He brought a load of his things up to the house David built. David and his family bought a house in Chisholm, a town about 20 miles southwest of us, making it closer to work and having grid-power. Drew loves it up here and is going to stay in David’s house, working on finishing it inside and out instead of, as he insisted, paying rent.
We were thrilled to have him help us pack seeds on the weekend as we had a bunch. I think I’m not the only one worried about the ever-increasing prices at the grocery store! I know I’m still going to be planting a lot of seeds aimed at food as well as seeds for Lynn and Jesse. We packed seeds until 10:00 on Friday night!
Today, they went over and turned on some propane heat. (David came over on Saturday to show them how the heaters worked and help get them started.) As it was very cold outside, and the house so well insulated, it was actually colder inside the house than it was outside! Today the house was warmer and soon warmed up nicely as it’s warmer outside, as well. They’re working on getting the wood stove hooked up so it will heat the house instead of Drew buying so much propane. As they didn’t want to run the stovepipe right up through the upstairs bedroom, the pipe is going up outside. However, as there is an overhang to the roof, they’ve got to position the stovepipe away from the side of the house safely, as well as the overhang eaves.
David helped them get the protective stove mat under the stove and position it where it will sit permanently. Today Drew cleaned out the stove’s ashes and helped Will get the pipe through the wall. With fire safety in mind, they are running double wall pipe everywhere but up from the stove to the elbow, where it goes out through the wall. The pipe will all be screwed together to prevent any accidents. I’ve seen too many structure fires due to poorly installed wood stoves!
Meanwhile, I’m busily washing dishes (again!) and getting ready to pack up more seeds before our mail comes. I’ve also been working on diagraming where and what I want to put in the various gardens. I’ve got some great spring wheat for seed, to plant also. It’s going to be a busy spring!
— Jackie
That’s a great solution for Drew! So glad that’s happening. I love it when a plan comes together.
We got a rare 4″ of snow courtesy of Winter Storm Gianna. It was so pretty the next morning but all gone by late afternoon except little patches in shady areas. Low temps also plummeted to 16 for two mornings and stayed around freezing during the day. I covered the garlic well as it’s up about 8″ and when I took the covers off yesterday afternoon everything looked fine.
I injured an ankle and an MRI shows a torn tendon in there. After surgery to repair it, the foot will be in a cast and I’ll have to stay completely off of it for 6 weeks. I can delay surgery if I want and have decided to carefully go ahead with the spring garden and have the repair in July when the garden is basically done. Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower seeds have already poked up in cell packs and are under the lights. Onward we go! :)
That’s wonderful that Drew is with you, helping you and working on the house. Getting the woodstove set up right and safe is important. Our house is over 100 years old with a large chimney up the middle of it. When we moved here a couple good friends built a brick hearth and heat retaining wall that our woodstove is on, it sure is cozy! I agree that with the weather and other issues fresh produce will be expensive this year. My garden is small, but I try to grow what I am able. Jackie I’m sure enjoying (and learning from!) the Growing and Canning book, so much good information in it!
Peace, good health to all!
Love your pictures of garden produce Jackie. While most of you are discussing the cold, we are roasting here in Australia. It hasn’t rain since mid December and this year we’re having pretty unpleasant water issues. We have 3 water pumps but all failed. A new pump wasn’t strong enough to pump the water the 100 meters up hill to the tanks to so off to exchange for a stronger one. Finally have watered my very stressed garden. Months of planting and nurturing my garden and the thought of it failing was so stressful. Anyway, all good and hopefully no more issues with water or lack there of ! Last year it was the house pump that failed so a new pump there too. A solar pump would be wonderful but both areas are shaded. That’s life sometimes isn’t it ? Anyway as you look forward to spring I’m looking forward to some rain and cooler days.
Sue, it’s wonderful hearing gardening experiences from someone in Australia! God Bless! from far north California.
