Wood supply

Anyone who heats primarily with wood, knows how important it is to make sure there is an adequate supply of wood for the winter months.  This PW is no exception.  I constantly watch the level of our wood supply, and notify PH of the necessity for additional wood.  We recently received a substantial load of wood recently.  I say substantial, because the logs filled up an entire 20 foot utility trailer.  But upon splitting and stacking, it really didn't amount to much wood, plus it's GREEN.  I have always been told, and read that it is imperative that your wood be seasoned at least 6 months to a year.  Our supply of dried wood is at least 3 years old, and some of it is "punky".  This means really soft.  Oh, it still burns, but it burns so fast, you go through what you have really quick.  I am hoping and praying that our dried wood lasts through what is left of the winter.  Then we will need to start working on getting next winter's supply in place to dry.  I have a resource, but lack a truck and the knowledge of how to use a chain saw.  I am starting to get antsy. 

We've had a cold spell recently, and this week I made a run to the wood pile using my trusty "Lil Tikes" red, plastic wagon.  This wagon is a life saver!  It has been used to haul water for the animals, in the early days of our homestead, when we didn't have water available to back of the property.  It also hauls hay bales to the barn, laundry to the washhouse, and fire wood to the house. 

If you can't afford one of those "fancy, schmancy" garden carts, look for a kid's wagon.  They are very versatile, easy to use, and a virtual gift from God. 

Life saver

In everything that I have read, I don't think I came across anyone suggesting the purchasing of a little red wagon.  I would make this one of my first purchases if I were you.  But you could wait awhile, then when you get one, you'll appreciate it all the more.  

This PW is always looking for ways to save steps.  Oh, some may say I am lazy, I say I am thrifty with my energy.  When I go out to the barn, I usually snag up an armful of wood to bring back.  I wish the kids would learn this, it might save them time and frustration. 

A few hinder dangers in our wood pile are black widows.  They are the size of peas, and I don't mean the shriveled up, dried type, but the plump, fresh kind.  Pretty scary.  We also have to watch out for rattlensakes.  Even in the winter.  It is a MYTH that snakes don't come out in the winter.  We have had rattlesnakes curled up under logs and trees in freezing temps.  Oh, sure they move slower, but a slow bite hurts as much as a fast one. 

Most of the time, I like to keep a tarp over the wood pile to keep the rain off, but the goats find this a dandy place to climb, and their sharp little hooves soon make short work of a tarp.  Therefore, my wood gets wet a lot.  This adds another dimension to keeping warm.  During rainy days, I try to bring wood in early, so that it can dry out inside, but I don't often make it.  So, I have been known to toss wet logs in the stove, where they make this awesome popping and hissing noise.  I pretend I am in a sauna and call it good.

I have an addiction

I am addicted to information.  I love reading.  The Bible, online articles, blogs, self help books, magazines, brochures, textbooks.  You name it.  I absolutely ABHOR going anywhere without something to read.  Just ask my kids, they do not bet my obsession for reading and for "knowing".   One of my mottoes are "you can never have too many books".  I don't care what anyone says, it just isn't possible.  I always aspire to more.  It is always possible to squeeze one more book into the house (even if your house is 360 sq feet). 

Anytime, I see someone recommending a book that will help with being self sufficient, homesteading, herbal medicine and related topics, I need that book.  Sometimes, I am frugal enough to check it out of the library to read first.  Then if I like it I will buy it.  A few times, I have been lucky enough to find them FREE at the local library.  I love our library.  They have this area in their foyer that has all kinds of free things.  Books, magazines, videos, books on tape, color sheets for the kids.  Granted some of these books are free for a reason.  While I cringe at the thought of burning a book, a few of these are only bonfire fodder.  If I had thought of it, I would have brought it home and thrown it in the wood stove, but I was so weirded out by it, I could only shake my head and move on.

We did manage to get several Veggie Tale VHS tapes for free.  Most people nowadays have DVD players.  Our van has a VCR and DVD player, and the VCR gets used the most.  PS2 LOVES Veggie Tales. 

The library also had a Book Sale a year ago.  I really wish they would have another one.  I managed to get a TON of really great reference books like How to Weave a Rug, How to Raise Livestock on a Small Scale, really useful information...to a would be homesteader type.

I don't have many magazine subscriptions.  I view most as a waste of time and money, but I do have one to Backwoods Home Magazine.  In my opinion, it is the BEST magazine.  I love their companion website too.  They are my main source of information these days, and "how tos".

Many of these helpful books also have a list of their own recommended books/magazines that should be read, in order to give you a well rounded view and perspective on homesteading.  I'd hate to duplicate that, but I can give you a list of the ones I have found useful. 

