Titus 2 Homemakers
The Barn and Fields => Preparing for Winter and Disasters => : Shelly September 16, 2013, 03:12:59 PM
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I've had this feeling that we might get hit hard here in the rockies this winter...or possibly something else sooner. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly. We lost power last year a few times last year due to snow, but this coming winter is supposed to be a lot worse. This nagging feeling got to me and I picked up a few things while out today.
I got about 20 pounds of chicken that I'm going the pressure can today and tomorrow into broth and chunked meat.
10 pounds of apples that i'm going to turn into apple sauce.
A water purifier (portable) - This was about $30 at walmart
Canned veggies and fruits
4 propane tanks for our little camping stove
6 taper candles that I plan to use with our mason jar holder - This here: http://www.amazon.com/Mason-Jar-Taper-Candle-Holder/dp/B006U6EV1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379365658&sr=8-1&keywords=mason+jar+taper
a package of 16 votives
oil for our lamps
powdered whole milk for the kids
jars to can our concords when they are ready in a couple weeks
case of diapers - for when I can't wash our cloth
I haven't been able to shake this feeling that we need to prepare. I feel a lot better now that we have some things stocked up. I still need to get warm jammies for the kids, some flats of drinking water, and some snow pants for the kids.
My biggest hurdle is heat. We were without heat last year due to a broken furnace that took about 2 weeks to replace. That was awful and we even had some space heaters going 24/7. If we lose power, we wouldn't even have that. It was 45 - 50F in our house during that time. We don't have a fireplace or a wood burning stove or anything. Not many options there.
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Great start! You've definitely got me thinking :)
Mandy
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Shelly, I think what you have done is a very wise thing to do. Kevin and I both have a feeling that this winter is going to be rough. He said this weekend he will get the kerosene heater out, burn off the old kerosene and get it ready for this winter with fresh kerosene. I do not like burning the kerosene heater, but if we lose power in our little house, we will have no heat at all. We bought this heater a couple of years ago. So far only had to use it once for just a few hours. We both remember vividly the 2007 ice storm when everyone in our area was without power for days. We had no power for a full 7 days. Thankfully, we were burning wood at that time and was able to keep the house warm. We also have lanterns so we will have light. We bought an inverter to keep the freezers going in 2007. We do have a small and large generator. Did not have that in 2007. :D
As far as food goes, we could last for a while with what he always keep on hand. I buy dried pinto beans in 20 lb bags. I always keep brown rice on hand and some gluten free pasta. We have lots of canned goods. We would eat perishables from the freezer first if we lost power for a long time because the amount of gas it would take for the generators would not be cheap. :( Kevin always tries to keep at least 5 gallons of gas on hand int he winter. He uses something called Stabil in it to keep it fresh.
I always have a deck of cards, fresh batteries, and some kind of handwork ready to go. I played solitary so much I was sick of it in 2007, but I did not have much hand work prepared, and didn't have enough light to read much.
Let's hope our feelings are wrong and it is a nice winter, but I am not counting on it. This is a good thread for all of us to help each other out with ideas. :)
Blessings,
Winona
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I've heard more than one person say we're in for a rough winter. I hope we're not, but better to be prepared than caught offguard.
We will go next month and do a winter stock up. I plan on getting bottled water, matches, camp stove fuel, lamp oil, extra wicks, batteries, and charcoal. I'll be adding to my list as I think of things.
Like Winona, we'd have to eat the perishables from the freezer first. I have a pretty good stock of canned goods (home canned and store bought) so we should be ok in the food department. We have a small generator but don't have any gasoline stored.
We heat with wood and we don't have near enough yet to last all winter, so that's one area we need to work on.
This is a great thread for us to share ideas.
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(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l93/leahsgarden/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/leahsgarden/media/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg.html)
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Thanks for the graphic, Leah. I heard that the Farmers' Almanac is accurate 80% of the time.
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Shelly,
I need to get motivated and get things in order here for winter....first thing is canned veggies, I managed to go through my pantry supply I had stored. I've been hoping Kroger would put their Freshlike brand at .$50 a can but it's not happened. I may just visit Aldi's and buy there.
I have lots of lamp oil stored, I love oil lamps and have many around my house. Dh has our wood supply in and its split & stacked. Our generator is ready to go, dh wired the house to easily switch to the generator if need be. I have bought several long neck lighters.
