HARD Lessons LEARNED Homesteading when its -20℉

[@cajuncookingdan]

I was building shelves for lumber storage in my wood shop night before last. I found myself stepping back and viewing my progress with an "I like it" comment. It was without forethought or intention! I never miss a video of our friends at Lumnah Acres!!

[@mpat511]

It was so funny to hear you call it "everything but the kitchen sink soup". Brought back memories of my Grandma 60 years or more ago, cleaning out the fridge so we never knew what all was going to be in it. There was never left over meat, that was too expensive. Grandpa would get a big soup bone from the local small town butcher for 5 or 10 cents and still complain about the cost. Grandma been gone over 40 years now and I still miss her every day. It's so wonderful that you are building such beautiful family memories and pray you keep it up if and when you have grandkids too.

[@conniebennett180]

Olivia looks just like her Mom! You are such a sweet family. I hope the weather gets better soon! We had our first snow this year yesterday and last night. Only about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. That is enough for me!

[@lyndaperky4687]

Al I really like watching you gather eggs because they are so colorful as you planned. Now time to make soup, thanks Gina, while watching more of the barn build series.

[@randyrejer4219]

I have been watching your videos every morning for I don’t know how many years. It is always so nice to see your family.

[@dona4him942]

Everything you make, build, repair, feed, butcher, plow, move, edit, film, keep it all together, and everything else I haven't mentioned! ......... Dawg gone it! How do you make it all look so dang EASY! HOW DO YOU DO IT AL & Gina?! How!?

[@70acres]

Next up for NYC will be a sunning deck and wading pool! We got a bit of snow yesterday, about 2-3 inches. This has been a crazy winter here in NC's High Country. That soup looked amazing! I love making "everything" soup. Blessings to all.

[@colinratcliffe2454]

I love the way livi enjoys running with the goats. The goats love livi too. The goats seem very happy. I hope you get a lot of kids this year.

[@CelticRootsFarm]

All the Star Wars marathons are paying off dude...it looks like you are glowing with "The Force" in your thumbnail for this video. LOL BTW - missed ya at the NH Farm, Forest and garden Expo. Maybe next year. We went out of our comfort zone and actually did interviews. Keep up the good work buddy!

[@gruntqueen]

Gina, we always called it "soup". There was always a large pot atop the wood stove and we dumped all kinds of leftovers in there. Every once in awhile broth needed to be added. That way, there always soup whenever a cold body needed warming

[@virginiareid5336]

Great idea to put a roof over the Chicken Guard and especially over the ramp. I remember , I think the first winter you had NYC, the door froze on the ramp and you had to let the girls and Moose out of the human door. Hugs for Olivia. God Bless

[@CrankyAuntyLinda]

I’m so impressed with the ladies feeder and the lack of waste. The boys need one too. I would have put sides on the chicken coop roof to keep blowing rain and snow from reaching the door mechanism. Love watching your family videos. It’s a great start to my day too!

[@marloscorner4265]

The tape!!! I don’t know how many times I’ve fought with a screw to get into a tight space and kept dropping it....never thought of taping it to the screwdriver! Thanks for the idea!

[@terraranch1459]

Olivia’s play reminds me of my granddaughters. So cute and I play tea parties all the time with them. Having 3 boys I missed having a girl, but I’m making it up with grandkids. Hugs❤️

[@dougneufeld2799]

Al just a thought, but it appears as though the little roof is sloped to shed melting snow and rain onto the end of the ramp. Had you done a peaked roof it would have drained to the sides of the ramp.

[@loycemarch8409]

Not with the top he adds.

[@johnchase4408]

@@loycemarch8409 That's what he's talking about. Even with the roof covered it forces water to run right on the front of the ramp. Not on the auto door mechanism but the RAMP.

[@paulmonk7820]

@@loycemarch8409 That is what he's talking about.

[@amechelb]

I feel like if you took the center bracing off of that awning on the bottom you could move it down a good amount to where the control box is tucked in between the two sides and then you would get a lot more protection from snow/rain that hits at an angle.

[@jlrbhj]

The tape on the screw trick!! Oh my goodness. Thank you.

[@Z4Zander]

Blue tack works too.

[@jamesdeffenbaugh5166]

@@Z4Zander a dab of vaslene works great also.

[@Z4Zander]

@@jamesdeffenbaugh5166 Ok in winter but in warmer climes tends to be a bit thin, as is grease and wax..Tried most things.

