This weeks preps check-in

[Joe SA]

Well we've finally moved into the new place a lot closer to our BOL, just to find out that the farm it is on have been put up for sale by our so called "friend" and not a word from him, but we smelled a rat. We have already sussed out a new place in a very small town close by, it's got vacant lots surrounding it so maybe I'll buy those as well, i think things will turn out for the better this way.

 

[SheilaT.]

Well we've finally moved into the new place a lot closer to our BOL, just to find out that the farm it is on have been put up for sale by our so called "friend" and not a word from him, but we smelled a rat. We have already sussed out a new place in a very small town close by, it's got vacant lots surrounding it so maybe I'll buy those as well, i think things will turn out for the better this way.

Well that's a blow, sorry to hear it's not gone as you'd hoped, but it sounds like a blessing in disguise.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Great view!

Nothing but the best for the little bacon makers.

 

[Brent S]

Well we've finally moved into the new place a lot closer to our BOL, just to find out that the farm it is on have been put up for sale by our so called "friend" and not a word from him, but we smelled a rat. We have already sussed out a new place in a very small town close by, it's got vacant lots surrounding it so maybe I'll buy those as well, i think things will turn out for the better this way.

Really sucks! Sorry dude. I have no doubt you Will land on your feet anyways.

 

[jimLE]

Well we've finally moved into the new place a lot closer to our BOL, just to find out that the farm it is on have been put up for sale by our so called "friend" and not a word from him, but we smelled a rat. We have already sussed out a new place in a very small town close by, it's got vacant lots surrounding it so maybe I'll buy those as well, i think things will turn out for the better this way.

good luck with everything..

 

[Billy Roper]

Meeting today with a couple dozen like-minded politically aware people, many former military and LE. Having a demonstration and seminar over biodiesel, than I'm giving a lecture on local community networking.

 

[Brent S]

I bottled 6 5 gal carbouys of wine today. This was the last of last years wine. With the 6 containers emptied, I filled them up with the first batch of this years muscadine wine. It's not tremendous amount of work, but you need the patience of Jobe if you make wine. to get the best flavor it's a year after fermenting, then bottling, then one more year of aging in the bottle, or more. Of course you can drink it right away too, but the wine snobs might look down on you......

 

[Brent S]

Meeting today with a couple dozen like-minded politically aware people, many former military and LE. Having a demonstration and seminar over biodiesel, than I'm giving a lecture on local community networking.

Having a group to work together is going to be essential if shtf. Hope you get some good contacts.

 

[SheilaT.]

Call it Beajolais Nouveau and the best wine snobs will be queueing up.

 

[Brent S]

As the infamous Fred Sanford put it he liked 'booze your lay'.

 

[Brent S]

One of my grape vines fell over a little while back. The posts were rotted below grade, and should have been replaced allready anyways. Anyways, five hours later, I replaced all the posts and wire and resecured the vines to it. Looks great. Unfortunately I have 9 more rows to replace still. Wish I could afford two full time laborers around here!

 

[Maverick]

Picked up some more 5.56 4 pocket re-pack kits (bandolier) and some more double magazine 4 pocket pouches.

 

[Gazrok]

One of my grape vines fell over a little while back. The posts were rotted below grade, and should have been replaced allready anyways. Anyways, five hours later, I replaced all the posts and wire and resecured the vines to it. Looks great. Unfortunately I have 9 more rows to replace still. Wish I could afford two full time laborers around here!

I know the feeling. I have a small pasture I can't really use until I repair the fencing of it. But, it's about 50' or so that really needs replacing, and just can't allocate that kind of money to it yet, as it isn't essential. (we typically only use that pasture for quarantine purposes).

 

[Brent S]

I know the feeling. I have a small pasture I can't really use until I repair the fencing of it. But, it's about 50' or so that really needs replacing, and just can't allocate that kind of money to it yet, as it isn't essential. (we typically only use that pasture for quarantine purposes).

Money and time are always obsticals. After working for a company for 9 yrs with a fixed schedule of 40 hrs I had forgotten how nice self employment was. Now I can fit my schedule as needed. I find I'm able to get a lot more done around here.

 

[SheilaT.]

