really old style living?

notjustlaura

seasalt - There was a really good thread on here comparing the merits of home-baked to shop-bought the other day if you've time to have a wee search.

Janebo12

Patchwork_Quilt wrote: »

I cook and peel mine too. While it's simmering, I sterilise a few jam jars and lids by filling them with boiling water. When I've cut the beetroot into slices, I empty the jars (back into the kettle to save water) and fill them with the slices. Then you have a choice of either filling the jars with boiling vinegar or just using it cold. I haven't found a difference in the keeping properties but hot vinegar will contract as it cools, pulling the jar lids down and making a better seal. Put the lids on and label.

Good luck.

Thank you for your help :T - will go and get some vinegar as soon as I can and get them sorted - will also have some more probably next week so should get a good stock together.

I have chopped, blanched and frozen some cabbage and have diced and frozen loads of onions from the allotment, so am doing OK so far.

I'm loving this thread!

betony

I didn't mean to embarrass you, Mardatha! I really wanted to show your OH that so many of us on here DO appreciate the OS things you do, as well as the support and advice you give others. (Although, if he does think that we are all "as mad as a box of frogs" as you put it, then he may not think much of our opinions!) It's just that when I read what you sometimes say about him, I often think what a miserable, spoil-sport g*t he is . And if nothing else I hoped it would help make you feel a little better on the days when you're not too good, even when your OH is driving you nuts!

So, I hope you're ok about my post and won't hold it against me

Right, I'll shut up now

NualaBuala

mardatha wrote: »

Oh god I am so embarrassed now. LOL !! ty all xxx I was just having a whiney day. And yes ThatsMe, I think you hit the nail on the head. He is always worrying over what the neighbours will think, and I couldnt care less. So maybe he sees all this stuff that we do in here, as "being poor" instead of "being sensible" ! That sounds right. And yes, I was thinking that I could do a square at a time, maybe just 18" or 2ft because its really overgrown and full of old fencing and nettles.Then next year I'm going to use builders one-ton bags as containers, so all I need is a flat area to sit them on.
We have been married 44 years and he does look after me and look out for me. He just has some funny ideas & is very stubborn. LOL !

Ah, in that case I'm sure you're a perfect match!:D 44 years - wow!:T You're doing something right!

My garden is overgrown and I enjoy tackling bits here and there but I'm worse ME-wise than I used to be so I doubt I'll get on top of it before the house is sold. I do have some containers though and a tiny patch with some herbs in. Could you manage containers M? Not great for oodles of veggies but it would be a start? I know a lot of folk use old baths or other containers they've scavenged.

ginnyknit

Its maybe a lot to do with age Mardatha - men look at things with memories of the old days - foraging and make do and mend. My Oh converts things back to old money:eek:

Just made cracker bread will post the recipe later - cos as per I wrote it on a post it note in sign language:rotfl: just made SR flour dough in bread maker and rolled them out thin - almost transparent then baked for 3 minutes - they are lovely and will go with soup or dips. I got Aldi flour yesterday for 28p a bag - slighlty smaller than 3lb bag - can't see the weight cos I have stashed then in cupboard. Am quite pleased with the outcome!

NualaBuala

mardatha wrote: »

Remember to multiply the amounts of each item on the list by the number of adults you are preparing for.

BASIC PREP LIST FOR ONE MONTH/ONE ADULT
* Water: 30 gallons per person minimum
* Canned meals: 30 cans per person (Pasta meat mixes; Chunky type soups; Chili; etc.)
* Canned/Tinned meat spreads and similar items for sandwiches: 12 cans
* Peanut Butter: 2-3 lbs per person
* Jam/Jelly: 1-2 lbs per person
* Crackers: 4 1 lb. boxes per person (for sandwiches and snacks)
* Canned fruit: 12 cans per person
* Instant breakfast cereal: 30 packs per person
* Vegetable/fruit juices: 1 gallon per person
* Coffee, (2 lb) tea, hot chocolate etc. Consider instant in case no electricity.
* Dry milk: Large box, increase if frequent milk drinker; 2 per child
* Dessert items: Canned or single serve puddings and similar , hard candy, or similar comfort foods and "treats", if funds allow
* Sugar: 5 lbs
* Salt: 1 lb; other spices/condiments as desired
* Baking soda: 1 box

* Tylenol/Acetaminophen: bottle 100
* Ibuprofen: bottle 100
* Multiple Vitamin: 1 bottle/30 day supply
* Prescription Medications: minimum 30 days supply

* Antibacterial soap: 1 per sink
* Hand sanitizer:minimum 1 pocket size and one large to refill from
* Bleach- unscented, 1 gallon
* Vinegar: plain, 1 gallon for disinfectant purposes

* Toilet paper 10-15 rolls
* Paper towels; 6 rolls
* Paper plates, cups, disposable silverware
* Manual can opener
* Camp Stove, sterno or other alternative heating method to boil water and fuel
* Flashlights: One per person minimum, consider LED lights to reduce battery usage. Additional LED headlamps extremely useful.
* Radio: battery powered
* Batteries: 3 to 4 sets per battery powered item
* Fire extinguishers
* Battery operated smoke detectors

* Children specific items: Food, formula, diapers, OTC medicines
***************************
Remember this is a basic list to cover a lot of situations, earthquake or epidemic or floods, etc, and adapt it to suit.

Oh I love this ... it seems like a lot!!! And they obviously don't use the toilet roll squishing trick Iearned on the Sneaky Ways thread or they wouldn't need so much!:D I would need more bread soda though cos I use it for everything!

mardatha

LOL Betony dont worry pet ! he is indeed a grumpy old git. But I think he will train up ok. By the time I'm about 109 he will be OS :rotfl: Today he is sat in his chair, bored and not talking.
Yes, containers are a much easier way to grw veg I think. Will try the square foot gardening plan next year. And I've got over half a doz odd containers besides the builders bags, so can do extra tatties in them. It's not easy judging how many tatties/onions/wotever you need per person per year.

Welsh_Poppy

We went to lay flowers at Granmothers (as her birthday) grave and by the churchyard was some brambles and some HUGE blackberries hastely looked in car and the water bottle we used for flowers hubby cut the top of and a lovely 2 litre carry bottle looks like I picked 2 lb in torrential rain but I felt it was worth it...shall make a pie in her honour:j:j:j

maryb

Mardatha

thanks so much. I'm feeling really squirrelly today - the air has a very clear quality which makes me think of autumn. DH laughs at me but I love the feeling that I don't have to stir.

elliewild

i've recently started making my own wine and jams. i went off foraging in local fields for whatever i could get and returned with freebies! im hoping to start making some cidar too. i have been trying to grow things, but i only have a small yard, to date ive grown tomatoes, potatos, strawberries, gooseberries, grapes and redcurrents. im hopeful that when i get a garden i can expand. i also like growing my own herbs, of which i have a variety (mint grows quite well and i enjoy making mojitos out of it ). my brother has chickens, but i think they can be difficult, they have wrecked his lovely garden, poo-ed everywhere, dug up his grass. they also dont give him regular eggs, i think one of them is a little ill at the mo. so you have to be careful. i am looking forward to doing more foraging - does anyone have some sort of calender of what month different fruits and nuts are available? its great to get free food.