I made ham and bean soup today, it's still cooking away in the crock pot. You may not think this is significant, but it is! I don't like beans. I found this recipe online, and it looked good, despite the beans. I even TASTED the broth to see how it was...I lived!
The "plan" is to have PH try it, if it likes it great, we'll have it tomorrow. If not, I'll can it and it will become part of my emergency food, " if you are starving, you'll eat it" pantry. It smells good, and the taste...needed more salt it was kind of BLAH.
PH is finished with barn construction, but has been welding a couple of hay racks for the horses out of scrap pipe. Pretty cool! I had mentioned to him I wanted to buy some from the local feed store, but FREE is always better.
What have you done to prepare this week?
I've decluttered and gone through items to make room for more storage.
Inventoried the freezer
Talked to my FIL about hog butchering (he's a wealth of knowledge)
Started preparations to make deer jerky for the first time
More later, coyotes are prowling gotta go....
Friday, January 6, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Goals for 2012
I saw this idea on another blog, and while I post every now and then what I'd like to accomplish I thought I'd put it in one place.
1. Butcher first pig that we purchased in 2011 as part of last year's goals.
2. Purchase turkey poults to breed and butcher
3. Find a way to get water out of well without electricity.
4. Finish house shell.
5. Re-stock pantry, and first aid kit.
6. Have PH bring fuel tanks from work and start to fill for gasoline preps.
7. Purchase additional kerosene for oil lamps.
8. Set up beehive.
9. Can 200 quarts of food.
10. Expand garden
11. Purchase Berkey filter
12. Purchase two solar panel kits plus solar lights.
1. Butcher first pig that we purchased in 2011 as part of last year's goals.
2. Purchase turkey poults to breed and butcher
3. Find a way to get water out of well without electricity.
4. Finish house shell.
5. Re-stock pantry, and first aid kit.
6. Have PH bring fuel tanks from work and start to fill for gasoline preps.
7. Purchase additional kerosene for oil lamps.
8. Set up beehive.
9. Can 200 quarts of food.
10. Expand garden
11. Purchase Berkey filter
12. Purchase two solar panel kits plus solar lights.
How to Clean a Woodstove and Chimney
Due to severe backdraft issues we thought maybe (after 3 years ) it was necessary to clean out the stove pipe. PH used a rechargeable drill to remove ALL the screws from the stove pipe. Make sure to place these all in a baggie so you won't lose them.
PH then removed the stack attached to the wood stove on one end, and the Magic Heat heat exchanger on the top. Then he detached the Magic Heat from the elbow pipe that went out of the wall. The piece through the wall he left in place. He used the wire chimney brush while I held the bucket under the opening and rain the brush through several times. We were SHOCKED at how much cresote came out of just the horizontal pipe.
Next on the list was removing the outside elbow piece, removing the bracket screws that hold the upright pipe and attached rain hat. Once those were on the ground, PH carefully cleaned each piece. He even washed the rain hat to remove all the creosote build up from the wire screen.
Once the pipe was clean, he reattached the pipes and screwed everything back together. I then cleaned the inside of the stove, and replaced any broken fire bricks. Next on the list (for another day) will be taking a wire brush to the outside of the wood stove and reapplying stove black to the stove.
It is wonderful to be able to sit here tonight with a fire (it is in the 30s here) without smoke pouring until the room. Last night I kept a low fire burning, but had to sleep with the front door cracked so most of the smoke would go outside. Much better to have ZERO smoke inside the house ;-)
PH then removed the stack attached to the wood stove on one end, and the Magic Heat heat exchanger on the top. Then he detached the Magic Heat from the elbow pipe that went out of the wall. The piece through the wall he left in place. He used the wire chimney brush while I held the bucket under the opening and rain the brush through several times. We were SHOCKED at how much cresote came out of just the horizontal pipe.
Next on the list was removing the outside elbow piece, removing the bracket screws that hold the upright pipe and attached rain hat. Once those were on the ground, PH carefully cleaned each piece. He even washed the rain hat to remove all the creosote build up from the wire screen.
Once the pipe was clean, he reattached the pipes and screwed everything back together. I then cleaned the inside of the stove, and replaced any broken fire bricks. Next on the list (for another day) will be taking a wire brush to the outside of the wood stove and reapplying stove black to the stove.
It is wonderful to be able to sit here tonight with a fire (it is in the 30s here) without smoke pouring until the room. Last night I kept a low fire burning, but had to sleep with the front door cracked so most of the smoke would go outside. Much better to have ZERO smoke inside the house ;-)
Happy New Year!
We had a great time of fun, food, family, friends and fellowship New Year's Eve. This was our third year to host a bonfire, and we had a good crowd. About an hour before midnight the guys headed to the bridge by the creek to set off the fireworks. It was a pretty good display, and along with the neighbors setting off theirs gave us an exciting, fun night.
