I know that I can't get everything I will need this winter (right now) - but I want to try and really get my stocks up. I do use what I have - so I want to maintain as well - that means adding.
I will be going through everything and see just what I have. I want my pantry to have a good years worth of supplies.
I want to can everything I can get my hands on. I may not grow it - but I want to get fresh goods somewhere to can. (for me/family & gifts)
I want to get all the STUFF out of this house. I have been going through stuff for months and trying to set aside things I don't want to keep. Until recently, I could not take them any where. The stuff needs to go.
Now is the time to get ready.
The world is in an extreme amount of dis-order. Nothing is the same. Things seem upside down.
You are the only one that can create ORDER. You can maintain order in your private environment - you have that control. DO IT! Take your power back. Don't let anyone else have control of your household. That is your domain.
I am lucky, as I am not a picky person. I can eat all types of beans and rice (I can jazz them up). I can eat biscuits and jelly or gravy. I have lots of flour and sugar and yeast. I can make bread, flat breads, biscuits or tortillas. I can make all kinds of soups. I love soup beans and cornbread.
This girl could live on these things - I have all of this covered.
Think simple - there are so many ways to stretch your dollars and supplies.
Do you have what you need for holiday cooking and baking? If your answer is no - GET IT!
Do you have plans for holiday gifts? Make those plans now! Plan on what you want to give - home canned goods, baked goods, crafts, goody baskets of any type - just make your plans and get started.
Make August your month for preparing and maintaining. Make August your month for planning. Make August your month for doing inventories of EVERYTHING!
Not just food - health and beauty, medical supplies, pet supplies, garden items, gifts, crafts, etc..
Cold weather (for us) and summer (for southern hemisphere) will be here in a minute!!!!!!!!
Can, freeze, dehydrate, buy what you will need WHILE YOU CAN.
We all know that things can change overnight.
Let's get busy!
Very good message Cheryl. The news stations should run this information instead the editorials they pass off as news.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I am doing all these things. I think we may have all kinds of chaos after the election, no matter who wins, there may be protests and celebrating that will get out of hand,
The news doesn't tell us anything useful in my opinion. Yes they should be giving information - but that will never happen.
DeleteSadly, you are probably right about after. I will just be honkering down right here.
Thanks
Your flat bread looks so great! Have you posted the recipe for that?
ReplyDeleteI also find that maintaining order in my own house is critical right now, for me to feel calm(er) during a time of chaos. Working out, meditating, etc are all also helpful
That is a stock picture - but I think I have posted the recipe. You might go to the white box - upper left and type that in - it should pop up posts where referenced. I probably should re-post any way!
DeleteHome is what we can control and yes, that is calming. We have to do what we can for ourselves and do what brings us bliss!
FOUND IT - March 19, 2020 - Recipe listed as Navajo Flatbread
DeleteYes, I agree. We found yesterday that onions are in short supply because of the recall. No onions of any kid at Aldi. Lidl had 8 bags total and we bought the two bags of yellow onions.
ReplyDeleteIt was all onion from a particular brand from what I understand (just what I understood - may not be correct). I thought about checking Fresh Thyme since they usually carry different brands. I am growing onions myself - although not big ones - but onions are onions if you need some!
DeleteGlad I have been harvesting chives as well and got dehydrated onions just a couple weeks ago.
Keep plugging away!
We were told that it was just red onions from the US in general - no specific grower mentioned. I'm assuming white & yellow onions are fine.
DeleteFlatbread recipe is posted on March 19, 2020.
ReplyDeleteI'm putting up what I can. These past few days our garden has yielded 17# of zucchini. It has been diced, roasted, cooled and frozen for future use. I've since picked another 15# that will get processed the same way today. When my tomatoes come on (none yet), I will make ratatouille and the zucchini will go into that! It's my best use of our small garden and freezer space.
Good for you. What a great way to preserve the zucchini - haven't done that way.
DeleteGlad they are producing. My tomatoes just really started last week.
Good job.
I just love your blog! I learn ~ or think ~ something new with every post. You are spot on about getting prepared and that's just what we are doing here. Our garden was a disappointment this year (way too much rain and cold, then way too much heat) but we are buying locally and stocking the larder.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of folks are completely oblivious, don't you? The stock market goes up and they foolishly think all is well.
