tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post125637103441458570..comments2024-03-26T00:26:19.756-07:00Comments on The Bluebirds are Nesting...: Pantries and Preparedness with Glenda. Making things last as long as possible.Annabelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70853995247675909962017-04-19T19:02:43.845-07:002017-04-19T19:02:43.845-07:00Dear Kelsey, Glenda just told me this:
Rehydrating...Dear Kelsey, Glenda just told me this:<br />Rehydrating is very easy. I primarily use dehydrated potatoes in soups, stews, casseroles, and for scalloped potatoes. They can, also, be used for mashed potatoes, which we don't eat very often. I just put the dehydrated potatoes right into the casseroles, soups, and stews and they rehydrate while the dish is cooking. I make the scalloped potatoes as per the recipe and, again, they rehydrate with the liquid in the recipe. All dehydrated vegetables can just be added dry and they rehydrate and finish cooking with the liquid in the dish while it is cooking.<br /> I, personally, have never made mashed potatoes with them, but, if I did, I would just rehydrate them by cooking in some warm water, just as if I was cooking potatoes, but keeping in mind that they are already like frozen vegetables and partially cooked. After they are rehydrated and tender, I would add the butter, milk, and seasoning and whip them just like fresh potatoes.<br />I hope that helps. The potatoes are such a bargain. Personally I make a lot of meat pies... first I use the crockpot to make a meat casserole then I use puff pastry to make the left overs into pies. A mashed potato topping is beautiful on a pie and this freezes very well. They are yum. So that would be another way to use up potatoes as well.xxx<br />Annabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-33253722224661015002017-04-19T14:33:15.435-07:002017-04-19T14:33:15.435-07:00Thank you, Maria! Yes, I am doing well, though I a...Thank you, Maria! Yes, I am doing well, though I am starting to slow down quite a bit. Only three months left to go! Thank you for your thoughts.<br />Love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-15481992113082432017-04-19T14:14:41.033-07:002017-04-19T14:14:41.033-07:00Hahaha! Well I like to retain a bit of mystery ;-)...Hahaha! Well I like to retain a bit of mystery ;-)Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70142632923738675102017-04-19T02:56:09.140-07:002017-04-19T02:56:09.140-07:00Thankyou Annabel and Glenda for your interesting p...Thankyou Annabel and Glenda for your interesting post and ideas. Im a city girl so not much preserving or such like goes on but I find it interesting to read about all you hard work. <br />Amongst my family and friends though I am the one who has stored water since my early married life,and added to that idea when we moved into this bigger house over 30 years ago.<br />Inspired by you all I cleaned out my small kitchen freeze yesterday and small chest freezer in our garage (which is a cool place btw ).Pulled out the spare pantry items (also small next to some here) and updated my stocks and lists so Im happy that job is done.Everything looks so much tidier.<br />Kelsey , thinking of you and hope you are keeping well.<br />Love Maria xxxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-20763498146157267942017-04-18T22:16:28.864-07:002017-04-18T22:16:28.864-07:00Dear Teri,
Thank you so much!
It is interesting ab...Dear Teri,<br />Thank you so much!<br />It is interesting about the differences in our climates, humidity etc. We vary greatly! Here it is fairly dry climate and we don't go below zero usually. I think humidity would change a lot of things so would freezing temperatures. It is so good that we can all share and learn so much. Thank you for being so helpful! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-37328112366025795642017-04-18T22:14:11.394-07:002017-04-18T22:14:11.394-07:00Dear Kelsey,
It is really good to be well stocked ...Dear Kelsey,<br />It is really good to be well stocked up before the baby comes. I will leave it to Glenda to advise on the potatoes... what amazing prices! I would want to take advantage of those too!<br />I am glad you like my clothesline! Thank you! I keep telling Andy how much everyone likes it!<br />I hope your week is going well! With love, Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-73598874712440629612017-04-18T22:11:59.209-07:002017-04-18T22:11:59.209-07:00Well Mimi I never knew that! Wow no wonder you ar...Well Mimi I never knew that! Wow no wonder you are so organised in your home and things like this... I knew your Mum was very wise with her ways and you have carried that on. How interesting! <br />I am glad you like my clothesline! <br />Ok Mimi I think I am going to pester you to share more about the stuff your Mum taught you... so interesting! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-70962686920518177422017-04-18T22:03:57.865-07:002017-04-18T22:03:57.865-07:00Dear Sarah, Thank you for your comment! I have bee...Dear Sarah, Thank you for your comment! I have been reading on the US gov sites and what they require you to store etc and I think it is really good that they do encourage people to do that. Yes interesting that it is being promoted on TV ads I didn't know that! I think I would take it that yes they want you doing this and find that rather motivating! <br />Interesting! Thanks for telling me this! With love Annabel.xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-65958779877648606762017-04-18T19:27:30.201-07:002017-04-18T19:27:30.201-07:00Dear Annabel and Glenda,