[@georgew.henkel3182]

There is a ridge support for the corrugated roofing at the Home Center. This allows you to fasten to the ridges for less leaks.

[@williamgreen4757]

Soak the chicken door string with silicon lube, string will last longer and not wick water that can freeze.

[@amechelb]

Oooo I would have never thought if that. I will keep it in mind if I ever use a door like this.

[@paulmonk7820]

Use heavy duty fishing line.

[@nanigoose]

Good idea!

[@awoodworker]

I collect and repair/rebuild 1/18th scale diecast cars. I am retired and due to sports head injuries in my youth my hands shake at times. I stick a small rare earth magnet on my screwdriver when handling metal screws. I have a little electric device that demagnetizes the screwdriver to get the residual magnetism out of it. An earlier poster gave a good idea about dragging the screwdriver over a strong magnet.

[@christinedehn3257]

"My soup is never the same." I know exactly what you mean. I find the line between soup and stew is a very tenuous one. I like mine best with dumplings cooked on top. It's all good.

[@jounatherton7294]

brilliant dad , your such hard worker for your family . i love you all . xxx john uk london

[@HarborHon1]

Al, I have learned so many things by watching you build. Thanks for teaching this old girl some new tricks. Gina, I would be proud to eat at your table. God Bless you all.

[@Ntroendle88]

When we got our chicken guard door opener we decided to install everything inside the coop for this same reason. great videos buddy. Longtime viewer, first time commenting. lol

[@carlcarpenter507]

Nickolas Troendle if Al puts the guard door opener on the in side he want be able to use the sunlight option to open and close the door

[@Ntroendle88]

You are correct Carl lucky it also has a timer option where I am located its just easier that way because of the constant freezing rain and I don't entirely trust the rubber gasket to keep water out of it.

[@brucealvarez9263]

@@carlcarpenter507 That would be true with the door he has. The brand I got has a light sensor on a long wire so it can be run outside the coop even if the door is installed on the inside.

[@sandyseas8355]

Mistakes/failures r stepping stones 2 success! U folks r a tremendous blessing!

[@brendalawrence6732]

Hopefully that will take care of the coop door not icing up in freezing rain and extreme cold temps. Glad egg productions are up and Gina, your soup looked pretty yummy to me!

[@FlatEarthReset]

I mentioned building a awning over that when you installed it... Well done. Be nice when you get the apple trees down and greenhouse up...

[@Ali-ct9pb]

Flat Earth Reset I thought of it too when I saw an earlier episode. I’m new to watching. So glad he’s done it! Such a smart fella.

[@jenniferhuff2547]

One of the less time consuming projects. Glad to see that the automatic opener was an easy fix. Gina's soup looked so yummy. I bet that it is so nice to have hot soup on the cold winter's day. Tanner and his brush pile sticks. He likes to herd the goats. Much love from OHIO ❤️❣️❣️❤️

[@justinhunter3330]

I can’t wait to see what you build to organize your tools. I’m waiting to build mine so I can copy yours. Love your channel

[@woodhoundbug4697]

If you spray the spur the rope and the door with silicone spray it will keep it from freezing in the future also will help it it works on your car door so the door don't freeze also give it a try James T North Carolina

[@TerriShaver1]

We have a Chicken Guard system. The door is meant to go up and down on the inside of the coop. The cable that takes it up and down runs through the wall. You won’t have that issue again.

[@kerryscott2694]

the soup you should add a 1/2 tsp of caraway seeds when you put the cabbage in

[@papajoe6254]

The person who said they put the Auto Door Opener on the inside of the coup had a very good idea.

[@amechelb]

My wonder is that would it be as predator proof on the inside? If a large/strong predator say a coyote or raccoon or bobcat were to push hard enough against the door with it being on the inside the screws might not hold or the frame the door sits on may bow out and compromise the door, where on the outside it’s the actual wall of the coop lending strength to the door not just a couple of tracts.

[@tonygrimes13]

Papa Joe - It's a *coop* - a *coup* is a completely different thing.

[@paulmonk7820]

@@amechelb leave the door outside, controller inside with line attached thru a hole above the door. Also need a way to expose the photo cells to sunlight.

[@johnchase4408]

@@paulmonk7820 Or use the "Timer" option and won't have to worry about sunlight censor.

[@paulmonk7820]

@@johnchase4408 photocell are for charging the batteries, not for operating the door motor.

