Posted on 04/04/2015 2:34:39 PM PDT by Kartographer
I haven't done a weekly Preppar ping in a while, but I got the following FReep Mail this week and I thought is would be good to remind you that just like your house, your preps need a regular spring 'cleaning'. So dig out your stuff check it twice!
Dry rot has set in on some of the stuff that was new 10 years ago, and the device is useless until those plastic parts are replaced.
Nothing critical was dry rotting. Just my toys like air-brushes, the water color dyes, the helicopter, and stuff (mainly big-boy toys) I was saving for retirement. I’m effectively retired now.
My critical stuff, like the solar shower and emergency coffee maker that Marcella gave me are doing ok. They aren’t that old, and I use them every day or so.
It is something to be mindful of for those that buy and store and never do inventory or checking out the function of the equipment.
Preppar PING!!
This is the time of the year where supplies dwindle to their low point. Plans on how to do it better next time or outright changes can be made now beforehand. Floods and forest fires are the main concern here so It is time to get the lawn mower ready to knock the weeds down around the house. What do I want to eat next winter? Not to bad of things to decide about especially before the emergencies.
Honey yes it’s been so long since you’ve done a prepper ping you forgot how to spell prepper ;)
On a more practical note we have been using the winter to use up foodstuffs in the pantry that are getting older, plus some of these foods we just don’t eat anymore. We are focusing more on whole grains. Less pasta, more whole grains, oats, brown rice, quinoa. Using a foodsaver with the canning jar attachment for those items as it really prolongs the shelf life. Time to recycle through our many cans of sardines. Our home canning has gone from quarts to pints as we just eat smaller meals. Except sauerkraut, still use quarts for that.
I want on the ping list, please.
My prep for the day was an inventory of my canning jars. I’m all out of my spicy chili mix so I cant wait for the maters. Not to mention the cukes for a few batches of pickels. I also got a new ruger LC9. Got a sweet deal. The pistol, a mag for my kids walther and a box of 9mm for $379.
He misspelled it on purpose so the NSA computers don't see this thread.
How do you make sauerkraut?
While doing an Easter egg hunt for my nephew, I took the opportunity to inspect my cold-smoker, which has been sitting out in the weather with the doors just barely shut all winter. I was expecting to find critters had moved in, but not a one. It seems the lingering smoke smell kept them away. Good to know for when I need to keep them out of a pantry.
I am slowly making progress toward moving out. It’s 3 steps forward, 2 steps back, but I keep at it. The latest setback was my truck going kablooie on me a couple months ago. The borrowed car I’m using isn’t in much better shape, but it’s enabling me to save up for a better truck.
Also, I found out that there’s a loophole in the driveway regulations that I hadn’t seen yet, in the area where I’m building my house. That should make some things easier.
I think I’m developing a pretty good herbs seed collection these days. Over 100 varieties of medicinal herbs. And I’m starting to use tricks from my database management class to organize information about each herb, how it’s used, growing requirements, etc. into one place. Plus, with the 2 acres that my neighbor is plowing up for me, I should be able to grow enough medicinal herbs for sale to cover my expenses if my job goes under like it keeps threatening to.
Oh, yeah, and one of my farming neighbors is helping me out by plowing up 2 acres of my land that had been used as a hayfield. That’s in addition to the 2000 square feet I had already been using for a garden. If I had my house built, I could do so much more there, but I have to start where I’m at. So, most of it will be planted in things that can look after themselves. Including enough California Poppies to provide an emergency income if I need it.
I’m now settled where I want to be, in the country with acreage to grow and raise what’s needed.
I still have all my city preps- food packed in Mylar and some canned meat I put up. The water filters will still be useful as will the supplies to make laundry detergent and dishwashing detergent. I managed to move it all 2300 miles, since prices have escalated since I bought it all, especially the wheat berries and rice and beans.
Sauerkraut and sardines? I hope you have good cross breeze ventilation where you live ;)
Do I feel like a foopid stool! Apologies and thanks for looking our for us. I must have missed that change.
Sauerkraut is the easiest thing in the world to make. You need a crock and everything must be clean. Shred your cabbage thin and layer it in the crock, sprinkle every 6 inches or so with a light layer of kosker salt. When you get to the top put a china plate or plate cut from a good hardwood on top and weigh it down. I use 3 or 4 paver bricks in a large Ziploc bag. Brine will form and rise up to cover the plate. 8 or 10 weeks is usually good. Will not work in a warm climate unless you find a way to keep it cool. In Michigan I start it in the garage late October. There are probably lots of youtubes with good instructions too. Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Thank you so much. I would like to try small.
That’s a great plan, a gallon is a good size test batch. Just don’t use too much salt. I put up a #8 and a #6 crock - that’s a lot but we eat a lot.
A family friend had given me an old “Space Blanket” last year - apparently, they had picked it up, still in the package, at a yard sale, and passed it my way. This is not one of the foil type blankets, this was an actual blanket type deal, made by Coleman, probably back in the 80’s. I had pulled it out of the package last year when they gave it to me, but I didn’t unfold it or anything. This past week, I needed something good to cover some of my container garden with, so I pulled this space blanket out. I noticed some “flaking” of the material as I began to unfold it, and it got much worse when I tried to spread the material out...it just kind of fell apart, leaving only the string fabric that the “space” material wove to. Obviously something that’s been around since the early 80’s. Glad I wasn’t depending on it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.