This weeks preps check-in

[Mountain trapper]

This doesn't have anything to do with prepping, just thought it was a little strange. A few days ago I was driving home and came around a corner and a 40 foot section of the driveway was under water. The temp was around zero at the time and hasn't been above freezing since November. Of course the water was slushy and freezing. There are no surface springs in that area. The only thing I can figure is that there's water underground in that area and the frost has penetrated deep enough to pinch off the vein of water, forcing it to the surface. Maybe someone else can offer a better explanation.

 

[jimLE]

maybe what you say,a section of a underground stream froze,forcing it to the surface..maybe a over due geyser.lol..guess there's no main water lines out that way?

 

[Brent S]

We started hanging Sheetrock today. Not my idea of fun, but good to move on to a new part of the project. We got one and a half rooms done. At this rate we might be done by spring..... I'm still bringing down leaves to the garden area. I'm hoping to have about ten or twelve inches thick before tilling in just before spring. I also bought the lumber to start making trusses for our new equipment shed. I hope to get half of them assembled tomorrow. Luckily we have a bucket truck to set them on building. It's 12' high walls would be a buggar to work on with a ladder. So as you can see, it just seems to be a never ending project around here. I think I like that though.

 

[Gazrok]

This doesn't have anything to do with prepping, just thought it was a little strange. A few days ago I was driving home and came around a corner and a 40 foot section of the driveway was under water. The temp was around zero at the time and hasn't been above freezing since November. Of course the water was slushy and freezing. There are no surface springs in that area. The only thing I can figure is that there's water underground in that area and the frost has penetrated deep enough to pinch off the vein of water, forcing it to the surface. Maybe someone else can offer a better explanation.

Maybe there was a reason that section of road heated up, melted some snow, then it started getting slushy again?

 

[Dani]

This is Donald since born today but will call him DJ for short

 

[Brent S]

This is Donald since born today but will call him DJ for shortView attachment 6482

Can't think of a more appropriate name! You're going to have a herd of goats at the rate you're going lately!

 

[Dani]

Can't think of a more appropriate name! You're going to have a herd of goats at the rate you're going lately!

Only three more moms to go now. . . expecting twins from each. As big as Dotty is, she just may have three (her mom throws 3 at a time) but that is yet to be seen. Dot is only on her second go around.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Maybe there was a reason that section of road heated up, melted some snow, then it started getting slushy again?

I suppose anything is possible. Until yesterday our temps have been mostly single didgets and colder since November. I got the snow scrapped off this area yesterday and it still seems to be spreading. We're supposed to have warmer temps for the next week, maybe up to 34 degs, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Only three more moms to go now. . . expecting twins from each. As big as Dotty is, she just may have three (her mom throws 3 at a time) but that is yet to be seen. Dot is only on her second go around.

My wife wants to get some goats too. She likes the little pygmie goats. Not sure what the little ones are good for, except for BBQ?

 

[Mountain trapper]

.

 

[Dani]

My wife wants to get some goats too. She likes the little pygmie goats. Not sure what the little ones are good for, except for BBQ?

Your wife would probably think of them as her babies. . . trust me I love mine, but yes I hear they make good for the pit, juyjuyst haven't had to do that here yet. The pygmies can be milked too. I friend of mine gets about 2 cups a day from hers. I have pretty big hands for a female so I find it pretty hard to milk them and for this reason, I stay away from them. The goat who had the kid yesterday is a first time mom who is Toggle/Boer mix with the Boer being more prominent with the utters. She had a big plug and I ended up having to work it with only 3 fingers and a warm rag for about 2 1/2 hrs to get the milk to come out. So far that has been the only hiccup. . . crossing fingers.

 

[jontte]

was yesterday at that info meeting for the reserve unit,it's gonna be two weekends packed with "doing" for me,this old goat,once in ,will sign a 2 year contract,gives me access to the range at the garrison and alot of training.
the command there seems very enthusiastic and capable....and the enemy comes from the east (their words,not mine this time )

there where many dads and when talking over a cup of coffee,many told and had the same feelings as I have,if push comes to shove,they rather go to the field so their kids don't have to.

 

[Dani]

I felt like such a bad goat momma this morning. . . .I went to go feed them this morning and for my new moms I give them each a little bucket of grain so they don't have to leave their babes for the feed boxes the others eat at. While waiting for them to finish, I check my moms that are close to having their kids, then noticed Gert was off by herself, IN LABOR!! I thought she still had another month. . . Dang. Another little girl

 

[Dani]

The picture is of Mikey who decided to crawl up in my lap while I was out watching Gert and the new babe, just to make sure she passed her afterbirth and babe nursed. First it was DJ who crawled up but then Mikey ran him off. . . it's moments like this that I enjoy my bubble world so much!

 

[SheilaT.]

Boer daddy comes through strong in the kids. Oh I do envy you! I miss my Goats and chickens. But then again, I know I would struggle to care for them properly now. Once we've bought our own place,maybe I can sneak a few Quail in the garden when Offspring isn't looking.

 

[Dani]

Polly Anna had two this afternoon. Watching 7 babies running around is going to be fun!

 

[Brent S]

Went to Wally World today and grabbed a few extra supplies. I got 30 rounds of 00 buckshot, a case of quart jars, 20lbs of rice for the quart jars, some more 15 bean mix for some existing pint jars, and a crap load of toilet paper (pun intended). By the way, anyone else notice the price of tp and paper towels lately. I think it's a wiser investment than a 401k! I try to get a little extra to put away on every trip to the store. Over time it has built up to a nice little safety net. Either that or a nice prize for some mob to raid one day .

