[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Winter preps 2014 (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 9/12/2014 7:46:33 PM EDT
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The last year has been hard financially. Things are finally starting to look up for our family. Last winter was a little easier because of my prepping from the year before.
This year I will have more money to work with but I am starting at a deficit. I only have about 50 gallons of k1 here at home and lots of empty cans to fill. My gas stocks are very depleted. I need to work on ventilation for the chicken coop for winter. The bunny cage needs upgraded. I also need to move the hot water heater in preparation for the coal stove that we will be buying in November. It always seems daunting. Financially and physically. They are saying it's going to be another hard winter. I better hit it hard tomorrow! 
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This year will be my first winter in an actual winter climate. Before moving here, all my packs were 4 season kits because it never got "cold" and it never snowed. I had to do a complete overhaul and buy a lot of winter gear for the fourth season.
Former 4 season bag on the left and new 4th season bag on the right: 
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Quoted:
This year will be my first winter in an actual winter climate. Before moving here, all my packs were 4 season kits because it never got "cold" and it never snowed. I had to do a complete overhaul and buy a lot of winter gear for the fourth season. Former 4 season bag on the left and new 4th season bag on the right: http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag126/Half-Bear/2nd/13C0FAF8-9AFA-4A1A-B0A6-F911F2293314_zpsntuyhwoe.jpg I keep poly pro undies in all my kits year round. My kits don't change in the winter other than a thicker bag. I just make sure my cold weather gear is right next to the door so I can grab it on the way out. I figure if it's cold enough to use it I better be wearing it. |
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This year will be my first winter in an actual winter climate. Before moving here, all my packs were 4 season kits because it never got "cold" and it never snowed. I had to do a complete overhaul and buy a lot of winter gear for the fourth season. Former 4 season bag on the left and new 4th season bag on the right: http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag126/Half-Bear/2nd/13C0FAF8-9AFA-4A1A-B0A6-F911F2293314_zpsntuyhwoe.jpg I am not sure what the purose of the Eeyore is in your bag. Someone to talk to if you get stranded on the side of the road? 
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I have been knocking out a few projects one at a time. Built a pole barn wood shed out of scrap rough sawn, recycled tin, and a couple cedar logs from my property:
Also built a generator shed to house my two gen sets... Also now have the pole barn 1/2 filled with firewood. I am estimating if the pole barn is completely full that will give us almost two years worth of firewood so that way I will always be one year ahead. 
Generator shed was also built with scavenged rough sawn. Didn't want a scabbed together tin roof for it so I made my own cedar shingles... Didn't cost much other then my time and gas for the tools. 
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Quoted:
I have been knocking out a few projects one at a time. Built a pole barn wood shed out of scrap rough sawn, recycled tin, and a couple cedar logs from my property: http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140528_0000_zps2f928004.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140527_0002_zpse067b535.jpg Also built a generator shed to house my two gen sets... Also now have the pole barn 1/2 filled with firewood. I am estimating if the pole barn is completely full that will give us almost two years worth of firewood so that way I will always be one year ahead. http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0702_zps02d899c2.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0703_zps1f953961.jpg Generator shed was also built with scavenged rough sawn. Didn't want a scabbed together tin roof for it so I made my own cedar shingles... Didn't cost much other then my time and gas for the tools.  http://youtu.be/lDCCT_HC1Fw?list=UUmkGhxpyPd4hvy8bZArCsZg
Cool! |
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Quoted:
I have been knocking out a few projects one at a time. Built a pole barn wood shed out of scrap rough sawn, recycled tin, and a couple cedar logs from my property: http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140528_0000_zps2f928004.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140527_0002_zpse067b535.jpg Also built a generator shed to house my two gen sets... Also now have the pole barn 1/2 filled with firewood. I am estimating if the pole barn is completely full that will give us almost two years worth of firewood so that way I will always be one year ahead. http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0702_zps02d899c2.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0703_zps1f953961.jpg Generator shed was also built with scavenged rough sawn. Didn't want a scabbed together tin roof for it so I made my own cedar shingles... Didn't cost much other then my time and gas for the tools. http://youtu.be/lDCCT_HC1Fw?list=UUmkGhxpyPd4hvy8bZArCsZg
That generator shed is beautiful! Great job! |
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It's raining here so a lot of outside work is on hold.