We have a 1/4 beef in the freezer, I need to buy chicken breast and bacon to freeze too.
We also need to buy the special ice melt that doesn't harm concrete.
I feel lucky I have gas range, but I may try to cook soup on top of our woodstove and see how it turns
out! I guess all in all we are mostly prepared but I will think harder on the subject and get the rest of what we need before the harsh winter sets in.
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I am really good on food but I need to buy and stock more of the following:
bottled water
oil lamps
wicks
lamp oil
lighters
toilet tissue
gas for the generator
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Shelly look into a small buddy heater they sale them at walmart and atwoods when it gets colder we have one we never had toused but then bought a second one last year when they came out with one that has a sensor on it for harmful gasses and makes it turn off or alerts you cant remember which one but they run on the little bottles of propane.
I just went thru the pantry and made a list while I was putting stuff back on the shelves we built sunday. We have a lot of green beans, peas and corn bc walmart had a 4 pack of libbys last winter for $2 hope they have that sale again. Need to stock up on a lot of other can foods since we didn't have a garden this year.
I also need more paper products, matches, lamp, oil, batteries. Man my list keeps getting longer and longer I hope hubbys work picks up.
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Thanks for the graphic, Leah. It says it will be normal precipitation in my area, but even with normal, we've lost power. ;D Anyway, maybe it's not snow, but something else? I just feel nervous this year and deciding to act on it. If I never need it, great. I guess I'll just be prepared for next summer's camping. ;)
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Marvins started a pretty good 10 for 10 sale today I picked up some today but going back tomorrow to get some Campbell's chicken and noodles, mater soup and similar items that will heat up quickly on a camp stove if we loose power figure they will be more filling that Ramen noodles yuck lol.
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I bought our first emergency-specific item yesterday, a stick lighter. We already have one or two that we keep by the fireplace, but I wanted one that was kept separate in our emergency supplies. Hey, it's a start :P ;D :o
Mandy
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Gotta start somewhere :)
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I've had this feeling that we might get hit hard here in the rockies this winter...or possibly something else sooner. I can't put my finger on what it is exactly. We lost power last year a few times last year due to snow, but this coming winter is supposed to be a lot worse. This nagging feeling got to me and I picked up a few things while out today.
I got about 20 pounds of chicken that I'm going the pressure can today and tomorrow into broth and chunked meat.
10 pounds of apples that i'm going to turn into apple sauce.
A water purifier (portable) - This was about $30 at walmart
Canned veggies and fruits
4 propane tanks for our little camping stove
6 taper candles that I plan to use with our mason jar holder - This here: http://www.amazon.com/Mason-Jar-Taper-Candle-Holder/dp/B006U6EV1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379365658&sr=8-1&keywords=mason+jar+taper
a package of 16 votives
oil for our lamps
powdered whole milk for the kids
jars to can our concords when they are ready in a couple weeks
case of diapers - for when I can't wash our cloth
I haven't been able to shake this feeling that we need to prepare. I feel a lot better now that we have some things stocked up. I still need to get warm jammies for the kids, some flats of drinking water, and some snow pants for the kids.
My biggest hurdle is heat. We were without heat last year due to a broken furnace that took about 2 weeks to replace. That was awful and we even had some space heaters going 24/7. If we lose power, we wouldn't even have that. It was 45 - 50F in our house during that time. We don't have a fireplace or a wood burning stove or anything. Not many options there.
Shelley,
Good idea about the case of diapers. I hadn't even considered that. All we have in the house right now is cloth. That could become a problem after 1 day around here. Will definitely be doing the same.
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I mentioned this thread to Jean and how I wanted to start prepping our winter supplies. He came home that night with brochures for whole home generators ;D 8) :o :P. Love that boy!
Mandy
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Oh wow, Mandy! Have fun shopping for one. We'd like to get one, but it's just not in the budget right now. Hopefully next year! :)
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Oh no, no, no...it's not in our budget either! Not sure we even need a whole home one, but I did ask if we could see what the difference in cost would be between getting a portable one powerful enough for everything we wanted and getting a whole-home system. If it's negligible (which I don't think it will be), I'd rather just wait and get the whole home system. I guess since we'll be finishing the basement soon, this is the time to think about it so we don;t have to retroactively install the setup (or something...?).
Mandy
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Ah, gotcha.
