Where in the world did the summer and autumn go? No, you didn't miss us. We just weren't able to post. Summer was a flurry of activities. Homesteaders will understand that the warm weather months are the time when we are at the busiest. It is within these months that the greatest portion of production takes place and it is up to the homesteader to keep up with the pace. In the spring the homesteader must till the soil, plant the crops and gardens, set up and plant the greenhouses and repair any of the equipment that isn't working right before any of those tasks can be accomplished. Of course, as within all seasons, homesteaders must also care for their livestock, making certain they are sheltered and well fed. In the summer, upkeep and maintenance on the shelter, coops and barns are necessary. Harvests are begining to come in and food must be preserved, prepared and eaten or passed around in trade or sharing. All of us here at the homesteads are homesteaders first. We invest our time in our homesteads and sometimes things slide. We are sorry for not posting sooner. We are taking steps to make certain this doesn't happen again. We are training someone in HTML now so that we may build a staff that will be able to post in case I cannot. I am confident that when all is done, our homesteads will be more than a community of friends and neighbors sharing their talents and skills. We will also be an online information source spreading the joys we find in our lifestyle.
The warm weather months are also the time to prepare for the winter. Next to spring and summer, winter can seem downright boring. Activities like gardening, building and landscape maintenance will have diminished and you will have more free time, but the days are shorter and you must still care for the livestock, shovel snow and heat the homestead.
Winter is also a time to think about the tasks that must be managed during the coming year and during the short daylight hours. We've been speculating about where each year may be going at the homesteads. We are keeping up with the tradition in this issue with Predictions of the Coming Year. How close did our last predictions come and how close will we get this year? What do we think might be ahead for the coming year? We see more potential trouble and a need to prepare for harder times. Read the specifics in our article by myself and Red Hughes.
The need for heating methods for homesteaders that does not rely on a crumbling infrastructure has never been greater with the price of oil and shortages in fuel. One of the most widespread of alternative heating methods has always been wood. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces provide very comfortable heat, but also can be hazardous as many homes burn down every year due to chimney fires. If you heat with wood, you must take some simple, but necessary tasks to prevent the threat of a chimney fire. Be Your Own Chimney Sweep will tell you how.
Winter scenes and vistas are among the most beautiful in Idaho's northern mountains. Sit back and enjoy some of the scenes as Winter Visitors travel amongst the homestead. Also take in more winter scenery and Christmas cheer with a Green Mountain/Upriver Journal Christmas Card. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Our winter activities section let's you know what is going on and what there is to do in the Inland Northwest.
If you want to raise chickens, but need a coop that will keep your chickens protected and warm in the winter and throughout the year, look no further. An Easy Box Chicken Coop details plans to build a very simple and easy to build box that functions perfectly as a chicken coop and costs very little. This box will keep your flock comfortable and protected.
We are including a classic winter's tale by Louisa De La Rame. A Dog Of Flanders. Before delving into this well written work, be advised that this is a sad story. It is a story very much worth the read, however, and fits in with winter tales of homesteading very well. Please enjoy.
From our homesteads to yours, Have a merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a product winter.
North Woods Traders
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