the butter. We bought several pounds to put in the freezer. I wish I would have bought more.

 

[Illini Warrior]

Aldi has butter for $1.99, so I bought about 12 for the freezer. Also got some powdered and brown sugar. I haven’t seen any good sales on granulated sugar yet. Aldi and Walmart are still in the $1.70 area.

that sugar price might hold - the market got hit this season ...

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I forgot about the butter. We bought several pounds to put in the freezer. I wish I would have bought more.

I've got several pounds of butter in my freezers. It takes up a lot of space, and I've thought about canning it. I don't know if it will work, though. Some say it's safe, and others don't.

 

[Freeholder]

The electrical work on our house is almost done. The inspector will be out sometime this week. The drywall guy has us scheduled for ‘sometime in December,’ lol! Nothing like being specific! I do hope to have most of the house work finished before Christmas, though.

On the other hand, my truck started making a funny sound while we were out for church this morning. I can’t even describe it, just a faint sound that wasn’t right. It’s our only transportation, so I really don’t want anything to go wrong with it.

Kathleen

 

[nomifyle]

DH has started the walkin closet for our bedroom. He has the floor joists done and its going to be huge, wish this could be my pantry but they only thing I can get away with putting in there would be buckets under hanging clothes. Years ago I took everything out of my bathroom closet and put all the stuff in organized plastic shoe boxes. I didn't actually have a bathroom closet but I had all the stuff that would have gone in there. I stacked the boxes up the wall in my bedroom when I lived in the camper. It was actually a good idea but at some point I had to move the shoe boxes out to my bus and they ended up all jumbled around. I started doing that again with all the bathroom closet stuff (still no closet) and now the boxes are stacked up in front of my dresser. This is one of the first things I'm going to organize in the new 10x12 closet. I have a laungre (sp) chest that I bought after Katrina that is jammed in between my dresser and chest of drawers, that and probably the chest of drawers are going in the closet. This will give me so much more room in our bedroom, we are even thinking about a king size bed. We'll have to wait and see about that, the problem being it would cover up the floor registers. I try not to get too excited about things, but excitement is starting to creep in, expecially since he got so much done this morning.

God is good and we are blessed.

Judy

PS I need to look around for sales on butter, normally I only use Kerrygold, but I could stock up on other brands anyway. And I am cutting back on my stocking up until after the first of the year unless something untoward happens or I see an amazing deal.

Sure wish we had an Aldi and a Rural King but there are not in Louisiana. I get to go to Rural King when we are visiting in Illinois.

 

[Dinghy]

I forgot about the butter. We bought several pounds to put in the freezer. I wish I would have bought more.

It's still on sale. I'm not sure when the last day is.

 

[20Gauge]

It has been a busy week.

My mother had a knee replacement operation. She was able to go home the next day. Why? Unlike most people who got it done, she actually did the pre-operation exercises and every thing else the doctor required before the operation. Apparently, it is common just to lie to the doctor and then complain that they can't walk. My mother at 75 was able to walk later the same day as the operation. They did give her an oxy prescription, but she expects she won't need it. We have a really high tolerance to pain.

Projects:
1) Did a pantry test of the new item in the pantry. Canned tamales. It went well. Though the wife asked why the late snack, but I stuck to my story. It was a test of the pantry food storage.

2) Had to replace a valve on the garden watering system. Apparently the twist valves don't really last with the sand from well water. I have switched to the ball valves and all seems well.

3) We added the first layer of frame work for the garden. all went well. I just need to add the rubble for drainage and then hand it over to the wife for the dirt and new plants. I can finish the balance of the frame work anytime.

4) I finally got around to trimming the bushes / trees? They are bottle brushes that I let get too tall. They covered the 2nd story window. The one I use to watch for what is happening in the yard while on the computer. They look barren now, but will be fine in the spring. They sure do bloom a lot and the humming birds love them.

5) I was pleased to see that the garden is still producing. Not at a high volume, but still it is good to have. The new plants are just starting to set vegetables also. I am very eager to see how well we do next year. Also the test we did for the seeds and using clear cups for a mini-greenhouse worked. We have sprouts in almost every cup.

Some pictures...just because. 1) The overall garden 2) how much I am trimming off the bushes 3) mini-greenhouse 4) more veggies.

 

[nomifyle]

20guage, your raised beds are amazing. I tried a raised bed once with three up and it was a failure, but frankly I did not know how to plant in it, everything was too close together, nothing made it.

