1233 replies to this topic

[arby]

got my fishing license and going through my tackle box. One of the old bait jars ( commercially done up eggs) spilled oil from the jar in top so running hot water so I can clean it out and will sort out things and put in some more stuff and maybe set up some leads for fishing. Weather is improving so will hit stream and maybe pond in the next few days and see how I do.
Has as well

[mi_familia]

Arby, thanks for the reminder that I need to make sure the husband gets his fishing license renewed next paycheck!

Purchased 25 pounds of oatmeal and another 25 pound bag of rice. Still need to put them into buckets. Did some work in the yard as it has been nicer weather. Glad I didn't start planting though as it got rather cold last night.

[out_of_the_ordinary]

DH picked up a Peterson's Field Guide on Edible Wild Plants.

Apparently he's been wanting a book like that for some time--I had no idea until we were in a bookstore today and he brought it up. There was a full shelf of those and that's one I remembered being discussed/recommended here!

Edited by out_of_the_ordinary, 12 May 2012 - 05:16 PM.

[mi_familia]

Tucked away rabbit food for awhile! At least the bunny is set. Price had gone up again though. $17.99, last time it was $14.99.

[Purdy Bear]

Started to do a home-made back pack with multiple pockets on the inside. The one I'm using drives me potty as I can never find anything.


I've also started to go through my BOB kit to find any holes still needing attention. I've also ordered some organiser things (similar to the maxpedition mini) to put stuff inside. I just hate it when I know something is in the bag and I can't find it.


If I haven't mentioned already, the dogs has had his innoculation boosters and also some treatment for an ear infection.


I'm still knitting the shawl, and got another 1,000 gms of Robin black wool to do another one if I fancy one even longer. I hope to use it as a blanket as well as a shawl. I just do a few rows every day and I'm getting there slowly. Im on my 4th ball of 100gm Robin wool and its looking good so far.


I've ordered a steam light nano keyring torch after watching a good review on You Tube. I've also started to put all my cleaning kit in a workmens belt round my waste and it cuts down the time I need to stop and go get something when Im cleaning the house.

I blitzed one room in the house today and found £3.50 in loose change


Found out you can make paper from material, so stored some strips that a ornament came in, so I've got plenty to practice with when the warmer wealther arrives.

[windmorn]

Planted 3 each coffee trees and goji berry bushes, 2 each blueberry bushes, lemon, lime and tangerine trees and 2 tomatoes. Hopefully the goji's make it. They were kind of cooked looking when they got here. The 2 pomegranate trees didn't arrive in good shape and didn't make it to the ground. I think it's too late in the season to ship plants to my area. We used the bushes as a screen for part of the yard between us and the neighbors.

I also found some solar path markers at Target for $5 each that are rectangular and about 2" x 2" x 8". The bottom is flat if you take the spike out so they will sit on a table or cabinet. The spike when stored in the bottom looks like it might fit in a stick candle holder, but I don't have one here to try. I think it would have have a good sized holder though or it would be too top heavy. I've got it outside charging to see how bright it will be. At a partial charge last night, it was bright enough to get around and do things like brush your teeth, change clothes, etc. Right now I have one for each of us. Even if you can't read by them or anything like that, they will be nice in the bathrooms and for the kids to carry around when we have a hurricane or storm and not have to worry about a fire. They might even be good mood lighting for meals. They stack nice in the closet too. They had brushed bronze, brushed chrome and black.

They boys are mostly ready for their hike so that added A LOT. DD and I still need a few camping items, but we're all almost to the point of we could leave civilization and be comfortable. It has also been a good thing for experimenting with dehydrating foods and cooking with them. I love the vanilla and tomato powders. Still haven't tried the worchestshire or soy sauce powders, but we will soon. Orange juice made with powder is a bit bitter, but it works nice in recipes. After I use some of the other powders I'll make a separate post. I told dh that after we get all the recipes worked out I'm going to have to write a book.

I have Chinese paper plants all over the place. I've printed out how to make paper with them, but it was a while back and I don't remember how off the top of my head. I also have info on what parts could be eaten if one had to.

@Purdy Bear - I love the nano flashlights. I put one on my day pack yesterday for my and dd's trip to DC in few weeks. I got her one for her pack too. She had one, but doesn't know where it is. DS has one in some of his camping gear as well. I'm thinking about buying so more to keep in different places.

Edited by windmorn, 15 May 2012 - 12:40 PM.

[AMarthaByHeart]

My DH loves jellies and jams. I used to make them all the time but stopped. It got to where you could buy them cheaper than make them. Well, their prices have really gone up, so today I made Apple Butter. I had forgotten how good homemade was. I could not find my original recipe or the book I kept everything in.

Now, I am making angel biscuits tomorrow for breakfast. The next thing on my list is spiced peach butter I got off off Mrs. S.

Can I use store bought frozen fruit (peaches) to make jam or frozen concentrated juice to make jelly? I don't really want to wait until summer when they are ready.