[@summersands8105]

Oh man, don't dispose of those broccoli stems, they're great to eat. Peel them to get rid of the bark and the stems are awesome to snack on with dip or just saute them up with other veggies. Either way, they're very good and good for you.

[@debbie7115]

Stems are still being used, they are going into the compost pile :)

[@lyndaperky4687]

Summer Sands I apologize because you may not be the only person obsessing over this, but, enough already about the broccoli stems. What if someone told you over and over "how can you eat those stems, they are a horrible texture". What you are saying is an "OPINION " that has been stated,by someone, every time they have broccoli. It is rude. I am rude also to call you out on this, but have been holding my tongue.

[@amechelb]

@lynda perky it is not rude for someone to mention the broccoli stems in a nice way...the likelihood is that most if not all of the people commenting about it haven’t read any of the other peoples comments and don’t realize it’s already been mentioned. Truth is they are tasty especially in stir fry as they can take the place of water chestnuts. And they are also healthy. I never knew this until I was told. Now if they don’t like them that’s fine. They can obviously just ignore the comment but you chewing someone out for being helpful especially when you know as you admitted that you are being rude is a little ridiculous don’t you think?

[@johnchase4408]

@@amechelb People need to read the comments just as you did to even respond to her. There are ALWAYS endless comments and replies regarding the same thing. Over and over and over. Do you think KZbinrs have the time or like reading advice that they already know and have been told a hundred times??

[@johnchase4408]

@@amechelb *YOU* could have taken your own advice and "ignored her comment" ....

[@rebeccajones4311]

Oh my goodness that little roof you made for New Yolk City is so adorable! It really gives it character 😃

[@nanigoose]

My chicken guard is inside the run, on the outside of the coop, but the run is fully covered with a roof. So, no weather-related SNAFUs for me, except for super extreme cold, which we haven't had this year. Lowest night temp was about 10 degrees (F) below zero. Your new roof should keep the unit dry and ice-free!

[@qpwillie]

Homestead: (as provided by the federal Homestead Act of 1862) an area of public land in the West (usually 160 acres) granted to any US citizen willing to settle on and farm the land for at least five years.

[@ASimpleLifewithChrisTara]

Your homestead looks great...Keep it up.Thanks for sharing your progress.

[@katejohnson955]

Maybe if you swapped out the string in the auto door opener for something fully waterproof like monofilament fishing line, then there won’t be enough water on the line to freeze it solid.

[@HyperFoxTails]

They do make magnetic screw drivers for small and large screws, just a little fun fact!

[@jackfishmagurkin8403]

AL, you can use a worn out diamond concrete blade to cut any vinyl or plastics.We use these in the siding business,the worn ones work better than new diamond concrete blades.(7.25 in.)

[@nanachris7376]

Al just a suggestion. Put some regular screen material over the chicken wire on the new coop windows, to keep out the flies and other insects 🦟

[@claramullen]

I think the new addition where the apple trees were is going to be a nice garden spot. I am surprised that you haven't built a playhouse for your daughter Al.

[@richardperry9095]

Nice video, I enjoy seeing you deal with the snow and ice while I sit here in Florida [sic]. I would like you to show how the concrete counter top repair turned out...we haven't seen the finished product. Thanks again for your videos.

[@jojos4827]

The soup inspired me, grapped my soup pot and it is bubbling away as I type. Gracias.

[@vmorganbogart]

Gina, your soup looked delicious! My mom always called it Mustgo Soup. Everything in the refrigerator that must go went in it. I used to put a plastic container with a lid in the freezer for left over veggies (not enough for another meal, but didn’t want to throw away). You could put leftover meat in it also. I’d just keep adding to it until I got enough & then I’d put them in soup. I always enjoy your videos! Keep ‘em coming! Love & Hugs from Vicki in Ft. Worth, Texas 🇨🇱🇺🇸👍❤️😁🙏

[@KCAATV]

The plastic nail container in your shop, the one in the area where you were working, might be usable for the lift gate cover. It even has a lid that can be removed. It's clear, so I'll bet it can detect solar.

[@johnscalise8558]

Maybe you could build a small overhang or awning over the chicken door to prevent it from happening again

[@tvcat3665]

I grew up in a soup family. Try a few parsnips in there & a can of chopped tomatoes for a change. Maybe I'll try putting in a cabbage for a change. 😊

[@gregdowd9213]

Great job on all your projects coming out of the workshop, definitely an A+. Having to use the saw table as a work bench underscores the need for some power tool racks, charging stations and shelving for hardware items. Just thinkin'.