Storey's Guide to Country Skills
The Encyclopedia of Country Living
Five Acres and Independence
Ten Acres Enough
The Self Sufficient Life and How to Live it
Stocking Up
Any Herbal book by Penelope Ody
Where there is no Doctor, and Where there is no Dentist
Cooking with home storage by Peggy Layton
All the resouce books from Backwoods Home (especially Jackie Clay's book and the Emergency Preparedness Book)

These books have saved me many a time.  If I didn't know how to do something, I looked it up.  Then I write notes in the margin of what really worked and what didn't. 

So get to reading, try all your resources from FREE to Amazon.  But stay away from those big bookstores, they often don't have the books you need, and give you "the look" when you ask.

Buying Your Own Piece of Prairie

You might not aspire to be a Prairie Wife, but that's okay.  Where ever you want to call home (mountain, ocean, desert) make the most of it, and try to be as self sufficient as possible. 

Around here, buying your piece of prairie isn't really hard.  After being a loan officer for three years, I definitely urge more people to look towards Owner Finance or Land Agents to purchase.  Traditional mortgage companies just aren't conducive to rural properties.  They don't "get it". 

Now most of my friends, and family do not want to live rurally, or live more simply, they are happy with their modern conveniences, and living in a huge metropolis.  That is not for me.  Several years ago God opened my eyes to the dangers of materialism, the looming economic problems (this was BEFORE the news reported anything), and in being prepared to take care of my family, with as little help (and interference) from the government as possible.  The solution to this was to downsize possessions and housing.

So, I started dreaming about what I wanted in a piece of land.  I urge anyone who wants to buy their prairie dream spot to make a list.  What is it you really want?  Be realistic.
My list looked like this:

At least 40-50 miles away from a major city (I'd prefer 100, but couldn't find it)
Close enough to PH job that he wouldn't be driving for days
Zoning
Existing house or build?
Open pasture land
Some trees (for shade and fuel)
Water feature (river access, pond, creek)
Existing well
Existing electricity (this was optional for me, but PH preferred electricity)
At least 10 acres, ideal would be 40 acres.

I started looking in November 2007, and found it in December 2007.  PH and I looked at lots of property and while the prices was right, we soon realized that additional cash outlays for water and electricity would make it impossible for us to live at these places for a LONG time. 

I looked online for rural, off grid, remote properties.  The ones I really liked were really remote, and PH gave me "the look".  He gives me this look a lot, I have no idea why??
I like to travel to all the little towns between the TEXAS Hill Country and the border, just to pick up their little town newspapers.  Some of the best stuff is found in these papers, AND on feed store bulletin boards.  You learn a lot at feed stores (but that is for another day).

I happened to stumble across an ad for rural property, low down, low monthly payments, best of all it was about an hour from town, but only 15 minutes from PH job.  I scored big!  I was so excited, I had to take the kids and go look right then.  I went by the land agent's office, and talked to him about my requirements, making sure he knew I didn't want a run around.  If he didn't have anything to meet my requirements to tell me at that time.  He had one, but was very relunctant to show it to me, as it was their hunting property.  He also had another with mostly trees. 

After looking at both, I really liked the first one.  It has a pond, and a dry creek bed, which FLOODS, when it rains.  Like bank to bank flooding.  It was fenced, it had an existing, WORKING well and pump, electricity, open pastures and some trees!  I was so excited!  PH and I looked at it together after work, and PH said "Let's get it."  It was so simple.  We paid more than the required down to get our payments low, which is a smart thing to do.  Put as much money towards your land as you can, don't be fooled into the "low down" scenario.  Low down, can mean higher monthly payments, and if you get in a bind it will be hard to come up with the monthly amount. 

During our current Depression, it is smart to have a place that can be afforded, so if you can pay cash and own it right out, that is best.  You can always live humbly (believe me we are) while working on the rest. 

So, remember the things to do when looking for land:

small town newspapers
feed stores
make a list of what is necessary and needful
what can you REALLY afford
how far away do you want to be (remember during hard times, you want to be as far from a major city as possible)
how hard do you want to work? (cleared land vs. lots of brush and scrub trees)
off grid vs. grid electricity
well vs. rain water collection vs. hauling water

Luckily, the state and county we live in are very easy.  No restrictions, no building code.  The only thing we found was that a septic tank MUST be installed, BUT you don't have to use it.  So, if you are a composting toilet kind of Prairie Gal, then get the septic tank (you can even do it yourself) and then get a composting toilet. 

While all this information can be found online, or in a variety of books, the one I rely on heavily is "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" by Carla Emery.  It's a wealth of knowledge.

The information I write on isn't intended to replace or duplicate what has already been done, but to showcase what I have learned, using the resources (like the book above), and what I have learned (good and bad) from following the advice.  I encourage any prospective homesteader to get out there and READ!  Then talk and solicit advice from other homesteaders and locals.  Temper your excitement, especially with the locals, or you'll get the "evil eye" and a reputation for being "one of those".

