This weeks preps check-in

[Brent S]

I decided to put the shop construction on hold. It was a hard choice but we're quickly running out of summer here and I have too many other projects going on. Im still going to run water up to the house site and barn and install the septic and rock the road. I also need to start building the chicken coop and the corals for the cattle coming up next spring. Once I have the floor down for the coop I can work on it through the winter if necessary. All that's left to finish on the pump house is the roofing, insulation and adding a wall mount propane heater. Next week I'm going to start looking for a 26-28' travel trailer to live in for the winter.

Just remember, one step at a time. Each day I keep plugging along towards my goals. Eventually I reach them.

 

[Brent S]

This is the newest addition to our little farm. . . . born on Thursday last weekView attachment 6023

View attachment 6024
At first I thought this little one was another bull calf, so the first couple days called him George cause I just didn't have a name picked out. Then on Saturday, I was out there and saw a tinkle and to my surprise it is a girl. . . Yep, I felt like a complete idiot!!! I have been waiting three for a little heifer calf since her momma is getting up in her years now. You can see Betsey in the background here and see how her udders look. . . that's about a 5 gallons a day milk makin machine!!

Sure is a cute little thing!

 

[Mountain trapper]

Just remember, one step at a time. Each day I keep plugging along towards my goals. Eventually I reach them.

Yep. But I knew that the shop couldn't be completed before it turned cold. We've already had some temps in the low 40's. At least this way I can focus on other projects and just buy a trailer to live in for the winter. With the shop I would've had to cut 8-10 cords of fire wood to make it through the winter. We'll resume construction on the shop and start the house next spring. The chicken coop, pig pen, rabbit barn and corrals I can build myself.

 

[SheilaT.]

Ohmygosh DL they're a grand looking pair. So Georgina it is? LOL. It must be nice to have Betsey's genes in the next generation.

 

[Brent S]

Well, we finished the sheathing on the steep roof today! Wish I never had to go on it again, but that's not the case yet. Either way, this was a goal we were reaching for. Yeah! I celebrated with three beers tonight.

 

[Brent S]

Yep. But I knew that the shop couldn't be completed before it turned cold. We've already had some temps in the low 40's. At least this way I can focus on other projects and just buy a trailer to live in for the winter. With the shop I would've had to cut 8-10 cords of fire wood to make it through the winter. We'll resume construction on the shop and start the house next spring. The chicken coop, pig pen, rabbit barn and corrals I can build myself.

I can't believe your allready thinking about winter! We are still scorching in the heat of the day here. I'm hoping it gets cooler over the next month.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I can't believe your allready thinking about winter! We are still scorching in the heat of the day here. I'm hoping it gets cooler over the next month.

Yesterday's high was 69 and this morning was 44. It's still pretty warm in the lower elevations but it cools off quick up here. A big part of summer is devoted to getting ready for winter. I'd prefer to cut my firewood during winter and Spring for use the following winter, but since we didn't get moved up here until April I haven't cut any wood. Too many other projects to get done first.

 

[Dani]

Ohmygosh DL they're a grand looking pair. So Georgina it is? LOL. It must be nice to have Betsey's genes in the next generation.

Thank you! I have waited three years for a little heifer calf. . . so yes am very excited!! A friend of mine up at works name it Georgia, but she really doesn't like animals of any kind but did have to tease her a little about using her name. New little one is Daisy Mae. Some of my animals get to have middle names. . . not all but some. Momma is Betsey Lou. Momma is getting up in age. . . . bought her three years ago from a guy who was using her as a nurse cow. Before that she was at a dairy.

 

[Brent S]

Yesterday's high was 69 and this morning was 44. It's still pretty warm in the lower elevations but it cools off quick up here. A big part of summer is devoted to getting ready for winter. I'd prefer to cut my firewood during winter and Spring for use the following winter, but since we didn't get moved up here until April I haven't cut any wood. Too many other projects to get done first.

Wow, I'd be lighting a fire at night allready. I'm really looking fowards to cool nights. Last year I built a front porch and put the woodburning stove out there. It gets warm with the sun during daylight, and the stove keeps the whole house warm at night. I really enjoy having a cup of coffee early in the am next to a warm fire. I'm set for firewood this year, but will need to start collecting more over winter for next year.

 

[Dani]

Even in 'winter' I sit on the back porch in my long sleeve flannel and comfortably enjoy a cup of coffee with the dogs. . . there have been a few mornings that I have to put on a coat, but not the norm around here. It is a picture taking day when we see snow. . . usually just get a chill to the bone on the extreme

 

[Joe SA]

This one is done and dusted, went to the Kabar Cave, a shop in our towns local flea market on Saturday, the owner asked to see some of the things ive made so far, when he saw the stuff he placed two orders immediately and insisted that i leave one jacket for him to display at the shop and it all took about 3 minutes, so im a happy chappie with a lot of work ahead.

