I unplugged for the weekend. We've undergone some stress here at the farm, and well, I would just not be a pleasant person to be around. We are undecided about how to heat this place. I will really miss my wood stove. Although it was work, I will still miss it. I also feel stripped of my self-sufficiency, which I do enjoy. It's a freeing feeling to have less bills and debt. Now, Hubby's co-workers have convinced him that we need to install a furnace and not replace the wood stove. I'll update as he figures it out. My vote is for a new (or used) wood stove.
Hubby installed a hand-crank pencil sharpener to replace our electric one. He replaced an unsafe electrical outlet in our garage, cleaned up and fired up the pellet burner, and cleaned out a tool drawer. At least one end of the house is a bit warmer now.
(Front porch view while cleaning it up)
I have to admit, it was nice to get off the computer. I dove into my mess of craft projects, and finished several of them. I deep cleaned until I sneezed. I organized and reorganized. I filled a trash bag with recyclable paper, gave some older writer magazines away to my 19 year-old, and filled a box of items to donate to Goodwill. However, that doesn't mean my kitchen is clean.
I made these adorable fishing bobber keychains (featured over at S.C.R.A.P.) and one set of earrings (ha ha! for the fishing enthusiasts). I think these will sell at next year's Farmer's Market too.
(also featured over at my S.C.R.A.P. Blogspot)
I also sliced up a few more wine corks and made these fun wine cork necklace charms. How cool is that? Again, another project completed.
I made two more necklaces for using recycled music paper.
With the help of my family, we finally popped the camper up, filled it back up with linens, and put it to bed for the winter.
I need to get back on writing this week. National Novel Writing Month started November 1st. Yikes! I'm a few days behind....gotta get that novel written.
Comments
Golly-gosh, you got a lot accomplished over the weekend! You have to feel good about that.
Sorry to hear that is unrest in the 'wood stove' camp. Hope you get something settled and you're feeling more security from the decision.
We have a wood stove as you know...and well, we love it. I do know what you mean about feeling secure.
Love all the crafts...and it sounds like the cleaning and organizing bug has bitten you hard! I should unplug and see what I get accomplished!
take care.
Pat
As to the wood stove, perhaps it will emerge as the most cost effective option after a review of the costs for a furnace installation. If you have to invest the dollars anyway, it seems like one of the newer Vermont WoodStoves would be a viable option. They burn cleaner and more efficiently now and come in several sizes etc. While hubby is doing furnace research, you can do new wood stove options and then sit together with a price comparison and review. One thing for sure is that if the electricity goes out, you heat does too. Where you live, the weather can get pretty fierce for months on end. A wood stove would avoid that issue which could be very critical if a storm hit and you lost power for a span of 4-5 days in 20 degree weather. Good luck and keep us posted. That pear gingerbread looks fabulous!!