I am struggling to wrap my head around the idea of provisioning for extended voyaging. It's a whole different animal than grocery shopping on land. As a "dirt dweller," stocking up means, maybe a month out. Provisioning, on the other hand, is thinking in terms of multiple months, taking in the "what if's" - could you be stuck in the Doldrums, adrift without power? What may/may not be available (and how expensive...) at your destination? What meals are possible to prepare when you're "underway" versus anchored.
It's a shift in thinking for sure - buying BIG quantities of items near and dear to daily existence (like coffee and toilet paper), learning to can soups, beans and meat that be easily opened and re-heated; and finding storage for four dozen eggs. I'm imagining the kinds and abundance of fresh veggies (or lack thereof) at planned destinations. If limited, do we have canned good to compensate? What constitutes a liquor cabinet, and, of course, where to stash special treats...just because.
Speaking of canning, that's a new one for me. I am one generation away from the farm so canning, in theory, is not a novel idea. However, I've never done it. There are food safety considerations, any number of "do's and don'ts" and a bit of trial and error with unfamiliar processes and equipment, but it's not that difficult. Actually, kind of fun. Time and timing plus having a legit pressure canner seem to be the biggest things to work around. Thankfully, there are print and online resources galore, including the Ball Mason Jars canning guides, the good old USDA food safety guidelines for canning plus a dog-eared copy of Lin Pardy's Care and Feeding of Sailing Crew (2006) for inspiration and advice.
What else surprises me? The joy of companionship - having a partner who shares my dreams and possibilities - and is willing to teach (...and learn) and realizing that daily showers don't matter, but paying attention to the weather does.
Honestly, I have to say I miss my kids but am trying to find new ways to connect. I marvel to see their lives unfold in meaningful and amazing ways. Ditto for my friends. What I don't miss is the compelling need to schedule every day, every week. This sailing experience is the gift I give myself.