It's always interesting to see how I can host a party with as little money spent as possible. Providing food for the pantry/freezer makes the night less stressful. I made BBQ wings, wild hog sausage, nachos, bread, iced tea and everyone brought snacks like cookies, brownies, and more.
The wood stove is smoking bad, and back drafting into the cabin. It figures this happens when the nights are really cold. In order to be warm enough to not freeze we have had the fire going, but I have to sleep with a fan blowing from one end, and the front door cracked to keep the smoke going out of the house. I still woke this morning at 4 a.m. cold, and with my eyes burning. Once it is light, I'll let the fire die out so that the stove and pipe can cool. PH will take the chimney down so it can be cleaned. We are quite certain that after three years this may be the problem. Everything we read says to clean it yearly, but after 20 years of heating with wood we have found this to not be accurate for us. The first time before we found out it needed to cleaned we went 10 years without doing it without any problems. We only cleaned the chimney because we purchased a newer stove. But I think it's necessary this time....
I purchased a few food preps, and focused on my medical preps to keep stocking my first aid kit. Having an extensive first aid kit came in handy when PH sliced his hand open on the tin roofing while working on the barn extension. He is adding another side roof structure over the horse pens. Originally we were going to let the horses use the first barn extension to shelter out of the elements, but PH had enough materials scavaged that he wanted to use them up, and not let them rust away on the ground. So, instead of moving the pens under the first extension he is building another over the pens themselves. The first extension will be used for church worship services, a work area for PH, and a shelter for the log splitter, garden tractor. etc.
Back to PH's hand....it was worse then we first thought and really should have had stitches, but PH doesn't go to the hospital for such minor issues. I was able to clean it, and use my "Liquid Skin" to close up the injury. I bandaged it and he was on his way. Because he was still working he kept breaking it open, so that evening it was seeping pretty badly. I doctored it again with peroxide, Neosporin and a bandage. By yesterday afternoon, it was looking pretty good.
PH and PS#1 (age 23) were able to get the framework up and will concentrate on finishing up with the roofing later today. It's not even 5 a.m. and everyone else is still sleeping. I LOVE the quiet of the house early morning and late evening. Very peaceful.
I pray this new year brings blessings, and we are in much prayer for our nation. It's going to be a bumpy ride for sure this year, but working on relying on the Lord for our provision and security is a never ending theme with our family.
Hope everyone had great Christmas and New Year celebrations in the loving atmosphere of family and God.
It's always interesting to see how I can host a party with as little money spent as possible. Providing food for the pantry/freezer makes the night less stressful. I made BBQ wings, wild hog sausage, nachos, bread, iced tea and everyone brought snacks like cookies, brownies, and more.
The wood stove is smoking bad, and back drafting into the cabin. It figures this happens when the nights are really cold. In order to be warm enough to not freeze we have had the fire going, but I have to sleep with a fan blowing from one end, and the front door cracked to keep the smoke going out of the house. I still woke this morning at 4 a.m. cold, and with my eyes burning. Once it is light, I'll let the fire die out so that the stove and pipe can cool. PH will take the chimney down so it can be cleaned. We are quite certain that after three years this may be the problem. Everything we read says to clean it yearly, but after 20 years of heating with wood we have found this to not be accurate for us. The first time before we found out it needed to cleaned we went 10 years without doing it without any problems. We only cleaned the chimney because we purchased a newer stove. But I think it's necessary this time....
I purchased a few food preps, and focused on my medical preps to keep stocking my first aid kit. Having an extensive first aid kit came in handy when PH sliced his hand open on the tin roofing while working on the barn extension. He is adding another side roof structure over the horse pens. Originally we were going to let the horses use the first barn extension to shelter out of the elements, but PH had enough materials scavaged that he wanted to use them up, and not let them rust away on the ground. So, instead of moving the pens under the first extension he is building another over the pens themselves. The first extension will be used for church worship services, a work area for PH, and a shelter for the log splitter, garden tractor. etc.
Back to PH's hand....it was worse then we first thought and really should have had stitches, but PH doesn't go to the hospital for such minor issues. I was able to clean it, and use my "Liquid Skin" to close up the injury. I bandaged it and he was on his way. Because he was still working he kept breaking it open, so that evening it was seeping pretty badly. I doctored it again with peroxide, Neosporin and a bandage. By yesterday afternoon, it was looking pretty good.
PH and PS#1 (age 23) were able to get the framework up and will concentrate on finishing up with the roofing later today. It's not even 5 a.m. and everyone else is still sleeping. I LOVE the quiet of the house early morning and late evening. Very peaceful.
I pray this new year brings blessings, and we are in much prayer for our nation. It's going to be a bumpy ride for sure this year, but working on relying on the Lord for our provision and security is a never ending theme with our family.