I've tried canned tamales and they are alright, also canned ravolies (sp), I would eat either one. I like canned chicken alfredo too and have about three quarters of a years worth at one can a week.

I'm finding out that having 52 cans of even just one thing does take up a lot of space, but I'm going with it anyway.

We have enough food for two for up to two years, but if either of my sons came here with my grandchilden I'm not sure just how long things would last. It hurts my heart at the thought that my grandchildren might go hungry. My three year old grandson has a healthy appetite and all the time he tells his mother that "I'm really, really hungry. I saw on fb where his mother is making an effort to cook better, praise the Lord.

Judy

 

[school marm]

I've got several pounds of butter in my freezers. It takes up a lot of space, and I've thought about canning it. I don't know if it will work, though. Some say it's safe, and others don't.

I did it about a decade ago because people on the internet said it was safe. Just because a lot of people have done it and not died, doesn't mean it's safe. And it was really sad to lose so much of that butter because it spoiled. No visible mold, but it just smelled really off, like blue cheese. I had to throw away most of it, and I canned a lot.

I read much later that it's really not safe to can because butter is 16% water, and that's enough for botulism to grow.

For a really good butter substitute with a very long shelf life, use refined coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil smells like coconuts, but refined has no odor at all. It's the closest thing to butter. Dollar Tree sells 8 oz bottles for $1, the same price as butter. Discount grocery stores usually run a bit higher.

It's really worth trying out. You'll miss the butter flavor on toast and vegetables, but the texture is spot on, and it works really well in cookies.

 

[20Gauge]

20guage, your raised beds are amazing. I tried a raised bed once with three up and it was a failure, but frankly I did not know how to plant in it, everything was too close together, nothing made it.

I've tried canned tamales and they are alright, also canned ravolies (sp), I would eat either one. I like canned chicken alfredo too and have about three quarters of a years worth at one can a week.

I'm finding out that having 52 cans of even just one thing does take up a lot of space, but I'm going with it anyway.

We have enough food for two for up to two years, but if either of my sons came here with my grandchilden I'm not sure just how long things would last. It hurts my heart at the thought that my grandchildren might go hungry. My three year old grandson has a healthy appetite and all the time he tells his mother that "I'm really, really hungry. I saw on fb where his mother is making an effort to cook better, praise the Lord.

Judy

Thanks

We haven't got to the 1 can a week yet. I did get more baked beans....lol

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I did it about a decade ago because people on the internet said it was safe. Just because a lot of people have done it and not died, doesn't mean it's safe. And it was really sad to lose so much of that butter because it spoiled. No visible mold, but it just smelled really off, like blue cheese. I had to throw away most of it, and I canned a lot.

I read much later that it's really not safe to can because butter is 16% water, and that's enough for botulism to grow.

For a really good butter substitute with a very long shelf life, use refined coconut oil. Virgin coconut oil smells like coconuts, but refined has no odor at all. It's the closest thing to butter. Dollar Tree sells 8 oz bottles for $1, the same price as butter. Discount grocery stores usually run a bit higher.

It's really worth trying out. You'll miss the butter flavor on toast and vegetables, but the texture is spot on, and it works really well in cookies.

I decided to check out how to can butter on the net, yesterday. Several links and videos. They all said that it was perfectly safe, but I still had my doubts. Thank you for sharing your experience with me! I would do it only if there were a safer method. I've got a lot of butter that I would hate to see go to waste because of spoilage. What I have takes up so much room in my freezers. Guess there's no way to get around it, though. We use a lot of butter, and can't afford the canned butter and cheeses that are offered through Safecastle.

I do have a pretty good stock of coconut and extra virgin olive oil.

 

[20Gauge]

I decided to check out how to can butter on the net, yesterday. Several links and videos. They all said that it was perfectly safe, but I still had my doubts. Thank you for sharing your experience with me! I would do it only if there were a safer method. I've got a lot of butter that I would hate to see go to waste because of spoilage. What I have takes up so much room in my freezers. Guess there's no way to get around it, though. We use a lot of butter, and can't afford the canned butter and cheeses that are offered through Safecastle.

I do have a pretty good stock of coconut and extra virgin olive oil.

I have a strange question:

I do know you can make some cheeses from powdered milk, but you make butter from the same type of milk? If so, would it not be better to store dried milk instead?

I was wondering as I have no experience in this.

