Spring in Alaska | Boom Lift Gets the Job Done

We complete our cabin siding project with the help of a towable manlift and will soon be ready to paint the exterior.
Spring season is here to stay, our hens are broody, birch sap is flowing, the bees are buzzing and the high tunnel is warming up. We eagerly await for the snow to melt and summer to return.
We appreciate you tagging along for our Alaskan adventure 😀
Thank you for watching and supporting our channel! 💙
- Eric & Arielle Illia
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[@suseyq4559]

I’ve been a labor and delivery nurse my whole career. I love any new creature brought into this world. Little did I know I would get a small tear when I saw a little chick move inside an egg. Adorable!

[@rayperry4666]

Sorry that you lost one of the Hives. That Hi-Lift enabled you to finish installing the siding, making it well worth the rental cost! Cabin looks great. All you need now is to get it painted in May. Hope the weather cooperates with your plans. Another great video!

[@genevieve198103]

Bo was like '' you made me walk all the way there just to put a bucket on tree?!! I Should have stayed inside ''

[@peacefulwife5199]

Nahh, the "old man" still needs exercise. The old saying about movement for humans goes for animals as well...."If you don't use it.....you lose it.." He's prolly stiff in the joints, but walking is good for everything. I have days where my arthritis says stay in bed. I know that's not going to help, so I get up and move.❤

[@whybutwhy4137]

To be fair he always looks like that..lol

[@NewDivideOutdoors]

I stop what I’m doing to watch every episode y’all upload! I can’t wait to move to the peninsula this summer.

[@oldmanriver1057]

When I was a teenager my father had 27 bee hives. His honey extractor could hold 16 full frames!

[@iartistdotme]

Almost clapped when he nailed those last two bits up. What a great and hard job - congrats to you guys and DIY abilities.

[@felinetherapy4782]

Its horrible when your bees die! Props to you keeping them alive in such extreme conditions. Here in Australia don't face any of your conditions but still lost a hive due to disease. Love your channel - wish I could swap some weather with you!

[@caycebrooke5754]

Y’all are seriously couple goals. Always strong together no matter what. ❤️

[@tWoforgamenot1]

agree :)

[@dannajralize]

,,h. N. B. g Kf. B njnnnj jajaja b4

[@NoCaping]

Let match there energy 😏😍

[@txredkim867]

Y'all got a new truck?! You guys have done an amazing job with your home while battling extreme weather and should be very proud of yourselves. Most people would have given up! Also sad to hear a hive didn't make it, I know you work hard to keep them healthy...the fact you are able to keep bees in Alaska is impressive. Can't wait to see those chick's. Blessings from N Central Texas where we're in the high 80's & 90's now, ugh! Spring has left the building :-(

[@chelseyledoux5366]

I noticed the new truck as well!

[@leelantern805]

Yeah me too, nice truck

[@luanngates4982]

Ll

[@uncledick9445]

Phoenix here. 100 degrees forecasted for tomorrow.

[@henrynewton1081]

Oo

[@pattibrown1809]

I love how you treat your bees. My Dad was a bee keeper so I grew up with them. They are such fascinating little animals! Thanks for another awesome video!🌻🐝🌺

[@judyjenson2918]

LOVE your videos. They are all fun to watch. I think its the "shinny" personalties of you both. You make me smile and feel good.. So thank you.

[@mustwereallydothis]

Before our house was destroyed by a landslide, we had our hens hatch chicks every spring. It was so fun to watch, especially the year we had two broody hens co-parenting 9 chicks. They took turns sitting on the eggs. When one felt it was her turn, she would hip check the other right off them. Otherwise, they seemed to split the responsibilities fairly diplomatically. To add to the fun, our little wiener dog decided his true purpose in life was to supervise chicks. He spent his days following them around, and any time one wandered the slightest distance away from the rest, he would gently herd it back. He was so very proud of himself. It was adorable. I kind of miss that.

[@HughJorgan1]

18:00…That’s very interesting footage! I’ve never seen a chicken moving around inside an egg. Looking forward to seeing them after hatching. Great video all around!