Thank you so much for the...Dear Annabel and Glenda,<br />Thank you so much for the informative posts, and everyone else for the comments. We can definitely learn so much from each other and through the comments.<br /> Over the Easter weekend, we had an opportunity to watch tv (we don't have one at home) and we saw a commercial put out by U.S. Homeland Security about being prepared and it shared its website www.ready.gov. I had never seen a commercial telling people to be prepared before. It was a little jarring. I mean it is one thing to think that yourself, but when the government is telling you to be, it is a little disconcerting. I don't know if these commercials have been around very long as this was the first one we had seen, but yeah. I think we will carry on.Sarahhttps://www.facebook.com/budgetcooking101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-79442029885102919522017-04-18T18:31:23.207-07:002017-04-18T18:31:23.207-07:00What a great informative post Glenda and Annabel. ...What a great informative post Glenda and Annabel. Thankyou! It may interest some of you who don't know me well, that I was baptised into the Church of Latter Day Saints at the age of 11, so much of what I am learning here is gentle reminders and nudges in the right direction now that my Mother is no longer with us. I have chosen in later life to practice my faith more privately, but the life lessons from the church, remain strong. Having a frugal single Mum helped us all see that having a well tuned stockpile was important as well, but I see through following Patsy, Annabel, and the Bluebirds, that there are things even I did not know. That trick with putting lavender into canning jars to maintain the intensity of the scent is mind blowing! Have a great week everyone, and Kelsey all the best for babys' safe arrival. Annabel..your clothesline? Sublime. Love very much. Mimi xxxMimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-18952089038293601022017-04-18T15:58:35.633-07:002017-04-18T15:58:35.633-07:00Dear Annabel and Glenda,
Thank you for this infor...Dear Annabel and Glenda,<br /> Thank you for this informative post! I love my vacuum sealer and use it for the same things. To seal powders in jars, I place a coffee filter on top of the powder and that seems to work well. <br />I am due for a trip to Sam's Club and need to make a list. I want to do a stock up before Baby Bluebird arrives! My pantry and freezer need to be cleaned out and I will take inventory and make my list from that.<br />Glenda, I am very interested in the dehydrated potatoes. Our local store runs specials every so often on potatoes and I can get ten pounds for $2. That is such a good deal but I don't always use them up in time. Can you tell me how you reconstitute them after they have been dehydrated?<br /> I didn't comment on Friday, but Annabel, you have the most beautiful clothesline I have ever seen! Please tell Andy we all say well done!<br />With love, KelseyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-5135855669489732912017-04-18T09:42:41.642-07:002017-04-18T09:42:41.642-07:00Dear Annabel and Glenda, Thank you once again for...Dear Annabel and Glenda, Thank you once again for sharing so much information on food storage. I do continue to learn. Annabel, you are reaching so many people with all this wonderful information. Thank you for taking the time to share these posts plus all the other posts!! :)<br /><br />Glenda, sorry I didn't comment to you last night. I was trying to get this done but got interrupted. LOL Until you started talking about your bulk buys being sealed in jars, I didn't do much of this. I did seal some food (corn flakes, beans, etc.) when I opened a bag/box. But never thought to repackage when I brought them home. This has made me rethink how I store my dry foods. Most of my dehydrated foods are stored in jars (not sealed) or in clean used #10 cans. I've never had any issues but now know to start doing my food storage differently. :) We do live in dry climate now, and keep the majority in the basement (dry, dark and cool). Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. :)<br /><br />Hope all you wonderful bluebirds have a great week!! Keep working on your pantries!! Love, TeriTeri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-64137343840726003252017-04-18T07:08:38.011-07:002017-04-18T07:08:38.011-07:00Thank you, Jen. I appreciate your comment.
Many bl...Thank you, Jen. I appreciate your comment.<br />Many blessings to you,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-55101250775507330302017-04-18T06:14:06.375-07:002017-04-18T06:14:06.375-07:00Thank you, Kelley, for your very kind comment.
