This weeks preps check-in

[Brent S]

Just replaced my EDC knife again, turning into an annual event, this time I'm carrying an Emerson design Kershaw made CQC 3K

I got a new gerber multi tool from Santa. It's a little nicer than my old one, which just got donated to my bob. It's not really as good as a regular knife, but with all the extras it has I prefer to carry it. I really like having pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers etc. as well as two knives with me at all times.

 

[Silent Earth]

I got a new gerber multi tool from Santa. It's a little nicer than my old one, which just got donated to my bob. It's not really as good as a regular knife, but with all the extras it has I prefer to carry it. I really like having pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers etc. as well as two knives with me at all times.

I love my Gerber Multi Plier its the one I inevitably end up reaching for even though I have managed to collect and 6 different types over the years. But I still EDC a folding knife.

 

[jontte]

got a letter from the reserve unit;your application is ok,you only need to pass the physical and attend two weekends for training and it's a go....
do I get some support from my closest? nope,they still think it's for preps of war,when it's not,it's to show that we have the will and means to defend us,even if I'm just gonna be a combat medic
...and my bro asked me,aren't you kinda old to play in the woods??
the only one who cheered me was my former class mate,she thought it was great.

 

[jimLE]

Just got some chicken quaters and tipai at heb.so we're gonna eat fish tonight.

 

[Brent S]

got a letter from the reserve unit;your application is ok,you only need to pass the physical and attend two weekends for training and it's a go....
do I get some support from my closest? nope,they still think it's for preps of war,when it's not,it's to show that we have the will and means to defend us,even if I'm just gonna be a combat medic
...and my bro asked me,aren't you kinda old to play in the woods??
the only one who cheered me was my former class mate,she thought it was great.

That's great! I've often thought I'd like to join the reserves here. I think I'm too old now though, even with deducting my active duty time. I like the idea of being in the 'know' during an emergency, and who better than law enforcement, guard or reserve.

 

[jontte]

and if I pass the physical,they will issue the proper gear for, not the rifle though , to keep at home....
but being in the active reserve will qualify me for a semi-auto 7,62

 

[Brent S]

and if I pass the physical,they will issue the proper gear for, not the rifle though , to keep at home....
but being in the active reserve will qualify me for a semi-auto 7,62

I couldn't be happier for you, other than having to get ready for the PT! I'll play the rocky theme song for you though!

 

[Brent S]

Got 2 more cases of pint mason jars and 24 packs of lids while at Walmart today. I'm increasing my canning supplies a little with each grocery trip now. My gut feeling tells me to get more prepared.
One cool thing about all the preps I've been working on became clear to me today. We have ice and snow coming in and there was a run on the grocery stores. No bread or milk in sight! (Still don't know why people always stock up on those two things the most). Anyways, I looked around to see what I needed in case we can't get out for a few days. I realized that there's nothing I had to get. I had to go get a script for the wife, which put me at the grocery, but am set pretty good otherwise. Funny, the news advised that people here have three days worth of food and water. Are you kidding! I think that if you don't have three to six months worth you are not prepared.

 

[WGregMiller]

Yep. People aren't prepared for anything. The grocery stores here got pounded starting last night. Yes, it's colder than everything, but that's about it....

We wiped out the 'end of season - let's get rid of the canning supplies' last fall. Should be set until we rinse and repeat next summer.

For the milk and bread part, a guy I used to work with always said 'milk and bread?... I buy beer and cigarettes - you gotta have the staples of life'

 

[jimLE]

i just got back a lil ago from our primary shopping.in which it's all put away.milk n bread are 2 things we dont need,for now.i brought in my 55 gallon barrel,and put it in the bathroom,then filled with water.just in case the pipes do freeze..



p.s. edit..i did forget canning lids.and i do need some,before i start canning..

 

[SheilaT.]

I also got a few more canning jars this week, only 6 of the 1/2pint size though, it does take me up to nearly 200 canning jars. I've bought a few here and there over the last 5 or so years and it's surprising how quickly you can build up a good number.
Aldi have Pineapple and Mango on sale so I'm taking a trip out today to get some to can. We love canned fruit and eat a lot but because of the move there is nothing in the stores.

