No support from spouse

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Lots of people think prepping has to be an all in or nothing deal. There is no amount of right or wrong here. You just think of something that’s important to you and come up with ways to mitigate its loss or shortage. Little steps add up over time. I never imagined I would be growing and canning my own foods, yet now I not only enjoy it but have a decent reserve in case of an illness, emergency or anything.
 
So, I just bought my first canner, water bath. If all goes well, I'll have my first production by the end of day Saturday. I am not very good at growing things, but have a cousin that grows lots of veggies and berries and such. He'll be sending some of his maturing produce this week.
If that all works out for us, we'll be trading services. His produce for my canning.
I also plan on buying a pressure canner as well. One money saving step at a time, and hope it brings the hubby around.
 
If I approach my wife about "Prepping", she would call me crazy. But when I suggest we keep a few cases of water or other survival items, she is all for it. In my case, it is really a matter of terminology. She is into a garden for the produce. Last fall, I planted some blueberries and blackberries which she actually picked up for me. Recently, she came across a "smoking" deal on another generator, which she purchased for me. She purchased me a smoker to prepare smoked for our use. She is aware of outage from Hurricanes, etc but she is not into "Prepping". ;) I just go alone and get ready for the next hurricane or plan ahead for our needs and not use the word "Prepping", then I have all kinds of support.
 
So, I just bought my first canner, water bath. If all goes well, I'll have my first production by the end of day Saturday. I am not very good at growing things, but have a cousin that grows lots of veggies and berries and such. He'll be sending some of his maturing produce this week.
If that all works out for us, we'll be trading services. His produce for my canning.
I also plan on buying a pressure canner as well. One money saving step at a time, and hope it brings the hubby around.
I hope you enjoy canning as much as I do. :) It is very satisfying to see your canned food shelves full up with all those colorful jars. My problem is they are already filled now. . . Need to get creative in where to stash them next.
 
So, I just bought my first canner, water bath. If all goes well, I'll have my first production by the end of day Saturday. I am not very good at growing things, but have a cousin that grows lots of veggies and berries and such. He'll be sending some of his maturing produce this week.
If that all works out for us, we'll be trading services. His produce for my canning.
I also plan on buying a pressure canner as well. One money saving step at a time, and hope it brings the hubby around.
Just remember that water bath canning is very limited in what it can do compared to a pressure canner. Stick with high acid foods like tomatoes and pickles. To be safe, espechially while your still learning, stick to the exact directions in the canning books. Botulism is a deadly toxin and is odorless, tasteless and has no cure. Just always be safe.
 
If I approach my wife about "Prepping", she would call me crazy. But when I suggest we keep a few cases of water or other survival items, she is all for it. In my case, it is really a matter of terminology. She is into a garden for the produce. Last fall, I planted some blueberries and blackberries which she actually picked up for me. Recently, she came across a "smoking" deal on another generator, which she purchased for me. She purchased me a smoker to prepare smoked for our use. She is aware of outage from Hurricanes, etc but she is not into "Prepping". ;) I just go alone and get ready for the next hurricane or plan ahead for our needs and not use the word "Prepping", then I have all kinds of support.
Presentation can make a world of difference. Who cares what kind of terminology is used, as long as you get the desired results it’s all good.
 
Just remember that water bath canning is very limited in what it can do compared to a pressure canner. Stick with high acid foods like tomatoes and pickles. To be safe, espechially while your still learning, stick to the exact directions in the canning books. Botulism is a deadly toxin and is odorless, tasteless and has no cure. Just always be safe.
Thank you for this reminder. I have thoroughly researched this canning method, as well as pressure canning. But it's always great to have a reminder. I do intend to be very thorough and conscientious of the work. I hope to be well versed in both methods by the end of the summer.
 
Thank you for this reminder. I have thoroughly researched this canning method, as well as pressure canning. But it's always great to have a reminder. I do intend to be very thorough and conscientious of the work. I hope to be well versed in both methods by the end of the summer.
This isn’t rocket science here, and canning is a tried and true method to safely store food. It’s just always good to remember to follow the steps in known recipes. The only issue I don’t like about home canning is the heat softens foods and can change the flavors sometimes. Overall though it’s the easiest home based method.
 