I had a piece of really good news today. I have an Allotment http://www.nsalg.org.uk/allotment-info/brief-history-of-allotments/.
Now this may not sound all that life-changing but it means next season I will be growing my own veg again. A major prep for me as we really don't like tinned vegetables (home canned are great) with luck I should get some Garlic and Broad Beans planted in the next few weeks. Being an embarrassingly persistent git sometimes pays off

A quick update, I have now paid the rent and got all the paperwork and the rule book, I just need the key to the gate. I am officially a Northern Allotmenteer.
I plan to make a start at the weekend so I'll take photos and get measuring and start that diary next week.

 

[Brent S]

A quick update, I have now paid the rent and got all the paperwork and the rule book, I just need the key to the gate. I am officially a Northern Allotmenteer.
I plan to make a start at the weekend so I'll take photos and get measuring and start that diary next week.

I'm excited for you!

 

[Mountain trapper]

Got the pig pen done and the propane heater connected in the well house today. I was going to start on the chicken coop next but the wifes not sure of the style she wants yet. So I'll start on the fur shed and the barn extension. I'm going to add another 12'x24' to one side. If the weather holds out I should be able to finish rocking the road by Saturday. May even find time to shoot a deer too.

 

[Brent S]

I scored on two display ceiling fans today! I got them both for 25.00 each! Yeah! Yes, I'm a sucker for a bargain. Almost everything in my home is recycled or a deal of some kind. Base mouldings are in now and caulking all the joints/seams comes next. Then prime and paint. Now if it would only get cold enough for the wood stove to get fired up.

 

[Silent Earth]

Brent, is the annex getting insulated against heat or cold?

 

[Brent S]

Brent, is the annex getting insulated against heat or cold?

I've insulated the floor and walls. The ceiling isn't right now. I put a lot of effort and extra expense to show the rough sawn ceiling when I first built the porch. If I insulate then I'll need to re finish the underside. I may insulate it down the road but since I'm not air conditioning it I'm not In too big a hurry. The main goal was a room to add heat to the house via solar (south facing windows) and the wood stove.

 

[Mountain trapper]

Got the driveway finished, at least as much as I'm going to do this year. Its getting too soft for the gravel trucks now. There's about 1/2 mile left to gravel next summer.
Put up a mail box down on the county road. Mail service will be 2-3 times a week. That beats going to the Post office a couple times a week saving a 40 mile round trip.

 

[Maverick]

Put up a mail box down on the county road. Mail service will be 2-3 times a week. That beats going to the Post office a couple times a week saving a 40 mile round trip.

Our mail only runs through the summer otherwise we head to our local post office way out in the boondocks (no, not my bike)

 

[jimLE]

well,i got our primary food shopping done yesterday.in which that includes 2 ham steaks from HEB..plus we already had some hole ham and pintos..so today,I'll be canning some beans n ham

 

[Brent S]

Our mail only runs through the summer otherwise we head to our local post office way out in the boondocks (no, not my bike)

View attachment 6291

Man, I thought I lived in the country! If you have to drive 20 miles to get to a post office that po dunk you really are rural! Nice.

 

[jimLE]

had to go into town for more ham..was gonna stick with 2 or 4 pounds of pintos.but NOOOOO,i just had to go with 6LB'S instead..LOL.
but at least we'll have enough beans n ham to do us for a while..

 

[Silent Earth]

Errrr whats a Pinto ? I thought it was a US made car ?

 

[Silent Earth]

Getting my winter preps sorted the media is warning of a prolonged deep cold period and its already snowing not far from here.
From todays papers. This is 20 miles west of m

 

[jimLE]

pinto beans..

Errrr whats a Pinto ? I thought it was a US made car ?

 

[Silent Earth]

pinto beans..

they named a car after a tins of BEANS ?????????

 

[Brent S]

Just finished canning 9 pints of spicey 'dilly' beans that I picked earlier today. The jars are cooling now. There not quite as good as pickeled okra, but I didn't get much okra this year so green beans will have to do. Still have enough left to make a decent pot of them for dinner tomorrow too. SE is posting Picts of snow and ice and I'm still growing beans and potatoes here. Global warming isn't all bad.....