I'm re-treating a bunch of my oilskin gear today. This is a tedious project and I've been putting it off. Gonna try to knock it out today. Have to cut firewood lickety-split. Have about 4 seasoned cords under cover but that probably won't carry us through the cold season. If I can cut and split a cord in then next few weeks we'll probably have enough. If not, I'll probably have to buy some seasoned wood on the open market. Gotta buy or build a bigger shelter for our feeder pigs as they're growing out of the calf hutch they've been living in. Have to bite the bullet and haul our cull sow to the butcher. Have to take down our gardens than aren't in play for the fall. Put outdoor farming implements in the barn and fix the ones that need it. The list of winter preps is long. 
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I'd put some 90 degree flashing under the tin on the front and sides of that wood shed if I were you or that facia and outside rafters will rot in two years. Quoted:
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~snip~ I'd put some 90 degree flashing under the tin on the front and sides of that wood shed if I were you or that facia and outside rafters will rot in two years. Not with a good coat of waste oil once every few years. Its open to the air on all sides, so it wont trap the moister. I would bet my cedar posts will rot in the ground or the scabbed tin roof will rust before those rafters rot. Maybe in hot humid climates it might be an issue but not here in northern NY. It would probably be fine without waste oil but the used motor oil will make it last for a long time. My work shop/ tool shed next to the pole barn has been there for over five years and only last summer when I moved into the house did I stain it. Hind sight is 20-20 but I should have coated it with waste oil vs expensive stain that doesn't work half as good. Quoted:
That generator shed is beautiful! Great job! Thank you! still have to give it a few more coats of oil. |
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It's raining here so a lot of outside work is on hold. I'm re-treating a bunch of my oilskin gear today. This is a tedious project and I've been putting it off. Gonna try to knock it out today. Have to cut firewood lickety-split. Have about 4 seasoned cords under cover but that probably won't carry us through the cold season. If I can cut and split a cord in then next few weeks we'll probably have enough. If not, I'll probably have to buy some seasoned wood on the open market. Gotta buy or build a bigger shelter for our feeder pigs as they're growing out of the calf hutch they've been living in. Have to bite the bullet and haul our cull sow to the butcher. Have to take down our gardens than aren't in play for the fall. Put outdoor farming implements in the barn and fix the ones that need it. The list of winter preps is long. My brother has a firewood business (has a large processor) And he is one of the cheapest in the area for cut and split wood and it is not as cheap as it once was. Thankfully I have the means to gather and process my own. If you were closer I could hook you up with a deal. NY to PA with firewood would not be very productive financial venture 
Rain in my AO as well. Cold and crappy today. With a long list of things to get in order I am finding myself in front of the computer surfing arfcom. - cover all out buildings in waste oil. -finish gathering cutting and splitting firewood. Still need about 3 more full cords to fill the pole barn. That puts me ahead for next year or secures my heat source should this be an apocalyptical winter. I log with my Honda Rancher ATV so its not very fast. -clean up garden area, re-till and seed for grass. Going to try small space gardening even though I have plenty of room. Regular style gardens have been ok the last two years just not great. And to much work. -Clean and reorganize my work shop for winter. -get some tires I just mounted on rims balanced. -get all my gear together for a hunting trip. -mow and weed trim beyond the normal area I mow as just "lawn." -cycle through some of my gas stores. -service and tune up both mine and my wifes jeeps. -get septic tank pumped. That list looks longer every time I look at it/ think about it. If winter is going to be as bad as every one is saying its going to be, its going to be a tough year. I am very thankful I can heat with firewood and have been blessed with enough property to gather my own. |
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my plan is to call my wife's boss on snowy days and tell him that she is very sick and is not coming in. 
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/671594_my_wife_did_most_of_the_documentation_of_this_event_from_inside_her_car____.html&page=1 ps the gear is on page 4 in this post: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_10_17/671594__ARCHIVED_THREAD____my_wife_did_most_of_the_documentation_of_this_event_from_inside_her_car____.html&page=4#i11488111 ar-jedi |
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I made a LOT of mistakes last winter...
