What preps are you doing this week? part 2.

[Deeps]

Is this your neighbours cat Briggs?

"I know nothing about the whereabouts of the neighbour's cat, I haven't seen it for weeks, officer".

Enough of these cat shenanigans, hows 'Das Boot' coming along, you've had a day so I imagine the trim bilge and ballast system is in place.

[MissPrep]

Bought 2 of these to sort/store batteries in
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00ZGSDKLM & really pleased even though they don't hold all of them.

One for single use batteries, one full of charged rechargeable batteries & I've got a box below them to keep the ones waiting to be recharged.

[junmist]

Had a cheap jay bed with a thin mattress single duvet on top of that then the sleeping bag and the dog.
This weekend will be trying a friends horse box nice thick mattress though I have to climb up to it some how as the ladder has been lost lol and getting the dog up there is going to be a problem she may be small but god is she heavy.

Horse boxes are pretty cool aren't they? I remember seeing one online that had been converted to a plush bathroom complete with wood-fired hot water system.

If only this one was blasted cold thought about making a bid for the shed again, But did enjoy the nice thick mattress . But I loved the space and did a make over in my head lol Next week its the shed and being warm again.

[whenfires]

Had a gap in my first aid kit(s), i.e. burn gel, so just ordered a selection from here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180680350726

Handy because they sell sachets, small 50ml bottles and a larger 125ml bottle for the house.

[Decaff]

Today I canned 11 jars of swede, made a huge beef stew for dinner tonight and bought mushrooms to can tomorrow.

Going to Aldi tomorrow as they have Butternut Squash for 59 pence each vs sainsburys £1.50 each. Plums are also 59 pence for 400g, apples, asparagus, kale and chestnut mushrooms are also just 59 pence per pack!!! Bargains to be had and canned.

[MissPrep]

Pears worked out really well for me when I canned them last year. I did conference pears as they are the only ones we eat.

[Decaff]

Pears worked out really well for me when I canned them last year. I did conference pears as they are the only ones we eat.

Mmm conference are my favourite, so juicy! Did you can in simple syrup? Going to can the plums and the mushrooms tomorrow and the six butternut squash on Friday.

[MissPrep]

Yes, nothing fancy or complicated, just a light syrup.
I don't actually eat tinned fruit, but stuff I've canned is another matter.
Hope you are still having fun with your canner
Think mine is one of the best things I've ever bought.

If you are using Kilner Jars, watch out for when they have sales at Dunhelm Mill, as I've often picked up the replacement lids for less than £1 a pack (not always, but usually cheaper than I see them anywhere else)

[Decaff]

Yes, nothing fancy or complicated, just a light syrup.
I don't actually eat tinned fruit, but stuff I've canned is another matter.
Hope you are still having fun with your canner
Think mine is one of the best things I've ever bought.

If you are using Kilner Jars, watch out for when they have sales at Dunhelm Mill, as I've often picked up the replacement lids for less than £1 a pack (not always, but usually cheaper than I see them anywhere else)

I have my dried goods in kilner jars but was under the impression that you couldn't pressure can with them? I've been using the Ball Mason jars and have to say comparing the glass to the Kilner jars, Ball seem to be excellent quality, sometimes the Kilner glass looks uneven thickness and have faults in them. I may use them for water bath canning though.

Loving my canner, the only equipment I'm missing now is a food saver where you can attach the tube to seal jars of dried goods!

[featherstick]

Made another 20 jars of chutney, this was pumpkin and apple, post-Halloween. I've made over 130 jars of jam and chutney this year, I think I've lost my sense of proportion a bit.