[@gkiferonhs]

"Soup" was my term for dinner made by cleaning out the fridge. Lots of good one-time-only soups.

[@DrDementoRI]

You should have put the roof lower it will still allow snow and rain to hit the door and motor with the wind and if it was lower the motor could be under the roof, and all you wound need to do is cut the lower frame to allow door and rope movement.

[@dannypayne5974]

I enjoy the project that you all do . And I like seeing the dogs running around

[@ancimargarita2763]

yum yum soup!!! next time add some beetroot (that you can simply grate) and you will have a basic "borscht", and when you serve it, you add a dollop of sour cream in the bowl... delicious!!! In fact, you can add ham and any meat leftovers you have, bones and all, and at the end you take out the bones. It comes out tasty. Love your cooking! Thanks!!!

[@jean9780]

I like your tape idea 💡 when you use screwdriver.Thanks Now get to organizing that workshop/barn. We have tools my husband has had for over 50 years yes we have been married over fifty years.

[@Rick-wn5oh]

I like leftover stew too. I never tried it with cabbage. We normally use more tomatoes.

[@margaretbedwell58]

So happy the chicken door was an easy fix. Are you going to get another one for the new coop? Gina, your soup looked delicious as always. There is nothing quite so satisfying in the cold winter as home made soup. Have a Blessed day.

[@jfaifua]

Gina, We call it refridgerator soup as in whatever is in the fridge...aka garbage soup, leftover soup, and it is always yummy!

[@ftwtexasstephens9629]

We had a Golden Retriever who would go through our pile of branches and pick out the maple sticks to chew on. Tanner obviously likes Apple wood.

[@brucealvarez9263]

Curious why you peel the carrots, I just clean them well with a vegetable brush. The soup looks good.

[@gordonverrall1477]

I have noticed that you use white cabbage, white cabbage is best for coleslaw and sourkrout but savoy is better for main meals because it`s higher in iron and cheaper than white cabbage.

[@bernardshearing3202]

Al, well I declare your feathered friends have a wonderful leni. I suspect moose will be perching there on the warm summer days while his ladies serve him up mint juleps or sweet tea. If old CWC Could see the changes. Have a wonderful day and see y'all in da mernin.

[@lyndaperky4687]

Bernard Shearing What a wonderful visual great sense of humor.

[@betpatpatten3840]

As a former “Mainer” I think you put the roof to high to do much good on that ramp. Also closing it in down one side of the ramp (the side snow comes in on) would have helped more to keep snow off of it.

[@kathyjones8656]

Great job on poultry portico! Stay safe in cold. Let me know when Olivia's stand starts mail orders! Keeping all of you in my prayers 💕

[@quietkate]

Greetings from Weirs Beach, ice galore here too. Most are still fishing on the lake. Stay warm.

[@kimberlyfojtik3468]

Absolutely loved Livy making you a drink and you drinking it. Soup looks yummy 😋

[@annebiggins3876]

Hi, Your Chickens let you know they aren't totaled Vegetarians. Getting their grub treats made them reward you with more eggs. Nice to learn from you. Hope your aches subside soon!

[@jacksak]

I'm in NH Cheshire County near the Connecticut river and am always amazed at the snow accumulation difference between our two NH regions.

[@back2basics262]

Hello from Wisconsin! I recently found your channel, and have been enjoying the videos. We recently purchased our “homestead” and look forward to ordering our chicks and bees this next week. Thanks for sharing your adventures.

[@kathyyoung3484]

Gina's soup reminded me of my Mom, she could make a soup out of anything! Thanks for the memory!

[@jeanwoodall1523]

Other people call those kinds of soups magic as you just use what you have on hand whether it's from leftovers, remnants from meals, and else you have in your food storage. Some people freeze the remnants until the container is full. Patera of Appalacia's Homestead has done videos of guidelines to what foods to save for them and what not to.

[@leehobin5132]

Greetings, Lee here, sure like the set up you have for the saws, really neat and easy to move around. Great videos, Later

[@sonnyde2]

Having trouble holding small screws on your screwdriver, you can buy a magnetize or at Lowe's to magnetize your screwdriver.

[@jamesdeffenbaugh5166]

It doesn't work for stainless steel screws, from the look of the screwdriver he was using, it was a magnetic tipped one.