 

[Brent S]

This one is done and dusted, went to the Kabar Cave, a shop in our towns local flea market on Saturday, the owner asked to see some of the things ive made so far, when he saw the stuff he placed two orders immediately and insisted that i leave one jacket for him to display at the shop and it all took about 3 minutes, so im a happy chappie with a lot of work ahead.

Really nice work there!

 

[Joe SA]

Really nice work there!

Thanks

 

[Brent S]

Morning joe, what time is it there?

Thanks

 

[Joe SA]

Right now 10:10

 

[Brent S]

Wierd, that just popped up, delayed somehow. I woke at 03:30 this am. Yuk... I was beat yesterday so laid down at 7pm. I guess my body said enough rest this morning. I've always liked mornings as it gives you time to get together for the coming day.

Right now 10:10

 

[Joe SA]

Wierd, that just popped up, delayed somehow. I work at 03:30 this am. Yuk... I was beat yesterday so laid down at 7pm. I guess my body said enough rest this morning. I've always liked mornings as it gives you time to get together for the coming day.

We also had a very early start this morning at 03:00, wife had a nightmare, she had to meet the pope and the queen in the same day [emoji23], she couldnt fall asleep again, so i joined her, coffee and started working about 03:30, we usually go to bed at 10 pm and get up at 5 am. Agreed on the morning thing, when on "holiday" i try to catch the sunrise with coffee in hand and good company.

 

[Rob Painless]

Had a great morning with family......we (me, wife, 3 daughters, & my dad [83 yrs. old]) went out to a friends field and picked black-eyed peas..... 4 bushel baskets, 2 5-gal. buckets, 2 5-gal. boxes, and 14 paper grocery bags all heaping full. Now to start shelling & canning. Gonna take a while. The picking only took a couple of hours, but this part will not likely go as quick.
Funny...this doesn't seem like a 'prepping' thing to me. It's just something we've always done. But I shore loves me some black-eyed peas and cornbread!

 

[Brent S]

Well, we finally reached a point where it dosent matter if it rains or not now! I still need a moisture barrier on the eaves, but am pleased we reached a point that the weather won't hurt anything now. I seriously need a day off from this project!

 

[Brent S]

Well, we finally reached a point where it dosent matter if it rains or not now! I still need a moisture barrier on the eaves, but am pleased we reached a point that the weather won't hurt anything now. I seriously need a day off from this project!View attachment 6026

Just FYI, if anyone wants to build something like this. I thought that having a steep roof, to give more space upstairs, was smart. At least I thought it was until I realized that there is no walking on it! Hanging by ropes and custom built ladders/scaffolding really sucks! I will be really glad when this roof work is done.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Today I'm going to roof and insulate the pump house. It's supposed to get down to the mid 20's next week so I better concrete on getting it finished. Guess the garden will be done soon. Need to order a propane heater to keep the tank and pipes from freezing. I've been slacking off the last couple of days. Took the grandkids to the lake yesterday. It was a little bit cold for swimming, but I did anyway.
Wife will be home next week. Shes been away for over a month and will be home for 10 days this time. Going to start looking for a trailer to live in for the winter. This cabin ain't gonna work no more. Oh, I'm going fishing tomorrow too.

 

[Dani]

I started pulling up rows of bean vines to feed to the goats in order to make room for fall planting. I got a ton of mushrooms growing out there this year and not on purpose! Everything I have read so far says its due to all the organic material I have out there so should take that as a complement I guess, but to me they are an eye sore and even though I knock them down, it seems like they just keep coming back. I wish I knew more about identifying wild mushrooms but there are so many look a likes out there and not very forgiving. I do collect a few that I find growing at the base of trees cause I know for a fact what they are. But with mushrooms with the name Death Cap growing around here you gotta be very careful! Those are bad news. . . eat one and you will start getting sick anywhere between 6 - 48 hours later with tummy virus issues. It gets better but then a couple weeks later you are sick again. . . it attacks your liver and you will die if not treated with antibiotics within the first 96 hour after consuming. There is a trick of leeching out the toxins in mushrooms by boiling, like you do acorns, but the toxins are so stable in this particular one, it can not be done.