 

[Brent S]

I have 13 quarts of white rice in the oven right now. That was the whole 20lb bag. Just heat it to 200 degs for one hour without the lid on it, then put the lids and bands on and heat for 30 more mins. Hopefully this will kill any little buggs in the rice as I like to get protein in other forms. Another good thing about dry canning this way is when you use a jar the lid is still good to use again for canning something else.

 

[Gazrok]

By the way, anyone else notice the price of tp and paper towels lately. I think it's a wiser investment than a 401k!

Yep, I always shop the sales for this stuff. And use coupons. I need to be better about getting more and stocking more of this.

 

[Brent S]

Yep, I always shop the sales for this stuff. And use coupons. I need to be better about getting more and stocking more of this.

You never realize how important tp is until you're out of it....

 

[Dani]

Dotty finally had her babes last Fri. These two will be the last for a few months Penelope is just on a different schedule than the rest of my girls.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Finally finished wiring the barn on Friday. I put in LED lighting. These lights are really bright. I think I'll use LED's for all my lighting when I build the house and shop too. Later this week I'll pick up the lumber for the loft. I'm going to use 6x6 posts and beams with 2x8 floor joists and 3/4" plywood for the floor. I'm anxious to start working on some outside projects but we're still buried under 5 feet of snow. They're predicting snow every day for the next two weeks too. Oh well, still have lots of work to finish inside the barn.

 

[Brent S]

I went to Wally World today. I had some extra money so went to stock up on things while I had the chance. Got a stack of toilet paper, lots of soaps, and general supplies for the pantry. Kind of depressing as 180.00 later and I really didn't bring home any food! Oh well, could be worse, at least I was able to get things I use anyway. I did score a deal there. I'm guessing bow season is over as they have most of the archery stuff discounted now. I got several packs of razor broad tips for less than half price. The arrows weren't marked down yet, but I'll keep an eye out for them over the next couple weeks. Espechially on stuff I don't use much, but think it's worth stocking up for prepping, I only buy it when it's on a good sale.

 

[Maverick]

Ordered a couple of Streamlight ProTac railmount (88059) lights and MagPul MOE m-lok Forend for the Remington 870P and 870 Tactical. Finished last night installing the Mesa Tactical saddle on both. Ordered a few more of the shemagh's from Army Universe.

 

[Gazrok]

Finally finished wiring the barn on Friday. I put in LED lighting. These lights are really bright. I think I'll use LED's for all my lighting when I build the house and shop too.

So expensive upfront, but they use SO much less power, and last longer, so you do save in the long run...just a lot of upfront cost. I'm gradually changing out all of my house lights for LED (as they blow out, etc.). Seems I went to the new twisty bulbs not too long ago. (which are still less than standard, but still more power consumption than LEDs...and not as bright).

Ordered a couple of Streamlight ProTac railmount (88059) lights and MagPul MOE m-lok Forend for the Remington 870P and 870 Tactical. Finished last night installing the Mesa Tactical saddle on both. Ordered a few more of the shemagh's from Army Universe.

I like guns, but man, that is like a whole other language to me right there....lol.

 

[Gazrok]

I'm anxious to start working on some outside projects but we're still buried under 5 feet of snow

Yeah, though nothing like what you guys see, but for US...it's cold. Only in the 40's, but to a Floridian, that is Arctic. (and too cold to do too much outside). We only get like a couple of weeks like this each year, but seems it's been most of the month this way, this year.

For one thing though, we just don't have the clothes for being out for a while in cold weather. Where the hell am I going to get a full winter coat in Florida? (except ordering online)

 

[Mountain trapper]

Yeah, though nothing like what you guys see, but for US...it's cold. Only in the 40's, but to a Floridian, that is Arctic. (and too cold to do too much outside). We only get like a couple of weeks like this each year, but seems it's been most of the month this way, this year.

For one thing though, we just don't have the clothes for being out for a while in cold weather. Where the hell am I going to get a full winter coat in Florida? (except ordering online)

40's is cold for Florida. I was in Naples one year around Christmas time and it was in the 50's. I dang near froze my tail off. Cold weather and deep snow is normal where I am, but what's not normal is there hasn't been any break in the cold or snow and almost no sunny days. With only a couple exceptions it hasn't been above 20 degs since November, most days are in the teens and colder at night. And there hasn't been more than 3 days between storms. It snowed 3" yesterday and they're calling for another foot tonight and tomorrow.
Since we get very little rain in the summer we need a deep snow pack. I just picked a heck of a winter to camp out. At least my wife has her own place in Alaska and I don't have to listen to her whining.

 

[Dani]

I put up a gallon of carrots that was ready from the garden by blanching a couple minutes laying on a cookie sheet and flash freezing, then vacuum seal in single serving sizes for freezer . When I was prepping for Norm to come back, I canned up most all of the veggies I had in the freezer so trying to replace what I took out as I really prefer frozen verses canned. I had leftover beef/pasta soup that I threw into the dehydrator and then vacuum sealed. Other than feeding ans spending some time with the babies, I crocheted on a couple different projects going on.

 

[WGregMiller]

My wife bought a new bug out back after Christmas. It's smaller than mine, but she can overload it easily. I need to get off my butt and rework mine.

 

[Brent S]

I put up a gallon of carrots that was ready from the garden by blanching a couple minutes laying on a cookie sheet and flash freezing, then vacuum seal in single serving sizes for freezer . When I was prepping for Norm to come back, I canned up most all of the veggies I had in the freezer so trying to replace what I took out as I really prefer frozen verses canned. I had leftover beef/pasta soup that I threw into the dehydrator and then vacuum sealed. Other than feeding ans spending some time with the babies, I crocheted on a couple different projects going on.

There's something wrong with still calling him Norm after he was sent away..... I think it's time to rename him to Sir Loin or something .