[@sonnyde2]

@@jamesdeffenbaugh5166 It works on my stainless steel screws when I'm building a computer.

[@maxmillion4216]

FYI: Put a magnet on the side of the screw driver and then put the screw on the screw driver. It will stay on if it's stainless.

[@richardpd5732]

I like it too. Big fingers like mine and small screws don't mix. Thanks for that.

[@jelomaxjoiner]

I like your trick with the masking tape on the small screw

[@stoneinthefield1]

I think I told ya months ago to cover that when you installed that door lifter... now I sound like my parents. Lol. Sorry about that! Love your channel.

[@srqlisa7881]

It nice to see Olivia get over her hesitation with the chickens. good job little one. : )peace

[@jameswitte5167]

Try a bit of wax rubbed into the edges of the door and channels ... Corrugated screws in the valleys unless you lay down wavy wood spacer ... Then hilltops for water drainage minimizing ice buildup ... No sidewalls ??? Not even half way down ??? Do better to keep buildup off ramp ... Looks like my kitchen soup ... Love using the hearts of celery ...

[@chris3m98]

Al, maybe in the future you could build the chicken roof & attach it on a french cleat so you can remove it if you have to work on the opener???? Buy a magnet & magnetize your screwdrivers!

[@danielheartsill4269]

The soup looks wonderful. The only thing missing is either home made bread or cornbread. Also in Texas we would have some chili peppers on the side for a little kick.

[@wendy833]

Im excited for the new coop placement and tenants. That was an awesome roof idea. My garage door freezes to the concrete, so I have to salt the area and I toss some potting soil down too. Best I can do at an apartment, lol.

[@bobgrauer]

Al, A good way to cut corrugated plastic is turn your saw blade over on your table saw so the teeth are backwards.

[@pamelaroden4381]

It would be nice if you could hook it up on the inside of the coop.

[@maryclairekalamafoni9524]

I'm not gifted the way you are with fixing things and building things. So when I watch you work it's almost mystical the way you can build something so exact and beautiful from your thoughts. It never ceases to amaze me! 💓💛💚💙💜🌈

[@workingfolk]

When working with the Chicken Guard, NEVER let the front half with the circuit board dangle from the battery wires. The wires WILL break where they pass through the back of the circuit, leaving nothing to solder them to. This has happened to me just through the normal battery changing over three years. Letting it dangle from the battery wires while carrying it to the shop is asking for trouble. Friendly warning about the fragile part of an otherwise excellent product.

[@trippingonrocks1165]

So happy I've just stumbled on your channel, from the music to the animals, eggs cooking and family, amene. Thank you, new subscriber 👋

[@juanamarin7731]

With this weather that soup have to be good idea enjoy god bless.

[@riverrat1431]

All you better be nice to that wife of yours .I saw her cutting vegetables and she is mighty handy with that big knife .

[@carlcarpenter507]

Ever thought about putting one of those door openers on the nesting box door in your new chicken house so you don’t have to remember to open and close it?

[@tonygrimes13]

Carl Carpenter - I don't think that moor would be strong enough.

[@katesisco]

remember when we were told the assembly line was a modern technique? Our Moms had it down pat when preserving and canning. Everything old is new again.

[@outlawfarms6961]

I live off grid and my chickens will not stay in their coop. The all sleep in the tree next to my hay barn . Even with snow and extreme cold

[@dionnerautenbach217]

You need to put salted grit there to keep the snow ❄️ melted

[@jamestate7851]

Al I would make a wooden box sealed with glue to cover door, motor box to keep out the mositure.

[@jimmyjohnstone7258]

Good to see you have fitted a protective cover for the coop door. Several of us warned that it would be required. Also....why no current filming of the other chickens, the greenhouse ones?

[@tonygrimes13]

Jimmy Johnstone - Only so much that they can put in each video, also those chickens ran away to join the circus!

[@jkshearer13]

Al, I am always learning something from you. Thank you!

[@fixmypc]

Kitchen Sink Soup with a loaf of warm crusty bread ... Perfect meal for these cold and damp winter evenings!

[@Syrnian]

Do not forget to use the apple wood for smoking.

[@theresatrahan7247]

Gina that’s what my Mom would call that soup to everything but the kitchen sink soup was so good.

[@kwayne9846]

Seems like moving the New Chicken Coop now on the Ice To where you want it now with your truck would be easier than when it melts and in the mud. Ultimately I hope you have figured a way to put wheels on it.