First, I want to extend a hearty welcome to all of our new readers. We have many from around the country and around the world. I spent a good deal of time yesterday surfing around the various blogs that so many of you have and adding many to my favorites. I wish I had time to read them all each day but I have been limiting my computer time which means that two or three are all I can manage.
In my surfing yesterday, I did come across a couple of interesting things. One was a recipe for pressure canning butter to eliminate tha botulism risk. Apparently, the results are a bit grainy but perfectly usable for cooking. I also found the directions for canning dried beans that involves nothing more than using 1/3 a cup of dried bean covered with boiling water, then pressure canning for 75 minutes. This makes sense to me and I plan to give it a try ASAP.
I also found a few new videos at dehydrate2store. I love that site. She really inspires me to dry and use many new foods that I would not have considered. I found the directions for drying canned fruit which seemed silly until I remembered that my kids rarely eat commercially canned fruit but adore any fruit I dry. I was pretty excited to find the new Paraflex sheets I ordered from the Excalibur store sitting on my front step on Saturday. I got enough to be able to dry a full load of fruit or vegetable leather without fumbling around with sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper. I wanted something that was reusable and these are great.
I did a bit of research on meals in a jar and found a lot of websites dedicated to that. Putting together meal kits appeals to my OCD tendencies. I also did some research on local sources for 6 gallon buckets. The gamma lids are so expensive that I seldom get them. I find that I put them on the things I open the most often and use regular lids for the ling-term stuff. If, for example, I keep one gamma lid on the bucket of flour I’m using then move it to the next bucket when the first is empty. As I rotate regularly, this is not a problem.
What did you do to prep today? I got another 100 pounds of sugar (very expensive) and I’m putting in an order for wheat. I want another 200 pounds. I also stocked up on spices. I had stopped into our local natural foods store. It’s place to go for bulk spices at a fraction of supermarket prices. I had planned to hit the mall today to get the sale price on wool socks and long-sleeved shirts but the weather is iffy and I think I’ll just stay home and clean the spare/sewing room. Never let it be said that I don’t know how to have a good time.
I wanted to make mention of something. There are so many skills that we need to learn and I know that there are many things I don’t think I will ever master. But I have learned a valuable lesson from my youngest daughter. As most of you know, Phoebe has syndrome that is accompanied by mild retardation but she NEVER lets that slow her down. She is determined to learn to read and practices every day. Last night she read a whole Little Bear book to me. Einstein said that genius is 99% perspiration. If that’s true, and I believe it is, then my Phoebe is a genius. She inspires me with her whole-hearted approach to life.
February 21, 2011 at 10:26 am
Congrats to Phoebe!!!
I restocked some items we eat everyday, some pasta and coffee. THAT has gone up a lot!!
I looked at prices for socks and underwear and was VERY discouraged by the prices.
My seeds have started to arrive and I’m anxious to get started on some of the perrenial medicinal herbs.
February 21, 2011 at 10:41 am
I need help picking out a yogurt maker, any suggestions ? Thanks
February 21, 2011 at 11:06 am
The cost of cotton has skyrocketed on the commodity exchange and that’s going to lead to big price increases for clothing. I buy a lot of second-hand but I don’t relishe wearing somebody else’s tattered skivvies!
I got a Salton Yogurt Maker at a tag sale. It’s the kind with six cup holders. It works just fine but I seldom use it. I have an area near the stove in the living room that seems to be a good temperature and in the summer I will often have a hot spot in front of window. An insulated cooler with a jug of hot water or just a thermos works too.
February 21, 2011 at 11:26 am
Here’s something to think about. If you find an electric yogurt maker and only has part of the jars. But it still heats. Then know that there are 2 sizes for the most part. One uses little white jars that are the size of 1/2 pint jars. The other uses the size of 1 pint wide mouth jars. And so if you are short jars or break one just replace it with jars. Works great. And Salton makes both of the smaller and the larger ones.
There are also some that are bigger and whole a while batch at once.
Another thing is on one web site I was on the other day they were using a slow cooker, and jars then they put water in the bottom of the slow cooker. Just some thoughts for you to think about.
February 21, 2011 at 11:36 am
I have the Salton yogurt make that makes one qt. at a time and I use it 3x a week. No little jars to wash/store. Outer heating unit and inner container that you can store in frig once done..about 4-6 hours for nice firm yogurt and if you like yours tarter like my DH you can let it brew a bit longer. Very reasonable at http://www.amazon.com. You can also get Yogumert starter at Amazon way cheaper than the health food store. Guess amazon is my go to place for anything I’m wanting as here in the way boonies there is no real shopping.
Recently found a site that sells jeans that actually fit. So after a trial pr. ordered two more. Like them as lighter wt. denim for working outside without roasting. Don’t find too many bargins at second hand stores for larger sizes. A prep since cotton prices are supposed to skyrocket.
I have used the bean canning recipe you noted and it works great. Now when I’m having a kitchen day I can get some beans done without all that pre-soaking. 2/3′s cup washed/cleaned beans for qts.