Hope everyone had great Christmas and New Year celebrations in the loving atmosphere of family and God.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The Ten Percent Club
I was reading an article tonight by the great Patrice Lewis (www.rural-revolution.com) about allotting 10% of your income (actually they are committed to doing this) to "preps". I believe I am going to try that...it is better than nothing. I get so stuck about where to start. My list is soooooo long. Living out of my storage this past year has seriously depleted some areas. Okay, ALL areas. I am working on my list and breaking it up into shelter, food, medicine, tools, livestock, miscellaneous (clothes, shoes, etc.).
Actually 30% of our income will be going towards shelter (building the house), 10% to the church (this is the plan), 10% to preps, 10% savings, and 40% to living expenses. So, roughly $1500 a month towards expenses and $1500 towards those things you see listed here.
I'll let you know how we do. Making my list of prep items to purchase this Thursday (pay day) tonight.
Medicinal items needed so far:
more antibiotics (see Enola's book)
neosporin
alcohol
peroxide
iodine
immodium
tums
bandaids
gauze
tape
splints
butterfly sutures
dental kits
suture kits
Misc.
zip ties
bungees
pvc pipe
metal pipe
foam insulation
flashing
poultry fence
stock panels (for garden)
galvanized tubs, pails, buckets
Actually 30% of our income will be going towards shelter (building the house), 10% to the church (this is the plan), 10% to preps, 10% savings, and 40% to living expenses. So, roughly $1500 a month towards expenses and $1500 towards those things you see listed here.
I'll let you know how we do. Making my list of prep items to purchase this Thursday (pay day) tonight.
Medicinal items needed so far:
more antibiotics (see Enola's book)
neosporin
alcohol
peroxide
iodine
immodium
tums
bandaids
gauze
tape
splints
butterfly sutures
dental kits
suture kits
Misc.
zip ties
bungees
pvc pipe
metal pipe
foam insulation
flashing
poultry fence
stock panels (for garden)
galvanized tubs, pails, buckets
The roof is on!
PH, PS#1 and PD#1
PH is finishing up the last piece of roofing
The horses and goats now have some sort of shelter from the elements.
The enclosed area on the right houses the hay, feed, meat chickens in their tractor, saddles and miscellaneous equipment.
With the exception of buying the sheet metal screws it was all done with salvaged materials.
I'm pretty proud of PH and his accomplishment. Yeah!
Friday, December 23, 2011
With Bated Breath
The kids are waiting with baited breath for Christmas Day. They think it has taken so long to get here, I don't think it has taken long enough. I didn't get the opportunity to really enjoy Christmas this year.
We cleaned the house really well today, and did loads of laundry. Primarily, blankets. Our temperatures are going to be in the low 30's the next few days. We stopped by and purchased additional kerosene, in case we run out and brought in stacks of wood for the stove. The beds are made with the flannel sheets, piled with blankets and the kids are in their flannel pajamas tucked in with a hot water bottle for their feet.
I love sitting here by the fire at night knowing that everything has been taken care of. The animals have been fed and are bedded down in the barn. The laundry has been taken off the line, and my family is tucked into a nice warm bed. Living out here and rarely leaving can give you a feeling that nothing else exists or matters. I like that feeling.
We have opted to stay home for Christmas, foregoing any outside family celebrations. The need for reflection and time with my immediate family is strong with me this year. It's been a struggle this year to deal with others that have chosen not to walk with God, or ridicule our preparedness mindset. I am usually pretty good at letting things roll off my back, and allowing others to make their poor choices. Not this year. As time grows short, I feel a deep sadness that the path they are on is not one God would choose for them. It is really difficult to see people on a path to destruction, especially when you care for their well being.
As we approach the day of celebration for our Saviour's birth, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
We cleaned the house really well today, and did loads of laundry. Primarily, blankets. Our temperatures are going to be in the low 30's the next few days. We stopped by and purchased additional kerosene, in case we run out and brought in stacks of wood for the stove. The beds are made with the flannel sheets, piled with blankets and the kids are in their flannel pajamas tucked in with a hot water bottle for their feet.
I love sitting here by the fire at night knowing that everything has been taken care of. The animals have been fed and are bedded down in the barn. The laundry has been taken off the line, and my family is tucked into a nice warm bed. Living out here and rarely leaving can give you a feeling that nothing else exists or matters. I like that feeling.
We have opted to stay home for Christmas, foregoing any outside family celebrations. The need for reflection and time with my immediate family is strong with me this year. It's been a struggle this year to deal with others that have chosen not to walk with God, or ridicule our preparedness mindset. I am usually pretty good at letting things roll off my back, and allowing others to make their poor choices. Not this year. As time grows short, I feel a deep sadness that the path they are on is not one God would choose for them. It is really difficult to see people on a path to destruction, especially when you care for their well being.
As we approach the day of celebration for our Saviour's birth, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!
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