Prep Genrl Weekly Prep Thread: September 10 thru September 16, 2023
- Thread starter nomifyle
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nomifyle
TB Fanatic
I'm a little under the weather this morning so I'm skipping church. I hate to do that but my issue would be messy.
We went to bingo at church last night. We've decided not to go to bingo again because the children were very loud and distracting. One 12 year old boy was so distraught that he sobbed because he didn't win what he wanted. DH picked that and I tried to give it to him to appease him but he wouldn't take it. And besides Dh wanted it, it was a throw, not like we don't live several of them and it would not have been a loss. The boy is usually a level headed fellow. DH's point of not giving the throw to him is because giving someone a participation trophy is not a good thing, which is true. The participation trophy generation is in for a rude awakening in real life.
Yesterday Dh went to count the chickens, there was one loose and one in a cage. Last night there was only the one in the cage. We usually have 30 or more and now none. The lone girl in the cage is going to get locked up with a light in the chicken house. It was that long ago that they were everywhere. They will be expensive to replace and in the mean time we have to buy eggs, oh the horror,
We went to bingo at church last night. We've decided not to go to bingo again because the children were very loud and distracting. One 12 year old boy was so distraught that he sobbed because he didn't win what he wanted. DH picked that and I tried to give it to him to appease him but he wouldn't take it. And besides Dh wanted it, it was a throw, not like we don't live several of them and it would not have been a loss. The boy is usually a level headed fellow. DH's point of not giving the throw to him is because giving someone a participation trophy is not a good thing, which is true. The participation trophy generation is in for a rude awakening in real life.
Yesterday Dh went to count the chickens, there was one loose and one in a cage. Last night there was only the one in the cage. We usually have 30 or more and now none. The lone girl in the cage is going to get locked up with a light in the chicken house. It was that long ago that they were everywhere. They will be expensive to replace and in the mean time we have to buy eggs, oh the horror,
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
A cloudy day here that is supposed to have rain. So no painting this morning.
I did start clearing off the one garden bed. All the starter plants have been moved to another spot with a drip hose. Later today or tomorrow, I'll go pot up all the volunteer pineberry strawberries. And then start getting that bed ready for garlic.
I have a large paper grocery bag of harvest from the peppers. And I'm not even halfway done harvesting. Those will all get cleaned and frozen until I can use them. Right now I just need to get them harvested.
I was debating pulling the tomatoes until I saw that they are setting fruit again. There is time for another full harvest so I'm leaving them alone for now.
I've had nasty kidney area pain for a week now. It only went away for one morning. It's driving me nuts. Antibiotics are not doing anything. I've been working my way through the different things that have worked in the past.
This morning was the dried Morrocan mint from the garden. I have it in my tea so it was a long shot. But I didn't make a tea this time. I just chugged about a tablespoon of dried. The pain isn't gone but it has decreased a bit. So I'll do that again in a few hours.
Laughed at myself this morning. The body has been wanting hard boiled eggs. I apparently cracked a small hole in one of the eggs when I dropped it in the pot. Oops. What a silly fluffy mess. But now I'm craving egg drop aoup.
I did start clearing off the one garden bed. All the starter plants have been moved to another spot with a drip hose. Later today or tomorrow, I'll go pot up all the volunteer pineberry strawberries. And then start getting that bed ready for garlic.
I have a large paper grocery bag of harvest from the peppers. And I'm not even halfway done harvesting. Those will all get cleaned and frozen until I can use them. Right now I just need to get them harvested.
I was debating pulling the tomatoes until I saw that they are setting fruit again. There is time for another full harvest so I'm leaving them alone for now.
I've had nasty kidney area pain for a week now. It only went away for one morning. It's driving me nuts. Antibiotics are not doing anything. I've been working my way through the different things that have worked in the past.
This morning was the dried Morrocan mint from the garden. I have it in my tea so it was a long shot. But I didn't make a tea this time. I just chugged about a tablespoon of dried. The pain isn't gone but it has decreased a bit. So I'll do that again in a few hours.
Laughed at myself this morning. The body has been wanting hard boiled eggs. I apparently cracked a small hole in one of the eggs when I dropped it in the pot. Oops. What a silly fluffy mess. But now I'm craving egg drop aoup.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Hugs.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Home fellowship/bible study was great this morning. We spent lots of extra time just discussing world and national events, afterwards.
Cary is going to be contacting another tree cutting service, tomorrow. We never did hear back from the man who was supposed to have come out the other day to get started but never showed up.