Biggest prep was starting all the cool weather crops plus tomatoes in our hoop house this week. Cool weather rapidly turns to hot weather here (so.MO)so broccoli,etc. need to go in really early and be big strong plants when transplanted out. Trying to get them going for a fall crop difficult as just toooo hot in July. Oh well, everyone has their garden challenges!
DEE
February 21, 2011 at 11:49 am
I was totally shocked at the price of cotton when I saw an article about it’s price going up! That’s a fabric that everyone in the whole world uses for clothing.
So, I wasn’t going to the grocery for some things until I got paid on Friday but I was right there on the corner and thought of prices going up and got some peanut butter, jam and cooking oil. At least I’ve got my usual backup supply of those before they increase some more.
the increase in the price of grains is just about as shocking as cotton. Pet foods will be going up.
peace, shamba
February 21, 2011 at 11:50 am
Amy-
Save your money! All you need for yogurt is a good thermos. Heat your milk, add your culture and put it in a thermos for 6-8 hours.
February 21, 2011 at 12:44 pm
I make my yogurt in a quart canning jar, wrapped in a towel, set on a heating pad.
My prepping: I picked up 8 large plastic buckets at the bakery dept of my local grocery store–very clean and cost $1.50 each; 4 5-lb bags of sugar at $2.45/bag; and large bags of pinto, black and kidney beans; my “baking combo,” mylar bags, plus additional milk from EE came Sat.
I’m sitting here darning Maggie organic socks to make them last a while longer although I did pick up 6 more pairs when they were 15% off.
Also paid off my Direct TV contract to get rid of the TV. There are things I need more than TV.
The week is off to a good start!
February 21, 2011 at 1:01 pm
I’m impressed! I got the strawberry/apple leather in the dehydrator and, as the sun is shinning, I’m heading to the mall for sacks and such.
February 21, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Quick question for you, Kathy. You mentioned ordering wheat. Where do you get it? That’s next on my list.
February 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Dave and I canned up a batch of turkey broth last week and purchased a 25 lb of rice. That used the last of the pails I’ve been able to get from grocery stores. Someone commented on another post about getting them from ice cream places, so I’m going to try there next for pails. I’ve tried the local bakeries but they all say they reuse/recycle theirs and won’t sell them.
And today, Hancock Fabric was having their President’s Day sale. Batting was on sale for 40% off plus there was a 10% off coupon if you shopped between 8 and noon… so I bought 5 yards of good quality white cotton batting. I did that back in January when they ran the same sale for Martin Luther Kind Day only that time I bought it in ecru to use in quilts where it won’t matter what colour the batting is.
February 21, 2011 at 9:30 pm
I’m heading back to Sam’s Club this weekend for a second load. Last weekend was for mostly non-food goods for the next year. Chicken Lady indicates we are going to stock up on canning salt, vinegar, sugar and dry goods this round. The budget is going to take another hit.
February 22, 2011 at 1:43 am
I bought 43 6-packs of emergency candles from the Dollar Tree. I tested one out and they are awesome. Over five hours of light from each candle and no drips.
A thought on yogurt. I make my own kefir and it’s really easy, no special equipment needed. Supposedly, it has better probiotics than yogurt. I use it in smoothies. Even my grandkids love it.
February 22, 2011 at 11:24 am
We had a major ice storm in our area on Sunday. Schools have been closed for 2 days and over 40,000 are still without power. All the hotels are full with waiting lists pages long. Shelters have been set up in churches and the university has opened its athletic complex for people to take showers. The most affected appear to be those living in the city, versus the country.
We live in the country and our power was out for about 4 hours early Monday morning. I bought your book about 3 years ago and have followed a lot of your suggestions. We have a fireplace and extra dry wood and 2 electric generators which are ready to go at a moment’s notice. We keep extra gasoline on hand for them as well. Our pantry is well-stocked for a month of comfortable eating–longer of less than comfortable eating. We have a hand crank weather/fm/am radio with cellphone charger and flashlight, 2 oil lamps and of course flashlights and candles. I don’t have tons of water saved, but I have enough to allow us to clean up and drink for a week if we are careful. In a true emergency, we can get water from the creek for flushing toilets and other purposes.
It’s good to know my family is prepared “just in case!”
February 22, 2011 at 11:43 am
That storm got very little coverage. I’m glad all is well with you.
February 22, 2011 at 11:51 am
I have just bought some stretch lace to try making undies for me, I got lots on ebay for a few dollars. If they work then I’ll have pants for years to come. Lots of patterns on the internet to try, I’m also getting into knitting socks with thrift store yarn! On the yog front, I make kefir too. You can buy a starter in the store or ask on freecycle/craigslist if anyone has grains.
February 22, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Our ice storm was pretty localized in southwest Michigan. Most of the outages are within 4 counties, with Kalamazoo county being hit the hardest. Other parts of the state received up to a foot of snow in that storm.
I enjoy reading your blog. Although we don’t all do the same things or the same ways, we can all learn from each other and figure out what seems best for our situation.
March 11, 2011 at 11:47 pm
You mentioned a pressure canning recipie for butter… whne you are back on you feet, could you share it? Thanks.