Construction resumes...

Yesterday saw a return to construction out here in the sticks. We've decided to turn an unused (other than for storage) room into a master bed and bath. While we haven't decided to build a traditional house out here yet, we have come to the conclusion that living in a parkmodel trailer is just not cost effective. Besides being a bit on the small side, the lack of insulation makes for more challenges than what we really need.
The new room will have R-19 insulation and drywall throughout, and will be connected to the new winter room which will also be insulated. While we won't be gaining much square footage, the increase of insulation should make things a bit more comfortable for us.

Off grid factoid....

I've lost count... how many am I up to?
Tonights lesson is on propane. When it's colder than 40° all day you don't have enough vapor to run all the stuff you need to make life comfortable. Found that out the hard way today. Generator was running fine, but after awhile the house started to get a bit cold. A quick check of the pilots prove the problem, the demand from the generator out paced the bottles ability to produce vapor. Resulting in a drop of pressure beyond the generator. So after shutting down the generator, a relight of the essential pilots and we should be good. Question is, how cold before there isn't enough pressure to run the essentials?
I guess there is only one way to find out.

Merry Christmas...

An off grid, Merry Christmas to all of you, from the hearth of our stove, and light from our lamps, to all you friends and family.

And the snow starts to fall...

I really wish there was a way for me to take a pic and post it right now. The snow has been falling for about two hrs so far. It really is looking like a winter wonderland out there!

It really amazes me on how quiet it is when it snows. It's like the entire country side is holding it's breath...

Dreaming of a white Christmas...

Nice rainy day...

Been raining all day, just a bit of hail, and a snow flake or two... No more major leaks, we've been in the winter room all day, with a fire in the stove, been a nice day... And we are really in the Christmas spirit....

The excitment of rural living

Had a few visiters the past few days. Coyotes are getting over their fear of the changes we've made, and have come within a few yards of our fence. Driving our dogs nuts, and making our little one nervous. They seem to come over every other morning at 7, just to be neighborly and say hi.
The local ranchers have also dropped a new herd of cattle in our area, which have taken a liking to our dogs barking, and stroll by every now and then.
I guess that is just the joys of living out in the sticks...