| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MrsTracy |
Posted - Jul 08 2012 : 6:32:19 PM
I know we just got into summer but there has always been something in me that calls me to start preparing for the upcoming winter. Am I alone in this? I'm feeling it more this year than any other time. I'm really a novice though when it comes to true preparation such as stocking up, laying by and getting ready.
What are some of the things you do throughout the summer and autumn months to get you ready for the long cold winter?
Aspiring Titus II and Proverbs 31 Lady. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| emsmommy5 |
Posted - Oct 30 2012 : 12:32:43 PM
I just put up 120 pounds of chicken from Zaycon last week. Half in the freezer and half in jars. Someone asked for the how-to for meat... it's easy.
You can stuff the raw meat in jars and bottle it that way. Or partially cook it. Or fully cook it. Seasoning or not. It's all up to you and how you plan to use it.
I usually par-bake my chicken with seasonings, cut in good sized cubes and can with the juices from the meat and a little extra water. I do it that way because I think the texture is better once bottled.
I also can things like teriyaki or sweet and sour chicken. Cook the chicken part way, add the sauce and then it's a meal in a jar. Chicken soup, chicken in vegetable stock, BBQ sauce. It's pretty limitless really.
Quarts are bottled at 10 pounds pressure (where I live) for 90 minutes.
I always recommend Jackie Clay's book Growing and Canning your own food or a good kerr/Ball canning book.
Other than canning and dehydrating anything that will sit still long enough... we are working on "get-home" packs for the cars. The opposite of bug-out bags that others are working on. They are backpacks with enough to get you home if you are stuck and end up having to walk.
Other "winter" preps around here.... planting a winter garden. Putting the rain barrels together. Topping off the propane tanks and gas cans. Buying extra candles at the thrift store. Watching for sales on paper products. Stocking up the herb cupboard and essential oils for potential "winter" ills.
I keep a list next to the computer so when I see something I hadn't thought of, I write it down.
Do what you love, love what you do. |
| Zippy |
Posted - Oct 30 2012 : 09:46:31 AM
Hello all,
I think that nagging feeling to prepare is the Lord prompting us to get ready. My husband is a long-haul truck driver and he talks with people all over the country. Many, many people all over feel there's something wrong and they need to prepare, but they aren't sure for what. In my experience, when you ignore that feeling, you end up regretting it.
I truly believe the Lord will protect us, but He also inspires us to take steps to be ready. Don't ignore that feeling, pray about it and follow your heart.
"Only A Life Lived for Others is A Life Worthwhile."
~Albert Einstein
http://pinterest.com/zipporahd/ |
| Yart |
Posted - Oct 18 2012 : 4:49:57 PM
Nini, I will be picking up my first order of chicken on Saturday.... I am so excited. I have been wanting to do this for awhile now.... Everyone that has ordered has been very satisfied... I will let you know how it is.
FarmGirl Sister #1081
www.mythirtyone.com/224740
Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. ~Jim Davis
http://urban-eco.blogspot.com/ |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Oct 18 2012 : 4:38:59 PM
Yart - My brother and I just learned about Zaycon, and although both of us live in opposite corners of PA, we're thinking about ordering... Have you ever done this before? What do you think of their meats? It seems SO worth it! Is it all it seems to be?
