Monday, March 23, 2009

Busy few days











FINALLY the weather stayed nice for a few days straight, and I was able to get a lot accomplished outside, yayyyy!
The chicken run is complete, and now edged with landscape timbers. The rabbit hutches are back outside and totally cleaned. (the buck is in the bottom, and the 2 does are in the top 2 cages) I moved the woodpile, and cut, split, & stacked the rest of the tree's I had cut down from the last windstorm. There are still 3 tree trunks that need cut behind the garage, and I'll get to them later this week. I emptied and dismantled the composter, spread its contents on the garden area, then spread the rabbit hutch cleanup on top of that. The cold frame is now where the composter was, and the areas around that will be this year's new herb garden. I have plenty of soil behind the garage from where I dug the sod from the strawberry beds last year, so some of it will go in that spot. I STILL have to get the Lowboy started....that 50w oil is thicker than molasses in January when it's cold lol. Remind me to get a block heater for that thing next year! I need to pull the lawn tractor out, put the mowing deck back on, and replace the dry-rotted front tire. Luckily I have 2 that the neighbot gave me last year, so I dont have to pay for anything. Then.....when I get one of them up & running, I have to empty the trailer, back it to the back door, and start hauling out all of the trash from the basement so I can get Lisa's sewing room done.












Saturday we had people over for dinner. Two young people Lisa knows from work decided to start prepping and buying food, and wanted to talk about it. (you know you're getting old when two 26 year olds are "young people" or "kids" LOL) He started off right away with a $2000 order of freeze dried food. I didnt get to ask what all was in the package, but it's a start. We talked about all things prep around the table, then moved outside to the years first fire and were there till around 11:00. They wanted ideas on how to get started, and what to stock, so I gave them good ideas on where to start. (other than the giant order already purchased) They had most things covered and listed, so they're off to a good start. Sometime over the next weekend or 2, they want us to take them to Lehmans to look at more things. I'll love the trip, though going there flat broke will be tough. Ah well, watching first timers there will be fun enough. Especially someone looking to prep AND look at things to possibly start their own small homestead.

14 comments:

The Unusual Farmchick said...

Wow! you are one busy guy! The chicken tractor looks great! i was eyeing it as I drove by but then the bobcat 2 houses down from you dragged my eyes away..Too bad they were not the home owners..I was hoping to catch someone I could bribe..I mean help getting the solar pit dug.
The Captain better hurry and call his friend before i do. I have money in my pocket just waiting to but those blocks!And half a truck bed filled with alpaca poop for the floor of it....
Can't wait to get it done so i can start our new coop. That skylight looks nice on there. I like the idea of it on the roof and not bubbling out the sides.
see ya around!

ChristyACB said...

Awesome looking work there!

I'm so happy for you to have found people of a like mind to be social with and to help. I sure do wish I could find that out here...do I ever!

Now, if you can help them to learn to create their own preps, use them, rotate them and track them, they'll be sitting as pretty as you!

I just made an eggplant stew this weekend from eggplant, peppers and green beans that I dehydrated (a bunch of other stuff too) that was to die for. Made me feel even better about prepping. :)

Barb said...

Wow! You got a lot done! Nice of you to help out the new "preppers". Everyone should have someone in their life that could help them like that.
Barb

Unknown said...

Good job on the coop Chris. You have been a busy man!

It's funny but I almost teared up when I read about your "young" preppers. It is an amazing feeling to watch people wake up and even more so when you can help to point them in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

Chris, you could plug those stumps with mushroom spawn and have some mushrooms with the chicken. The last plugs I bought came from Fungi Perfecti. Recieved the order in less than two weeks.
Russ on Pippin rd.

scoutinlife said...

Great Job Chris! Coop looks great!

Leasmom said...

That run looks wonderful. Is it cold again there too, it is here...but its in the 50's and its cold.

Tracy Bruring said...

I have a question about your firewood. Do you keep it covered? Or better yet do I have to keep mine covered? If not I may line my fence and that will block some of the northern blasts in the winter time. You can post the answer on my blog if you want.

Anonymous said...

Boy, this is going to be one stupid question but...What is Prepping? What do you do with freeze died food. What kind of food is it? I feel really dumb, but I have no idea what all that is...debbie.

Chris W said...

Thanks for all the great comments folks! Finally getting something accomplished has helped with this mood I've been in with the layoff. Talking to that young couple helped a bit too. It was fun to talk to people face-to-face about prepping and show them what we have accomplished so far.
Anon/Russ-GREAT IDEA on the mushrooms! We talked and are gonna do exactly that, thanks!
Sweethearts-I don't cover the firewood at all. It's not vital wood like for heating the house, but just to use on the cookstove or the weekend fire.
Debbie-Prepping is preparing for emergencies, basically. Stocking food, water, etc... The freeze dried food can be nearly anything-fruits, vegetables, anything that can be re-hydrated and used as food or for ingredients. (think apple chips, banana chips, dried onions, etc)

Anonymous said...

Dawgus, That chicken run looks great! I bet you've got some happy chickens there.Too bad I don't have a rooster for ya!

Anonymous said...

There it is!! The Coop with Chickens!! How neat! Looks like they are enjoying their new digs! You have been a busy man! Phew!!...debbie

Unknown said...

That looks great! I love your pictures and posts :) I left an award for you at www.littlepeoplewealth.com

Chris W said...

Woohoo an award! Is it a Special Award? Do I get a leg lamp with fishnets? It's going right in the front window....LOL thanks for the comments!!

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