 

[Brent S]

I started pulling up rows of bean vines to feed to the goats in order to make room for fall planting. I got a ton of mushrooms growing out there this year and not on purpose! Everything I have read so far says its due to all the organic material I have out there so should take that as a complement I guess, but to me they are an eye sore and even though I knock them down, it seems like they just keep coming back. I wish I knew more about identifying wild mushrooms but there are so many look a likes out there and not very forgiving. I do collect a few that I find growing at the base of trees cause I know for a fact what they are. But with mushrooms with the name Death Cap growing around here you gotta be very careful! Those are bad news. . . eat one and you will start getting sick anywhere between 6 - 48 hours later with tummy virus issues. It gets better but then a couple weeks later you are sick again. . . it attacks your liver and you will die if not treated with antibiotics within the first 96 hour after consuming. There is a trick of leeching out the toxins in mushrooms by boiling, like you do acorns, but the toxins are so stable in this particular one, it can not be done.

I'm too paranoid to try eating the wild ones here as well. It's a shame as I really love mushrooms, fried, stuffed or even raw in a salad. I even downloaded some pictures, but they mostly looked alike to me!

 

[jimLE]

today i got 2 propane tanks for campers.and these stand a lil taller then what we see for propane grills.and one of them is still full.and they dont know it..i also got a aluminum pot with lid.im thinking its a cooker.i'll take pic's tomorrow..


P.S. edit...their all free to boot

 

[jimLE]

here's the tanks.and to the right of them,is some plastic jars in a tote..

 

[Gazrok]

Number one rule to never eat wild mushrooms. Simply too dangerous. I'll only eat ones I plant myself.

 

[Maverick]

I started pulling up rows of bean vines to feed to the goats in order to make room for fall planting. I got a ton of mushrooms growing out there this year and not on purpose! Everything I have read so far says its due to all the organic material I have out there so should take that as a complement I guess, but to me they are an eye sore and even though I knock them down, it seems like they just keep coming back. I wish I knew more about identifying wild mushrooms but there are so many look a likes out there and not very forgiving. I do collect a few that I find growing at the base of trees cause I know for a fact what they are. But with mushrooms with the name Death Cap growing around here you gotta be very careful! Those are bad news. . . eat one and you will start getting sick anywhere between 6 - 48 hours later with tummy virus issues. It gets better but then a couple weeks later you are sick again. . . it attacks your liver and you will die if not treated with antibiotics within the first 96 hour after consuming. There is a trick of leeching out the toxins in mushrooms by boiling, like you do acorns, but the toxins are so stable in this particular one, it can not be done.

We had a couple of deaths a few years ago here of amateur mushroom pickers, I stopped showing people what mushrooms are safe and what will kill you that is known to me, unless one does it practically all the time the average person just isn't going to retain that good of memory. I pick about thirty verities here for consumption and medicinal uses but mainly four I go after, one can't go by pictures and to try would be foolish, there is over 5000 species of known fungi in Washington and most are editable but mixed in with the good crops are also deadly one's like about a estimated 15,000 unknown types here in Washington alone. Picking mushrooms is a crap shoot to the unsuspecting, it takes one bad one and you're a dead man walking.

Another point, what is edible here is not edible in the south and east side of the country and vise a versa, in each region of the country one has to be thoroughly instructed and supervised and that goes for plants too, deadly mushrooms will destroy the liver and kidney in short order requiring transplants if one doesn't make it to the hospital asap.

 

[Brent S]

We had a couple of deaths a few years ago here of amateur mushroom pickers, I stopped showing people what mushrooms are safe and what will kill you that is known to me, unless one does it practically all the time the average person just isn't going to retain that good of memory. I pick about twenty verities here for consumption and medicinal uses, one can't go by pictures and to try would be foolish, there is over 5000 species of known fungi in Washington and most are editable but mixed in with the good crops are also deadly one's like about a estimated 15,000 unknown types here in Washington alone. Picking mushrooms is a crap shoot to the unsuspecting, it takes one bad one and you're a dead man walking.

Another point, what is edible here is not edible in the south and east side of the country and vise a versa, in each region of the country one has to be thoroughly instructed and supervised and that goes for plants too, deadly mushrooms will destroy the liver and kidney in short order requiring transplants if one doesn't make it to the hospital asap.

I think I'll stick to buying them! Hadn't really considered growing them before. I've got too many irons in the fire right now anyways!

 

[Rob Painless]

We got all the peas shelled. Yay! And all canned. Yay! However, we sort of cheated on shelling them. Someone we know heard about our many bushels of black-eyes and loaned us their electric pea sheller. Yay. And brother, I mean YAY! I may never shell by hand again. We were 2 or 3 bushels in when we accepted the upgrade in technology. What took 2 hours by hand, took 20 minutes with the machine. We may even go get another batch next weekend.

Final tally.....149 pints & 42 quarts. Plus, 4 gallon zip-loc bags of shelled, un-canned peas( 2 for the people who loaned us the machine ) & a plastic grocery bag (about 2 gallons) to my sister. Big praises for my sweet wife for all her hard work washing jars & canning.

 

[jimLE]

yeah.i seen the electric pea sheller before.and their worth their weight in gold.and then some