Thursday, I have 2 doctor's appts. One is at 11 am, the other is at 2 pm. It will be a long day in big town. We'll probably eat a big lunch in between visits. That way, I won't have to come home and cook. We'll just snack for supper. I can't think of any shopping I need to do there. Maybe, Sam's.
That's basically it for the whole week other than just day to day normal activities.
Cary is going to be contacting another tree cutting service, tomorrow. We never did hear back from the man who was supposed to have come out the other day to get started but never showed up.
Thursday, I have 2 doctor's appts. One is at 11 am, the other is at 2 pm. It will be a long day in big town. We'll probably eat a big lunch in between visits. That way, I won't have to come home and cook. We'll just snack for supper. I can't think of any shopping I need to do there. Maybe, Sam's.
That's basically it for the whole week other than just day to day normal activities.
I know how you feel. I lost my whole flock in one day in triple digit heat.
John Deere Girl
Veteran Member
I'm finishing up canning and doing my fall deep cleaning this week with the windows open. I love this time of year!
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
DH is pretty sure it was more varmet related than the heat.
ivantherussian03
Veteran Member
My mother got new roof,for I am grateful and pleased. Probably saved 8k too. Took lots of pictures too.
so happy and excited,
so happy and excited,
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Cary has already called this morning to a new tree cutting service out of Tupelo. Talked to the man, and he is coming out at 5pm to look at the tree and give us an estimate and time he can do it. We'll see if he shows up........Cary said he got very good vibes from this man. Cary also checked the company out online, and they get rave reviews on their work from all over North Mississippi.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
I finally got the 19 posts from the fence removed from the ground. If you remember, the survey had me a few feet over the line, ( previous survey by others was off ) so I had to move the fence. The new fence went up no fuss. As it was the 2nd time I had done it, so by definition was easier to do.
That left me 19 posts that were 2 ft into the swamp mud. So I bought a farm jack ( used to be a car jack ) and used a pipe wrench and the lifted the posts out of the ground by using the pipe wrench as an anchor on the pipe and the jack to life the wrench / post.
It only took 3 hours due to the heat and constant need to rest.
Now to begin the install of the 300 ft fence using these poles. Too cheap to buy new ones at $25 each.
That left me 19 posts that were 2 ft into the swamp mud. So I bought a farm jack ( used to be a car jack ) and used a pipe wrench and the lifted the posts out of the ground by using the pipe wrench as an anchor on the pipe and the jack to life the wrench / post.
It only took 3 hours due to the heat and constant need to rest.
Now to begin the install of the 300 ft fence using these poles. Too cheap to buy new ones at $25 each.
Good work, however it was done. Anytime fence posts are being pulled, it's wise to be careful so they can be re-used. Same with wire and gates. There's only one time I can remember when re-doing a fence line that I didn't want to modify a gate placement, and that's because there was a big monster post which would've had to be moved.
Prayers offered for those whose hearts are hurting...
20 Gauge, you are frugal, not cheap. Why buy new if you have something functional on hand?
Looks like I'm headed to the pool with the neighbor lady again. I need to make a plan for the rest of the day once I get home. I need to get the part of the garden that's done producing mowed off but I need to figure out when. Hubby will need to get in a nap - he changed jobs at the hospital so will be working different hours. I'm generally pretty quiet anyway, but today I'd like to get some of the garden mowed off before the predicted rain starts in this afternoon, but his rest needs to take priority. I'll dry up enough to mow again soon if I don't get it done today.
I need to start working on the grandsons' room - lots of toys that they've outgrown that someone else might want. A couple of nearly new coats, snow boots they've outgrown, etc... Every time I go in there, I get distracted
I also need to work on the pantry - it's been neglected this past year. Bad timing, I know. The long term stuff is still safe and sound, but the current use needs significant work. The only half decent sale I saw in the ads this week was for Creamette pasta 12-16oz @ 4 for $5 - I'll check Aldi's prices before I buy.
I'm going to go to a different orchard for my apples this year - the peaches I bought at the nearby one were picked too green and rotted rather than ripened. I want to put some sliced apples in the freezer for pies and fried apples; if they have 2nds, I may get some for applesauce as well, though I still have a couple of cases left.
Once the counter is cleared of tomatoes and other fruits and veggies, I'm going to get out the bread machine again. I only use it for mixing the dough as we usually prefer rolls and soft breadsticks to sliced bread. The arthritis in my hands has gotten worse - I'm to the point where I consider washing dishes by hand to be therapy as the warm water makes my hands/fingers easier to bend.
