Monday, June 23, 2008

What we've been up to...

Here's kind of a recap of the last few weeks happenings amidst all the food storage craziness. A few weekends ago Brett invited us to go to the cabin in Greer with him and the kids. What a wonderful time we had! We enjoyed the outdoors, went on a nature hike/walk, made pinecone bird feeders, scouted elk/deer/turkey/antelope, watched the Greer Days Parade, got treats at the cutest ice cream parlor in Greer (probably the only one... but cute), made s'mores, played Nertz and Settlers of Catan, looked for worms, Jared went fishing, ran into some old friends, and had a Fabulous time doing it all! A big thanks to Brett and his family for inviting us! (warning... picture overload)

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J had a little slip up with the pocket knife and got a cut on one of his fingers. His Dad took his knife, cut off the top of his sock, and wrapped it around J's finger to stop the bleeding. Quick thinking!

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Father's Day was fun this year because G could participate in the planning and fun. We went to Bass Pro Shops and picked out a digital pistol safe for Jared. G helped pick out some fishing lures for him. When we got home I had G help wrap the fishing lures. He did a great job... suffice it to say that he LOVED putting tape on it. He would've used the whole roll if I'd let him. Then we colored Happy Father's Day cards. When Sunday came I made German Pancakes and let Jared relax. He enjoyed G's wrapping job and was appreciative of the gifts. We sure love Jared. He is a great daddy, provider, protector, etc, etc, etc.

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Being a parent has made me all the more appreciative of my parents, their example, and unconditional love. Happy Father's Day Dad! - and Happy Birthday too!

Just this last week we got together with Jared and Andrea for dinner. We had some of the sweet pulled pork that we'd canned together that day. Yum! They brought over a small inflatable pool that they purchased recently so the boys could play in it together. G was a little apprehensive at first, but once Jared threw him in there he was all splashes. He absolutely loved it! I love watching G and Caleb play together. They're getting to the point where they are interacting more in their play.

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G is getting so independent lately. He wants to do everything himself which in ways is kind of nice. I think it's helping teach him responsibility. He is in charge of doing the laundry and gets so excited when I tell him it's time to start a load. He goes and gets the basket, loads it in the washer, changes it to the dryer, and pushes the basket of clean clothes to my bed, where I do the folding. He throws away his and B's diapers and knows that the stinky ones go outside on the back porch - until we make a trip to the big black garbage can. He puts his dirty clothes in the laundry basket. He's figured out how to put on his shirts correctly - most of the time. He loves to help me do anything! The other day I had some sugar cookie dough in the freezer that needed used so I had him help me roll them out, cut them and put them on the cookie sheet. He thought that was the greatest thing ever! He thought the dough tasted pretty good, too!

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Saturday, June 21, 2008

Last Food Storage Post (for now)

After much thought and fanangling (is that how you spell that), I've finally decided on what to order from Mtn House. If anyone is interested this is what I'm getting. Originally I had thought about ordering the Ultimate 6 Month Supply but I wanted more control over what I got so I did some comparisons. Here are my findings...

Ultimate 6 Month Supply gets you:
36 lunch/dinner entrees (what you get is a complete surprise... it's any combination of 18 possible entrees)
9 breakfast
9 veggies
6 desserts
3 snacks
$1423.95 (total 63 cans)

Personally, I don't really care about the desserts, but would rather have the fruits and greater control of what entrees I'm actually getting. So I've found a better way.

For $1447.87 (63 cans) I can get...
34 lunch/dinner entrees (which I have more control over and actually know what I'm getting)
10 breakfast
9 veggies
3 desserts
7 fruit

To achieve the above combination this is my order (this is really all you need to know Misty :)
(2) Best Sellers Sampler (yes, 2)
(1) Chicken Lovers Sampler
(1) Company Favorites Sampler
(1) Original Starter #1
(1) Starter #2
(1) Starter #3
(1) Breakfast Sampler
(1) Vegetable Sampler #1
(1) Tropical Fruit Sampler
(3) cans of Chicken Ala King