Thank you so much for posting as often as you do. You are a wealth of information and I so look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you so much! I always wonder if people really get anything from here - but we have so many great folks adding in and giving tips and experiences. It makes it fun.
DeleteSooooo many people just aren't prepared and think those of us who are preparing are crazy. They just think the store will always be there - money will always be worth something - and have NO real idea where food actually comes from!!!!
So happy to have you here and joining in.
Waiting for a big order of H&B, cat litter, and other pantry items to arrive. Got furnace filters last month. Bought the items I need to winterize my lawnmower and to prepare it for use next spring. Bought a couple of packages of seeds (going to try zucchini again next year) and put them away with this year's leftover seeds (in the refrigerator). I'll be scouring the curbside trash for pots for next year, and I bought 8 more food-safe 5-gallon buckets for planting. Ordering a grow light for seed starting in the spring. Our winter clothing is in good order, but I saw a bargain on winter slipper booties and will get a pair to put back for the following year. Our new refrigerator is due to be delivered in the next 2-4 weeks (replacing our 18-year-old one). Cleaned up the mud porch (used for storage) in anticipation of the refrigerator delivery. Will restock the freezer as soon as we are sure the new one is working correctly. We always have an extra coffeemaker on hand, and I am ordering a new toaster before the old one breaks. Husband gets very cranky without his coffee and toast in the morning! Even froze leftover lemon zest from making lemon blueberry bread yesterday. Husband's annual physical, our dentist appointments, my optometrist appt., and my mammogram are all scheduled in the next 6 weeks. Will be getting new boards to rebuild my rotting raised garden beds when the growing season is done. Car was inspected in June, and the battery and tires are good. I'm making plans to take care of maintenance on the house before winter. Have a good supply of yarn, fabric, thread, and batting for Project Linus stitching. Husband and I are looking at making some financial moves, too. Picked up 3 vintage cookbooks and Rhonda Hetzel's "The Simple Home" from the library this morning. I am looking for suggestions on a good, modern, layperson's first aid book. I am too used to looking things up online, but may not always have that option.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness gal you ARE prepared! Way to go. Things I hadn't even thought about.
DeleteI am in awe when I read lists like yours. You really do have it all together.
Fantastic job!!!!!!
Hello Cheryl
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoy reading your Blog, it is informative and personal all at once.
This is a great idea to stock up in August and I have just made a start for a grocery delivery tomorrow, adding many more items than usual to put in my stores.
Please take great care of yourself. Lorna
Hello Lorna - glad to have you here.
DeleteGood for you - we need to get busy and get our homes and supplies in order JUST IN CASE!
Thank you and have a good day!
Wise words as always!
ReplyDeleteMy plan for this month is to add to baking supplies - and now that I know how to freeze eggs, that is a priority as I want to be sure that I have them for baking. I've also got dried fruit & nuts on the list. I'm doing well in other areas but need to add to this one.
I just got in from the office and stopped off at a major dept. store on the way home as I wanted to add to my "must have list" for Winter. I managed 3 pairs of black socks, a 3 pack of Jockey undies (very little choice, I got the only pack in beige/nude) and a new pair of slipper - again, very little choice. This is a dept. store that usually has a huge selection and by now would be pushing all the new Winter clothing lines - there was very little of what I would have termed Fall/Winter wear. Obviously deliveries from overseas have not arrived and no one seemed very sure when they might be arriving. I also bought a new top sheet to make 4 complete sets - and again, very little choice. I'd advise people to buy it if they see it as who knows when certain things might be available this year. I again stopped by the shoe shop that I like but still no Winter stock as yet. I haven't even seen any ads on TV for Winter or Back to School clothing and they usually start July 1st up here - doesn't seem to be much available.
Really do understand - heck school started here this week. It is crazy how they get winter stuff out so early I think the lack of stock IS nothing coming from over seas - but I find that so sad. We should have so many more supplies from our own countries than relying on over seas. I think governments should see this as a huge wake-up.
DeleteGood going on stocking up on those basics we don't think about - until our undies are all in shreds!!!! LOL
Yep, I say get those baking goods now. IF they are around for the holidays you can bet you will be paying a lot for them.
Good job.