From chimney fires, saturated firewood, no back-up plan location-wise, etc...we were screwed a few times and solar panels and bullets made not a shits bit of difference! What am I doing different this year? Getting the cars completely fixed up and ready. New shocks on her car, new struts and snow tires on mine (Forester). We should be good to go pretty much anywhere anytime with the AWD and snow tires alone. I still have to fill some of the fuel cans. But instead of just letting my wood in a big dumped pile I'm going to be stacking it next to the shed I'm building now. Then if time allows I'll build a lean to over that. But at the very least I'll have a tarp on top of it to keep it from being covered in 2-3 inches of solid ice. Plus the chimney will be monitored weekly and I'll have a week's to two week's worth of wood stacked in our newly emptied/organized garages. So that if something happens we still have time to either get another heat source in place. We're also adding a LOT to our pantry. We should be good to go for a month at minimum but I can't really see that being needed. A week is far more likely. The snow blower is already ready to go and starts on the first pull. I've got some wizzard mix for the driveway and walking path. Shovel and ice chopper are also at the ready. HAM radio (portable) are both charged up and antennas are either stored or in place. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I could need. All I know is that if this winter is the same or worse than last year it's going to be miserable! -Emt1581 |
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The way I figure it I'm already ahead of last year. I moved in November to a rental and again to a purchased home in Feb. I had to maintain the rental through the Spring too. That killed me to heat both and I was maintaining both driveways with heavy snowfalls just to finish moving.
I am trading the 10 year old truck for a new one. The salt has done her thing to it. I wish I made the time to do the spray oil and dusty road thing on the old truck, she still looks good from topside, not so much underneath. I've been canning my garden stuffs lately. Not enough variety, mostly tomato, cukes, cabbage and broccoli. So that gives me lots of pickles, salsa, puree, canned whole tomatoes. I didn't get much broccoli so I've been eating it fresh and not blanch and freezing. (To do list, get chest freezer) I too need to put a plexiglas window in the coop. The previous owner had wire mesh and just stapled black tyvek over the window for the winter. I'd like to do something a little better and quicker to adjust. I still need to do a quick cleanout of the woodstove chimney. It was pretty good last I looked. Tractor needs a service soon. Need more wood, what I've cut is nothing. |
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I made a LOT of mistakes last winter... From chimney fires, saturated firewood, no back-up plan location-wise, etc...we were screwed a few times and solar panels and bullets made not a shits bit of difference! What am I doing different this year? Getting the cars completely fixed up and ready. New shocks on her car, new struts and snow tires on mine (Forester). We should be good to go pretty much anywhere anytime with the AWD and snow tires alone. I still have to fill some of the fuel cans. But instead of just letting my wood in a big dumped pile I'm going to be stacking it next to the shed I'm building now. Then if time allows I'll build a lean to over that. But at the very least I'll have a tarp on top of it to keep it from being covered in 2-3 inches of solid ice. Plus the chimney will be monitored weekly and I'll have a week's to two week's worth of wood stacked in our newly emptied/organized garages. So that if something happens we still have time to either get another heat source in place. We're also adding a LOT to our pantry. We should be good to go for a month at minimum but I can't really see that being needed. A week is far more likely. The snow blower is already ready to go and starts on the first pull. I've got some wizzard mix for the driveway and walking path. Shovel and ice chopper are also at the ready. HAM radio (portable) are both charged up and antennas are either stored or in place. Other than that, I'm not sure what else I could need. All I know is that if this winter is the same or worse than last year it's going to be miserable! -Emt1581 Good job!!! I clean my chimney at least once a year, sometimes twice depending on how we burn during the year. A large tarp and bucket plus my sweeper make quick work of it right from our basement. Learning your woodstove and setup is almost like a relationship... No two are the same and each have their likes and dislikes. I to am learning after only one winter in our current home. We are also changing our pantry setup, spending a little more on "healthy food" and moving away from the processed stuff. We are trying like hell at our garden but it is a lot of work. I have some new to me tires to get balanced and then throw on the jeep for inspection and winter... Co workers wife smoked a curb slicing the sidewall of one tire. Co worker bought a new set of four while his other three were still 70% tread. He gave the three to me in exchange for a take out dinner while at work. I ordered another fourth tire on ebay for $60 shipped to my door, then mounted all four on a spare set of rims I also got on ebay for a couple hundred bucks... a bit of soap, a few pry bars and some elbow grease will have them mounted up in no time. $9 each gets them balanced at walmart and I have a good set of tires on rims for winter for what it would cost me to buy four new tires placed on my current rims. The bonus for me is I now have two sets on rims, one that are pretty beat but good for another summer. I also have the option of a similar size spare should I need it. All and all its the little things that make the difference in situations and the self reliance of it all makes it worth while IMO. With all that said I plow with an ATV so much more snow then last year and I will have my work cut out! |
