Things to come,,,,,,,,

Greetings!!

This will be a short post today, I have so much to get done.  As I told you last week my freezer died with a large amount of food in it.  I managed to get get most of the food into the freezer in the refrigerator, a back up small refrigerator and my electric cooler.  I did give away a few things to some folks who could really use the help.  Yesterday I roasted 6 whole chickens and picked the meat off the bones.  I saved the broth and refrigerated both it and the meat.  Today I am washing canning jars and my pressure canner to get it ready for canning tomorrow.  I hope to remember to take some pictures of the process for posting next week.

Once the chicken is done I will be working on the tomatoes.  I had several bags of Roma tomatoes from my garden last year that I had frozen.  I did not have time to can them last year as I was in the process of moving.  Now I have no choice.  They are thawing and need something done with them.  I plan on making spaghetti sauce and perhaps some stewed tomatoes to can.  Again I will try to take some pictures of the process and post them.

I was going to start canning the chicken today and then remembered I need to make a trip to the grocery store as it is discount day and I can use that extra 10%.  I did not want to have a mess in the kitchen and have to go out so decided to wait until tomorrow to can.  Besides, it is a hot humid day today and tomorrow is predicted to be much cooler.

So, the things to come are pictures and descriptions of canning meat and tomatoes, LOL.

About a half hour ago the monthly emergency siren test was sounded.  It reminded me of how many emergencies can come up in our lives each day.  And how important it is to always be prepared.  I have a basic first aid kit in the car and one in the house for minor injuries.  There is always extra food stocked up in the pantry that is rotated out so it does not go out of date.  I also have water stored in large jugs to use for cooking, cleaning and drinking.  The water is also rotated out so it does not get stale or go rancid.  I feel blessed to have a good sized pantry room in my basement to stock up for emergencies.  I have extra soaps, detergents, paper products, bleach, shampoo, etc.  Every need can be met for several months if need be.  Including supplies for my pets.

The area that I live in in Illinois is subject to tornadoes, ice storms and sometimes large amounts of snow, also flooding, so being prepared is surely a necessary.  A few years back an ice storm left some of my neighbors without utilities for 2 weeks.  Because of the ice it was difficult to get around for a few days and to go shopping for food and supplies.  I did not have to worry because I had a full pantry and a back up plan!!  I hope everyone is prepared when need be.

Until next time,,,,,,,Blessings!!