I've been stocking up on all of the same things you all have, as well as dehydrating, canning and freezing and stocking up on a little extra water, candles (buying those church-votive type a few at a time because they're supposed to last longer), and oil lamps and oil. I plan to stock up on rock salt, long johns, socks and a couple of extra blankets, and we'd like to invest in a generator, too, if possible. And because the roads can be fairly treacherous when it snows, I've stocked an extra first aid kit in the van, as well as a roadside emergency kit (flares, flashlight, jumper cables, emergency blanket, etc.). We also always keep a case of water in the back - just in case. All I need to do is toss in one of our shovels and a small bag of rock salt, some extra warm, dry socks, hand and foot warmers, and a few snacks in case we're stuck in the snow. I also like to keep my son's old DVD player and a couple of DVDS in there because if we ever break down, it sure makes things easier on any kids who might be with us. Oh! And I keep the cigarette lighter jack for the DVD player and cell phone in there at the ready as well. And like Amy, I try to keep our gas tank full (My dh, on the other hand, likes to ride it out til it's running on fumes, so I have to pay attention and keep on my toes with that! Make me nuts!). Although the national news reported tonight that they're expecting a warmer, drier winter, something inside has been telling me better safe than sorry. I don't have to go out and buy a whole bunch of things to do this, so I think despite the reports, I'll stay prepared - just in case. I'm a New Englander at heart - what can I say?
Like Malena, I would really appreciate any recipes you all would like to share for canning meats. I just read in this issue of Backwoods Home a wonderful "system" for canning meat and chicken - you might want to check that out, Malena!
Great posts, girls - thank you!
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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| Yart |
Posted - Oct 18 2012 : 11:12:51 AM
I have been getting all the late harvest put up.... I'll be picking up 40 pounds of chicken from https://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf29994 - Zaycon on Saturday... That will get canned up for the winter. I love having canned meat on the shelves.
FarmGirl Sister #1081
www.mythirtyone.com/224740
Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie. ~Jim Davis
http://urban-eco.blogspot.com/ |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Oct 18 2012 : 06:27:51 AM
I'm starting to pick up baking supplies for the holidays (when they go on sale). I'm also starting to stock up on medical supplies for us and the animals.
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| westfork woman |
Posted - Oct 06 2012 : 1:56:14 PM
We have been gathering in. I have canned everything I grew, bought or gleaned. I have been picking up extra stuff at the store when I go, coffee, flour and sugar, along with baking powder and stuff like that. Dh went to a potato farm and got a pickup load of potatoes, which we shared with others, and put 4 big sacks in our basement. We will have to eat pototes every meal all winter. We still need onions and apples. I have always believed in having food in storage, but this year it seems more urgent for some reason.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
| desperadosdream |
Posted - Oct 05 2012 : 08:19:57 AM
Our Christmas will be homemade as well which is fine by me but I'm not at all sure how the kids will feel about it. There isn't any other choice this year so they will adjust and adapt I suppose. We will be very lucky to have a roof over our heads without staying with someone, so I think they understand and appreciate much more now than they did a few short months ago. I've never taught my children to be into material things and I have never thought them to me materialistic, no name brand everything etc but since this year has been really tough they have learned to do without much stuff they were accustomed to and they longer grouch about most of it. Perhaps you could share some of your ideas or photos of your handmade Christmas as we go forward Phyllis. I am always looking for fresh ideas.
The last few days I have been clearing out the freezer and canning all of the contents therein that I can,so that I might be able to defrost and clean it good in case I do have to put it in a storage unit. I do not want to lose what food stores I have. I have also began to make a long "stock up list" that normally this time of year I would take 2 or 3 days in a row and go pack in every thing I thought would be necessary for winter so that I didn't have to get out in the winter if I didn't have to.
I love winter and so do the children but we like to hole up and read, craft,snuggle at the fire or have tea parties. They are home schooled so we don't have to get up when it's cold and icy and head out before dark to school either. Don't know what good stocking will do at this point but I am still attempting to prepare as best I can: polished the wood stove and put new gaskets on the doors, making my food lists, and the essentials lists for paper products etc in anticipation...hoping. It's very much like what I do come January or February when the seed catalogs start rolling in (chuckle) I simply cannot imagine a life where everything is piped in, store bought and electronic....I like life with a heart..homegrown, hand made and touched by the Heavens. Some may think it is a life of hard work and sweat, and it is, but can any farm girl picture things any other way? The blessings far outweigh the struggles.
Have a fabulous day all...I shall go forth house-hunting once again. Keep your fingers crossed.
