WINTER STORM WARNING! (Last-Minute Driveway Redo)

Alyssa’s messy bun beanie: amzn.to/2otXsMS
Alyssa’s matching scarf: amzn.to/2A5cdfw
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WHO WE ARE
In 2015 we quit our lives in the city to buy bare land in the country and build a timber frame home from scratch with our bare hands, debt-free, with no prior experience. It’s been a wild ride of ups, downs, highs, lows, rain and rainbows, but we haven’t lost sight of our goals and have gotten further in three years than we thought we’d get in ten. Join us as we build our house, develop our rural property, practice traditional skills such as gardening and food preservation and go to even greater heights (literally) of exploring the world through aviation as a new private pilot!
VIDEOS YOU MAY ENJOY
Young couple builds their own dream home: bit.ly/2zvq9yp
The big reveal of our house plans: bit.ly/2OpTPm1
The big timber frame raising: bit.ly/2F5Xrua
The day we got our sawmill: bit.ly/2P9AQS1
How we made $1,000 in one day milling lumber: bit.ly/2P8Muwm
Why we built a hot tub before a house: bit.ly/2Ff605I
Living in an rv while building our house: bit.ly/2PFkXlL
POPULAR PLAYLISTS
Chronological order: bit.ly/2kGUf8E
House build from beginning: bit.ly/2SRTQCX
Foundation of home: bit.ly/2zuoSrr
ICF basement / garage: bit.ly/2ztLZCn
Timber frame workshop: bit.ly/2OsU67E
Structural insulated panel installation: bit.ly/2Qr0U7X
Metal roof installation: bit.ly/2AOsqGQ
Buildling a debt-free home strategy: bit.ly/2RACcBX
Aviation: bit.ly/2RBlkuT
Gardening / food preserving: bit.ly/2Ff5PY6
FOLLOW US REAL-TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Editing video takes time, ya’ll, and we have a house to build! For our most up-do-date progress follow us on social media.
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SOME FAVORITE TOOLS & GEAR
Jesse’s pocket knife: amzn.to/2zuur9g
Jesse’s pocket flash light: amzn.to/2KUVsYT
Favorite LED portable cordless work light: amzn.to/2Qhd3Qt
Favorite no-spill fuel pump: amzn.to/2Dq95OV
Favorite BBQ sauce: amzn.to/2PEZlGa
Jesse’s work shoes: amzn.to/2qwF0Vk
Jesse’s work jacket: amzn.to/2E0OMYF
Jesse’s casual jacket: amzn.to/2BB8kjM
Jesse’s waterproof / insulated boots: amzn.to/2FIzyJs
Alyssa’s pocket knife: amzn.to/2PG9wdt
Alyssa’s work boots: amzn.to/2qwF4V4
Alyssa’s work leggings: amzn.to/2qOnSdR
Alyssa’s work overalls: amzn.to/2ADtrA8
Alyssa’s fleece-lined work pants: amzn.to/2PWv5Hz
Alyssa’s thermal top: amzn.to/2KAgdce
Alyssa’s thermal bottoms: amzn.to/2zvQaOS
Alyssa’s messy bun beanie: amzn.to/2QtFSp5
Alyssa’s scarf (matches messy bun beanie): amzn.to/2QR9S1E
Alyssa’s waterproof / insulated boots: amzn.to/2DZIisN
Favorite book on timber framing for beginners: amzn.to/2yR0xg0

[@johnchappell4492]

DO NOT stack firewood against or even near your house. Even concrete will not stop termites and other pests from getting in. They nest in the ground under the wood stack, and build a highway in and out of the house.

[@alanharriman23]

No termites in the deep freezing north.😊

[@Hellsong89]

Also fire hazard. One spark in wrong place and there is enough fuel and oxygen to burn whole house down. We have regulation where you can store wood more than two heating batches next to fire place and all fire wood needs to be stored least 5meters from any livable house. Not that many people follow such regulation..

