Homestead Journal at Fat Turkey Farm

Splitting Wood

We started splitting wood for our winter supply yesterday.  In our new place here we have a fireplace.  Granted, they arn't the best at heating a house, but with prices as they are, every little bit helps.  We started collecting wood last year when we knew we were going to be moving up here, so we have a nice big pile of semi-bucked up wood in the back yard.  Most of it still needs to be cut to fit the fire place, but quite a bit just needs to be split.  No hydralic splitter here either, this is all being done by hand.  Needless to say, I'm feeling a bit sore this morning. 

We got about half a cord done in two hours yesterday.  Carpenter ants have invaded the wood pile too, we distubed quite a few of those with our splitting, and found one centipede, but no scorpions so far.  Jes has gotten very good at stacking the split pieces, she hunts for just the right spot for the next piece to fit into.

I ran out of lip balm this week too, and had to make more of that.  Here's my recipe for it.

2T sweet almond oil

1T grated beeswax

4 drops vit. E oil

Fragrance oil to desired strength.

Melt that all together in a microwave or double boiler and pour into tubes or tins for use.

I tripled this recipe and made 14 tubes.  It came out slighty soft this time so I may add a few teaspoons more of wax next time.  I also heard that you can add a packet of kool aid to this for flavor and color, so I might try that next time too and see how it works.  I'll just leave the fragrance oil out.

Our homeschool group is taking a trip up to the Verde river today to let the kids play in the water.  Since we have had a spike in temps here lately this will be a nice cool way to spend the day.  We are all bringing picnic lunches and the like.

I gotta go make sandwiches!  Bye Bye!

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{ 07:56, May 12, 2006 } { Posted by morningsunshine }

where do you get tubes? you collect old store bought ones from family and friends? I love it!

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{ 10:26, May 12, 2006 } { Posted by Vicky }

As a lucky recipient of one of the tubes of lip balm, I can tell you it smells wonderful, feels even better and really lasts. Thank you again!!

Hi

{ 08:24, May 12, 2006 } { Posted by MyThreeDaughters }

My hubby and son #2 are out collecting wood in the bush today. They split it when they are out there.

Amazing! Stop it already!

{ 11:51, May 16, 2006 } { Posted by jinyeah3 }

Will you ever stop amazing me!!! Hand splitting wood? We heat our home with a wood stove and used a splitter for it. I was amazed at my husband even with a powered splitter! Good for you!

Your pictures and your rose is lovely. I can smell it right now. I love the picture you took of the vista and the horizon.

Have a great day, and keep amazing me. It gives me a vision for what can be done.

Jenette.