Taking stock again and getting back into that mindset

[PreppingPingu]

Hello all again *gives a sheepish wave* Not been thinking much about prepping of late, what with the end of term at the school I work at, and summer hols etc etc. Just been getting on with it all really, from keeping an eye on the allotment to trying out a bit of archery, chilling out and trying to sorting out the house over the summer holidays! Thought I'd log back on and say hello to all you peeps.

Realised the need to reorganise and take stock. Just cause the general chit chat of the world is saying that things economically are slowly moving in the right direction doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet. One of the Icelandic volcanoes is showing restless signs. And who knows what the winter will throw at us? I have had my head down and just been "getting on with it" but thought I ought to focus again on general prepping. We had our water supply cut for over 24 hours due a burst water main a few weeks back so I used 2 of my 5l water bottles that I keep. I have also run down my kitchen cupboard stores as we have been on holiday and I was trying to save a bit of money. Lots of little things that made me use some of my small stores that I keep put by, so they need to be replaced. Autumn is round the corner, time of preserves, chutney and jams n jellies. Thought I ought to put my head back in the game again *grin* So hiya again to all of you, hope you're doing well and prepping well in mind and body and hello to any new preppers on these boards.

[Arzosah]

**waves back**

Pingu, imho a consumer led "recovery" is not necessarily a recovery at all - check out the main business page of The Guardian, there's a daily blog of business news, and you'll find that opinion expressed there quite a bit. Stock markets are diving at the mo because the USA is making noises about stopping supporting the market; Egypt has exploded - all wars give the stock market the shivers, but Egypt has the Suez Canal going through it. Though that isn't as important as it was, its still something to factor in. The Arctic could be completely ice-free during the summer in as little as 2 years time - at least a two degree temperature rise this century now looks inevitable. There are going to be moments of relief during a downward path, and I think we're about to enter such a time of relief, but the path as a whole still leads downward, I think.

Sorry!

What that *does* mean, to me anyway, is that yes, preps are important, possibly even crucial, but also things like enjoying the allotment, being with the kids, and yes, chilling out, are important too.

[SooBee]

Pingu, how many years do we actually get a proper summer.
Waste not - want not also includes not wasting summers!
Well done for not forgetting to catch up.

I'm still wondering what will come down first...the apples or the overladen tree. I'm going to thin them out and make apple jelly.


Soobee

[diamond lil]

Same position here, been letting things slide this summer because of changes in my life, but recently I've been getting that nagging wee voice telling me to stock up now - so I'm starting back to it.

[jansman]

Nice to hear from you again Pingu, and Lil. Right now whilst my breakfast is cookin', I had a quick scan of our shelves. Quite a few gaps to be filled there. These last three months have been a roller coaster ride here at Chez Jansman. Son in Law was put out of work, and we were being used like a supermarket! But Hey!, it is what family does.
Of course Autumn is close, and so then, Winter. So I will get the chimneys swept, pronto, and check over the fuel supplies. The other one of course is all the cough and cold remedies. Must stock up now before a flu or cold epidemic hits the schools and Jan brings it home!

Anyhow, it is good to enjoy what has been a fair Summer , and put your feet up, so to speak. After all, we cannot live as though the sky is constantly under threat of falling in!

[Ferricks]

Hi Pingu!

I was up until 3 am making marrow chutney..... and it feels great to be squirrelling again! So enjoy the coming weeks of harvest and the buzz from all your hard work over the last few months.

[mushroom]

I'm in much the same place I think - on school summer holidays and so normal routine has gone out of the window and some things feel like they're on the back-burner, but I suppose others have come to the fore... biggest prep - we are half way through having double-glazing put in our draughty old house - that will make SUCH a difference this coming Winter!!

Just got back from holiday and was lucky enough to go to Iceland! Really interesting to hear how people live there (total population 350,000!) - very barren and prepping is a way of life outside the major (which aren't so major!) cities. It's a regular occurrence to be cut off for weeks in Winter with up to 17m of snow (!!) so everyone has a food store! Also visited a glacier which is GROWING! So that's heartening!

Now back and loads of jobs to do - but the tomatoes have ripened while we've been away and some of the apples are already dropping - so plenty to do!!

[diamond lil]

Oh wow Iceland - that would be really interesting! There's a lot of girls from there on my knitting forum and the stuff they turn out is beautiful.
I did enjoy this summer Jansman...after last year it was a godsend. Much more like the real thing
Starting the preps with a load of pkt soups from Asda, will do for soups and stews and in pasta. And then some dehydrated veg, a ton of porridge, and some broth mix. Back on track