 

[Silent Earth]

I also got a few more canning jars this week, only 6 of the 1/2pint size though, it does take me up to nearly 200 canning jars. I've bought a few here and there over the last 5 or so years and it's surprising how quickly you can build up a good number.
Aldi have Pineapple and Mango on sale so I'm taking a trip out today to get some to can. We love canned fruit and eat a lot but because of the move there is nothing in the stores.

You are starting to remind me of a lady I met on a short lived UK forum who was light years ahead of me when it came to food production and preservation, she and her hubby had bought an old vicarage a few miles from me with orchard and veg plot, I believe they were Mennonites, She was an absolute wizz at canning, jaring, bottling etc.

 

[Brent S]

I also got a few more canning jars this week, only 6 of the 1/2pint size though, it does take me up to nearly 200 canning jars. I've bought a few here and there over the last 5 or so years and it's surprising how quickly you can build up a good number.
Aldi have Pineapple and Mango on sale so I'm taking a trip out today to get some to can. We love canned fruit and eat a lot but because of the move there is nothing in the stores.

I haven't tried any fruit other than apples so far. They are great for applesauce, but the heat makes them softer than I like for pies. You got me wanting to experiment here!

 

[SheilaT.]

I wish I did live in an old vicarage with an orchard and veg garden! I'm very lucky, my parents were country folk and taught me how to grow a good garden and keep a full larder. I love to can apples, but as stewed, I find you can still use them for a pie then and we're not so keen on applesauce.
I got some Pineapples, but the Mangoes weren't up to much, so I passed on them. I'll preserve them tomorrow. It's so easy to preserve fruit, you don't need any special kit, just the jars and a deep stock pot. The rewards are worth the effort as home canned fruit is divine.

 

[Brent S]

I wish I did live in an old vicarage with an orchard and veg garden! I'm very lucky, my parents were country folk and taught me how to grow a good garden and keep a full larder. I love to can apples, but as stewed, I find you can still use them for a pie then and we're not so keen on applesauce.
I got some Pineapples, but the Mangoes weren't up to much, so I passed on them. I'll preserve them tomorrow. It's so easy to preserve fruit, you don't need any special kit, just the jars and a deep stock pot. The rewards are worth the effort as home canned fruit is divine.

How do you stew your apples? I'm always looking for new ways to preserve.
I am really fortunate to have a little land here to grow things on. It's 2.5 acres, which is more than enough to support several people. I always want a little more for a cow or pigs, but am smart enough to be greatful for what I do have.

 

[SheilaT.]

How do you stew your apples? I'm always looking for new ways to preserve.
I am really fortunate to have a little land here to grow things on. It's 2.5 acres, which is more than enough to support several people. I always want a little more for a cow or pigs, but am smart enough to be greatful for what I do have.

To stew the apples I peel and core, then cut into rough chunks, don't be too precious about it. Then pop the chunks and about a cup of water into a pan and cook gently just until the apples start to break up. It only takes about ten minutes, if you want the Apples sweet add the sugar at the start of cooking or leave until you open the jar to use it, otherwise you end up breaking up the fruit too much and you end up with applesauce. I think variety of Apple is also a factor, I always use Bramley cooking Apples (the king of cookers as far as I'm concerned) it's a very old variety that when cooked is slightly fluffy and very juicy.
I have always wanted a plot big enough to grow all my own fruit and veg and maybe keep a few chickens. Maybe 1/4 acre or so.

 

[Brent S]

To stew the apples I peel and core, then cut into rough chunks, don't be too precious about it. Then pop the chunks and about a cup of water into a pan and cook gently just until the apples start to break up. It only takes about ten minutes, if you want the Apples sweet add the sugar at the start of cooking or leave until you open the jar to use it, otherwise you end up breaking up the fruit too much and you end up with applesauce. I think variety of Apple is also a factor, I always use Bramley cooking Apples (the king of cookers as far as I'm concerned) it's a very old variety that when cooked is slightly fluffy and very juicy.
I have always wanted a plot big enough to grow all my own fruit and veg and maybe keep a few chickens. Maybe 1/4 acre or so.

You're right about 1/4 acre being able to produce enough if you lay it out right. Another good thing about having a smaller space is it's easier to stay on top of maintaining it. I have too much to keep up with here. The blueberries and blackberries are so overgrown it's sad. One mistake I made was my lawnmower won't fit between the blueberry rows. I would do a lot of things differently now. As they say, hindsight is always 20/20!