Malena
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| pinokeeo |
Posted - Oct 05 2012 : 06:14:51 AM
It seems like this thread just stopped. I have been canning, dehydrating and freezing everything in my garden, as well as gathering from others leftovers in the orchards. We always stock up on paper products, borax, washing powder, batteries and matches. We have already split and stacked our firewood, and the wall is full at the moment. We also store extra gas in cans in case we get snowed in.
We have also stocked up on fabric and thread this year, for some reason. I guess we will be making new clothes for ourselves.
And this year's Christmas will be all homemade.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I cannot master those things that I have not tried.
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| Annette Kath |
Posted - Sep 23 2012 : 7:06:07 PM
Sorry, I've been canning all summer, not winter!
Annette |
| Annette Kath |
Posted - Sep 23 2012 : 7:05:21 PM
I have been canning from my garden all winter. I also saved over 100 gallons of water from my dehumidifier through the summer to use in the humidifiers this winter or for whatever the need may be. I also stock up on whatever's on sale.
Annette |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Sep 21 2012 : 10:52:02 AM
BTW, Dawn liquid dish washing detergent kills fleas on pets. Fleas can live all winter long in your home without food, so I though I'd share since this was a bad year for fleas (the original Dawn).
I need to add "Coffee" to my stock up list. I can't believe I forgot that one. 
Farmgirl #800
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| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Sep 21 2012 : 10:49:37 AM
I just found out that cinnamon can give you relief of a headache (even migraines).
I used it today to give it a try. So if you forget to stock up on pain relievers, or get snowed in and need medication for this, stock up on organic cinnamon.
I mixed mine with raw honey, then poured boiling water over it. I let it cool and sipped it.
My headache pain was reduced. I will be watching prices on organic cinnamon. I could use this with my kids and it's much safer than pills.
Here's more on cinnamon:
http://www.organicauthority.com/health/11-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html
Farmgirl #800
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From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| cozie lady |
Posted - Sep 21 2012 : 09:34:01 AM
Strange how your instincts take over. I have found myself keeping my car's gas tank full and buying extra paper products, made extra laundry soap and restocked my first aid kit.
I didn't have a large garden but have a friend who did. We have worked a trade for fresh canned goods for my paddle boat that I never use.
I am also going to can venison this year, I haven't did that in a couple of years.
I am going to try to bake my bread from scratch this winter. I have never had much luck with it but will keep trying until I get it down.
amy r
sister #4186 |
| desperadosdream |
Posted - Sep 21 2012 : 09:32:16 AM
Ok ladies if anyone can give me some good recipes or measurements for canning meat I would appreciate it. I would like to do beef and chicken maybe some pork. Also does anyone dry jerky in their oven and how do you do that i.e temperature ,length of time, thickness etc.
Thanks gals.
Happy fall!
Malena |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Sep 21 2012 : 09:02:05 AM
Just stocked up on borox, washing soda, vinegar (white and organic ACV), Dawn soap (use it for goats teat wipes, bathing animals etc), toilet paper, and bleach. Oh, and stocked up on matches too.
Next on the list is to replace all of my broken drying racks. My wooden ones broke last season. Also, I plan to buy a few tubs to stock up on animal feed for indoor pets.
Farmgirl #800
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From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Aug 07 2012 : 06:44:56 AM
I have been harvesting and canning for a couple of weeks now, I also planted some fall crops. We have been slowly stocking up over the last couple of years. Mostly food, water, paper products and medicines. DH has been stocking up on ammunition too. We will be also stocking wood eventhough we live in town at the moment. We have a very large fireplace to heat the house if the need arises.