[@dfg2936]

A nice, long section on CHICKENS! 🐓 It had my rapt attention. Can’t wait to see chicks hatch & grow. Thank you. I’m a city person so not sure why I’m so intrigued by those creatures. Loved watching the build be finalized (minus caulking & painting). You guys are hard working machines and explain it so well. That lift machine looked awesome. 👍🏼

[@goranbreskic4304]

In my part of Europe people keep chickens in cities too 🙂

[@tonyahunt1126]

Because chickens are AWESOME :)

[@heathersullivan8494]

How exciting!! You got all of your siding up. I’m so sorry you lost some bees. That’s horrible. You guys are awesome and I really love watching your videos, and I learn so much.

[@beachysands4036]

Ok, those chicks were amazing! 🐣

[@coralienygaard8508]

I live in northern Canada, so I relate a lot with cold climate gardening, and I have learnt so many tips and tricks from you guys. Thank you for being my absolute hands down favorite to watch on youtube. Keep at er'!

[@xrpdreamermaxrodrigues1723]

Unvelievebable the difference that a lift makes, house looks awesome, good job guys, so sad hearing about the bees. Keep up the good work, god bless you!!

[@Johnsoncrna]

The kitty is so cute! I love how she and the dogs interact. Also I can’t wait to see the chicks!

[@galeharris6696]

LOVE the chickens' punk hairdos. And Bo has won my heart, he reminds me so much of my big pony of a dog, Pogo. Pogo was a St Bernard mix of some sort, and she moved very much like Bo, and had many of his expressions. Bandit is like my son's dog, Levon. All playful and full of energy. Great animals, little Pepper too.

[@jakeman52]

Insane to hear you say it's 9pm while its broad daylight. Definitely a lot of work going into it and it looks great.

[@saa8458]

Sorry to hear about your bees. 😢 Just wondering if a Slovenian style bee house would work better for your conditions? You can add warmth in the back section over winter plus have more hives and work with the bees in a dryer spot. Love the new house look btw. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@josie_ong]

I love how much of a partnership you guys are and how you operate all the tools, Arielle! I'm taking a woodworking class now and getting familiar with all the heavy machinery, and it's comforting and inspiring to see you helping out so much with the siding.

[@mathiasstielzchen2227]

"Helping out"? I would say they work as a very well-balanced team :)

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

'helping out' is a patronising phrase. Both are working to maintain themselves in the challenging environment of Alaska. As equals.

[@judyabernathy80]

Great job, you guys! Bandit and Bo did the cooking, no doubt, as we didn’t see them too often at the job site! Lol I so enjoy watching all your projects. Love you both! ♥️🙏🏼♥️

[@garnetmage4244]

@Judy Abernathy Respectfully, they have mentioned that children aren't in their plans at this time. Whatever their reasons for their choice, I have every confidence that they considered, and have made the best choice for them. I'm sure that if they should ever change their decision, that they'll let us know, if or when it becomes appropriate. They've chosen to share so much and gift us with their openness, it would be only polite for us to respect and observe their boundaries on the subject and avoid such suggestions. Thank you for your kind consideration of my heartfelt comments.

[@judyabernathy80]

@@garnetmage4244 - beautifully said. I have missed a few episodes due to illness. So, I’ve obviously missed that one. I had no idea. Thank you for telling me. I feel a bit embarrassed now, so I did take that statement down. I respect these two wonderful human beings and would not ever want to cross a boundary they have set. Blessings to you always.

[@sherry2836]

Your chickens are so cute! I love their purring noises when you pet them. Your seedlings look so healthy and ready to go. We still have 29F temps forecasted a couple nights this week in Mich so I'm not going to chance it just yet. What a good feeling to have your house sided and sealed; great job! Always love a Pepper cameo.

[@mimiso2522]

S AA commented on a [slovenian] bee house and My mind went, Ooooh. Like built into the side of the chicken coop or another outbuilding like the woodshed that would keep 3 sides out of the wind. And easier to check in the cold months.

[@GlorytoGod580]

Ever time I see an update about the bees I feel like ordering a hive. I want to suggest you build a shed like the one you did for the firewood for the bees. I have a feeling that they would survive the winter much better. Keep the great videos coming

[@modernhomesteadalaska]

I can’t wait to get a full garden set up like you (my inspiration couple) Having to use local nursery’s this first garden season in Alaska. It’s all looking so good!

