Home gardening offers ways to trim grocery costs [Survival Today, an on going thread]

Dallas News.com ^ | March 14th, 2008 | DEAN FOSDICK

[WestCoastGal]

I will send a prayer that you find the perfect place. Are you looking in the same area?

It would be nice not to have to wear office clothes ever. LOL

I hate working and love being home puttering around and being with my dogs.

You are lucky to have found a nice guy. I’ve found the ones that are eligible have usually been thrown out by someone else and are bums with a whole LOT of baggage dragging behind them.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Someone may offer me a job about an hour from Taos New Mexico,<<<

Be careful, and I could be wrong, but I think that that area may be the most expensive town in the west.

You know me and names, but I would do some real checking on prices in the area, as there is one N. Mex town is ultra expensive and I am thinking it is Taos.

LOL, I don’t like following instructions on assembly either.

[Ditter]

I think you are thinking of Santa Fe NM. Extremely expensive, more so than Taos.

[Wneighbor]

We’re coming up on the anniversary of Dale’s death.

~snif~

My youngest daughter and I were crying with your step-daughter. He's still left an empty spot. Tell you step-daughter there's more than one like-minded person here and we'd love to know her.

My youngest pops in every now and then. LOL - I would tell you her screen name, but I forget how to spell it. It's "Snow White" in German. She was living in Germany when she signed on.

[WestCoastGal]

No, this is a small town in Colorado and the house and food are paid for plus salary.

[Wneighbor]

It is happening here as the media is not reporting on the horrendous conditions in Missouri and Kentucky. NO FEMA, NO 0bama, NO media......

I think northern Alabama must have something going on too. Each time I've talked to my daughter in the past 2 weeks there's been short electrical outtages. I think it's not just in Missouri and Kentucky.

[Wneighbor]

Laughing very loud and thinking that your greenhouse will soon grow to and attach to the house, LOL, I am thinking of it being alive, and wanting to be near you...ALL the Time.

~grin~

I'm already thinking my greenhouse needs to be just an added on room out the back door. LOL, I explained the grading to lower the level of the greenhouse tonight and got a wonderful reception to that idea. So, it seems that when we finally find our place the greenhouse will now be a couple of feet below ground level! Thank you for that suggestion!!!

Okay, now I gotta convince him that I should be able to walk into it from the house. ;-)

[Wneighbor]

If you were near me all the time we’d have the town landscaped! And we’d be laughing the whole time.

[Wneighbor]

Freecycle took off and most towns have them, Kingman is not a large town and it has one.......they are in almost every country in the world.

I signed up. There's a group 50 miles south of me and another one 50 miles north of me.

I tell ya, I got my pots!!! There are about 1/2 dozen one and two gallon pots. Maybe 3 dozen regular 6 or 8 inch pots and about 50 - 4 inch starting pots. I've got several varieties of mint and scented geraniums which I cut and root to take to town and sell at a farmer's market. So, I've got all those little 4 inch pots that are going to be wonderful for that.

Last year I used styrofoam coffee cups for my baby plants to sell. There's a donut shop across the street from the house. The gal that works there sometimes needs a little help with something and we are always here in case of emergency or something so she gives Lloyd a free cup of coffee every morning. I rinse and save all those cups and that was my "sell cups" last year. They look nicer than some of my cut up milk or juice cartons and leftover gatorade bottles. LOL This year I got some "nice pots" now. And again - FREE!

[Wneighbor]

I would be very interested in a solar cooker. I saw plans for one somewhere that I can’t remember now. :) When my electricity went out I was out of luck as my gas BBQ seems to have bitten the dust.

I don't know how much you need to cook if your electricity goes out but I have one of these:

http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-138843/Detail

I have used that during a power outtage. But, I also have a "hobo stove" I don't know what else you call it. But, you use an empty large can, like a restaurant size huge can. Turn it upside down and using an old can opener like we used to open a soda can with you punch 3 or 4 holes on the SIDE - not top - of the can. Turn the can around and punch 4 more holes on the opposite side. That flat top of the upside down can then becomes your burner. For the flame use an old washed tuna can. Cut some cardboard strips the same width as the height of the tuna can. Curl the strips up in spirals and stuff them in the tuna can in a swirl. The more of the cardboard the longer your fire will last. THEN, melt parafin and pour it in the tuna can over the cardboard swirl to about 1/8 inch below the cardboard. The cardboard will absorb some of the parafin. Light the edges of the cardboard when it's time to cook. Place the large can upside down over the tuna can. In a few minutes you'll have the "burner" hot enough to cook.

I have fried bacon, made coffee and heated soup over these. I keep several tuna cans filled and ready in case of emergencies. I also have my little sterno stove like I copied the link to and I have several cans of sterno to go with it. The sterno gets old so you have to replace it from time to time. We camp so I just rotate my supply.

[Wneighbor]

You will find that 5 acres is all you can take care of and more, with room for a goat on it.