[@robertbales5135]

Jess and Alyssa, I have been watching you guys on and off now for 3 year. I am 63 yr old and I have been working on my own home for over 10 yrs now (rehabbing and repairing it) and I am also starting my own businesses all while working a full time factory night shift job and I appreciate you courage, your honesty and your grit, and your willingness to be totally transparent in the hopes to give everyone who watches your channel knowledge and encouragement. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! When I am discourage, tired or feeling lost or down I watch your video and a get rejuvenated. Much love and respect to you both and thank you again for the one millionth time.

[@RonnFolk]

My Grandpa told me never stack firewood next to the house. He said that termites love dry wood and It encourages them to eat your house.

[@Barbzilla_killa]

I work for a home inspection company (US Inspect) . We recently did a training and you should never stack wood against your house unless you want to invite termites to your house for dinner. Wood stack should at least 10ft away from your house. Especially since there is no siding yet. Thought it would be helpful information for you.

[@stevecounts325]

Barbara Fleisch Termites are not a problem at 15°.

[@suzisaintjames]

Seriously! You only stack wood up against your house if you want to live with termites! 💜🌞🌵

[@TeddyRux20]

Seriously tho termites in idaho are dampwood termites so they are less likely to damage structures....i understand there is the risk but not as much of a risk as else where

[@goatstead814]

Instead of building a fire to keep your hot tub thawed, now that your on grid power go to a farm supply and buy a cattle tank heater and use it when your not heating it for pleasure. The tank heater will keep your hot tub just above freezing. Much easier than building a fire everyday.

[@vaalrus]

Pro Tip: On an excavator like that with a thumb, if you scrounge up a piece of I-beam or even a (really) stout 6x6 you can us it like a giant trowel… We built a 12’ one that we use to level sub-grade inside buildings and save a days worth of raking by hand…. Moves snow like a banshee too.

[@charlesschultz4420]

I used that same fabric all the way around our new house build with 5/8 rock on it to keep the framers and other subs out of the clay mud last winter. We are keeping the rock and fabric down as we don't want grass right up to the house. I didn't have the fabric when they put the driveway in but they laid 3" down so heavy equipment wouldn't sink. I've been topping that with 1 1/4 then 5/8 and know what you mean about trying to get it spread out and leveled properly. I understand wanting to get out of the camper into the house before winter. I was in our camper since last may till the day before Thanksgiving when we finally got sign off from the county. Now slowly moving in working on the rest of our place. Your place is looking good! The hard work is really paying off. I would look at getting the NG piped in and use it for your radiant boiler. We don't have NG available so I buried a 500 gallon propane tank to run our kitchen stove and gas fireplace. More expensive than NG but still less than all electric!

[@ReneeB_on_MC]

So proud of Alyssa in this video. You are getting more confident around the heavy equipment and really moving tasks along. Kind of jealous of all you are learning. Thank you guys for continuing to share this incredible journey.

[@shawndavis5398]

Nice job on the driveway ! An Electric stock water heater for horses or cattle are pretty cheap and reliable ,should keep your hottub from freezing. Your local feed store should carry them. Now that you have grid power , save your wood for hot tubbing :)

[@davestarcelt5661]

Have you guys considered a simple cattle water trough heater, (available at most farm & garden stores) to keep your hot tub ice free? Don't have to start wood fires for it all the time to keep it thawed. Just keep the water level up.

[@joed5882]

On the garage wall for the appliance put strips the wall and sheet rock you will have enough room for the regular boxes

[@kirkq2]

I was going to suggest this as well they are super cheap and not expensive to run.

[@joeantonicci8920]

You guys are a great couple working together is awesome.

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

I SURE ENJOY WATCHING YOU GUYS WORK, MAINLY BECAUSE I'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING, THREE TIMES AND I AIN'T GONNA DO IT ANYMORE. PROBABLY SHOULDN'T SAY NEVER BECAUSE I MAY HAVE TO EAT MY WORDS. LOL

[@raleighpreston1902]

Despite all the setbacks, mistakes, and challenges, it really is impressive to see how far you've come!

[@tylerangieslayton7455]

Outline the edge of the driveway with the big pretty boulders😍😂 u dont want anybody sliding over the edge on ice!