[@clwatts]

You handled this project like a couple of pros. Good job!

[@slynn5138]

Nothing wrong about having some blueberry scones and coffee atop the manlift after a hard day’s work. Awesome job guys!!!!

[@karencroft1322]

You guys are doing a wonderful job your home is really coming together can't wait for summer the plants and fishing etc:-)

[@pam6852]

You guys are better than sliced bread and I have enjoyed your videos since Oregon. Eric truly enjoys his food and if I could I would barbecue “Sasquatch” for him! Ariel is no slouch in any department of life and she makes it work. Hands down you both rock!!!

[@lisawegener2664]

House looks great and sorry for the loss of your bee hive, love and hugs to both of you from England xx

[@Miss449686]

Looking forward to baby chicks -- the hens hatching and rearing them will be fun to watch. Great job on the siding installation.

[@turnerharris5099]

Hey I saw you guys today and the doggo heading into wasilla:)

[@katherinekinnaird4408]

My late father kept pollination hives for many years in the Southern San Joaquin Valley of California and he to had colonies die off and he too took it hard. Bees are amazing creatures. And we just can't live without them. Be fortune next time. I think you are doing a great job.

[@user-jc1zi5xq4k]

It looks fantastic. Beautiful job yall.

[@herbertwerner2287]

I love seeing the chickens the closeups of them are wonderful. Sure makes a difference with the behavior the the ones you raised compared to the ones you didn't. I'm sure the tame ones make great mothers too. Bonus.

[@ExploringJ]

The chickens were just chilling during a whole interview haha

[@lindapetersen1800]

Its like the other chickens are AUNTS just waiting for their nieces & nephews to be hatched don't bother them at all !!! hahaha IT WAS SO SWEET!!! Glad you got the lift it pays to have one to use on land!!! Younger and more limber you are that is what it is all about in these years of age you will look back and this and GO Oh Oh GOLLY how did we do it but it is younger and limber yrs of age!!!

[@TOM-LARSON]

Great job guys. you will notice how much less wood you will use next winter and love it. Looks great! Sorry on the loss of the bees. Thanks for sharing with us. Peace from Michigan.

[@andrewmossop6241]

Can't beat a Sider cherry picker! Well done you guys.

[@wesleycameron1034]

Love that cat. Use Sherwin Williams Resilience.. I have painted for over 25 years and it’s what I have on my own house. Happy painting

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Sherwin Williams is the best. Brush only. :)

[@leapreston5294]

My favourite is when the eggs are peeping always gives me a thrill outstanding footage as always

[@dospalmascb]

You guys have no idea how happy seeing Bo and Bandit together has made me. We use cold frames for hardening our plants. Hopefully spring has sprung and no more frosts.

[@peggyjean5530]

So nice to see you look after your bees so well.

[@nancydavidson9896]

I loved this video. Your chickens are beautiful. I had never seen a chick still inside an egg. What an awesome treat for me. Your siding project is great. Love when the sap flows. Love seeing your puppies but it was lovely to see your kitten being a kitten and just enjoying the great outdoors. Thank you for ending with blueberry scones. Now I am hungry. Lol

[@coloradopackratprepper]

The inspector is inspecting. Ckin the integrity of the nailing!!!!! Shes so cute!!!!! She needs a little kitty to bat around!!!!! And the dogs paying omage to the Queen!!!!!

[@ericabarker3939]

You Two are awesome! We love watching your journey!

[@tWoforgamenot1]

we build a cabin 50 years a go the two of us . Something you always remember we still have it but its for the kids now :)

[@tammyfletcher7667]

Your house looks so nice! I know you are proud of your accomplishment. Wonderful you two can do all these jobs by yourself. So anxious for gardening to begin.

[@EvelynMaya1]

She is so sweet and gentle taking her egg back at 18:27 🥺. Thank you for the chicken centric episode.

[@donnamullins2089]

Awesome job on the siding. Looks amazing. So very sorry about your bees. Aerial you have a very tender heart for every living thing. Scones look delicious. Looking forward to your next video. Hello from Texas.