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farmgirl sister #922
I am trying to be the person my dogs think I am.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| AnnieinIdaho |
Posted - Aug 06 2012 : 4:45:13 PM
Whew... my legs and feet are tired. Today I started marinating the dry fruit for mincemeat pie filling. It sits out for 24 hours. Tomorrow I will finish it by adding the fresh fruit and cooking it and then also can it. I put up some whole corn today, some English Peas, and Blueberries in a very light syrup. I really got busy and made Burgundy Beef and canned those, and also made French Onion Soup. Those jars are pressure cooking now. Whew!! Nearly done though for this round of canning. I guess my Split Pea Soup will have to wait a few more days. I need a break from standing on my feet. I know..in the pioneer days people walked 50 miles at a time. No big deal. I am delighted at my progress however since this is the first year I have ever canned, thanks to you Farmgirls I have learned so much!
Annie
"The turnings of life seldom show a sign-post; or rather, though the sign is always there, it is usually placed some distance back, like the notices that give warning of a bad hill or a level railway-crossing." Edith Wharton, 1913 from 'The Custom of the Country'. |
| KatTylee |
Posted - Aug 06 2012 : 09:37:31 AM
I'm waaaay behind on my stocking up this year since we just moved. I always forget how expensive that gets. Normally I can like crazy (gonna have to use the farmer's market and not my garden this year), dry fruit, stock up on the t.p., peanut butter, canned goods, and the like. I'm excited to have a basement to use for just this sort of thing. So glad to see I'm not the only one that feels fall coming. I think I must have been a squirrel or something in a past life since I've got to get my stash ready for winter. :)
~"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."
— Oscar Wilde~
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| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 2:44:36 PM
We do as much canning, dehydrating, etc. as we can. We split and stack wood, get the chimney swept, prepay weekly to the propane company (so when it's low it's already paid for basically), repairs on home, barns and coops....lots of stuff.
Oh, we fill large containers with water for when the pipes freeze, and stock up on batteries, camping lanterns, flashlights etc.
Farmgirl #800
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From my hands: http://pioneerpatchworkhomespun.blogspot.com/
From my Camera: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pioneerwomanatheart/
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| mountain mama |
Posted - Jul 29 2012 : 06:20:57 AM
I am canning like crazy. So glad to get onto this thread and find that others think the way I do. Everyone I know acts as if I am nuts. Because of where I live it can snow any time I am getting things cleaned up outside and beginning to make sure junk is picked up. Everyone on this thread seems to really have it together. I believe that food is really going to go up so canning and drying food not freezing it(electricity goes off) is the way to go. Stocking up on items that are not edible is definitely a good idea. And pet food. Thank you all for this thread. I think we are in for a hard ride.
Marilyn
Farmgirl #408
Stress relief: go fishing, play in the dirt. go on a road trip, talk to a farmgirl. |
| Marylyn |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 9:36:11 PM
I am canning more this year or should I say more variety, and I am going to buy lots of flour, cornmeal, and dried beans to oven can. I also make my own laundry soap and have for over 3 years now. But that just seems like that is what summer is for...getting ready for winter, but with the prices of everything skyrocketing it seems extra important this summer.
Love,
Auntie M
Farmgirl # 4062
That which does not kill me, only serves to make me stronger!...unknown to me. |
| Alanna Neupert |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 8:18:06 PM
Hi I know I started stocking up on stuff especially last August when I became a widow. I started buying large quantities of t. paper, paper towels, laundry detergent and is only me here now. I was going crazy here for awhile. I think people thought I had a B& B. I guess that was my way of coping-me against the world. I plan on canning some this summer with the price of food going to go up! Alanna from Pa. |
| kysheeplady |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 10:17:54 AM
I can, freeze, and stack more wood than I care to think about, ready stoves, store hay, ... they is so much to be done ... and it starts in about another 3 weeks for me. Good luck!
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
| jollyquilter |
Posted - Jul 28 2012 : 08:40:27 AM
Keeping an eye on the drought and the prices of corn and soybeans. This will all effect our food supply in stores as well as gas prices since the Goverment now makes them add ethenol to the gasoline.
Don't forget to store food for your furry friends. Dogfood has gone up $1.00 on 50 pounds.
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http://fiberandflea.blogspot.com |
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