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I was thrilled to find a special at Krogers this week on Charmin tp, they have the 12 double bonus roll packs for $5! It's the good stuff too, the ultra soft or strong! I've picked up 3 already and on manager special a box of 72 utility candles for $5.29.
I still need to get canned veggies...
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I've been bottling and preserving everything I can get my hands on. I've done 3 quarts of homegrown grape juice, 11 half pints of grape jam (more to come), 10 pints of chicken, 8 pints of chicken stock, and 6 pints of homegrown corn. I also froze about 4 quart bags worth and froze 6 quart bags of shredded squash. I bought a few cans of each of peaches, mandarine oranges, pears, peas, beets, corn, and beans along with some cream soups. I bought a whole picnic ham today and will be canning that this weekend.
I've stocked up on clothing for both trev and me and the kids. I still need to get warm jammies for the kids and maisie needs a few more shirts, and snow pants, but for the most part, we're good to go. We got snow last week here in Utah, so I'm wondering if my feelings are right.
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In addition to purchases at the store, we are stocking up on wood since we heat with a woodstove. Sam's cousin bought the lot next to his house and cleared some of it and gave us all the oak that was cut down. What a blessing!!! We have been busy cutting, busting and stacking wood.
I have a few extra dollars and will be using it to stock up on canned peas, corn, soups and a few boxes of rice-a-roni/pasta-roni type things. I like to keep the rice/pasta/potato type things on hand in case the power goes out. They're easy to fix on a camp stove.
Beth
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Last week we hit Aldi and bought flats (12 cans each) of potatoes, black beans, and peas, as well as a case of water bottles. I've got several jars of peaches canned, and have about 10-12 cans of tuna already. Yesterday we picked up another 2.5 gallon container of water (we're on a well, so if we lose power, we lose water, unless and until we install a generator).
Mandy
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We got more snow again this morning. It's not sticking past the morning, but we rarely get snow this early let alone in september.
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(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l93/leahsgarden/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/leahsgarden/media/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg.html)
isn't that lovely I'm in the white zone >:(
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(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l93/leahsgarden/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg) (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/leahsgarden/media/1235450_626464547384773_1432496141_n.jpg.html)
isn't that lovely I'm in the white zone >:(
the bitter cold and in the snow filled >:( >:(
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I've wondered what exactly "chilly" is? That's what we're suppose to be. ???
Beth
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I need to start making a list
we have a generator but only use it to do the fridge and freezer. I am thinking I want to empty the big freezer - see how much energy it is really using.
we already have a wood stove but I am going to find the camping gear and move it to the one basement and out of the cellar. I have a stove, mini tanks, and I will find my cast iron camping pots and kettles for emergency
I probably should really get cracking on this since it is already October :o :o :o
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I've wondered what exactly "chilly" is? That's what we're suppose to be. ???
Beth
I was thinking the same thing - chilly to who?
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Anyone have a check list they go off of?
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http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/winter-preparedness-checklist
found this
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OK ladies, I am in big trouble! So we moved from a home that had a gas stove, gas fire log--you know, the things that would work in a power outage to feed us and keep us warm. So now we move to a home without a fireplace and electric everything. Now what am I supposed to do since I didn't even think that we could possibly be without power?
My best thoughts on this is that since we are now "almost in the city" we are closer to both of our parents and what are the chances that we would ALL be without power at the same time? I'm thinking we'd just move in with them. Or a nearby hotel. Or maybe even my work!
Hmm, I pray we have a mild winter with no power outages. For that matter, no power outages ever!
Alice
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I'm not sure where you live and how low the temps will drop this winter but with no power over a couple of days, it could become cold enough in your house for the pipes to freeze.
We have electric everything too and have always had a kerosene heater for our back-up heat. I have hung blankets in the doorways and blocked off the bathroom/livingroom/kitchen area from the rest of the house so the kerosene heater could heat the rooms we stayed in the most. We now heat with wood but I will always keep my kerosene heater....you just never know. ;)
Beth
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Beth how awesome about your extra oak wood that came your way!!
I have most of my supplies here but I do want to get a campstove. I know a guy who has a couple of cases of the cans of fuel just sitting in his shed that I could get at least 1 case and for free.
I have a Big Buddy heater as well with spare propane tanks for it. My thought is I could sit it by a window that is opened a bit for ventilation and it would at least take the chill off. We use them here in a tent when camping so if it can keep heat in there it should work by a window.
