What Preps are you doing this week? Part 12

[mcprepper]

Ordered replacement rubber seals for all our PVC doors and windows. The old stuff has lost elasticity and lets lots of draughts in. We tried the sticky stuff on a roll, but it was rubbish.
Primarily an energy saving effort, but this should also help seal against nuclear fallout, should that be needed.
A straightforward DIY job, once we'd identified the right moulding.

That is a job very high on our ‘to do’ list but one we keep putting off due to ‘faff’ factor.
I’m sure it would make a big difference to our energy bills and you make a great point about sealing any nuclear nasties out - I’d always assumed I’d be reaching for the duck tape in that scenario!

[Sarini]

I have been building a new run for the chickens. I wasn't sure if we were going to enjoy keeping chickens but it's been good so they can stay i'm upgrading their home and also have ordered some temporary fencing stuff so I can increase their space during the day but they will no longer have access to the entire garden...they really do poop everywhere and I'm hoping to get some good veg growing this year.

I'm also half way through building a new greenhouse (one of those cheap ones, basically a tarp over a frame). I've sited it next to a shed so hopefully it'll be wind protected. Its only a small one. When we had one before my husband fretted any time we had a storm or wind over 30mph because the wind smashed a few glass panes on the one that was here when we move in and slowly destroyed the polycarbonate replacement we bought.

I'm half way through on both jobs hut should be done over the next few days. I used to really go for it and completely knacker myself. I'm trying the strategy on slow and steady and just doing an hour or two at a time.

I also did a bigger food shop and had a good tidy of the pantry and bought extra tinned things to plug some gaps. I ordered more garden supplies. I always tried to make do before,, cobbling together frames from too short, broken garden canes etc. I'm hoping that with a bit more kit I can do a better job and enjoy it more this year.

I'm trying not to lose the plot but I am getting increasingly concerned from what I'm seeing on the news

[jennyjj01]

Ordered replacement rubber seals for all our PVC doors and windows.

That is a job very high on our ‘to do’ list but one we keep putting off due to ‘faff’ factor.

We practiced on one small window. Though we messed about removing glass unit un-necessarily, ultimately it's an easy job which can be phased. Doing upstairs might be a bit harem scarem up ladders.
Prep #2, increase life cover on Mr JJ

[Adjee]

I have been building a new run for the chickens. I wasn't sure if we were going to enjoy keeping chickens but it's been good so they can stay i'm upgrading their home and also have ordered some temporary fencing stuff so I can increase their space during the day but they will no longer have access to the entire garden...they really do poop everywhere and I'm hoping to get some good veg growing this year.

Consider electric poultry netting powered by a solar energizer it allows you to move the birds around to naturally fertilize different areas especially if you put a small compost bin in the enclosure as they will dig it over for you. It works a treat.

Preps here .....expected temperatures this week, during the day @ -7c. at night down to -15c (not including the wind chill factor), expected snowfall @ 2 foot (so far it is about a foot deep). So we have extra bedding bagged and ready to put in for the new born goat kids and rabbit kits. Extra insulation and food to add to the hives. Split the muscovy pen as they have started sitting the last couple of days. Butternuts up from the cold cellar to turn into a warm mash for all the birds and animals.

We aim to empty another draw of the fruit freezer by making compotes, jams and syrup and continue pressure canning from the meat freezer. Then finally we have all the cockerels from our last hatching to dispatch and turn into cat/dog food.

[Muxley]

This morning was set aside for seasoning a couple of new cast irons pans on our ecozoom stove, a boring job really but kept me warm on a frosty morning.

[Frnc]

Just got some Reynauds gloves. Am typing in them now. Bit slow but doable. They do actually work on my trackpad and phone, which is rare for an alleged touch screen glove. Not superwarm, as they are mostly cotton, which is probably why they work on the trackpad and phone. Better than nothing though. My hands get very cold these days, often even if my room is above 20°C.

[izzy_mack]

Given the news at the moment, which I would rather not listen to or read but can't help myself, I decided that it was time for a review of my stores.

I haven't been shopping much of late and no big shops either so things were much worse than I feared. So today I'm tidying up and shuffling shortest dates into the using cupboards and making notes Have drawn up a huge shopping list and will probably be spending a large amount of time tomorrow in the supermarkets.

Once I've got that done it's the garden next. I have made a start and sown a few seeds but need to get going with more. loads of weeding to do too. Fingers crossed for good weather and as few aches and pains as possible

[pseudonym]

Arriving today some more main meal MREs only.
Don't need what comes in a full ration pack and I know what meal I am getting.

A couple of new ones for me so if I like them bulk order will follow.

Ordered some more new recipe ones as above,as well as some old favourites.

Sweet and sour chicken
Lancashire hot pot
Sausage casserole
Steak Veg and dumplings

[diamond lil]

Lancashire hotpot sounds nice pseud - is that made with lamb or beef?

[pseudonym]

Lancashire hotpot sounds nice pseud - is that made with lamb or beef?

Mutton lil.

So old skool for a Military Ration

Nice to see some "UK Meals" still being available.

Although tastes have changed over the decades the introduction of vegetarian, vegan, halal et al meals has come at the expense of comfort foods.

Don't get me wrong, the flavours of all types mentioned above are great, a taste of home Nations cooking is sometimes missed.

I for one can't stand granola or oatmeal for breakfast so always packed a shepherds pie for brekkie.

I got some weird looks from people around me as they added honey to theirs whilst I splashed in some Worcestershire sauce