[@generalg1946]

Lots of fun to see the transformation of the house! It’s fun because it is a main part of your “set”, a part we see ever episode so we are so familiar with it! Fun times, great videos! A pleasure as always!

[@nealieanderson512]

That chickie thing was so so cool!!! I saw them moving! You guys are amazing with your planting, animal care, house build, birch tap…..just everything. The house looks really great!

[@williamharn9048]

Definitely great pics of the chickens. What is it about those little dinosaurs that is so soothing!!

[@paulonorato8765]

You two are quite the couple… Talented… Patient… And don’t complain at all about the repetitiveness of a very difficult job like wrapping your house and then putting up the siding. It looks fantastic. Can’t wait to see what colors you have chosen. Stay safe and well and thank you for sharing all that you share with all of us

[@nancyfahey7518]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think of this every time this show comes on.

[@PaullaWells]

You guys did such a great job! And, again, I can see how very nice it is going to look once painted because it looks outstanding now. My fingers are crossed for a very dry 4 days in a row at the very least. I honestly don't think it will take that long to complete though. I agree that the scariest/most difficult part of this project was the ice. I was on the edge of my seat worried about that the whole time. P.S. I laughed hard when the broody box came back out. That thing sure did work. I wonder if you'll need another box though. Oh! And the plants look fantastic! I have some ready to go in the garden.

[@roberthakeman9822]

We planted over 500 mounds of potatoes on good Friday and we had potatoes coming out of our ears but when we picked them we put them in gunny sacks and put them in the vegetables cellar along with everything we canned in glass jars and when you reuse them put them in the canner and boil them for 25 minutes and take them out and rest them by the edge of the sink also boil your flats and rings after the glass jars are washed up good and clean and rinsed off with warm water upsidedown by the sink

[@Wearespurstv]

I flew a 70' boom for Asplundh we had a 15' elevator system also. Funny how scared some people were at trying it. The people who acted the most tough in the yard would white knuckle it over the primary wires.

[@nicolemangum5023]

I can’t wait to see all the baby chicks!! I’m sorry y’all lost a hive. That’s sad 😢 Hopefully the new one will Make it through the winter.

[@uncommonsense6295]

The siding looks great. Can’t wait to see it painted.

[@petesmith13]

With the birch tree tapping one thing I've seen is drill a hole in the side of the bucket near the top, put the tap in that hole which allows you to have a lid on the bucket which stops you getting snow or other debris in your sap so it doesn't get diluted

[@northeasthomesteading9922]

Have you ever thought about doing an addition and putting a bathroom in?

[@csnanny1882]

O my, I have probably said this efore, but this rooster is beautiful.

[@heatherstauner1827]

Thanks for sharing your life with us!

[@micheleharris2361]

Awesome job on the siding! And the chicks are fun to see that way - thanks for the share :)

[@charlenegrady8781]

Nice job. Can’t wait to see it done as I’m sure you can’t wait too. You two work so well together that is nice. Take care. See you again soon. 🙂

[@myrtillegrandesoreilles8275]

"and these chickens are extremely agressive" I laughed so much when I saw all the agressivity that that chicken had 😂😂😂

[@pumptruckjim]

House looks great and so does the new truck !

[@elainehollinger6369]

I too noticed that! At the beginning they loaded Bandit & Bo into the green Tundra and next thing they're bringing home the lift in a silver Tundra!!

[@hermithillfarm1123]

You ever think the truck belongs to the person that owns the lift 🤔 cause it might.

[@joanbrewer5590]

New Tundra? Love it. We have 3 and couldn’t be happier. Enjoy your channel.

[@watermanone7567]

Great job. You may want to keep the extra siding in case some get damaged, rotted etc. Thanks for the video.

[@hartiaacres]

It's crazy how much sap is in the birch trees. I just dropped a couple clearing for the cabin. The stumps the next day, the sap was all frozen and there was a lot!!. It did that for several days. The right tool for the right job. We rented a 4x8 4x4 scissor lift to do painting. What a time saver. Did the house and the 2 story shop.