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I have been knocking out a few projects one at a time. Built a pole barn wood shed out of scrap rough sawn, recycled tin, and a couple cedar logs from my property: http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140528_0000_zps2f928004.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140527_0002_zpse067b535.jpg Also built a generator shed to house my two gen sets... Also now have the pole barn 1/2 filled with firewood. I am estimating if the pole barn is completely full that will give us almost two years worth of firewood so that way I will always be one year ahead. http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0702_zps02d899c2.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0703_zps1f953961.jpg Generator shed was also built with scavenged rough sawn. Didn't want a scabbed together tin roof for it so I made my own cedar shingles... Didn't cost much other then my time and gas for the tools. http://youtu.be/lDCCT_HC1Fw?list=UUmkGhxpyPd4hvy8bZArCsZg
Nice! Are the braces of your pole barn notched into the cedar posts? |
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Good job!!! I clean my chimney at least once a year, sometimes twice depending on how we burn during the year. A large tarp and bucket plus my sweeper make quick work of it right from our basement. Learning your woodstove and setup is almost like a relationship... No two are the same and each have their likes and dislikes. I to am learning after only one winter in our current home. We are also changing our pantry setup, spending a little more on "healthy food" and moving away from the processed stuff. We are trying like hell at our garden but it is a lot of work. I have some new to me tires to get balanced and then throw on the jeep for inspection and winter... Co workers wife smoked a curb slicing the sidewall of one tire. Co worker bought a new set of four while his other three were still 70% tread. He gave the three to me in exchange for a take out dinner while at work. I ordered another fourth tire on ebay for $60 shipped to my door, then mounted all four on a spare set of rims I also got on ebay for a couple hundred bucks... a bit of soap, a few pry bars and some elbow grease will have them mounted up in no time. $9 each gets them balanced at walmart and I have a good set of tires on rims for winter for what it would cost me to buy four new tires placed on my current rims. The bonus for me is I now have two sets on rims, one that are pretty beat but good for another summer. I also have the option of a similar size spare should I need it. All and all its the little things that make the difference in situations and the self reliance of it all makes it worth while IMO. With all that said I plow with an ATV so much more snow then last year and I will have my work cut out! Thanks! On the wheels... Last year I learned that subaru's are better than other vehicles when snow is packed down on the ground...but only slightly with regular/worn tires. Compared to my wife's Buick that slid back down a hill, my Forester climbed it like a champ. However, with snow tires this winter it should be unbeatable! Not that I'm going to go zipping around like a jackass. I just need to know that no matter what I'll be able to get from point A to point B even if my township runs out of salt/brine again! What I did was bought a set of steelies for $40 off a guy in my town on CL. They still have tires mounted on them. But in two weeks I'm going to be grabbing a set of Altimax Arctics at wal-mart. I provide my own stems. Plus they are offering a $70 rebate. So with mounting, balancing, and disposal I should come in under $300 out the door for brand new snow tires that'll last me quite a while. The garden failed this year. So I had the land cleared and am putting the shed and wood stack over it. Then we'll be able to park the cars in the garage and the mower(s), motorcycle and all-weather set in the shed. Next year I'll put the garden where the sun definitely shines and then invest in a pressure cooker and some other canning supplies and get to work. Then in the spring we'll replace all the windows (original to the house) and get a new roof. Thanks to a new job that's paying pretty well we should be completely good to go within a year. That's the plan at least. -Emt1581 |
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The last year has been hard financially. Things are finally starting to look up for our family. Last winter was a little easier because of my prepping from the year before. This year I will have more money to work with but I am starting at a deficit. I only have about 50 gallons of k1 here at home and lots of empty cans to fill. My gas stocks are very depleted. I need to work on ventilation for the chicken coop for winter. The bunny cage needs upgraded. I also need to move the hot water heater in preparation for the coal stove that we will be buying in November. It always seems daunting. Financially and physically. They are saying it's going to be another hard winter. I better hit it hard tomorrow! Move over here to Idaho, it wont be a hard winter here. (well, less hard than normal) |
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Nice! Are the braces of your pole barn notched into the cedar posts? Quoted:
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I have been knocking out a few projects one at a time. Built a pole barn wood shed out of scrap rough sawn, recycled tin, and a couple cedar logs from my property: http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140528_0000_zps2f928004.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/140527_0002_zpse067b535.jpg Also built a generator shed to house my two gen sets... Also now have the pole barn 1/2 filled with firewood. I am estimating if the pole barn is completely full that will give us almost two years worth of firewood so that way I will always be one year ahead. http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0702_zps02d899c2.jpg http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/thederrick106/newhouse/PICT0703_zps1f953961.jpg Generator shed was also built with scavenged rough sawn. Didn't want a scabbed together tin roof for it so I made my own cedar shingles... Didn't cost much other then my time and gas for the tools. http://youtu.be/lDCCT_HC1Fw?list=UUmkGhxpyPd4hvy8bZArCsZg
Nice! Are the braces of your pole barn notched into the cedar posts? The cedar poles are notched to the main cross beams or ridge beams. The little angle parts going from each pole to the rafters are not notched, just nailed. They were originally there for a bit of stability but as the pole barn settled and really stiffened up they are more for looks then true structural support. They help but are not weight bearing or anything. I really just did what seemed to work best as I built it. I have a fair bit of construction experience but don't do it for a living, not even close actually. I classify my skills as "chainsaw carpentry." Any carpenter will know what that means. Working with rough sawn and natural materials is tough but rewarding in the long run. The materials I had on hand really dictated how things were built. If you want some close up pics let me know, its nothing special just some back wood chainsaw carpentry and ingenuity!
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Last winter I started amassing equipment for snow.
Snow shoes, overwhites, snow ponchos, white pack covers, a sled, insulated suit, etc. Reason being; MN had a lot of snow, I had most of my ACU and CW gear taken away by the army, and I hadn't ever done much for winter/snow considerations. I'm good for now, hopefully. |
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My brother has a firewood business (has a large processor) And he is one of the cheapest in the area for cut and split wood and it is not as cheap as it once was. Thankfully I have the means to gather and process my own. If you were closer I could hook you up with a deal. NY to PA with firewood would not be very productive financial venture
Thanks for the offer but we should be fine. On the other hand, if you want to come build me a few sheds you're on! 
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Quoted: What are you doing to get ready for winter? Sitting on your thumbs?  Quoted: Quoted: k?? What are you doing to get ready for winter? Sitting on your thumbs? I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. |
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More firewood. 2.5 - 3 cords (full cords, not ricks) are up but I want at a minimum of two more in case we get slammed like last year and if not we will have wood for syrup making come spring. New insert install should be done in a few wks, Winterize the henhouse, finish bedding the garden down but that's a few wks out yet too. Winterize the three bee hives another job that's 3+ wks out weather dependent, fill freezer with venison (though bambi really determines that one) . Plan out the kids epic sled run that never was last year due to my 53 jubilee needing a top half engine rebuild. Oh and install sliding door on the woodshed. That is a no rush project that isn't critical but more of a convenience now (it will matter more as I age for sure ) . Nothing too far out of the ordinary.
If time permits I'd like to finish the second range back stop but that's more of fun time project that gets picked away at when time permits. Mornings like today (38°) definitely get me thinking about winter though. |
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Yeah that's it I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. Quoted:
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k?? What are you doing to get ready for winter? Sitting on your thumbs? I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. 
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Yeah that's it I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. Quoted:
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k?? What are you doing to get ready for winter? Sitting on your thumbs? I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. Then why post? 
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I'd let my supplies at home get low, so I'm in the midst of a stock up. I rent a small condo (1BR). I happened to hate hauling purchases when the footing is nasty, especially awkward/heavy stuff like large packages of toilet paper or canned goods. I've found some good prices on Amazon (Prime member). I've stocked up on toiletries, toilet paper (can never have enough, though) and some canned food, but I'm not done. I've organized the cupboard where I keep the majority of my canned goods and I can now see what I need to fill the holes.
I don't have a lot of storage space, but I have an antique bed that's higher than modern ones. Great place to stash stuff underneath, especially toilet paper.
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Well, now that I read through many helpful and inspiring posts (as well as the childish tantrum ), I'm glad to have a place to come to and stay on track to not getting caught with my pants down.
