My canning session today turned into a longer one than expected.
I had opened the freezer in my refrigerator to take something out, and found that everything was thawed. Checked the refrigerator and it was warm as well. Called my landlord, who said he would be here by suppertime, and if he couldn't fix it, he would get me a new refrigerator. He was able to fix it, but has plans to replace all of the appliances in the building within the year. He is right when he says that things just aren't made to last any more.
In the meantime, I had 6 lbs of thawed hamburger. three pounds of thawed chicken breast and a thawed whole chicken.
Some laugh at me or just shake their heads when they see that I have extras of most everything. Including canning jars. Including canning lids.
Cut the chicken breast into about one inch pieces and packed them into pint jars. Ran those jars through the pressure canner with the second canner load of ham and bean soup.
Browned the hamburger and packed it into pint jars. Processed it after the soup and chicken were done. Got 8 pints of hamburger.
I was reluctant to refreeze the whole chicken, so I plopped it into a stock pot, covered it with water and added seasonings. Cooked it over a low flame the better part of the afternoon and had part of it for supper. The rest I packaged up and put into my chest freezer.
If I hadn't had what I needed on hand to can the thawed meat, I might have lost it. I can't afford to toss out meat. And I don't like to freeze meat that has been frozen and thawed. So for me, canning is the best option.
Let them laugh. I don't care. I would rather be laughed at and be prepared than to not have what I need when I need it.
Opus 2024-395: Built, Not Chosen
7 hours ago
After things crack up, they won't be laughing then....
ReplyDeleteAnon...I am afraid that they won't figure it out until it is too late. I hope I'm wrong, but I really don't think so.
ReplyDeleteCool! Let them laugh..see who is smiling all the way to the table!
ReplyDeleteMary..As you know, I've been pretty much housebound for a while. Those home canned and dehydrated foods really helped when I couldn't get to a store. So let them laugh. I won't go hungry.
ReplyDeleteYou're a wise and well-prepared lady!
ReplyDeleteGorges,,,Only because I have, in years past, found myself in a bad place where I was unprepared. Hunger will cause a person to remember and make sure that doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who mocks a person for having "too much" on hand has an odd view of preparedness. The whole point is to be able to deal with unforeseen events without having to run around like a chicken with it's head cut off.
ReplyDeleteHarry...I believe that the ones who mock those of us who prepare are the ones who have convinced themselves that nothing will ever change, that the grocery stores will always have full shelves and that politicians really do tell the truth and have our best interests at heart - to which I say, BS. I am not about to wait for some government official to take care of me in time of disaster. I'd rather take care of myself. (She said, kicking her soapbox back into a corner!) :)
ReplyDeletePeople cannot understand why I buy new jars and new lids when I don't have anything to can. I just want to be ready to can when I get something unexpectedly.
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony...I think people have gotten into the habit of running to the store for every little thing. I don't own a vehicle, so I can't do that. That's why, like you, I stock up before hand to be ready when an opportunity presents itself. Just makes sense to me and you, but unfortunately, not to many others.
ReplyDeleteA true prepper if I ever meet one.
ReplyDeleteRob...Coming from some I know, being called a true prepper would be an insult. However, coming from you who understands what prepping is all about, I will take that as a compliment, and thank you kindly! :)
ReplyDelete