[@k.p.1139]

I'm still waiting to see you turn the chickens loose in the greenhouse, and let them get the ground worked. 🤗 Good job on the house! Have you noticed a difference inside yet?

[@markbrown6236]

What we all want to know.

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Not yet but next winter will be the true test :)

[@k.p.1139]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska We can wait! There is to much to think about in between.. Like how many potato varieties are we planting this year? How many fishing trips are we going to go on?...WILL Eric try to cheat in board games at the cabin? 😂🤣😆

[@kevinstjean8651]

seeing the chicks inside the eggs about to hatch is kool to see ! i love these videos

[@ivetteguzman5730]

So excited to see what you guys doing 🥰

[@kirbygulbrandsen4507]

You know what they say, momma’s baby daddy’s maybe. Always watching from Panama City Florida, USA. 🇺🇸

[@saraschoen9818]

I honestly love everything I watch from you all. Is Arielle* wearing a Tennessee shirt?!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Yes ;)

[@saraschoen9818]

@@SimpleLivingAlaska neat! That’s where we live. My husband gets to go to Alaska a lot with the USAF and loves it. Happy almost spring 😊

[@marthaturki4891]

The chickens and rooster are so pretty!😍

[@Tomhohenadel]

Great to see you guys again. Thought your winter might be finished. Weird spring everywhere. Looking forward to this greenhouse update

[@ceselb]

This was an egg-siding episode, thank you.

[@MNms-ny1gl]

Is there a noticeable difference in indoor temp since beginning the siding?

[@Allirys]

It's amazing the level of intimacy you maintain with the camera. Maybe because you are as relaxed and happy as possible. Love you guys. And the cat.

[@colin8532]

Very nice new truck you guys got there. Are the dogs going to ride in the back seat from now on, or are you planning on getting another cap for this truck too? Awesome job on the siding guys, it looks amazing!

[@SimpleLivingAlaska]

Getting another camper :)

[@barbarabarker6753]

Such handsome, healthy looking chickens.

[@connielikens3415]

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!! You did it!!! Now go take a much deserved break!!!

[@didlidoodles343]

Your videos are so informative and entertaining at the same time. Thank you so much for teaching us about homesteading. It is so easy to aspire to that lifestyle sitting on our couches sipping wine. Lollll Your videos are such a reality check for us city folks! 😆

[@mareelutze2822]

you guys are awesome,,TEAM WORK,,,TEAM PLAYERS......Love watching you...

[@SeanInAlaska]

As I am watching this, outside next to the campfire in the mid 40s on the Kenai peninsula...your chickens are squawking and my chickens are in their run looking around like ....who is that! Hahhahhhaa

[@Flowergurl2000]

There y’all are, workin hard again!!! I just finished the other two and here you are!!! So, thank you!!!

[@richardmelanson7947]

I was sad to hear that you lost a bee hive. The chickens look amazing and some are very colorful. Its great that you were able to finish putting up the siding on the house. It was worth renting the Hi Lift. The house looks great and I’m sure you will feel the difference next winter. Looking forward to your next video. Take and be safe.(Judy NB)🌲🇨🇦

[@kirkmanley3164]

Really ready for this snow to be gone and can't believe ya'll got the siding done so early.

[@dwjr5129]

The siding project looks amazing. Nice work! You guys ain’t afraid of nuthin!!

[@jinxie228]

WOW - GREAT job on completing your cabin siding project. Looks GREAT!

[@jamiemueller1881]

As the world seems increasingly imperiled, the comfort your videos bring is inexpressible. The calm, the quiet and peace, the skills you've honed, your innate kindness and goodness...all shine through in every video. I love chickens and bees and wish so much I had room to raise them. Watching you is balm for the soul. Shine on and thank you for sharing your life with us.

[@donnakearse2503]

You all are just the cutest little scrappers 😉

[@tnwhitley]

It doesn’t matter what you two are doing it’s all interesting. Never got to visit Alaska and I get to see it through your videos & Alaska magazine. Thanks

[@christianneottinger3932]

Thanks for sharing the candling. I’d heard about it but never seen it. It was cool to see the chick moving around in the egg.

[@lindavancleve9363]

You two made the siding project look easy. Nice job. It looks great.