How is everyone faring with this weather ?

Isn’t it incredible ? One thing about Arkansas, if you don’t like the weather , wait 15 minutes and it will change.  Our weather changes so sharply , here in NW Arkansas. The contrast  in just a few jours can be deadly !

Maybe today is a good day to share a little about homestead prepping for winter, now that you’ve experienced one of our colder spells…

We live behind a creek, with a treacherous hill to travel in bad weather, so we have to plan ahead a little. Some of the things that are routine, from experience are pretty important !

Shelter , water, food and fuel to stay warm are the priorities , both for us and our animals. We have been in the situation of being homebound for 8-9 days before… I think the longest was back in the 80’s for a thirteen day period. We could have forced the issue and hiked out, but it would risk a bad fall in the process, so we stayed put.

So what are the obivious thign s to do ?

Let’s start with shelter. Be sure you house is weather tight-if it’s not there are many tricks that the old timers used…(and those whose homes aren’t finished yet) such as  covering windows with plastic- be sure to extend this over the seams where the windows join the walls. Many people use bubblewrap on the inside of their windows-I prefer insulated drapes that I can open to allow the solar warming from the sun- since it is nice and low on the horizon. Passive design REALLY helps here…. It often is only a 8-10 degree increase in temp, but that is that much less wood you have to use to heat your world. If you can’t afford insulated drapes, use a comforter- be sure to use one large enough to cover the edges where the windows join the wall.

Use a snake beneath your door- I make one – a fabric tube filled with sand, ashes, gravel, whatever you have on hand.

It’s often about just thinking ahead, bring ready for the seadonal changes and living with our Earth.