[CrabGrassAcres]

You can use frozen fruit or juice for jam or jelly. Best if it is picked fully ripe and some storebought fruit isn't quite ripe. Try tasting the fruit first.

[arby]

Physical stuff like losing weight and exercise to increase strength and stamina, developing a program again on SparkPeople.com www.sparkpeople.com
It is free and chockful of support and information, and support from others there.

[out_of_the_ordinary]

Since I keep procrastinating on buying certain things in the lines of preps, I decided to fill in some of those prep holes in the lines of laundry items. Ok, hand washing in 2 buckets in the bathtub helped make that decision!

I (finally!) ordered washboards. I think I started looking into washboards over a year ago. 2 sizes of Columbus washboard company glass washboards. The place I ordered them from also carries a selection of Rada knives and utensils at very good prices. I ordered a few Rada things. (Their knives are awesome and it's all made in the USA).

From Lehman's I ordered one of those plastic breathing plunger washers and a good drying rack. I kept going back and forth over the drying rack. My current drying rack is always full and it's not a very good one. It always seems near-collapse, even empty. Even though the new one is not inexpensive, I think it will last a very long time.

Gardening-pulling out last year's charts to plan this year's garden.

[Purdy Bear]

I've been very naughty this week getting lots of things from Ebay heres the list as far as I can remember:



1000gms of Robin wool in black

1 hammer with screw heads in the handle
1 key ring screwdriver with one end pozie,the other straight
1 Maxpedition Micro pocket organiser

1 purse organiser that fits in any purse

2 quickl release buckles to finish off the proto-type backpack I am making.



That's only half of it, the other stuff like a Hurricane Lantern has yet to arrive. Me is soooooooooooo naughty. My excuse is that I have worked very hard at the housework and I've got my English class final exam in two weeks so I deserve to mega treat myself.



This week I've concentrated on watching videos about animal husbandery (guinea pigs and rabbits mostly) and also what to put in my Maxpedition Micro. I written down what the others have packed it out with on You Tube and then made a list of possibles for me, put them into a list of needs, musts and wants. Last night I got that list put into a number packing list in priority order. If the Micro works out well I will see if I can get some of the larger pocket organisers, it's a brilliant present idea for Xmas - yes I know its barely May but I do like to get my ideas in early.

Edited by Purdy Bear, 19 May 2012 - 10:12 AM.

[arby]

continuing my weight loss and exercise. Been busting my buns on that and am wore out this evening.
Getting in better shape has to be a priority. Not just for general health either.

[SurvivalMom78]

My husband bought me a pressure canner, a Presto-my first one! I am so excited! Ultilmately I want the All American, but I have to start somewhere. I cannot wait to start pressure canning, although I am a bit nervous about it.


I also bought more matches, but that is not as exciting!

[Violet]

If you have a dial gauge canner, you MUST have the gauge tested before use. It can be off by as much as 4 lb. out of the box. It could be correct, but if it is not, then your food could be unsafe to eat after canning it.

That, or you can get a 3 piece weight set and use it as a weighted gauge canner. They cost about $15 for the weight set. I still prefer the Presto over the AA canners. I only replaced my gasket once in about 30 years of use. If you do not oil it, it will last a long time. Years ago the gasket was rubber and it was to be oiled. If you do that with a new one you will ruin it.

I ordered soap making oils and lye. I am going to learn to make soap. Looks easy, just be sure I add the lye to the water. I know that much. Been reading a lot online. I like the idea of the crockpot soap method !

[Annarchy]

Started using the sun to dehydrate. With a slight breeze, it too less than 2 hours to over-dry one batch.

[TurtleMama]

One word: inventory.

[Purdy Bear]

Got a lot of goodies today:


1 Hurricane lantern
1 peanut lighter
1 match stick lighter
1 diamond stone cutter pen

I finished the back pack, so now to testing it out with weight and the usual womens kit.

The next on my list is to finish the wool shawl, then make myself a maxpedition type pocket organiser, I just need to learn how to do zips round corners so Id love any suggestion/advice you have. Would extra wide velcro work as well/better?


After the organiser I want to go simple like making zipped pencil cases and the like just to give me a rest for a little bit.

Made up my EDC kit list and started to get it all together.

Revising for my final English exam in two weeks, and then if I pass that I hope to move onto the next level which apparently is a lot harder.

Edited by Purdy Bear, 21 May 2012 - 01:14 PM.

[SurvivalMom78]

Violet, I bought the type with weights, I remember you saying the dial gauges have to be checked once a year or something-and if SHTF I want the safest. It has three weights, 5, 10 and 15 I believe.

[CrabGrassAcres]

Ordered incontinent supplies for daughter. Needed diapers and some spray on skin protection. FOund a really super sale and free shipping so got 4 gallons of the spray and 10 bottles plus a box of gloves and a case of diapers. Should be enough spray for just about forever, LOL.

[CrabGrassAcres]

Just got 3 large gel cooling packs. Hoping they keep me cooler for chores.