Last night I related your stories of having hogs as well as goats. I think I'm going to get a hog or two now also. LOL - YOU are helping me get exactly the things I want.

[Wneighbor]

I am so thankful that you found Mr. Right, it is worth hanging on with both hands.

Yes ma'am. This one is definitely a keeper!!!

After all, he leaves work and takes a trip across town BEFORE driving 50 miles home to bring me free pots!!! How much better can it get?

[Wneighbor]

You are lucky to have found a nice guy. I’ve found the ones that are eligible have usually been thrown out by someone else and are bums with a whole LOT of baggage dragging behind them.

I had my experience with those too. I had given up and decided to just move to be with my kids when I happened on this one during the transition. It has been quite a surprise. Don't know if you recall, but I posted about this guy last year on the NASCAR thread. He's the one who gave me the Richard Petty Driving Experience for my 50th birthday. He wasn't a NASCAR fan when I met him and he is nominally a fan now, but *knowing* that was the perfect gift for me says all that needs to be said for him. ;-)

We are looking for a place in Bosque or Coryell counties. We prayed before beginning our search that we would find a special property that God had for us. Several times we have found things we thought were "it" and it just hasn't worked out. In the past 3 weeks we have seen 3 places that we loved only to find them immediately under contract. We believed each time that God must have something better for us, we just have to FIND it! LOL

I'd like it to be BEFORE time to put my above-ground garden in! I've already got onions and potatoes down in this yard. I should have put down some other things but I keep waiting for the move. I really don't want to be driving over here to pick my tomatoes, cukes, squash etc. I have enough perennials that I'm going to have to dig up and move... some of them for the 3rd time in 8 years!!

[Wneighbor]

No, this is a small town in Colorado and the house and food are paid for plus salary

If you move to Colorado that's gonna seriously mess with having lunch.

[Velveeta]

She brought a neighbor of hers today, he is going to fix the leaking toilet and the leak over my bed.

The Good Lord, He answers our prayers. ;-)

[nw_arizona_granny]

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=47405

Advisory: FEMA Assists with Food Recall Notification Efforts

Release Date: February 4, 2009
Release Number: FNF-09-004

» En Español
Related Photos

Picture of a peanut butter packet
Download Original Photo

Picture of a food label
Download Original Photo

Picture of a peanut butter packet
Download Original Photo

Peanuts Recall Document (PDF 52KB)

Atlanta, GA. — As part of the disaster relief effort in Kentucky and Arkansas, commercial meals kits manufactured by Red Cloud Food Services, Inc., under the Standing Rock label, have been provided to disaster survivors in impacted communities, and these kits may contain peanut butter which is part of the precautionary national recall underway in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The attached recall memo from Red Cloud Food Services includes further details. The main course of the meals can be of different types. The portion of the meal that may pose the risk are packets of peanut butter. A photograph of the outside of these commercial meals as well as photos of the types of peanut butter packets are attached.

People who have received commercial meal kits are asked to inspect the kits in their possession and immediately dispose of any peanut butter packets.

FEMA continues to maintain close coordination with the states as well as constant vigilance regarding any industry notices to ensure we have not and are not issuing any meals subject to recall. Individuals with concerns over this or any recalled product should address them with local health officials and/or Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and FDA. More guidance is available at www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/update.html#forconsumers. Consumers without internet access may telephone 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for product recall information.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 04-Feb-2009 19:51:40

[nw_arizona_granny]

I think you are thinking of Santa Fe NM. Extremely expensive, more so than Taos.<<<

Thanks, I think you are correct.

Something that I read recently about the high prices, stuck with me, LOL, but not hard enough for me to get it right.

[nw_arizona_granny]

and the house and food are paid for plus salary.<<<

Now it is beginning to sound interesting.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Okay, now I gotta convince him that I should be able to walk into it from the house. ;-) <<<

In the 1950/60’s, the orchid growers in San Diego, that wanted the lath and greenhouses attached to the houses would
build a lath hallway to the house and made it wide enough to exhibit their blooming plants.

Now if the hallway were about 20 foot wide, you would have your greenhouse extension.

I think all the vegetable gardens in this valley, are in greenhouses.

Of course as soon as it goes up, the cops come to call and I always wondered if they thought I was stupid enough to not know why they wanted to see the inside?

When I lived on the mountain side I attached a 12’ by 60’ greenhouse to my mobile.

I knew the local deputy, he kept an eye on me when I had clients at night in the office and stopped for coffee now and then.

I would come home and see tracks in my driveway, of a large tire, the same as the police use to grip the road.

I never told him that I knew how to read tracks, but would say something like “I thought you were going to stop for coffee?” and always got the answer “I did stop and you were not at home.”

LOL, of course not, when he had already driven by the office to make sure that I was there.

There are so many greenhouses and plantations in this county of Marijuana, that they suspect everyone.

[nw_arizona_granny]

we’d have the town landscaped!<<<

Not that hard to do, save any flower or herb and even veg seeds and tuck then in here and there, about town and in the forests.

yes, we would have a ball planting all those seeds.