20 Gauge, you are frugal, not cheap. Why buy new if you have something functional on hand?
Looks like I'm headed to the pool with the neighbor lady again. I need to make a plan for the rest of the day once I get home. I need to get the part of the garden that's done producing mowed off but I need to figure out when. Hubby will need to get in a nap - he changed jobs at the hospital so will be working different hours. I'm generally pretty quiet anyway, but today I'd like to get some of the garden mowed off before the predicted rain starts in this afternoon, but his rest needs to take priority. I'll dry up enough to mow again soon if I don't get it done today.
I need to start working on the grandsons' room - lots of toys that they've outgrown that someone else might want. A couple of nearly new coats, snow boots they've outgrown, etc... Every time I go in there, I get distracted
I also need to work on the pantry - it's been neglected this past year. Bad timing, I know. The long term stuff is still safe and sound, but the current use needs significant work. The only half decent sale I saw in the ads this week was for Creamette pasta 12-16oz @ 4 for $5 - I'll check Aldi's prices before I buy.
I'm going to go to a different orchard for my apples this year - the peaches I bought at the nearby one were picked too green and rotted rather than ripened. I want to put some sliced apples in the freezer for pies and fried apples; if they have 2nds, I may get some for applesauce as well, though I still have a couple of cases left.
Once the counter is cleared of tomatoes and other fruits and veggies, I'm going to get out the bread machine again. I only use it for mixing the dough as we usually prefer rolls and soft breadsticks to sliced bread. The arthritis in my hands has gotten worse - I'm to the point where I consider washing dishes by hand to be therapy as the warm water makes my hands/fingers easier to bend.
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Good Monday morning, its a beautiful cooler day.
DH went out to feed his one chicken that is safely in a cage. The chicken yard is depressing all I see in there are goats. At least they will be getting some fresh food. It did just occur to me that DH will be saving a good amount of money by not having to buy food for the chickens. A lot more money than it will cost to buy good eggs. But I'm wondering if there are any actual good eggs in the store. I've decided to go with the Marketplace organic brown eggs as they will at least look like the eggs we are use to. I'm spoiled from our farm fresh eggs. DH does plan to get more chickens, although only God knows how much they will cost.
I'm feeling pretty good today, the issue I had yesterday has subsided. Now to get off my behind and get some chores done.
Looking back on 9/11 I remember where I was very well. And I was practically a child at 54. Our country came together for a little while but look where we are today, sad.
DH went out to feed his one chicken that is safely in a cage. The chicken yard is depressing all I see in there are goats. At least they will be getting some fresh food. It did just occur to me that DH will be saving a good amount of money by not having to buy food for the chickens. A lot more money than it will cost to buy good eggs. But I'm wondering if there are any actual good eggs in the store. I've decided to go with the Marketplace organic brown eggs as they will at least look like the eggs we are use to. I'm spoiled from our farm fresh eggs. DH does plan to get more chickens, although only God knows how much they will cost.
I'm feeling pretty good today, the issue I had yesterday has subsided. Now to get off my behind and get some chores done.
Looking back on 9/11 I remember where I was very well. And I was practically a child at 54. Our country came together for a little while but look where we are today, sad.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Well with them stuck in the mud by 2ft, I was real careful as I wanted to keep all my fingers
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
This is a discussion I have with the wife regularly. Cheap vs Quality.
There are foods that you can have and eat cheaply, but quality is better.
To me the same applies to eggs. We can survive if all we have are 6 eggs per day. We can scrounge enough feed. We found that at one point, there were no eggs. I would rather pay for the feed and have the chickens and their eggs when I will need them.
To each their own
nomifyle
TB Fanatic
Me too, DH said he will get ten pullets and one rooster in the spring. He doesn't want so many chickens that we are drowning in eggs like we have for the last at least two years. God is good all the time and our chickens disappearing has made DH reconsider having such a large flock.
That does make a lot more sense. You were probably paying well over a dollar an egg for every egg you guys actually ate! Chicken feed is *not* cheap these days.
He might want to consider investing in a game camera or two (can double as a security camera) and getting a handle on what the exact predator problem is before investing in chicks. Using the current lone hen in a cage as "bait" should work, even if a bit stressful for her! The thing is, if you've lost that many birds without noticing... something is killing them that's big enough to carry the whole bird away, maybe even before killing them. Almost all the smaller predators leave feathers, or parts... heads, wings, partially eaten carcasses.
I hope its not something that can take on a smaller goat.
Summerthyme
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20Gauge
TB Fanatic
The neighbor lost his flock and we reseeded him with a few problem hens from our flock. His issue is like many others in my opinion, he did not consider that these days, there are enough predators to take everything at one. So he needed to lock his down like a Level 4 Prison.
