Comments on: It’s barely spring and we are starting to put up next winter’s wood http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/2008/06/17/it%e2%80%99s-barely-spring-and-we-are-starting-to-put-up-next-winter%e2%80%99s-wood/ Everything you ever wanted to know about homesteading. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:04:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/2008/06/17/it%e2%80%99s-barely-spring-and-we-are-starting-to-put-up-next-winter%e2%80%99s-wood/comment-page-1/#comment-2675 Mary Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:35:17 +0000 http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/?p=219#comment-2675 I am so thrilled to have found this site! My husband and I purchased 36 acres 2 1/2 years ago with plans of becoming as self-sufficient as possible. We're hoping to be ready for some cattle and pigs in a few months (we already have chickens for eggs and goats for fun). I cleaned my first bird two months ago. It really came naturally! I taught myself to can about twelve years ago (while living in a HUGE city!). I spent most of my day today canning (jams). The raspberries are ripe now and I have about 20 wild blackberry bushes completely ladened! I give them about 10 days or so. We're planning on blackberry jam, conserves (for pancakes), and pie filling. Last year I was given 6 or 7 bushels of apples. I made applesauce, apple butter, and pie filling. I've even gotten one of my friends sorta into it. I've canned meat a few times, but now I've soooo many jars I can really start canning for our family of seven. A month ago I traded one dozen farm fresh eggs for 4 dozen quart and half-gallon sized canning jars. It was like winning the lottery!!! I've also started to soak dry beans and can those as well. WOW! They're so much less expensive!!! Anyway, I just wanted to tell you thank-you for sharing your experience filled knowledge. You've inspired me. We really CAN do this!!! I plan to be here frequently. - Mary I am so thrilled to have found this site! My husband and I purchased 36 acres 2 1/2 years ago with plans of becoming as self-sufficient as possible. We’re hoping to be ready for some cattle and pigs in a few months (we already have chickens for eggs and goats for fun). I cleaned my first bird two months ago. It really came naturally!

I taught myself to can about twelve years ago (while living in a HUGE city!). I spent most of my day today canning (jams). The raspberries are ripe now and I have about 20 wild blackberry bushes completely ladened! I give them about 10 days or so. We’re planning on blackberry jam, conserves (for pancakes), and pie filling. Last year I was given 6 or 7 bushels of apples. I made applesauce, apple butter, and pie filling. I’ve even gotten one of my friends sorta into it.

I’ve canned meat a few times, but now I’ve soooo many jars I can really start canning for our family of seven. A month ago I traded one dozen farm fresh eggs for 4 dozen quart and half-gallon sized canning jars. It was like winning the lottery!!! I’ve also started to soak dry beans and can those as well. WOW! They’re so much less expensive!!!

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you thank-you for sharing your experience filled knowledge. You’ve inspired me. We really CAN do this!!! I plan to be here frequently.

- Mary

]]> By: Aaron Neal http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/2008/06/17/it%e2%80%99s-barely-spring-and-we-are-starting-to-put-up-next-winter%e2%80%99s-wood/comment-page-1/#comment-2669 Aaron Neal Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:35:22 +0000 http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/?p=219#comment-2669 It's amazing how much the climate can vary from one part of this great country to another. We used to heat Dad's house all winter on about one cord of wood per year. You're just now planting, and still wearing sweatshirts outside; here in Texas it's harvest time, and swim-in-your-own-sweat with shorts and T-shirt! I guess you don't have to spend a lot on air conditioning, though, do you? Congrats on the woodsplitter! It’s amazing how much the climate can vary from one part of this great country to another.

We used to heat Dad’s house all winter on about one cord of wood per year.

You’re just now planting, and still wearing sweatshirts outside; here in Texas it’s harvest time, and swim-in-your-own-sweat with shorts and T-shirt!

I guess you don’t have to spend a lot on air conditioning, though, do you?

Congrats on the woodsplitter!

]]> By: Chris http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/2008/06/17/it%e2%80%99s-barely-spring-and-we-are-starting-to-put-up-next-winter%e2%80%99s-wood/comment-page-1/#comment-2665 Chris Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:35:32 +0000 http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/?p=219#comment-2665 Great to get that wood up now rather that when the snow is blowing. Last year we had decided not to burn wood in our fire place, just not enough heat to mess with all that work. Then just before fall a friend of ours in West Virginia told us that he had a great Buck Stove insert that we could have if we would just come get it out of his garage. So the next day I was off to WV. The bad part of this story is, I had no wood up for the winter. I was out one Sunday morning in January getting wood and it was 11 degress F. Not gonna happen this year. A buddy down the road cut 5 BIG White Oak trees and said come and get all you want. I made it clear that I wanted it all. Hauled 3 trailer loads as of yet. Just as soon as my back heals up a bit I'll be back in the wood. I love to cut and split. Great to get that wood up now rather that when the snow is blowing. Last year we had decided not to burn wood in our fire place, just not enough heat to mess with all that work. Then just before fall a friend of ours in West Virginia told us that he had a great Buck Stove insert that we could have if we would just come get it out of his garage. So the next day I was off to WV. The bad part of this story is, I had no wood up for the winter. I was out one Sunday morning in January getting wood and it was 11 degress F. Not gonna happen this year. A buddy down the road cut 5 BIG White Oak trees and said come and get all you want. I made it clear that I wanted it all. Hauled 3 trailer loads as of yet. Just as soon as my back heals up a bit I’ll be back in the wood. I love to cut and split.

]]> By: Melanie http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/2008/06/17/it%e2%80%99s-barely-spring-and-we-are-starting-to-put-up-next-winter%e2%80%99s-wood/comment-page-1/#comment-2654 Melanie Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:37:29 +0000 http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/JackieClay/?p=219#comment-2654 There is also honeysuckle blossom jelly, just use the dandelion jelly recipe with honeysuckle blossoms. Its tedious to pick the blossoms, but I make a batch every year for presents. There is also honeysuckle blossom jelly, just use the dandelion jelly recipe with honeysuckle blossoms. Its tedious to pick the blossoms, but I make a batch every year for presents.

]]>