 

[summerthyme]

I have a strange question:

I do know you can make some cheeses from powdered milk, but you make butter from the same type of milk? If so, would it not be better to store dried milk instead?

I was wondering as I have no experience in this.

No... butter is pure butterfat, made from heavy cream. There isn't any real possible homemade substitute (at least in terms of flavor).

For emergency storage (the power goes off and you have 30# of butter in the freezer) you can store butter in brine, keeping the crock or pail in the coolest spot you can find. The brine (salt solution in potable water) needs to be strong enough to float a *fresh* egg. It will add salt to the butter, so it's best to make the butter into at least 1# balls, before adding them to the brine. They need to be completely submerged.. if you have trouble with the butter floating, put a clean plate (that just fits inside the crock or pail) on top, and set a canning jar full of water, or other food safe weight on the plate.

You can find butter powder in #10 cans, from long term storage food vendors. It's not a perfect substitute, but it works ok in baking, and is better than nothing..

Summerthyme

 

[Illini Warrior]

No... butter is pure butterfat, made from heavy cream. There isn't any real possible homemade substitute (at least in terms of flavor).

For emergency storage (the power goes off and you have 30# of butter in the freezer) you can store butter in brine, keeping the crock or pail in the coolest spot you can find. The brine (salt solution in potable water) needs to be strong enough to float a *fresh* egg. It will add salt to the butter, so it's best to make the butter into at least 1# balls, before adding them to the brine. They need to be completely submerged.. if you have trouble with the butter floating, put a clean plate (that just fits inside the crock or pail) on top, and set a canning jar full of water, or other food safe weight on the plate.

You can find butter powder in #10 cans, from long term storage food vendors. It's not a perfect substitute, but it works ok in baking, and is better than nothing..

Summerthyme

another reason to have extra pop coolers around - they make great sealable & locked brine containers - food grade plastic interiors and insulated for temp control ...

 

[SouthernBreeze]

You can find butter powder in #10 cans, from long term storage food vendors. It's not a perfect substitute, but it works ok in baking, and is better than nothing..

We tried the #10 can some years ago. It will work in a pinch, I guess, but we didn't care for it much. That's what I will have to do if I plan on having butter for long term use. For, now, I was just looking for a way to get the butter out of my freezer to make more room for other things. Canning it was my first thought, but seems that's no longer an option. I buy the 1 pound boxes, so around 30-40 pounds stored there. That takes up a lot of space.

 

[20Gauge]

No... butter is pure butterfat, made from heavy cream. There isn't any real possible homemade substitute (at least in terms of flavor).

For emergency storage (the power goes off and you have 30# of butter in the freezer) you can store butter in brine, keeping the crock or pail in the coolest spot you can find. The brine (salt solution in potable water) needs to be strong enough to float a *fresh* egg. It will add salt to the butter, so it's best to make the butter into at least 1# balls, before adding them to the brine. They need to be completely submerged.. if you have trouble with the butter floating, put a clean plate (that just fits inside the crock or pail) on top, and set a canning jar full of water, or other food safe weight on the plate.

You can find butter powder in #10 cans, from long term storage food vendors. It's not a perfect substitute, but it works ok in baking, and is better than nothing..

Summerthyme

Thanks!

 

[SAPPHIRE]

I have some ghee in jars...….they don't need refrigeration...can be used for cooking...not the same as fresh butter...you can make ghee and put it up yourself.....lots of vids on that...

 

[nomifyle]

Walmart had 1-pound of butter for $2.98, I hesitated because I prefer Kerrygold, which is 3.44 for half pound, so I gave in and bought 2 pounds.

I'm putting together a food basket for my cousin and his wife. She told me she only has green peas as far as vegetables are concerned, so I bought 6 cans each of corn, and green beans, I know corn is not a vegetable but most people consider it is. I got several other things, including several boxes of mac n cheese, some cream of mushroom soup and I have some extra cranberry sauce here, so I'll take some of that, I've got some canned milk that is in date and I'll take that to her, I never use canned milk. I'm also going to take her most of the frozen vegetables that I have and most are fresh. I'm on an all meat diet so no sense in letting the veggies get freezer burn and DH doesn't eat them. I've got ground venison and pork sausage to take to them also.

We are staying home for Thanksgiving and eating whatever we usually eat and being thankful for all our every day blessings.