This isn’t rocket science here, and canning is a tried and true method to safely store food. It’s just always good to remember to follow the steps in known recipes. The only issue I don’t like about home canning is the heat softens foods and can change the flavors sometimes. Overall though it’s the easiest home based method.
I would actually argue the fact that it is the easiest. I find freeze drying and dehydrating the two easiest methods of preserving long term. I guess only because once you either chop up and just throw in or you blanch and just throw in. Those two do take longer to process, but the actual work going into it is much shorter. I can never leave a pressure canner going for very long without having to check on it and even though I don't have to babysit water bath canning, I also don't feel comfortable leaving the house to work outside. . . If it's jellies, jams or pickles water bath is still the easiest with only a 5-10 min processing time.

I like the fact canning jars can be double and some even triple stacked on my canning shelves though. Also food tends to shrink up verses the freeze drying which means I can fit more food in my stockroom.
 
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I would actually argue the fact that it is the easiest. I find freeze drying and dehydrating the two easiest methods of preserving long term. I guess only because once you either chop up and just throw in or you blanch and just throw in. Those two do take longer to process, but the actual work going into it is much shorter. I can never leave a pressure canner going for very long without having to check on it and even though I don't have to babysit water bath canning, I also don't feel comfortable leaving the house to work outside. . . If it's jellies, jams or pickles water bath is still the easiest with only a 5-10 min processing time.

I like the fact threat jars can be double and some even triple stacked on my canning shelves though. Also food tends to shrink up verses the freeze drying which means I can fit more food in my stockroom.
I thought a lot about doing the freeze drying myself but decided against it. So basically I have no real experience on its time and complexity. I don’t feel pressure canning is too complex, but it is labor intensive with cleaning and keeping everything right. With my schedule lately it made more sense for me to stock a pantry with #10 cans of freeze dried stuff. I miss knowing the quality and lack of pesticides in the foods that got preserved, but am ok with it. Regardless, I like knowing the shelf life of freeze dried is far superior to any other option out there. In all reality I’m hoping to never need to even try any of these #10 cans. They should outlast me at this point.
 
When my Wife and I first got together she thought I was wasting money, she never interfered she just didn't understand. On the first winter she staying on the property she come to understand why I was 'wasting money' We had about 10 feet of snow -10 degrees and without power, the generator had gone down shutting down the pump house including the heat for the pump house, the snow was on the ground from October to May the following year, we couldn't drive out of here for 3 months.

Being in Tornado Alley MadMamaBear I would expect a spouse to be supportive!?!? Don't give up! Hopefully he won't get blindsided like my Wife did and come to realize the importance of preparing before an event takes place, sometimes though it takes being blindsided :(
 
He's on board with canning now, so maybe it's not hopeless. I talked about canning a few months ago, and after the break down of the initial cost, and then considerably lower cost to keep supplies for canning, versus the amount of money spent on canned processed foods, he's actually looking forward to seeing the results of my efforts.
 
He's on board with canning now, so maybe it's not hopeless. I talked about canning a few months ago, and after the break down of the initial cost, and then considerably lower cost to keep supplies for canning, versus the amount of money spent on canned processed foods, he's actually looking forward to seeing the results of my efforts.
Way to go! Small steps will still get you there eventually.
 
I went garage saling today, found a couple great finds. A great condition 20 liter water jug, according to the owner used once. A box of books: cottages and cabins, plumbing, home wiring, storage, etc. I spent 6 bucks for both items. I found and old style metal first aid kit, the wall mount kind, fully stocked for 2 bucks. And a couple other useful things. My 11 year old bought the first aid kit himself. I love that he's into prepping!!!
 
This is an example of the no support some days. It has been raining like crazy for four days straight so my barns are horrible. They haven't been REALLY cleaned out since last year before all of granny and hunny 's health issues started. These last few days, I have hardly been home and when I was, had been cooking for parties with sons birthday Fri, Grannys 96 birthday Saturday and Mothers Day which was both our mom's at my mom's house, which sis and I cooked for along with moms husband's family who was supposed to bring something each.. And then I worked 11 hours the Thurs before all this and after the honoring of mothers yesterday went in for a 13 hour shift. I did come home today for 2 1/2 hours sleep before getting up to head out to the barns. Hunny comes out and asked if I was going to Grannys to bring her lunch. . . Honestly I teared up, which is a major fault of mine when I am exhausted and things just keep getting thrown at me and said I was a little overwhelmed right now since the house needed cleaning, garden weeded, barns totally cleaned out since we finally have nice weather along with the laundry that has been piling up over the last few days. he told me I didn't need to cry about it and left for his moms. sorry but he had a full nights sleep and two naps in his recliner. This is more of a support issue than a prepping support issue, but if you want to live the lifestyle, you best step up your game and help eachother. It can not all fall on one or the other. Sorry just needed to vent a little.
 
