Preparedness for when

vanoonoo

so, my little swiss card came into it's own at the weekend - we were at a christening and husband (godfather) needed the scissors to cut off some long threads on his suit and I needed one of the screwdrivers to fiddle with my sunglasses and the little torch kept a 6 month old amused during the service for a few mins. be prepared folks

vanoonoo

valk_scot wrote: »

And allergies and intolerances? Not so many around in these days of mostly unprocessed and unrefined foodstuffs and even if you did, they weren't recognised or allowed for in normal catering terms.

I've been told a couple of times now, that if i could get hold of "raw" milk - ie straight from the cow type of thing, I'd probably be completely fine with it. there is a red leics cheese called sparkenhoe which is made with raw milk so I might give that a go and see how I get on and then source a cow for my coffee whitening. I agree about the unprocessed and unrefined foodstuffs - I am sure the wholefood approach really is the way to go (back).

vanoonoo

jeanniefaethecarse wrote: »

I'm really excited! We're in the process of buying the flat we've lived in for years, and not done anything with (because it's not been ours). It belonged to a relative who let it lie fallow for about 50 years, so obviously there's a lot to be done, but DH and I have been having a confab about what we wanted from our home and I put forward this idea...
It has a utility room where we keep the chest freezer, washing machine etc with a space under the stairs. This space under the stairs (which is a fair size) is now going to be my pantry/storecupboard! We just have to sort out lay-out, shelving, that type of thing. (all layout suggestions welcome)
It will make such a difference to my food-preparedness, as currently everything is stored around the house (AF cous cous and tins of tomatoes behind books in the bookcase???- please tell me someone else does this.... anyone???)
Just had to post, as I feel there may be some kindred spirits out there who will relate to my glee

welcome aboard jenniefaethecarse!

We recently rejigged our pantry with the expedit cube shelving from ikea and another OS prepper has used the wooden bookshelves from ikea for her store room.

Does your understairs have airbricks? if so be sure to keep them clear from obstruction.

so excited for you! :beer:

vanoonoo

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

Love the prioritisation, checking it comes in purple :-) & relieved to find out it does! DS1 has an explorer scout woggle made of paracord, not by him though. He needs these skills!

critical preps :T heehee - I really think I am going to buy some and make myself a bracelet or a zipper pull tag for my bag

Kittikins

vanoonoo - don't know where you are in the country, but not too far from me in Sussex there's a biodynamic farm that sells raw milk. It's the most amazing stuff, tastes like milk should (and I usually hate milk, just tolerate it in cereal but never in coffee).

http://www.tablehurstandplawhatch.co.uk/phdairy.html

prepareathome

Well now have my 'gadgets' just got to try them out. Ghillie Kettle arrived at long last, seller was fab, Post office not so.

So looking forward to having a go with that today - its pouring out but not cold so plan to use one of the Maya Fire-sticks to try and start a fire in firebox and see how it works. Won't be able to try out the pans though as a bit to wet for that. Have added more water purification tablets to my supplies and I bought a tin called Let's get Crafting by Ladybird(reduced in Am@zons deals of the week, last week to £3.89), worth it for the tin alone, packed full of crafty things for little ones, so perfect for DGC and tin is going to be re-purposed to hold the Fire-sticks, matches, a fire steel and anything else I can fit in it, so all will be in one place and stay dry.

Not used my Dutch oven yet, waiting till its colder and perfect for stews etc.

I personally feel better knowing I can provide for my family indoors or out hot drinks, hot food and heat. I bought these out of birthday money I was given and am happy I was able to do so.

I have to get organised and get grab bags done again as emptied them a few months ago to wash clothes and replace bits and not filled them up again.

fuddle

I've been looking at a pocket stove. It's around £20 and is multi fuel. I don't really prep for if we have to leave, although I have the makings of a BOB, I more prep for being stuck in my home.

With this, like you pah I know that with some dried sticks, dried leaves, or any camping fire starters I can re-heat things in the garden and boil water. This is my way of having peace of mind and being able to afford it. I do envy all your birthday presents though pah I would love a ghillie and especially an ozpig but it's just not going to happen any time soon.

Anyway, as I'm a proactive person I will look out for bits of wood, sticks, mossy stuffs that I can dry out and store ready

GreyQueen

Fuddle, if you can find a downed tree which has rotted the soft decayed wood (it's called punk, believe it or not) is excellent tinder. So are some fungi.

valk_scot

I presume with all this talk of fancy stoves everyone knows they can make a perfectly acceptable temporary firepit from an old metal Roses tin with holes punched in the sides and the mesh out the grill pan? Or a ring of stones or bricks and an oven shelf? For cooking for large numbers an oil drum split in half lengthways and a couple of oven shelves are great too and you can have a hot and simmer zone if required.

If you're going the ready-made route keep an eye open for really cheap reduced BBQ items. The Value BBQ from Tesco used to be a favourite amongst campers for an easy to carry small firepit. A used disposable BBQ tray makes a good firepit too.

Drier fluff is good for firestarting btw, and shredded newspaper. It's important to learn how to start a fire, you want a small hot fire to start with and then build a pyramid of dried twigs or tight newspaper twists over it, then the bigger things. The air gaps are as important as the fuel elements. I used to use empty cereal boxes as firestarters for my allotment incinerator, stuffed with loosely screwed up newspaper and a few air holes punched in the box.

thriftwizard

It's important to learn how to start a fire

Couldn't agree more! And it's also a frugal skill - I can't watch my poor old DH, who never got to be a cub or scout, trying to light our little potbelly BBQ stove or the open fire - there'll generally be a whole box of matches going up in flames before it catches!

I've spent the last week preparing for the county agricultural show & the weekend demonstrating at it. I was doing cordmaking (amongst other things) and have to say it reminded me of another prep skill everyone should learn; like building a fire, it's relatively easy to master but a potential lifesaver. Knots. 9 out of 10 people I worked with had no idea how to tie a reef knot (that's the left-over-right, right-over-left one, also sometimes called a square knot) or even an overhand knot. Most of the ones who did had been Scouts, Brownies or sailors, but sadly many of those who had had forgotten how to do them. Yet it's not hard - easier than knitting, if you ask me - and it can make a world of difference as to whether your yarn stays joined, the guy ropes stay attached to your tent, your tarpaulin stays put or blows away, or your bait stays on your crab reel!

If I had to make a list of essential prep skills - sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, haven't read right through yet - knotting would be right up there with fire laying & first aid, followed closely by basic plant ID, map reading & sheltermaking, bearing in mind that you might not be at home when an emergency occurs.