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

Sweet corn most definitely is a vegetable... unless you also think peas and fresh beans aren't? No, it's not a *green* vegetable, but it fits in the vegetable category in terms of nutrients provided. It is the immature seed of a grain plant, but peas and fresh lima beans are the immature seed of legumes. I don't think there's a difference.

Tomatoes occasionally are brought up as a food that "isn't a vegetable", which is technically true... botanically, they are the fruit of a plant. But so are peppers and eggplants...

No biggie... if they taste good, and supply healthy nutrients, they're food.. call them what you like!

I'm sure your cousin and his wife will appreciate your generosity... food is so expensive these days!

The cool thing for us is... I bought a turkey today (best prices of the year, and although it will be just the two of us this year, I make a full meal, and then freeze the leftovers as "heat and eat" meals. It doesnt take much longer to make stuffing for a 22# bird than a 12# bird), and it was a real challenge to find anything else I needed to fill out the "minimum $25 order" required to get the sale price.

We either grow it, or it's in the preps. I did want a couple bunches of celery... I could use the dehydrated stuff ftom the garden, but you can't beat fresh. So I added a couple cans of cranberry sauce to replace the ones from the preps we'll use (cranberry sauce is right up there with acidic canned foods that don't last long after their use by date) and filled in with a few rare treats for hubby.

Every day is Thanksgiving Day here, for everything we eat is directly from His hand.

Summerthyme

 

[Digger]

Smart chicken is on sale for $1.88 a pound instead of $3.49 (I think) a pound. It is the only chicken I like. I put 9 of them in the freezer.

 

[Marseydoats]

Aldi has butter for $1.99, so I bought about 12 for the freezer. Also got some powdered and brown sugar. I haven’t seen any good sales on granulated sugar yet. Aldi and Walmart are still in the $1.70 area.

Thanks for telling me about the butter. The sale ads are just too hard to read online, so I quit.
Dh as usual, decided that he needed a few more things for turkey day that he didn't put on the list last week, so I went back to Aldi yesterday. Even though the store was full of shoppers, they seemed to have plenty of everything. Except the Clancy's bagel chips, which are a seasonal thing for some reason.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Walmart had 1-pound of butter for $2.98, I hesitated because I prefer Kerrygold, which is 3.44 for half pound, so I gave in and bought 2 pounds.

I'm putting together a food basket for my cousin and his wife. She told me she only has green peas as far as vegetables are concerned, so I bought 6 cans each of corn, and green beans, I know corn is not a vegetable but most people consider it is. I got several other things, including several boxes of mac n cheese, some cream of mushroom soup and I have some extra cranberry sauce here, so I'll take some of that, I've got some canned milk that is in date and I'll take that to her, I never use canned milk. I'm also going to take her most of the frozen vegetables that I have and most are fresh. I'm on an all meat diet so no sense in letting the veggies get freezer burn and DH doesn't eat them. I've got ground venison and pork sausage to take to them also.

We are staying home for Thanksgiving and eating whatever we usually eat and being thankful for all our every day blessings.

Judy

I buy my butter at Walmart, too. They have two pound packages, and that's what I get. Land of Lakes brand is what I prefer, but sometimes the Walmart brand is on sale, and I buy that.

As God blesses you and your DH, you turn around and bless someone else. That is so cool. I'm sure your cousin will greatly appreciate it. I know my mom sure does. I buy for her throughout the year at Sam's, and keep it all at my house. All things that she can use and eat. At the end of the year, for Christmas, I collect everything in boxes and give as a gift to her. I start by buying household products, toiletries, TP, paper towels, soap, dish wash, etc. first, then when it gets closer to Christmas, I start buying food. It really helps her out. She's on a fixed income, and doesn't get to shop for herself very often. My sister does the same thing for her.

We're having Thanksgiving at our house this year. I've got cleaning and cooking to get done. I have some of it done already and in the freezer (pumpkin pie and pecan pie). I will be using some of my home canned veggies (green beans and southern peas) mashed potatoes, a cheesy potato casserole, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs, roasting a turkey with gravy, and yeast rolls, along with what everyone else brings. So, I've got to get off from here, and get started again today.

Blessings to all!

 

[nomifyle]

Well I got the food basket to my cousin and his wife, his wife asked me if we eat and I laughed and said yes, I keep a full pantry. I suspect that before my cousin had his stroke (who has lived in the country all his 72 years) he and his wife did not keep a full pantry. Most people have no clue what a full pantry is, but then I have no idea what a normal pantry is.