This is an example of the no support some days. It has been raining like crazy for four days straight so my barns are horrible. They haven't been REALLY cleaned out since last year before all of granny and hunny 's health issues started. These last few days, I have hardly been home and when I was, had been cooking for parties with sons birthday Fri, Grannys 96 birthday Saturday and Mothers Day which was both our mom's at my mom's house, which sis and I cooked for along with moms husband's family who was supposed to bring something each.. And then I worked 11 hours the Thurs before all this and after the honoring of mothers yesterday went in for a 13 hour shift. I did come home today for 2 1/2 hours sleep before getting up to head out to the barns. Hunny comes out and asked if I was going to Grannys to bring her lunch. . . Honestly I teared up, which is a major fault of mine when I am exhausted and things just keep getting thrown at me and said I was a little overwhelmed right now since the house needed cleaning, garden weeded, barns totally cleaned out since we finally have nice weather along with the laundry that has been piling up over the last few days. he told me I didn't need to cry about it and left for his moms. sorry but he had a full nights sleep and two naps in his recliner. This is more of a support issue than a prepping support issue, but if you want to live the lifestyle, you best step up your game and help eachother. It can not all fall on one or the other. Sorry just needed to vent a little.


I'm so sorry. I have gotten to the breaking point and cried too. I don't like it, but sometimes it all comes pouring out.

Things are quiet here this week. My husband is in Florida with daughter and husband fishing. He's says "you can go too". He knows I can't with animals, mom and my son doesn't want to go. We used to go, but then my husband took a woman to Florida and that kind of ruined the entire vacationing in Florida thing for me. Lol
 
This is an example of the no support some days. It has been raining like crazy for four days straight so my barns are horrible. They haven't been REALLY cleaned out since last year before all of granny and hunny 's health issues started. These last few days, I have hardly been home and when I was, had been cooking for parties with sons birthday Fri, Grannys 96 birthday Saturday and Mothers Day which was both our mom's at my mom's house, which sis and I cooked for along with moms husband's family who was supposed to bring something each.. And then I worked 11 hours the Thurs before all this and after the honoring of mothers yesterday went in for a 13 hour shift. I did come home today for 2 1/2 hours sleep before getting up to head out to the barns. Hunny comes out and asked if I was going to Grannys to bring her lunch. . . Honestly I teared up, which is a major fault of mine when I am exhausted and things just keep getting thrown at me and said I was a little overwhelmed right now since the house needed cleaning, garden weeded, barns totally cleaned out since we finally have nice weather along with the laundry that has been piling up over the last few days. he told me I didn't need to cry about it and left for his moms. sorry but he had a full nights sleep and two naps in his recliner. This is more of a support issue than a prepping support issue, but if you want to live the lifestyle, you best step up your game and help eachother. It can not all fall on one or the other. Sorry just needed to vent a little.
Sounds like a three day vacation would do you a world of good! I would say a week, but not with your schedule....
 
Sounds like a three day vacation would do you a world of good! I would say a week, but not with your schedule....
Nice idea, but being away from the home for almost 4 days got me into the mess I am in now. . . I am now down to finishing 1/2 of the goat barn. Mangers cleaned and also feed/water troughs done. I weeded some of the garden but concentrated on getting all my tomatoes pruned along with the yellow squash and zucchini plants. My poor Jalapenos are looking very droopy with all this rain we have been having. Should be another 3 days without rain chances so hoping they bounce back. Other than that I finished up laundry and swept. Of course there was making dinner after a 10 minute break from the barns, but it was spaghetti so easy along with leftover squash casserole and a salad. Going back to work tomorrow night so think that I will finish cleaning the house.
 
We may hit 90° for the first time this weekend. Plus, storms. I'm going to hold off on planting these fragile tomato seedlings I have.

Put up some cages for the beans to climb. I need to get out the twine, but I need to get the pole driver out first and to be honest, I haven't felt like it.

Just had the Marx Brothers attempt to open my pool. I had to walk them through everything. Then, it got too dark to complete. Thank goodness. Now I can check everything before they leave. The owner of the company is coming in the morning and he knows his business.
 
It took a while to get my fiance interested in prepping. The best way in my opinion to get your significant other interested in the prepper lifestyle is to just have fun doing it on your own and eventually she'll want to join in on the fun. Trying to force her to prep when she doesn't want too will just make her more resentful about it.
 

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