Making Popcorn

Being a good Prairie Wife I have a variety of food items stocked up because the grocery store is a bit of a drive.  I even have popcorn on hand.  How is that odd you ask?  Well, it isn't microwave popcorn, which is really all I have ever made for the kids.  I've been looking for a popcorn popper for awhile so that I could show the kids how to make the "real" stuff.  Then I remembered...before I was a PW I was a Prairie Daughter and my Prairie mom used a large pan on the stove and shook it back and forth.  I could just imagine my arms turning into jelly.  I finally found one today at a store today, and was able to snag it for under $20.  We came home and promptly made a huge bowl, I repeat a HUGE bowl!  No more teensy, weensy bags of microwave popcorn, but a huge, honking bowl full.  I mean I even melted butter, REAL butter to pour on it, and guess what, Prairie Daughter #2 (who is 7) hates it.  I mean who can hate REAL popcorn, with REAL butter?!  Now Prairie Son #2 (who is 2) found it to be great fun.  He ate a little, then proceeded to feed the dog, throw handfuls in the air, all over the floor and the couch.  I kept swatting PS2 with a rolled up magazine, but he thought that was incentive to throw more.  I gave up. 

Then I decided...to make popcorn on the woodstove.  You see, I was given this antique popcorn popper a long time ago (I think it was my Prairie Mom).  I put a dab of oil, a handful of popcorn, and then stuck it inside the wood stove.  DO NOT EVER DO THIS!  THE OIL WILL CATCH ON FIRE AND LEAVE LITTLE BLACK SPECKS ON YOUR POPCORN!

After blowing out the fire, I tried sliding it, and shaking it on top of the wood stove.  Here is the end result...

Looks pretty good!  Next time, I won't use oil, or maybe less oil (hmm?) and see how it turns out.  I'll let you know about it when I do!

Heat Exchanger

Prairie Wife has been cold lately, normally I can handle the cold, but when my feet get cold, PW is not a happy mama!  Prairie Husband (PH) and I have been talking about getting a heat exchanger for the wood stove.  We both were under the impression that this was a smallish, rectangular box that was inserted in the chimney pipe between the damper and the top of the pipe.  We both assumed it was something that did not require electricity, but was thermal driven. 

I looked up the information online, and located one ON SALE at the Northern Tool in town (about 50 miles away).  With the cost of shipping it was worth driving into town one day.  I made sure to combine all my errands to help defray the cost of gas (which is almost $3.00 a gallon, can you believe it?!)

Upon arriving at the store, I meandered over to the wood stove area, and saw this huge black box on display that read "Magic Heat".  I thought it was the display model, which is why it was so huge.  After asking a salesman for help, I learned that the large box WAS the heat exchagner AND it was ELECTRIC!

I went ahead and purchased it.  Once home PH decided to take it all out of the box.  He proceeded to laugh and this huge, honking piece of metal.  We both debated if it would even fit in the spot where we have our stove.  Our cabin is only 360 sq feet, and the wood stove is crammed into a corner of our 8 foot wide cabin (it is 45 feet long), so space is a premium. 

The heat exchanger actually sat on our couch for several days while I researched online if there were smaller, non-electric versions.  There was a different type (still electric) at a Tractor Supply 20 miles away, but after driving over to look at it, I wasn't convinced. 
PH finally decided we would keep it and he would "make" it work.  I gently reminded him that if he "altered" it, the warranty would be void.  I received "the look", and went merrily on my way.

Now for those who don't know what a heat exchange really is, and have been patiently waiting with baited breath for an explanation, here it is....a heat exchanger takes the heat that is released out the chimney and returns roughly 30% back into the room.  Because we live in a metal building, any additional heat is always welcome.  The prospect of more heat was making me giddy (though I hid it well, I must say). 

Here is a picture of the Magic Heat, heat exchanger installed.  There is a cord behind it that is plugged in behind the wooden cabinet to the right, and there are two modes for the fan.  One is automatic.  Once the heat in the firebox reaches a certain temperature it comes on by itself, and then shuts off once it cools down.  Then there is the one we use, because I don't like to remember to put it on automatic.  I use the one that has the fan ON all the time, until I turn it off. 

A drawback to this, for PH, is that it requires maintenance.  It is not a plug it in and forget about it appliance.  Every so often it needs to be unplugged, opened and the cresote cleaned out of it. 

In thinking about the PROS and CONS of the Magic Heat.  I'd have to say the PROS outweigh the CONS. 

PROS:
MORE heat (two thumbs up)
Affordable ($159.00 plus tax)
Three year warranty (1 year plus paid for additional 2 yr)
It fit!
Easy to install
Great conversation piece ("what the heck is that?")

CONS:
ELECTRIC
Fan is noisy
PH says requires too much maintenance and there were too many "don'ts"

So, if you are in the market for more heat, a heat exchanger is a good way to go, IF you aren't living on solar power.  If you are, one of those thermal driven, stove-top, fans might be more your style.  (I want one of those too, to blow the heat from the surface of the stove into the room, but that's another article for another day.)