What is a normal pantry, is it enough to get through the weekend or junk that you go buy before a hurricane. Is it Condements, soda, chips and the such, that's what's in both my son's pantries.

I have another cousin that hunts and fishes and he has several freezers full of meat (sounds good to me) however, I'm not sure they have extra flour and sugar and things like that. Their shelves are full of wonderful jams, jellies and vegetables from their huge gardens (he also sells fresh vegetables, watermelons and tomatoes when in season). Their canned veggies are not the norm around here with people my age that grew up in the country. I know some whose parents had gardens and they don't even grow a tomato. I've bought this cousin's wife (who is my best friend) flour to put in her freezer. LOL everytime I get nervous about food I buy flour for her, she takes it in stride and does not give me a hard time about it. She also feeds us a good country dinner from time to time. They last time we went to Illinois she came and took care of our animals, We try to pay her but she refuses, so I do other things for her. Actually I'd take the shirt off my back and give it to her and there I would stand in my bra and not care. (you get that way when you get older).

Judy

 

[prudentwatcher]

Tomorrow I take care of my biggest prep of the year--getting my knee replaced. I have been wanting to get this done for a couple of years, but the doctors didn't want to do it for a variety of reasons. But tomorrow it finally happens. This has been the year of taking care of health issues and making sure things are good---teeth (cleaning, one extraction), eyes (exam and new glasses, though the prescription didn't change much), and general health (new cpap finally, and a colonoscopy). All of my immediate medical needs are covered and I have a six month supply of my meds, none of which are required for me to live.

I also did some early Black Friday shopping. Bought two pairs of New Balance sneakers--25% off and free shipping--and a new laptop (Christmas present from my sweetie). A few more things will be added I'm sure over the weekend as things show up in the email list, but it's a good start. Bought three pair of sweatpants and some Christmas presents at Walmart on Sunday as well.

Time to go to bed. Have to be at the hospital at 5am. I am not a morning person.

 

[tech]

Working along the fenceline, cutting trees for 2021 firewood and burning brush. Also tilling a new garden plot for next spring and moving raised beds to a different area.
Also doing some repairs to a couple sheds.

 

[nomifyle]

Tomorrow I take care of my biggest prep of the year--getting my knee replaced. I have been wanting to get this done for a couple of years, but the doctors didn't want to do it for a variety of reasons. But tomorrow it finally happens. This has been the year of taking care of health issues and making sure things are good---teeth (cleaning, one extraction), eyes (exam and new glasses, though the prescription didn't change much), and general health (new cpap finally, and a colonoscopy). All of my immediate medical needs are covered and I have a six month supply of my meds, none of which are required for me to live.

I also did some early Black Friday shopping. Bought two pairs of New Balance sneakers--25% off and free shipping--and a new laptop (Christmas present from my sweetie). A few more things will be added I'm sure over the weekend as things show up in the email list, but it's a good start. Bought three pair of sweatpants and some Christmas presents at Walmart on Sunday as well.

Time to go to bed. Have to be at the hospital at 5am. I am not a morning person.

Praying for you.

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

Praying for your knee replacement to go perfectly...

Summerthyme

 

[Marseydoats]

Well I got the food basket to my cousin and his wife, his wife asked me if we eat and I laughed and said yes, I keep a full pantry. I suspect that before my cousin had his stroke (who has lived in the country all his 72 years) he and his wife did not keep a full pantry. Most people have no clue what a full pantry is, but then I have no idea what a normal pantry is.

What is a normal pantry, is it enough to get through the weekend or junk that you go buy before a hurricane. Is it Condements, soda, chips and the such, that's what's in both my son's pantries.

I have another cousin that hunts and fishes and he has several freezers full of meat (sounds good to me) however, I'm not sure they have extra flour and sugar and things like that. Their shelves are full of wonderful jams, jellies and vegetables from their huge gardens (he also sells fresh vegetables, watermelons and tomatoes when in season). Their canned veggies are not the norm around here with people my age that grew up in the country. I know some whose parents had gardens and they don't even grow a tomato. I've bought this cousin's wife (who is my best friend) flour to put in her freezer. LOL everytime I get nervous about food I buy flour for her, she takes it in stride and does not give me a hard time about it. She also feeds us a good country dinner from time to time. They last time we went to Illinois she came and took care of our animals, We try to pay her but she refuses, so I do other things for her. Actually I'd take the shirt off my back and give it to her and there I would stand in my bra and not care. (you get that way when you get older).

