Just Call Me Mother Hubbard

     I don't know what it is about this time of year that gets me to thinking about food storage and what we have on hand versus what we may need. Perhaps it's the thought of running to the store in the snow or on icy roads. Or maybe it's that you see those huge bags of onions and potatoes at the store and I think, "I want some of those." Or maybe this time it's seeing the folks back east rushing to the store for supplies before the big hurricane hits, only to find empty shelves. How scary is that? Now I'm taking inventory and though I do have some stuff well stocked I have other stuff that has dwindled.
     I try to store what we eat, the only problem with that is that we eat it. So it's a never ending cycle. I buy, we eat, and I have to buy more. If you have a solution to that problem let me know. I make dinner one night and the very next night they all want to eat again. Go figure.
     And then there is the question of whether you should store the long term storage items first or keep trying to have the day-to-day stuff. I'm never quite sure where to start. I do know, however, that there is great peace of mind that comes to me when I have my cold storage room full of canned goods, sugar, rice, pasta and the other stuff.
     I did a major push on food storage a few years ago and I loved to go down into the basement and see shelves full of chili, refried beans, peaches and case upon case of cream of chicken soup. Knowing we wouldn't go hungry was like having money in the bank. So if you see me buying cases of canned goods in the near future you'll know why. Mother Hubbard is filling her cupboard.