 

[lonewolf]

its quite surprising how people don't know what an acre or half an acre looks like, you see these London types on "escape to the country"(housing tv programme) and they always want "an acre so I can have a veg patch", they haven't a clue how big an acre is.

 

[Brent S]

its quite surprising how people don't know what an acre or half an acre looks like, you see these London types on "escape to the country"(housing tv programme) and they always want "an acre so I can have a veg patch", they haven't a clue how big an acre is.

Where I live my 2.5 acres is one of the smaller properties around. I have more than enough space and useable land to do anything I'd ever want except pasture for large animals. Face it, with an unlimited budget we all would be set better than we are now. I'm better off than a lot, and not as well off as some too. Learning to make the best of what you have at the time is the best you can do.

 

[WGregMiller]

So today we went to a 'prepper' show. Went to one put on by the same bunch several months ago and you had to wait for space to turn around. This morning, we went at opening time and it was 15 degrees outside, so there wasn't a lot of people there, lol.

All of that typing to say we picked up a Big Berkey water filter for less $ than Amazon. Also picked up a few piddly BOB things and such, plus I attracted the attention of a very attractive young Russian lady peddling tens units for your aching muscles.... wtf is thAt kinda crap at a prepper show for? She was cute though... lol....

They were also peddling stuff to keep leaves out of your gutters. Again, I say, wtf? And none of them were cute Russian girls.....

Lotsa bug out and edc stuff, some reasonable, some stupid expensive, some pretty good, some crap..... lots of tasers with flashlights, but after the Russian honey, my wife didn't need one of them.... lol.

 

[user 6493]

So today we went to a 'prepper' show. Went to one put on by the same bunch several months ago and you had to wait for space to turn around. This morning, we went at opening time and it was 15 degrees outside, so there wasn't a lot of people there, lol.

All of that typing to say we picked up a Big Berkey water filter for less $ than Amazon. Also picked up a few piddly BOB things and such, plus I attracted the attention of a very attractive young Russian lady peddling tens units for your aching muscles.... wtf is thAt kinda crap at a prepper show for? She was cute though... lol....

They were also peddling stuff to keep leaves out of your gutters. Again, I say, wtf? And none of them were cute Russian girls.....

Lotsa bug out and edc stuff, some reasonable, some stupid expensive, some pretty good, some crap..... lots of tasers with flashlights, but after the Russian honey, my wife didn't need one of them.... lol.

you are lucky the wife didn't buy one and use it on you,,,,,,,DID YOU GET HER NUMBER

 

[WGregMiller]

I, uh, no.... my wife was keeping a close eye on the proceedings.... besides, I'm old enough to be her dad.... did I tell ya that she was really cute? Lol...

 

[user 6493]

I, uh, no.... my wife was keeping a close eye on the proceedings.... besides, I'm old enough to be her dad.... did I tell ya that she was really cute? Lol...

nothing wrong with a little cradle robbing ,,,,,,,,,,,,you could have still got her number on the pretense of buying something in the future,,,,,,

 

[WGregMiller]

Yeah, and I'd have a permanent limp...

 

[user 6493]

heck you could have at least gotten a picture to share with the rest of us

 

[user 6493]

Yeah, and I'd have a permanent limp...

ok ok ,,,,,,I will let it go,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol

 

[WGregMiller]

See my previous post. I thought about it but then I thought about the limp...

 

[user 6493]

See my previous post. I thought about it but then I thought about the limp...

I wish I could have been with you,,,lol

 

[Brent S]

Yeah, I have a thing for Russian girls too, among many other different cultures and nationalities....
I went to a gun/prepper show in Atlanta not too long ago. I didn't buy anything but enjoyed it. Did see all kinds of cool things though. One thing was a cook stove made from a metal ammo container. Congrats on the berkey though. I don't use mine as its for emergencies but have met many that use them daily. I have a charcoal filter for daily use. Did you get the newer plastic housed filters or the ceramic ones? Both are good but the ceramic are scrubable and last longer.

 

[WGregMiller]

Ceramic filters. We got ours for emergencies as well, but are thinking about using it for daily use.