Judy

Judy, most of the women I work with will tell you that they don't keep one crumb of food in their house, because if they did, they'd eat it. And some of them have kids. When we had a big ice storm a couple years back, and the power was out for a week, some of them had to go in together and get a motel room. They asked me if I went to a motel and I told them my house was 85 degrees (I don't know what kind of wood we had that season, but it was like a sauna in the house) We cooked on the wood stove and had hot baths courtesy of the generator. They all think I'm crazy.

 

[summerthyme]

Judy, most of the women I work with will tell you that they don't keep one crumb of food in their house, because if they did, they'd eat it. And some of them have kids. When we had a big ice storm a couple years back, and the power was out for a week, some of them had to go in together and get a motel room. They asked me if I went to a motel and I told them my house was 85 degrees (I don't know what kind of wood we had that season, but it was like a sauna in the house) We cooked on the wood stove and had hot baths courtesy of the generator. They all think I'm crazy.

Yeah, but you're comfortably well-fed crazy! Personally, I think anyone who depends on the JIT system to always be there is the crazy one, but that's just me..

Summerthyme

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Praying that all goes well with your surgery, today, prudentwatcher, and for a quick trouble free recovery.

 

[nomifyle]

Yeah, but you're comfortably well-fed crazy! Personally, I think anyone who depends on the JIT system to always be there is the crazy one, but that's just me..

Summerthyme

I tried to talk to one of DH's daughters in law, the one that had the twins. She said she didn't believe anything like "that" would happen and she grew up on a farm. She said her mother has plenty of food. DH's oldest son has a clue and has a years worth of food, Dh's daughter seems to have a decent amount of food in her pantry but she lives in a small town with no grocery store.

I can only pray for these people including my sons, they have no clue and maybe they will never have to face reality.

Judy

 

[moldy]

Happy thanksgiving to all of you!! I'm sitting and nursing an aching back. We had (guessing) 8 inches of snow Monday into Tuesday, and I had a fall and twisted my back. THank goodness for herbs, Summerthyme's liniment, and a hot tub!! Yesterday, we helped a neighbor butcher some giant turkeys - one of the bigger ones dressed out at 28+ lbs.

I work TG day and Friday, so I think DH is going to come and eat lunch with me at the hospital. They always serve us a nice meal, so why not? I'm not sure that I am going to do any TG kind of cooking.

 

[nomifyle]

I'm cooking pork ribs tomorrow from our own pig. The processor left a huge amount of fat on the ribs, so I cut it off and put it in the crock pot to render it. I've been want to do this. The ribs went in the oven smothered in BBQ sauce, this is how DH likes them, they are for him. I'm blessed to have a variety of meats I can cook for myself.

As for normal TG food, we are not interested and will be staying away from it. Neither of us like dressing, and we don't need the sweets, we can be thankful right here at home with just the two of us. The place we usually go just about everyone is hugely fat and we'd just as soon not have to look at them gorging themselves with huge plates of food.. I know that is probably ugly of us to feel that way, but it is what it is. They all have chronic health issues and refuse to think it has anything to do with what they put in their mouths.

Judy

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Since I'm hosting our Thanksgiving meal, I have to roast the turkey, which is no problem, except.....

I've always used roasting bags to roast the turkey, which calls for one tablespoon of flour inside the bag. I have been informed that, since my DIL is gluten intolerant, I can't use the flour. I have nothing to use instead. So, would it be best if I just roast it without using the bag? Or, use the bag without the flour or substitute? I sure don't want the bag bursting!

 

[nomifyle]

Since I'm hosting our Thanksgiving meal, I have to roast the turkey, which is no problem, except.....

I've always used roasting bags to roast the turkey, which calls for one tablespoon of flour inside the bag. I have been informed that, since my DIL is gluten intolerant, I can't use the flour. I have nothing to use instead. So, would it be best if I just roast it without using the bag? Or, use the bag without the flour or substitute? I sure don't want the bag bursting!

The flour keeps it from sticking, I think 1 T of flour in a bag to keep the turkey from sticking would not cause the turkey to have gluten. That's the only way I've ever cooked a turkey myself.

Judy

 

[moldy]

Use cornstarch instead of flour. She will appreciate that. Getting dosed is no fun.