Back story: moved from a house in the city (.17 ac and 1,400 SF home) to a far more remote location with greater resources (or problems if your glass is half empty). We now have 4 acres of land, however we abut 800 of conservation. We moved in January to a 3,000 SF place with solar heat, wood heat and oil furnace. Without burning a single log, we have used 300 gallons of oil since January as the solar has worked far better than we could have ever imagined. When we bought the house in January, we came into burst pipes, an empty oil tank and 8' of ice on the front steps...let's not mention the attempted break ins. Now, my plans to get myself more prepared than I was last year: - Snowblower tuned (plugs, oil, grease and new belts) and extra shear pins on hand - Generator tuned - Buy plow, wheel weights and chains for tractor (last year I would either kill myself shoveling 2" off of the .15 mi driveway or I'd look like a goof snowblowing 2", I know the plow on the lawn tractor will be a good in between for the light storms or to clean if anymore comes after snowblowing). Already have a Craigslist lead on one, but looks like the mounting hardware is missing
- Trim back limbs that could pose a problem along the driveway - Mark a trail on my land to the nearby snowmobile corridor (negate the need to trailer the sleds to the corridor trail) - Tune and register snowmobiles - We're splitting 1/2 cow with my in-laws, so the freezer needs to be organized with more of a FIFO inventory system - Organize the garage for "winter mode" - Revamp workshop - Weatherstrip a few doors - Make sure my wife's car emergency kit is what it should be I'm sure there'll be more that distracts me along the way. Thanks batman for getting this thread rolling. |
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I bought 4 little put put generators from govliquidation.com. I am referbing them and converting to natural gas/ propane/ gasoline.
refilling kero next month for the back up kero heaters. looking for a vented natural gas fire place, or possibly a wood stove but my home is not an "open floor plan" at all. It is a long ranch with closed off rooms. any suggestions there? I use natural gas furnace, with generator backup. kerosene heaters, backup propane "buddy type" heaters for tertiary back up, or mobile use. also stocking up on food, and i want to have the permanent rocket stove in the backyard built by mid November. that is a back up to the natural gas stove, propane/natural gas smoker, and camp stoves. |
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Since the wife has been on me to do preps for this winter, I figured I'd start reading the survival forum again.
We've been getting extra soup and fruit cans and extra water every time we go to the store and putting it in the gun room. Still need: more winter blankets, oil lamps, candles, a mess of flashlights, long underwear, better gloves and winter gear and a bunch of other stuff. Our first year in our new house did a nice number on the budget. I have a list. It's long. I also have to move and restack the entire woodpile. Which should be not at all fun. And I also have to replace the back door because it sucks. |
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I always get a cold in the fall on top of my ragweed allergies. I have a new job that requires mandatory attendance during the first 60 days probationary period. So trying to medicate enough to not miss work, and preparing the homestead for winter is quite a chore! On my list: Cut three dead trees for firewood. Mow the pasture one last time. Clean garage to fit two vehicles. Upgrade lighting and electrical wiring in garage. Spray for weeds / insects. Tune up the Farmall 400, and 7' snowblower. Fill up the gas cans and treat the fuel. Replace two CaRb gas cans with new metal cans. Put snow tires on all vehicles. Fix up dedicated winter camping van for work. I work many miles from home, and this winter will likely get snowed in at work in ND. I need a van with camping / sleeping accommodations in back so I can camp out in the parking lot at work a couple sub-zero nights in an emergency. Thankfully the employer provides electrical outlets every 30ft in the parking lot! It will be a rough winter if I don't get all these preps done!
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Have to cut firewood lickety-split. Have about 4 seasoned cords under cover but that probably won't carry us through the cold season. If I can cut and split a cord in then next few weeks we'll probably have enough. If not, I'll probably have to buy some seasoned wood on the open market. I found myself in a similar situation this year, primarily due to an injury, and it was clear I would not be able to put up the amount of wood I wanted. I am also not going to fork out cash for 5-6 extra cords of wood so I did some experimenting with wood pellets. Our fireplace is old, circa 1949 but it has heavy custom steel doors that seal up tight just like an insert or wood stove. Having this allows me the ability to control air flow. I bought a Pelleteer wood pellet basket and simply put it has been a huge success. Cost per ton, easy of use, clean burning, BTU output and burn times are all good. This has worked so well, that in the future I may burn more pellets and sell the wood. When we build our new place I am adding at least one true pellet stove. |
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Probably someone said it already, but get a Kerosene Heater!!