Thank you!!!!
Great encouragement for us in this post Cheryl. I recently did a full cleaning of my craft cupboard and was able to clear out a lot of clutter. I did not throw out anything that would prove useful as I think it is possible that moving forward we may see some disruptions to supply chains of many different items in addition to food. In Queensland, Australia we have 12 active cases of covid-19 and the closest of these cases would be about a three hour car drive away. Even so I noticed this week at our local grocery store that there were empty shelves in the toilet paper, liquid hand soap and long-life milk sections of the supermarket. My husband cannot get his prescription filled at either of the two chemists (drug stores) in town and he was told that this was due to a supply shortage. Victoria, another state in Australia is currently under stage 3 lock down for the regional areas and stage 4 lock down for the city of Melbourne in order to stem the tide of infection. Stage 4 includes a curfew - no going out after 8pm in the evening until 5:00 am the next day. Many people seemed to be very unprepared for such an eventuality even though if you were paying attention you could see this coming.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Australia has taken this very seriously. Good for them. We don't have curfews - but it is mandatory to wear masks every where in public in my state (and many others).
DeleteI am sorry you are finding shortages. That in itself is good reason for each of us to do what we can right now. I think it may get worse before better.
We truly do need to encourage each other. We have a great network of ladies here from all over and it is amazing how much more we are ALIKE than different.
Take care and keep stocking.
Cheryl, judging by the comments, great minds think alike!! I've been doing some gathering lately and planned to really step it up for the next 6 wks. Such a TERRIBLE time to be minus a knee!!! A freezer inventory is a Saturday morning plan. I'm looking for room for some wheat flour. Can't locally find a 5 gal. food bucket to save my life so I may have to order them. I REALLY like to buy local.
ReplyDeleteSam's was well stocked on Friday but I noticed their big packs of socks and undies were low. I had planned to get some for the local mission this fall. It turns out that nobody seems to donate socks! Think about a midwest winter with no socks! Anyway, I bought some Friday and can hopefully get more next month... Just in case.
I'm glad to see everyone acting like squirrels and stashing some extra nuts away. If it turns out we over stashed, we can always eat down our pantries and use that unneeded grocery money for a good cause- ours or someone else's!
Exactly - if nothing bad happens - we are good. We can live off our pantries and save a little money. Winter will be coming soon here in the U.S. - which means iffy weather and roads, so all would still be good.
DeleteIt is so wise to get prepared. No one knows what can happen. I guess it has been that way our entire life, we are just more aware now.
Coming from California, I experienced 3 good sized earthquakes. The last one was the biggest, I was an adult, and it was a mess. We had been married for just 6 wks. All the emergency stuff was all set and it was a huge relief. We had plenty of food and water and we did fine until utilities were back. We heard that the lines to get water were enormous. It's so much easier to be prepared than panicked.
DeleteThank you Debby for giving a testimonial. ANYTHING can happen in life and we need to be prepared. That is a great example for others - one less thing to stress about.
DeleteExcellent post and excellent conversation with your readers! I always learn something and am encouraged by your words, and those of your followers. Saw on the news that Waterman's is having outdoor movies and other activities. It seems odd that there will be no crowd at the Indy 500. We live on the west side of I465 but can hear the cars. Also hear the cars from Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont. We are going to drop off a car load of stuff at Salvation Army. Feels good to clear out closets and cabinets and donate it to a worthwhile organization. Next job is to organize the garage a little better and take inventory. At least it's not so hot now. It was 56 when I got up.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I just love how everyone encourages each other.
DeleteYes, the 500 will different glad they changed it up. I know a lot will lose money, but better safe than sorry.
It does feel good to get rid of stuff.
It is heavenly outside today!
Something I try to do is get cat food and kitty litter ahead. It is so much easier now than in cold weather. And really stocking up on TP.
ReplyDeleteI could live on soups with an occasional meat and be perfectly fine, but sure not Roger. I even like soup in summer. Love pintos, and navy beans, and I love greenbeans, ham, potatoes, and onions cooked together. Does not have to have a lot of ham..just enough for flavoring. I don't know if you are like me, but there are certain combinations of food that I like. I can make a meal of green beans, rice and fresh tomatoes from the garden...but that is not stocking up.