AMarthaByHeart

Your welcome. It was my pleasure. I am now in the process of reinventorying everything. I have let some of my stuff expire and run out of some things during the past few months. Your book inspired me to get with it again . It was not all blood and guts, and I could relate to it more. I do realize it will be very bad when the SHTF but do not want dwell on that right now.

TMC-- Chapter 12 is where I didn't want to put it down. Now, I am on chapter 28. ( I had to have Christmas with brothers and spouses today.) Not much more to go so I am saying to go ahead and hurry on the next book amongest all of the other things you do. The tease on the new book already has me wondering what in the world is going on. Great work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jeepers is right. It is making me rethink some things.

Got my book yesterday from Amazon. I have finished the first five chapters. It is an easy read and Ellie is one independent woman. So far, it is great and am really enjoying it. Will report again after a few more chapters. I will not give out any details but it is also informative. Thanks.

Got email from amazon--won't get book until Jan. 3. Rats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, I will continue my inventory next week. I have had to use some of my preps which was nice to have on hand. What surprised me is how much we have used since before Thanksgiving. Even my sons were impressed. I will be done by Jan. 3. Then I will be able to relax, enjoy and read.

TMC--I just ordered your book. I sounds great and entertaining. It will be here after Christmas so I will have something to kick back and read next week. Then I reread your post--about DH reading your book and learned about the next book being a sequel. Are you telling me there is a cliff hanger? I love them except please don't make me wait a year before the next one is published like a lot of series do. Congrats on your success. Article in Grit was excellent. My brothers also sold Grit around our little country town, pulling a wagon as they looked for empty coke bottles. P.S. I am in agreement about your picture. Your are a very attractive author who is making all of us at Mrs. Survival very proud.

A homemade hoagie and salad. Grandson is here--helped to make sandwich. He won't eat it but loves to help.

We are now on our 68th day of over 100 degree weather since middle of May, with no relief in sight. It is easier to cool off than to get warm. We put a towel on the bottom window sill in the winter and also roll a towel and put it at the bottom of the door. This can easily be moved if needed to make an fast exit. We have a lot of wind in Central West Texas. We also thumb tack around the edge of my thermal curtains to keep the air out. Across the top of window, we also use a large towel. DS used duct tape on the bubble wrap in his travel trailer. He said it made a world of difference. After baking, we always leave the oven door open. Wonderful suggestions. Our winters are mild compared to some of yours. The bad thing is that we are not equipped for icy or snowy weather. We did lose power last winter and used some of the great suggestions that were on Mrs. S. At least, I have food preps nearly ready but need to get some wood. Thanks for the reminder of a soon-coming winter, although our first freeze usually doesn't come until late Nov. or early Dec.

Right on Jeepers!!!!!!!!!! Today, I canned 14 quarts of beef vegetable soup. It sure will be good this winter (not today though--106 is too hot for soup).

Thanks for asking and suggesting that I contact Violet. As usual, she came through and was very encouraging. She answered all my questions promptly. After I started canning again, it started coming back to me. I did do everything according to the proper instructions. I canned 16 pints of chicken, 16 pints of seasoned hamburger, and 14 pints of sausage. My next project is spaghetti sauce, chili, vegetable beef soup, and chicken soup. Oh,yes, I am going to make some Apple Butter. Homemade is so much better than store bought. We did get a new freezer and got it loaded this morning. It was too hot in the garage yesterday. We have fans going and leave the door up half way but still too hot by 2 or 3. I guess things come in threes. Our TV in our bedroom went out Sunday night(DH now wants a HDTV--I think it is a waste of money, but he loves his TV at night.) Now our dishwasher is going out. He loads and unloads it so he is ready to get a new one. Well, at least that is our three things, so no more. :laughkick:

Help!!! freezer is trying to go out. I had just restocked it with meat. It is still cooling, just not letting things freeze entirely. It finally dawned on me that it is 22 years old. It still looks new so I guess I forgot. I have been talking about getting back to canning ever since I have been on here but it seems something always got in the way. I have really been into dehydrating but now it seems I have no choice but to start canning again. I had forgotten what fun I used to have. Today, I have canned 14 pints of chicken to use for soups. Violet I used buillon cubes like you said. Now my questions are: I have 50 lbs. of cooked hamburger meat with 2 c. in a bag. Can I thaw it out and can it? plain, chili, beef soup, spagetti sauce, other suggestions, etc. How would it taste? 1 also have 40 lbs. of seasoned chicken I had cooked and froze/2 c. to a bag. How would it do thawed and canned? Can I use frozen vegetables or would fresh be best. Because I have so much to can, I just thought that frozen would be faster. Other suggestions besides soup. Please tell be how to find Darlene's chicken soup recipe. I looked and could not find it. Next, I just bought 20 lbs. regular Jimmy Dean Sausage. It is partially frozen. Can I cook it, drain and then can it? What kind of broth would I use? One book said to put water in the leftover grease and pour it over it to can? To me, that didn't sound right. I could do crumbles so I could use it in sauces. I looked on Violet's website that she is always recommending. It sounds sort of like you do hamburger. My concern was the grease residue. I would drain it. Has anyone tasted it and does it taste normal? other sugestions on what to do with it? I have looked in the canning section for ideas but don't have a lot of time. Pleae any help at all would be appreciated. I had forgotten how much fun it was and how good if feels to see things in a jar. I guess I look at this at sort of a prelude to wtshtf, maybe a warning of sorts. If we had no electricity, I would feel panicked like I did this morning when I suspected we might have a problem. I could not start canning till this afternoon since I had my little GS. We played outside all morning until it got too hot. We are going to get another freezer but I still need to do something with all of this first. We will look possibly tomorrow. By the way, so far my ceramic glass top is doing alright. Thanks!

Apples with cinnamon sprinkled on them. They sure are good. Our Walmart had strawberries on sale for $1.00 a lb. They are next. I had been lax at dehydrating fruit. I finally learned that fresh fruit is better than frozen. Now I am trying to get caught up.

Good ones also. AH. Now I am going to use these on my grandkids. They are always sending be shortcuts, then they have to send me the meanings. Now I can get even. :laughkick:

Dee--how do you make corn meal mush? I have never heard of it but does sound good.

I went to Academy today and found replacement 14", 16", 18" 20" round grill racks for $.88 @. What a buy! They can always be used for something.

Does anyone have suggestions for deyhydrating fruits? My bananas and apples are fine but berries, cherries, etc. always turn out sticky. My veggies are usually okay, also. What am I doing wrong? I watched the dehydrated2store shows but they don't seem to help. Bought dehydrated or freeze dried fruit is to expensive to buy. Help please.

CAT, WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eclipsee_Victoria:

Happy late birthday, Michael. 60 is not bad even though my grandson,11, does really think it is 'pretty old.' Sad to say--I look and feel my age sometimes. Oh well, that is life.

I saw the post from Amishway Homesteader and agree with him. I thoroughly enjoyed the adventure and learn a lot to boot. We have missed you all but realize that this has been a very busy summer for most. Mother--how are you doing? Annarchy checked in and AH did. Thank you. We know that Mt. Rider is recovering from her escapades a few days ago. Where are you Quilty, Daylily, CeeGee, Mommato3boys...........................I have missed you and hope that all is well. I know that I left someone out. It was not intentional. At my age, I am getting forgetful (60). At least that is what I keep telling my kids. Take care and stay safe.

CeeGee--I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Prayers are being lifted up for you.

Quilty, I am glad you are ok. We missed you. Take care and don't over do it.

Daylily, it was great to see another post for Wagon Ho. I miss everyone and all the happenings---Mt.Rider and the arrival of her family, Annarchy and all of the goings on, MT3B and the wedding plans and the fighting couple, Quilty and her funny sense of humor, Cee Gee and the goings on with your family. I know I am probably leaving someone out. How about another letter from Leah with how things are going out where she is? I know this is getting to be a busy time for everyone but, low and behold, I miss ya'll. Mother you are still in my prayers. I hope everyone is well and things are going smoothly.

Mother-- I will be praying for you. May the Lord's healing hand be upon you in the days ahead and your health improves. May His strength, grace and mercy descend upon you as He gives you wisdom in what you should do. Please take care of yourself.

Thanks Amishway. I will make some and try it.

Mother--after having a stomach virus, I have been eating yogurt. Is there anything else that I can do naturally to restore the proper bacteria? I am trying to do things more naturally without popping a bunch of pills and letting nature run its course. Being a diabetic, I did have to be careful. I ate applesauce and toast and checked my blood sugar. I guess I am trying to get back to the old fashioned ways.

Quilty--please reconsider. This has been very educational. With the world seemingly to be in crisis, this has become a highlight of my day. I know with a very busy time of the year coming, you will be very busy. But if you can find it in your heart to continue, please do. I do know what you meant when Mother and her family left the valley. It was like a very dear friend was leaving. Even thought I don't know you guys, I have come to care deeply about you all and wish you the best.