Sen...Thank you, Kelley, for your very kind comment.<br />Sending you a big hug,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-61587398986659811252017-04-18T05:43:08.598-07:002017-04-18T05:43:08.598-07:00Very helpful information, Glenda...thank you for s...Very helpful information, Glenda...thank you for sharing! I am dying to see your finished bathroom, Annabel!! (Though I imagine not as much as you are...ha, ha!) <br /><br />xx Jen in NSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-80300002056643742392017-04-18T05:12:39.922-07:002017-04-18T05:12:39.922-07:00Glenda,
Oh, how you help us, every time. Wise, w...Glenda,<br /><br />Oh, how you help us, every time. Wise, wise advice and tips.<br /><br />*hugs*<br />~KelleyMrs. Kelley Dibblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04192189624517973551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-87863293606801385502017-04-18T03:22:12.597-07:002017-04-18T03:22:12.597-07:00Dear Glenda and Teri,
Thank you both for your very...Dear Glenda and Teri,<br />Thank you both for your very helpful advice. Blessings, CookieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-35743997865639230272017-04-17T20:36:13.727-07:002017-04-17T20:36:13.727-07:00Annabel,I just wanted to add that you can no longe...Annabel,I just wanted to add that you can no longer go to the LDS store house and can dry foods in #10 cans. You can, however, go there and buy it already in the #10 cans. You can no longer buy the bulk 25 pound bags of beans, sugar, etc. And if you don't have a store house in your area, you can order online. Teri Teri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-85516595667883499032017-04-17T20:32:09.082-07:002017-04-17T20:32:09.082-07:00Cookie, I have dehydrated cooked turkey, chicken a...Cookie, I have dehydrated cooked turkey, chicken and beef. The meat needs to be cooked first before putting it into the dehydrator. I ended up over-drying it and didn't like the results. This was a couple years ago. If you get your meat properly dried, vacuum seal it, it should work great. I will have to try that again. lol I do suggest doing research on dehydrating cooked meat/poultry.<br /><br />When I freeze cream cheese, I then use it to bake/cook with. It does change the texture some but I have used it in cream cheese frosting with success. I have also kept cream cheese, unopened, in the frig for over a year, and it was fine to use on bagels, toast, etc. or to cook with.<br /><br />And I always shred my own cheese. We don't care for the pre-shredded packages of cheese. I also cube cheese and freeze it that way to toss into white sauce, etc. Hope this helps! Teri :)Teri Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-23661237907300707472017-04-17T18:27:43.722-07:002017-04-17T18:27:43.722-07:00Hi Vicky,
Good way to stock up on cheese. We us...Hi Vicky,<br /> Good way to stock up on cheese. We used to buy the Tillamook in blocks, also, but when Smith's has it on sale it is less expensive and already shredded :). I still buy some organic cheeses in blocks and shred them here at home.<br />Thanks for commenting and sharing. You have a lot of good advice for people and years of experience. <br />Love and hugs,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-64971853060127754492017-04-17T18:23:07.933-07:002017-04-17T18:23:07.933-07:00Hi Cookie,
Good questions!!
I shred the chee...Hi Cookie,<br /> Good questions!!<br /> I shred the cheese or slice it first then freeze it. If slicing it and freezing it, put wax paper between the slices, so when it thaws they don't stick together.<br /> Absolutely, you can shred it yourself. We've done that often when the cost is more effective that way.<br /> I have frozen cream cheese, also, and after a couple of months it comes out crumbly. There is nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't work for things like cream cheese icing. It works great for Amish overnight blueberry French toast :).<br /> We usually buy cream cheese at Sam's Club when it goes on $ off discount. Sometimes, they will have it for $2 off per eight pack. When they do I bring it home and vacuum seal it, then put it in the refrigerator. I've had it last, at least, nine months that way.<br /> I have never dehydrated meat, but it sounds really interesting and useful. If you do this and it works good would you please share the outcome and how you did it with us?<br /> Thank you so much for your comment and questions.<br />Many blessings to you,<br />GlendaGlendanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-18675669606462807572017-04-17T18:02:43.096-07:002017-04-17T18:02:43.096-07:00Hello! I believe it is Latter Day Saints. The Morm...Hello! I believe it is Latter Day Saints. The Mormon Church :)Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12189100084557458199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-39821783629644742332017-04-17T17:44:26.617-07:002017-04-17T17:44:26.617-07:00LDS is Latter Day Saints. They have amazing websit...LDS is Latter Day Saints. They have amazing websites and in the US places you can go and can your food for no cost. They are extremely organised and informative and also generous in their sharing and education in the whole area of food storage. I follow many LDS blogs i.e. The Prudent Homemaker. If you just google food storage information or blogs many will be LDS. However hey are considered the experts pretty much as it is part of their beliefs that everyone has one year of reserves of food and goods for survival. Having done this for years they are good at it. Some of our Bluebirds are LDS Bluebirds too and buy are they wonderful as they know so much about this. A very good resource! Hope that explains it! xxxAnnabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09027539528156492413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-81324983606985689902017-04-17T12:34:15.926-07:002017-04-17T12:34:15.926-07:00What is the LDS website?What is the LDS website?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5879795385972045418.post-6148452940319355332017-04-17T10:47:15.156-07:002017-04-17T10:47:15.156-07:00Annabel and Glenda,
This is a great post! Just las...Annabel and Glenda,<br />This is a great post! Just last week I sliced and vacuum sealed 5 pounds of mozzarella. We use a lot of it and Rick loves all kinds of cheese so we buy it at it's cheapest price and sometimes that is blocks so the slicing or shredding I do here at home. LOL everyone knows how I love buckets and have several of them filled to the brim! Thank you for sharing such good things! <br />XOXO<br />VickyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com