To see more specifically what I'm actually getting
Lunch/Dinner Entrees
· Hearty Beef Stew (2)
· Rice & Chicken (3)
· Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (3)
· Lasagna with Meat Sauce (3)
· Beef Stroganoff (4)
· Pasta Primavera (3)
· Chili Macaroni (2)
· Beef Teriyaki (1)
· Seafood Chowder (1)
· Oriental Style Spicy Chicken (1)
· Chicken ala King (5)
· Chicken Teriyaki with Rice (3)
· Chicken Stew (1)
· Noodles & Chicken (2)
Breakfast
· Granola with Milk & Blueberries (4)
· Scrambled Eggs with Bacon (3)
· Eggs w/ Ham (3)
Veggies
· Garden Peas (3)
· Super Sweet Corn (3)
· Green Beans (3)
Fruit
· Pineapple Chunks (2)
· Banana Slices (2)
· Peach Slices (2)
· Sliced Strawberries
Dessert
· Raspberry Crumble (1)
· Blueberry Cheesecake (2)


It's still not too late to order... but you only have until tomorrow morning. Just email Misty (mistymatthews@peoplepc.com) your order, address, and debit/credit card number. If you want to see pictures and know exactly what's in the samplers go to www.thereadystore.com
That's all!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Orders Due...

This Saturday (June 21st) is the day that orders are due. For Mtn. House orders you just need to email Misty with what you want, your address, and a debit/credit card number or get a check to her.

Anna has decided to push back the milk order date to this Saturday as well. So if you're wanting any more of that real shelf-safe milk she's accepting orders and money through Saturday.

I am so excited about all of this food storage stuff and am glad that I can do something now to prepare for the inevitable hard times that are coming. And I'm glad you're excited about it too! I just ordered water barrels, buckets, wheat, hand wheat grinder, and milk... and I'm working on my Mountain House order. How do you decide when everything is so good and needed?

Saturday, June 14, 2008

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!

That workshop went way beyond my highest expectations! It was so neat to feel of the excitement and enthusiasm from everyone and I learned SOOO much from the presenters as well as several of the guests that came. (Thank you Tawni for bringin your omnipotent friend Rachael.) I can't wait to learn more and more.

The most recent and complete Mtn House price list is available through email if you couldn't make it to the workshop (includes pouches, emergency preparedness tools, etc). The Mountain House orders need placed by next Saturday (21st) I will tell you, once again, that Mountain House is AMAZING! - their entrees and dried fruits and veggies are to die for (see more favorites in the below email). The pineapple is like candy and the peas tasted like REAL fresh peas! If you weren't able to make it to the workshop or live out of state you can place your order through next Saturday (21st). Simply email your order, mailing address, and be sure to include the important fact that you're ordering through KARLI TOMPKINSON's party so that you get the cheaper prices. Remeber that there's no shipping or tax so the ptice you see is the price you pay. AND it gets shipped directly to you! mistymatthews@peoplepc.com

The Milk Orders get placed on Monday (16th). The shelf-safe milk is exactly like 'real' milk except for the fact that it was processed at a higher temperature and all the bacteria has been killed. It has the same nutritional value, vitamin D, calorie count, taste (very important), AND it's hormone free!!! AMAZING!!!! It ends up being about $4/gallon even though you buy it in little 8oz or 32 oz cartons. Not bad! The rootbeer flavored milk was a huge hit! It seriously tastes exactly like the end of a rootbeer float. Such a treat! The girls that sell the milk buy this product exclusively now (no more grocery store milk) so orders are made about once a month. But the sad news is that prices are going up for the month of July, so the current milk prices are only good for this months order which is getting place on MONDAY! You can only order the milk and other itms through Anna if you live here in AZ - or is you're able to come pick it up in AZ. Simply send an email to Anna inluding your order, phone number and she'll contact you when it arrives. Your order gets shipped to her and you're supposed to pick it up from her within two weeks of it arriving (should be sometime in mid-July). annascoupons@yahoo.com If you have any questions, you can call/email me. THANKS!

I am also happy to announce the start of a new blog I'm helping minutely with... www.youcancan.blogspot.com Be on the lookout for new recipes coming soon and a wealth of information for all things "food storage"

Friday, June 13, 2008

See you in the morning!

Tomorrow is the day. Don't forget that if you aren't able to make it to the workshop, you can still order anything you want. If I didn't email you the price lists, let me know and I can send them to you. The orders will probably be place early next week. If you live out of state, you can order the Mountain House and it will get shipped directly to you! (FYI, I talked to Misty today - the Mtn House Distributor - and she said that Mtn House is having a meeting on Monday to revamp the way they do parties... so this is the LAST party where you get to buy at her distributor pricing!!!) If you want it, NOW is the time to get it!

This workshop is going to be FULL of information so bring your friends, family, and neighbors. You are going to have so much fun and you're going to LOVE the presenters! See you tomorrow! 9-Noon