Here we go! Groceries were delivered earlier today. Everything I ordered arrived. I have noticed that only occasionally so far, an item ordered is out of stock. More often there are substitutions in brands, but so far, we are not experiencing the food shortages reported elsewhere. High prices - Yes. Shortages - not so much.
There are 4 family packs of chicken drumsticks (68 cents per lb.) waiting to be packed into wide mouth quart jars and canned. I use these several ways, but the best way for me is in a chicken and dumplings meal.
Seasoned pork loin was on sale - buy 1 get 2 more. I got 6 loins total - 4 seasoned and 2 plain. Decided to can the two plain loins as I am not sure if the seasonings in the flavored ones will can without turning bitter. Cut the seasoned loins into meal for one sized portions and froze them, except for 2 that will be supper for me over the weekend.
I'm also going to try canning potatoes without liquid in the jars. This is because the potatoes I canned in water a while back have turned sort of mealy and gray in color. They might be OK, but I seriously doubt I could get anyone in my family to eat them. Especially when I am reluctant to do so.
It is really easy to look around and decide there is enough stuff stored. Easy to tell myself I don't have to do any more canning or dehydrating or stockpiling. That would be a lie.
Just in case we haven't noticed, things all around us are whirling out of control at mind numbing speed. Just this week I mentioned something that had been talked about on several news channels, to someone who was here in my home. Their reply was that they never paid attention to any news because they didn't want to think about bad things!
So...when 'bad things' show up in her neighborhood and threaten her family, do you suppose she might just pay attention then?
Now is not the time to slack off. Keep stacking. Pay attention. Keep praying!!
Imagine a bike race with a hundred cyclists careening down a hill. All it would take is one person at the side of the road throwing a stick into the spokes of the leader to bring them all down. That's where this world is right now; careening downhill, waiting for that stick. People who don't keep track of what's going on are akin to a passenger in a window seat of a crashing airplane who closes the window shade, as if that'll change the outcome...
ReplyDeleteNo, Vicki, now is DEFINITELY not the time to slack off!
Your analogy is spot on, Pete...and I think time is running out. I will be totally surprised if things don't blow sky high, if not now then after the first week in November.
ReplyDeleteI will not waste any more time trying to get folks to understand the importance of being prepared for anything. I am finding that the attempt to get others to understand is sort of like pounding my forehead against a brick wall. Haven't got the time and don't need the resulting headache!
Take care, my friend. May God watch over you and your family. Things are getting really ugly out there!
Vicki, I dry can my potatoes. I soak them after peeling and cutting them up. Then I soak them in cold water to get rid of as much starch as possible. Sometimes changing the water 2-3 times. I know that this is not a USDA approved method but it works wonderful for me and eliminated my problems with discoloring and mushy potatoes.
ReplyDeleteSue...Thank you so much for the information. I plan to start peeling potatoes first thing in the morning. Would you mind telling me the canning time you use for pints and quarts? I have looked at several videos, but times vary.
DeleteAnd by the way, I think you live in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. Spent time in both Washington and Oregon many years ago. If my family weren't here in Minnesota, chances are pretty good I would have stayed!
PS Sue...I use common sense in food preservation. Doesn't always meet "approved" standards. Guess I'm not very good at always doing things the way I am told to do them. :)
DeleteVicki I pressure can my pints for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes. For my elevation I use 10 psi pressure. Like you I rely on my common sense but find less and less people who do. Also, I’m a transplanted Texan and have been in Oregon for almost 60 years. Love everything about this state except its politics. The big cities rule this state and Portland has become a cesspool as a result.
DeleteThank you, Sue...I got kind of a late start this morning, but will soon start a canner load. Am excited about this method of canning potatoes, especially since the disaster of previous efforts.
DeleteSuch a shame about our cities. Years ago Minneapolis was a nice city, too. Now you couldn't pay me enough to go into many of the neighborhoods. As far as common sense goes, it seems to be sorely lacking these days. Folks seem to have lost the ability to think for themselves, but would rather have someone else do the thinking for them.
Kicking the soapbox back into the corner now. I appreciate your help. Enjoy your day!
Thank you, Vicki. You all be safe and God bless.
ReplyDeleteGod is moving. He has said America will be saved. That is what I am praying for.
LindaG...I pray for the same thing. It would break my heart to see this country I love ruined. Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
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