Great thread :)
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Yes we have buddy heaters also, we bought a new one last year that you can use inside with a sensor on it for bad gases. We also have a coleman camp stove for warming up soups and such and a grill out back that we are getting a rik of wood delivered this weekend for.
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http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/us-winter-2013-2014-snow/18574742
For my area in Northern central utah, they're predicting above normal snowfall and titled the article, Snow to Bury Rockies... I have a 10,000 foot mountain a couple blocks behind my house. :-\ Time will tell, I guess. I'm glad I'm preparing.
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Dh and I are getting more wood this week, 2 loads for ourselves and 3 loads for my elderly parents. Every year our family gathers together and have a wood cutting day at their house for their winter burning wood. This year we are getting it ready here and delivering it to them! We have enough stacked for our personal use but a friend offered us to get what we want from his woods, such a blessing!
I also didn't put up corn for the freezer this year (oops) so I have been stocking up on frozen Birds Eye brand sweet microwavable corn, it's been on sale 10 for $10! We love it and it's perfect amount for the 2 of us.
Just an update as we prepare for the snow that is coming!
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We are getting 5 new windows in our new-to-us home. We have noticed they don't latch properly so that means there are problems. That should help a lot. We still will rely of God to provide if we have an extended power outage. No fire place, no gas stove, well from a pump and parents that live close by! We at least have canned goods and a grill if we really get into trouble and need food. Blankets are in abundance so we should be able to cuddle if need be under the many blankets. We do have bottled water and a decent basement that should hold warmth for a good while.
Alice
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We have started buying an item here and there that is run by hand crank. For example a flashlight, radio and lantern that run like this. This way we never have to worry about batteries going bad. :) They have a good selection at Home Depot (Hubby's favorite place).
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We lived here 13 years before having a winter where we were without power for more than just several hours. But that ice storm in 2010 was something! So we now have the generator just in case (in a mostly electric home-gas heat but electric blower so we can use it with the genny). Also, we have a little portable propane heater Earl bought somewhere or other. Doesn't do a ton but if everyone is around it in one area you can warm up a bit. We now have the camp stove (bought for camping this spring) for cooking if need be (our grill is on the fritz). I think my main priority areas are having easy to heat/cook foods and water for drinking.
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Looks like some of us could get some winter weather the next few days. I'm sure it will be much more so up north, but even here they are saying we may get some ice. I think we're fairly well prepared for at least a couple of days without power (I don't expect that, but just in case). I have quite a bit of homemade chicken broth made which would help with quick soups, will put some extra water in the fridge and have one of those big handled jugs from camping. This time we have the camp stove, unlike the big storm almost 4 years ago, and a generator which can run the electric blower for our gas heat. Probably should check the gas cans today.
Anyone else looking at bad weather this weekend and getting ready?
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...we should be able to cuddle if need be under the many blankets.
Sometimes that's the best part ;) :o :P :-*
We have started buying an item here and there that is run by hand crank. For example a flashlight, radio and lantern that run like this. This way we never have to worry about batteries going bad. :) They have a good selection at Home Depot (Hubby's favorite place).
I bought a hand-cranked radio/flashlight/multi-charger for Jean for Christmas last year, and we just had to use it for the first time last week when we had a quick power outage. WHat a great thing to have on hand!!
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It hasn't even really been winter yet here but this past weekend with the wild storms there were thousands of people without power and some still don't have it back on. I guess we don't have to wait until winter for a power outage. We didn't lose power but lots of people we know did. Thankfully they all had options for showers and food and that makes me feel a little bit better that we, too, probably still could find family that had power and maybe freshen up there.
Mandy, maybe we should all PRACTICE the cuddling part to be sure we know how that works! ;D
Alice
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It hasn't even really been winter yet here but this past weekend with the wild storms there were thousands of people without power and some still don't have it back on. I guess we don't have to wait until winter for a power outage. We didn't lose power but lots of people we know did. Thankfully they all had options for showers and food and that makes me feel a little bit better that we, too, probably still could find family that had power and maybe freshen up there.
Mandy, maybe we should all PRACTICE the cuddling part to be sure we know how that works! ;D
Alice
You are certainly right about that. Prior to the bad ice storm 4 years ago, our worst power outage here was during the horrific tornados of 1999. It touched down just north of us and went all the way up through Moore that time as well, but we were still without power for several days and it was HOT being May (90's).