FYI : most people don't know that a lot of medications are still quite effective well long after the "Expiry Date" lists; I was told this by two different doctors. I was told that some medications are good for up to three years past the Date stamp.

That is also what I've heard and read many times and actually much longer than 3 years. There are some exceptions, but none of them are OTCs. Meds will not go bad and harm but would be less efficient. So that means you would potentially have to take more to get the same effect. As a matter of example, if you normally take one sudafed to fix your stuffy sinuses, you may have to take 1 1/4 pill if they are 5 years old and maybe 2 pills if they are 10 years old... (For illustrative purposes only!!!!)

The key thing to remember is to keep your meds cool (not cold) and dry. Bottles kept closed and, better yet, unopened will keep effectiveness much longer.

Helico' is right on the money for the details of how a lot of drugs expire.

Tried the new kerosene heater (it works) and added another 20L jug of kerosene to the stash.

Got lucky to have (wealthier) inlaws visiting the UKs and this time they brought me back useful gifts : Snugpak reversible jacket and Snugpak special force combo sleeping bag (sweeeeeeeeeet!)

Added an extra shelf worth of cans and other food.

Went to the gun range to resight a couple of rifles and forgot I wasn't shooting .22. Result = bruised and gashed nose bridge 🙁 Oh well, I can call that battle scar I suppose.

Planted some really high quality hazelnuts in pots with the goal of germinating some saplings in spring for future coppicing and hopefully some nut production. I know they say that the nuts do not neccessarily produce true but I am betting on the fact these local nuts are such nice quality that the cross pollinating trees in this orchard were all good producers . It is a bit of an experiment but for $10 invested it is worth trying. Added benefits could be wildlife habitat and general biomass we sorely need to sequester carbon and mitigate climate change effects. I am a huge fan of Geoff Lawtons endeavour to encourage resilience through permaculture : )
T'is the season to obtain and plant nuts ! Last years planted chestnuts yielded 5 saplings of three different varieties and the chestnut trees I purchased were $70 each and one died so very economical as they are surprisingly fast growing , though a long term project to get them to a producing age . It will be one of the more worthwhile ways to spend a little effort towards : )

I got my wood cookstove all cleaned and ready to burn. Woodshed is full. Garlic still needs to be planted....
Carrots are now under a cold frame.

50 lbs rice, 25 lbs dried legumes, toothbrushes on sale at wally world $1, cleaned up the garden outside to prepare for next year

I stocked up on some tools(wrenches, allen keys, prybars) and supplies and flashlights from the flea market, which I've already put together to make an urban get home bag. Managed to grab a lightweight steel mountain bike, it just needs brakes. I grabbed a really cool solar charger with a battery pack capable of charging my cell up to four times, as well as Ipads and some flashlights I own, so I got renewable satellite access, communication, and light... as long as the sun still shines. http://www.mec.ca/product/5031-524/power-traveller-powermonkey-extreme-solar-charger/?f=10&q=charger

My food rotation system arrived today. DH tried to make one but time and talent were just against us 🙂

dollyanddrew - what did you get??? I just finished setting up my consolidator can rotators and I love them. http://www.bridensolutions.ca/home-and-kitchen/storage-shelves/cansolidators . This of course led to cleaning the whole storage area...

I picked up one of those 60w solar panels from cdn tire when it went on sale last week. 50% off. Now I just gotta figure out all of this Dark Magic...

Little things,
Candles
Windproof / waterproof matches
Spare boot laces
Another candle lantern

Hey anitaprecious,
We picked up the Shelf reliance Pantry 72 x 24. Fitted it into my "Under stairs" coat closet and will be commencing inventory and loading tomorrow. Can't wait!

We picked it up through Briden solutions on sale 😀

For those in Ontario or nearby, Forest City Surplus(London) has a Salton ice maker for $80.
http://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/products/198-Appliances/464661-Ice-Makers/
They are often sold for $150 or more.
I first heard about this idea on the Survival Podcast -Steve Harris says they're great when the power goes out in summer, you can make ice with a (large) inverter attached to your car battery( or solar) , put it in a cooler and keep things from spoiling. Draws 2.7 amps at 115v., makes about a pound of ice per hour. That would be 2700w @ 12V.
I'm pretty sure he mentioned this brand as "Harris tested and approved".
I plan to use it at the BOL where we have no power and a trip to buy ice is close to an hour round trip. You'll still have to have the car running for the inverter, but only at idle.

I have been looking for a knife with good carbon steel blade too, they have a mini KA-BAR with a 5" blade (7" is full size) for $90 so I splurged on one of those too.
http://www.fcsurplus.ca/shopping/products/494-Premium-Quality-Tactical-Knives/466146-Leather-Handled-KA-BAR-Short-Survival-Knives/

Now here's hoping they actually have the stuff in stock........

Paper plates.The holiday royal chinet was on sale here. Yep, don't sound like much but if you have no water you can't do dishes.

Great time to stock up, thanks for the reminder!

used Garlowin's comments as a reminder and picked up some more paper plates and plastic cutlery

plus tuna was on sale for half price - girl at cash didn't even make a comment about the 24 cans 🙂