Our Newest Venture

Pork has been on my mind since we got the house, now its a reality. Well actually it was reality in August, it has just taken me a while to write about them. We are raising 2 "test" pigs to set our prices for future raised freezer pork, and give us time to figure out a set up that will work for us. We purchased hampshire crosses, much like the ones pictured below. They are both putting on weight, and will hopefully be ready for butcher by February. Pork updates to come.

Early Fall Hike

On saturday we decided to visit Burr Oak State Park and hike along the lake. The leaves have not all quite changed color, but within a few weeks, Fall colors will be abundant throughout our Southeastern Ohio region. Over the past few years of living within a few miles of the lake has made it perfect for a quick trip and has become one of our favorite family visits. We greatly enjoy the views and being near the water. Concord Baby loves the water, next summer will be so fun! Soon we will have a boat, that has been sitting unused and looking for a caring family, donated by Hoffmans. Below are pictures of our trip. Feel free to check out the great links on our blog.

Firewood

Firewood is name of the game. With propane prices already outrageous, and still climbing, wood heat is the best option for us. Wood heating will be very time/ work intensive, but we can cut all wood from our wood lot, meaning its cost less $$, and trees are a renewable resource. As for cutting trees, we have only cut trees that were already dead, or needed cut for safety reasons(like in previous Blog Post). With help from Concord Family and Friends we cut and hand split of 75% of our wood this year (roughly 3 cords). The rest was split with a log splitter at a communal wood cutting/ splitting party at my neighbors, in which we all got a share of the wood (Wood hauled home on the hay wagon, load x 2). We will soon find out if 4.5-5 cords of split wood will last us the winter, setting our base line for coming years. The Farmers Almanac has predicted a harsh winter, Warm wishes from our family to yours! Below are some pictures of our wood cutting adventures. Yes even Concord Baby helped.

Wood Stove

Have you taken a look at the recent propane prices? Outrageous! Thats why we have chosen to heat our home with a wood stove, supplementing the propane furnace. We purchased the wood stove last February, actually before we had our current home. The stove is a Buck Stove Co. Model 21 (link: http://www.buckstove.com/wood/model21.html ), with a heating range of 800- 1800 SqFt. We chose this stove out of oppertunity, it was listed Craigslist, and we dealt the seller down. Where to place the stove within the house was a difficult decision, but we found we liked the way it looked in the living room corner, not to mention it is a central location in the house.

To be safe, and meet insurance requirements Concord Family built an elevated corner hearth pad. The optional side and rear heat sheilds were also intalled on the stove for close clearances, so no wall protection is called for. The platform was designed and built custom by us. This pad was made of recycled bricks that we dug up on the property and washed. Then we mortared in the bricks. Let me say, wow, I sure am glad I am not a brick mason, and I'm sure others are too, what a tough and tedious job this was. I think the inexperience and "custom" looking job is what will make this project so memorable. Thanks Justin. Below are pictures of the process Part 1( Yes I know, the stove isnt centered yet). Part 2 to follow at a later date.---J