I'm in love with the Kerosun Moonlighter. I'm not kidding I light the thing in the garage and stay there staring into the 300 lumen flame. My wife opens the door and stares shaking her head wondering what kind of lunatic she married.
FerFAL |
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Quoted: Probably someone said it already, but get a Kerosene Heater!! I'm in love with the Kerosun Moonlighter. I'm not kidding I light the thing in the garage and stay there staring into the 300 lumen flame. My wife opens the door and stares shaking her head wondering what kind of lunatic she married. FerFAL +1 I love my Kerosene heater and so does the wife and two weiner dogs That thing puts out some heat and doesn't use all that much fuel. I only have two 5 gallon jugs but I need to get a few more before winter hits. |
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Stopped by the grocery store today and stocked up on canned tomatoes and corn (I make this fab soup that is just a can each of black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes - filling, cheap, and very easy), pasta, and the like. I even got some bottled of OJ from the juice aisle, as I'll have juice on hand. Got 2 UHT packages of almond milk (for cereal and tea). More canned soup (the don't add water type). This is stuff I'll eat anyway.
I need to take my winter coat to the cleaners. It's a wool dress coat and I really need to get one of the 3-1 jackets. I need a new pair of boots as mine bit the dust last winter. Also need another pair or two of long underwear |
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Put my insulated overalls, warm hat and winter boots back in the truck; I take them out thru the summer.
Went to test-run the generators and found one of them is missing. Apparently I left it at a family-member's house a while back. Not a major thing as it's the smallest of the three; just glad I found out before we need it. Others are good. |
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It's chilly here now. They want it in the low 40's this week. I'm guessing we'll be in the 30's well before November. My son helped me fill both the rings on our lower patio with wood this afternoon. Tonight I'm going to clean out the ash pan and build up the tinder/kindling/small pieces so all I have to do when she complains it's too cold is throw in a match and let physics do the rest!
-Emt1581 |
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Firewood is split, stacked, and tarped.
Swamp cooler was taken down today and put in shed. Lots of canned goods stocked away. plan to can a bunch of deer and mountain lion from recent hunts. Freezers are full. Need to fire up generator and add stabil to extra fuel. Have to burn weeds around the property now that the burn ban has been lifted. Pretty well ready for the winter. |
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k?? What are you doing to get ready for winter? Sitting on your thumbs? I'm done, wood stacked, beer brewed, compost tilled, plants pulled/canned/dried, summer sale items stored. I work at it, not bitch on the net. No kidding |
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It's chilly here now. They want it in the low 40's this week. I'm guessing we'll be in the 30's well before November. My son helped me fill both the rings on our lower patio with wood this afternoon. Tonight I'm going to clean out the ash pan and build up the tinder/kindling/small pieces so all I have to do when she complains it's too cold is throw in a match and let physics do the rest!
-Emt1581 54F right now here in the Emerald Isle. Some gusts of wind and rain last night but today there's a nice sunny spell as they say. I had to turn on the central heating for about half an hour this morning but its a nice 66F inside now. Sometimes you dont have much of a summer, but then again in general you dont have muchof a winter too which can be nice. FerFAL |
| Been cold and rainy here. I had a good generator test last week as I had a power outage at one of the work sites and I just grabbed the Honda and used it. Ran it for about two hours. It probably should have an oil change before winter though. I'll get to that this week. We're still rushing around trying to get our kitchen remodel done right now so most other things are on hold till that's done. Tile got done yesterday and that was a big hurdle. Now it's just a wait for the new counter top..... |
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I've put up 7 1/2 cord of wood, ready to burn for the winter.
A ton of wood pellets, but I'll not use that stove unless..... 325 gallons of propane, ready for the whole house genny, and serviced the genny. Over the summer I put on a metal roof, to shed the snow a shitload better than the asphalt roof. The chickens don't know that for some of em, their layin' days are numbered....but the good news is that they have earned a spot in the slow cooker and smoker. Vegetables from our garden have been canned. New cutting edge for the snow plow. Been loading .223 all summer long. Stocking up on .40 cal. I'm broke, but prepped. house 'll be tight, heat kept in. I'm ready |