2012 Self-Sufficiency Challenge

**madhen** · 01-01-2012, 08:18 PM

What did you do today to ensure that you will survive the zombie-pocalypse?

I didn't get much done in the "self-sufficiency" field today. I did eat from my stockpile and collect eggs from the hens, but that was about it.

**Spirit Deer** · 01-01-2012, 09:11 PM

Does it count that I ate leftovers?

I also crocheted, so I guess I could crochet a zombie defense kit or something.

Oh, and I used hand tools too, so I could probably saw a zombie into submission.

**madhen** · 01-01-2012, 09:23 PM

Yup, leftovers count. Never know how long you'd have to hole up and wait for the hordes to pass.

**madhen** · 01-02-2012, 10:15 AM

So far, today, I managed to splice and repair a frayed lamp cord without: a) electrocuting myself, or b) setting the house on fire. Go, me!

**leighcat** · 01-02-2012, 10:31 AM

My mom got my boyfriend the Zombie survival guide for Christmas lol!

I made home-made muffins with freshly milled flour. I am getting ready to hang up a load of laundry washed with homemade laundry soap. I guess that is as close to self-sufficient as I will get today.

**dean** · 01-02-2012, 11:01 AM

Making laundry detergent as we speak. Taking a break from grating Fels Naptha soap. My neck can only take short grating periods, then it yells really loud to stop for a bit.
Laundry is on the basement line.
Making double batch of HM spaghetti sauce and meatballs today. Supper tonight and freeze the rest for Sunday dinner after Rio's (grandson #2's Baptism).
Doing any and everything I can to conserve, reuse, revamp and make do.

**gottadance** · 01-02-2012, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by dean

Making laundry detergent as we speak. Taking a break from grating Fels Naptha soap. My neck can only take short grating periods, then it yells really loud to stop for a bit.

Instead of grating by hand, couldn't you throw the soap in cut up pieces into a food processor or blender?

**gottadance** · 01-02-2012, 01:14 PM

I am taking down my Xmas tree and putting away my ornaments. In case of zombies I could hurl glass ornaments at them.

I could also hurl obscenities at them.

**dean** · 01-02-2012, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by gottadance

Instead of grating by hand, couldn't you throw the soap in cut up pieces into a food processor or blender?

I don't have a food processor and I don't think I'd want to attempt using my blender for that purpose. But thank you for the suggestion. Usually I can talk Dh into doing it, but today he is working and I'm bull headed and wanted it done NOW! So I will be the one to suffer.

It's finished and bottled now, so I can stop complaining and re-coop from my pain.

**Spirit Deer** · 01-02-2012, 04:48 PM

I talked to someone last week who uses a meat grinder to grind up the soap for her detergent. That's a new one on me.

**leighcat** · 01-02-2012, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by dean

Making laundry detergent as we speak. Taking a break from grating Fels Naptha soap. My neck can only take short grating periods, then it yells really loud to stop for a bit.
Laundry is on the basement line.
Making double batch of HM spaghetti sauce and meatballs today. Supper tonight and freeze the rest for Sunday dinner after Rio's (grandson #2's Baptism).
Doing any and everything I can to conserve, reuse, revamp and make do.

If you microwave the FN, it will be a lot easier to grate.