We have and so far we have been lucky.
It won't last forever, but we did do better then he did or anyone else in our area with chickens.
You can't free range anymore.
We have and so far we have been lucky.
It won't last forever, but we did do better then he did or anyone else in our area with chickens.
You can't free range anymore.
aviax2
Veteran Member
@nomifyle and @20Gauge I agree with you both about the quality of store bought vs home grown eggs. We bought Marketside brand from Walmart until we bought our pullets, and although not as good as having eggs from your own chickens, they were closer to what we’re used to and definitely a bargain at $2.68 a dozen. If you raise your own from chicks or buy pullets, it’s expensive but much better quality all the way around. I saw on FB a few days ago a guy from my little town (that I personally know and he’s a complete moron) say how much he just loved country eggs but griped that $3.00 a dozen was way too high. Apparently he’s never raised or kept chickens!
We bought our pullets that were just starting to lay from a kid who raised them as a 4-H project, for $15.00 each and worth every penny! When DH went to pick them up, I told him 4 pullets would be plenty and absolutely no more than 5. Hmmm, he came home with 7, since they already had that many set aside for another sale that fell through. They told him if he would buy 6, they‘d throw the 7th one in for free LOL! They are all now laying and we have plenty of eggs for us, our daughters and also DH‘s aunt.
We bought our pullets that were just starting to lay from a kid who raised them as a 4-H project, for $15.00 each and worth every penny! When DH went to pick them up, I told him 4 pullets would be plenty and absolutely no more than 5. Hmmm, he came home with 7, since they already had that many set aside for another sale that fell through. They told him if he would buy 6, they‘d throw the 7th one in for free LOL! They are all now laying and we have plenty of eggs for us, our daughters and also DH‘s aunt.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
With all the chicken predators we have in our area, we could never free range chickens.
20Gauge
TB Fanatic
Yeah we were feeding 5 families......
The two of the families representative no longer work with the wife, so they got dropped.
We are now down to 3 families, 4 if we include my parents who only a dozen every other month.
The odd thing here is, we're still fighting predators here... lost the lone turkey Tom last night... but ONLY in the pasture (two electric fences... 7 strands high tensile and an electric netting fence 4 feet inside of it).
The 5 young birds who bugged out early and decided to free range have thrived! They sleep (can't call it roosting!) in a pile against the barn wall, under the hay feeder ... about 10 feet below our apartment windows. I suspect the predators just aren't willing to brave the human and dog scent to get that close...
Summerthyme
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
We couldn't even keep the predators from killing every litter of barn kittens. Then, the grown barn cats started disappearing, until we had none left. They all stayed inside our fenced yard with a dog. Of course, the grown cats rambled at night, but they all had their litters close to the house. I would be afraid to try it with chickens.
Marseydoats
Veteran Member
The farm family I buy most stuff from, gets $6 a dozen for free range eggs and sells out every week.
I get my eggs from a neighbor and I feel like I have a heck of a lot more than that invested in them with all the feeding, watering, and coop cleaning...
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
The new tree cutter guy came exactly when he said he would. 5pm. He logged it into his book that he is scheduled to be here Wednesday of next week. He was more professional than the other guy, Finally, maybe, we can get it over with. He's going to charge $100 more than the other guy. That's ok as long as he gets the job done.
I really don't think the first guy wanted to tackle a tree this large so close to our house. If he had not wanted to do the job, he should have said so, not leave us in the dark just hanging.
I really don't think the first guy wanted to tackle a tree this large so close to our house. If he had not wanted to do the job, he should have said so, not leave us in the dark just hanging.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Well, still hurting but doing better. Finally finished work. I am sincerely hoping that tomorrow is peaceful and calm. And maybe short.
Got dishes done. Pulled the cherries and packed them for the freezer. Folded laundry and got another load started. Just getting caught up on general stuff.
Friend picked up hinges today. I ordered hooks to put on the center posts to keep the poles off the ground. Next weekend is starting the doors. He's also going to swing by the nursery to pick up the fall/winter crop plants.
When the garden storage and plantings are done, I'm going to have to take a few weekends to go thrift store crawling. And to the Habitat Store. And the Lowes Outlet. There are specific things I'm going to be looking for. Some for the house and some for the yard.
Got dishes done. Pulled the cherries and packed them for the freezer. Folded laundry and got another load started. Just getting caught up on general stuff.
Friend picked up hinges today. I ordered hooks to put on the center posts to keep the poles off the ground. Next weekend is starting the doors. He's also going to swing by the nursery to pick up the fall/winter crop plants.