Having my current order from you received and stored in wide mouth glass jars gives me real peace of mind. Seeing those packets all filling 2 jars is Wonderful. I always buy extra to share and help the next generation of family to think Heirloom and Seed Saving. Have been enjoying my homemade soup mix from End of the garden. Odds and ends and just canned it up in wide mouth pints. Just add whatever leftovers and tasty meal quick. You make a difference for me all year around. Not to mention the Encouragement of reading your current projects. Central Kansas is having 2 weeks of 45-60 temps. Bizarre but I’ll take it just gets us closer to Spring. Easier doing chores in nice weather.
Here in far north California, not far from Oregon, our temps are spring-like in the 40s at night and 70s in day. Yes, our orchard is blooming, and oaks are leafed-out. We don’t usually have spring weather like this until April!
Today hit 24 felt like a heat wave. I was able to do some wiring in a shed. Sun shining and I’m thinking the cold weather is retreating. It seems odd but some of the snow is melting. I’ll be sterilizing my maple taps. It seems the sap season begins earlier each year. I’m sure Drew will benefit from the housing and be of help to you. I got an amaryllis and it is really growing. I look forward to its flowering.
Wonderful to have family close by. Working together on projects- whether long term or short term. Drew’s right, working on the house is cheaper than rent! Benefits for David, Drew and you have another pair of hands for Seed Treasures! Really enjoy the summer time photos of carrots and beans Weed free! Sewed some seeds yesterday in green house, but overnight temperatures hovered in the 40’ probably have to move them into the house. February one day it’s 55 sunny and next 30 and over cast. We sure do need some moisture not as fortunate as eastern States with their unusual snow or your normal snow depths. Stay warm and healthy!
Is it too late to order Hopi Pale Gray Squadh seeds? I inquired before and never received a reply. Figured it doesn’t hurt to ask again! Thank you.
Greetings Jackie.
It’s great Drew is closer now and him, Will and David are getting the wood stove hooked up. It’s nice Drew will work on the house and much better option than rent.
Will be a nice bonus to have him close to all of you.
I too have began thinking where and what I’ll be planting this coming Spring.
I hope to get seeds ordered from you within the next month to use along with ones
I saved from last year.
I imagine you’ve been even colder where you are than here in Iowa.
I’m thankful I stayed on top of wood cutting while it was warmer out.
I’ve been rearranging some of what I have canned and doing some other inside work
since can’t do a lot outside other than feed animals.
I have had some respiratory issues but using my tinctures has kicked it in the rear thankfully.
Take care and stay warm and cozy.
Glad to hear your respiratory issues are past. We absolutely hate being sick and, thankfully, we seldom are.
Yes, it’ll be great having Drew nearby. He’s fun to work with and so helpful.
We are colder here than you, in Iowa, but we know it won’t last and cold is part of living in northern Minnesota. Hey, it keeps the riffraff out!
How cool is it for Will to be working with his grandson Drew? I am on board with installing wood stoves the right way. We’ve had too many house fires in our family (none related to wood stoves), one resulted in fatalities (some victims were children).
Temps look to be on the reasonable side for the next week. Better half has permission to cut wood on a neighboring property – prior owner left a mess (cut down trees just to cut down trees, what a mess). Will help the current owner by cleaning up and we’ll stockpile future wood stove/for sale wood.
The big bogus bill is having a negative affect on some children so we’ll pitch in cash this time of year. Aforementioned children don’t live close to us but what their parent did to help our troops should not be forgotten. We’ve also donated some clothing to the group that helps support them. So proud of my kiddo (and kiddo’s employer) who helps them out. No one should go without the basics, especially children.
My garden (annual and perennial) have a decent cover of snow. It will be a busy season of picking up sticks come spring. I cannot wait for morel season and I should have a good number of ramp plants too. If this ICE excrement hasn’t been “iced” come other than morel shroom season, I plan on harvesting and delivering. Our friend has taught me enough on how/when to harvest.
I agree, life is about helping others, less fortunate. Especially elders and children who are so vulnerable. We do our donations to a few good, legitimate charities, plus some local groups.
I’m so jealous of you having morels!! I love them but they are very rare around here. I usually find a couple during the season, but I never pick them, hoping they’ll spread and multiply. They haven’t yet…