When the garden storage and plantings are done, I'm going to have to take a few weekends to go thrift store crawling. And to the Habitat Store. And the Lowes Outlet. There are specific things I'm going to be looking for. Some for the house and some for the yard.
patriotgal
Veteran Member
Beautiful day here. When we have a spare moment we work on downsizing. Our family home is far too big for 2 people. Plan was to sell it a couple years ago. Then we fully entered the world of elderly parent care and everything went to hades in a hand basket.
Friend showed me how to use Google lens to get an idea of the value of items. I have 40 years of living in this home along with items from parents and grandparents. Spent today in the kitchen. I swear I have enough pots and pans to cook for an apocalyptic party! And Pyrex? Have you seen what Pyrex dishes are going for?
Right now the kitchen looks like a bomb went off and I stirred it with a stick. I have 3 stacks of boxes: donate, auction, and trash. The table is full of items that I need to check the value of before making a destination decision. I am torn between selling items myself on eBay (time consuming) vs selling them for less to a friend who eBays.
It is great to see stuff going away. I will miss the house but not the upkeep.
Friend showed me how to use Google lens to get an idea of the value of items. I have 40 years of living in this home along with items from parents and grandparents. Spent today in the kitchen. I swear I have enough pots and pans to cook for an apocalyptic party! And Pyrex? Have you seen what Pyrex dishes are going for?
Right now the kitchen looks like a bomb went off and I stirred it with a stick. I have 3 stacks of boxes: donate, auction, and trash. The table is full of items that I need to check the value of before making a destination decision. I am torn between selling items myself on eBay (time consuming) vs selling them for less to a friend who eBays.
It is great to see stuff going away. I will miss the house but not the upkeep.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm doing laundry this morning. We have a slight chance of rain, but I'm hanging the laundry outside, anyway. Cary is mowing in case it does rain. We also have watering to do. I plan to make a cake, too. Really, just everyday activities.
I mentioned that the new tree guy was more professional than the other guy. I forgot to mention that he measured the height of the tree at 92 ft. and estimated the tree to be 125 yrs. old. It's not going to be a one day job to get this all done.
It's such a relief to have cooler weather moving in. Low to mid 80's for our high temps all week. It could dip down into the upper 50's at night. My kind of weather.
I mentioned that the new tree guy was more professional than the other guy. I forgot to mention that he measured the height of the tree at 92 ft. and estimated the tree to be 125 yrs. old. It's not going to be a one day job to get this all done.
It's such a relief to have cooler weather moving in. Low to mid 80's for our high temps all week. It could dip down into the upper 50's at night. My kind of weather.
kyrsyan
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I had stubborn this morning. Just flat out stubborn. My body wanted to stay inside and curl up in pain. I said no and went outside to paint. Two hours of contorting and painting. I'm about 2/3rds of the way through the first coat of paint and stopped because I was sweating. And my vision was missing details. And boss called.
Fingers crossed, the rest of the week is looking to be calmish. Basically, the next big project just requires me to be a sounding board for a while. And point out things that others might not be thinking of.
Fingers crossed, the rest of the week is looking to be calmish. Basically, the next big project just requires me to be a sounding board for a while. And point out things that others might not be thinking of.
It has been a busy few days. I have come to the conclusion that it is a miracle any of us are here. The amount of work it takes to put up food, it's a wonder our ancestors didn't all starve.
Cooler weather has moved in. We got a nice gentle rain most of the night.it is supposed to rain till just after lunch. We needed it bad. Things were powdery dry.
We made some more hay. Our neighbor got 38 to finish her up and I put the other 55 in the barn. We have one more bit to cut and we are done for this year. I am glad it rained because we both need a break before the next round. When hay is done, we will get back on the fire wood.
I have been picking muscidines. We took some to our son and I have froze some. Today I want to pick them again and share with my friend and a neighbor. I am going to make jelly and can some juice.
I ordered more reusable canning lids while they were on sale. I only use metal lids on jars I plan to give away.
Cooler weather has moved in. We got a nice gentle rain most of the night.it is supposed to rain till just after lunch. We needed it bad. Things were powdery dry.
We made some more hay. Our neighbor got 38 to finish her up and I put the other 55 in the barn. We have one more bit to cut and we are done for this year. I am glad it rained because we both need a break before the next round. When hay is done, we will get back on the fire wood.
I have been picking muscidines. We took some to our son and I have froze some. Today I want to pick them again and share with my friend and a neighbor. I am going to make jelly and can some juice.
I ordered more reusable canning lids while they were on sale. I only use metal lids on jars I plan to give away.