[@chrisoconnor6445]

That ground fabric is a great idea till you have to plow snow. One accidental gouge from a blade and that stuff will start coming up and the problems begin. Now, if you could burry it under 24 inches of gravel, you would probably be safe. 12 inches is more realistic but you really need to be careful. It’s a flipped mess when that stuff tears and comes up. Don’t ever try a snow blower after that . Ohhh the hell I have seen... and a blade will catch those torn flaps and make the problem worse and worse. Good luck!! -- should have finished watching the video before commenting but looks like your starting to see what I’m talking about sooner than expected.. best thing I could suggest is to just concentrate on dumping a lot of gravel on top and spread once it’s deep so you can avoid snags

[@canadianwolfcustom9168]

You two have done an amazing job on that driveway

[@jrbpa5775]

Drain the hot tub and worry about it next year...

[@Twangg1]

draining it would allow the boards to shrink and would cause MAJOR leakage when refilled

[@dragonflygrandma]

DIY Gabion Walls might be away to use up some of those rocks in a beautiful way. Just a thought. Hugs ya'll

[@chiefof]

Good progress under difficult conditions. Love the teamwork.

[@thersaholycow]

Lighting a fire every day sounds like a pain in the butt! Put a stock water tank heater in it! It doesnt use much power and it keeps water from freezing. It works for us farmers!

[@Twangg1]

This is wisest advice I have seen on this subject

[@goriverman]

You guys have to be one of the most hard working determined couples out there. Your knowledge and work ethic are amazing.

[@elishevaquick6650]

All can say is this :Hard work, even in the dark, pays off and here we can see it - HUGE IMPROVEMENT on your driveway. xxx

[@randycny]

Why not just empty the hot tub for the winter? Especially now that you have a real tub with Endless hot water... ?

[@jakemallory4239]

"i miss working with you." that was nice.

[@bluebird5100]

What time do you guys start work every day. A normal contractor os ready to work by 7am so you can finish before dark. That means getting up at 5 or 5:30, eating breakfast and tools in hand at 7am. If you do this, you will be done by dark every day.

[@AgentJohnSteed]

Just a note on the production of this video. I loved the sound track for the "moon digging" part of the video. Such a good artistic choice.

[@patriciadonley221]

Just wondering if you guys might be interested in something like stock tank heaters? Amazon carries them for around $30-$40 or so. One would be great for your hot tub to keep it from freezing up, and you wouldn't have to keep the fire going so much. It's a thought......🤔

[@brianschulz4851]

I'd recommend storing your fire wood away from the house to avoid future termite infestations...Party on Dudes.

[@danielrichardson5068]

Alyssa, I love your choice of music , its always perfect for whats going on! and I enjoy watching you 2 build your house. my neighbor is building a sip house so its interesting watching the 2 houses being built

[@graceandglory1948]

One is never too old to learn. I had never heard of this fabric for a road.. Great idea!! Well done!

[@JJ-xj3vi]

Just a thought. Up here in Minnesota we use bubblers in water so it doesn’t freeze. When we have docks that are left in the lakes all year, we just put a bubbler next to it.

[@ToonOfLancing]

"Call in Camarata!" :-) That's a great job you're doing.

[@jonlasiter7154]

Thank you I didn't know about road fabric. Now I can fix my driveway the right way.

[@robertharker]

Nice pre-roll "What do you think, should we put a driveway in.". Great editing Alyssa. Good to see you work the backhoe.

[@shimani141]

The cement patties can be used as stepping stones for a walk way. Super stable upside down and just shave off the bottom so its flat and pleasant for the feet to walk on.

[@monicabrimm1822]

Merry Christmas!🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@katenunyabizness9221]

Love how Bugaboo helped push the door open with his paw. Driveway is looking good, especially given the low light conditions.

[@rodneywilhelm8912]

the music being played during the rock spread on the fabric sounds like a Vegas magic show LOL

[@WayneWatson1]

Good to be seeing more of bugaboo too Have you tried a blade on your atv to plow the snow? It's faster, less fuel and less damage to the driveway. Should have put a hottub in the garage 😂 Those led lights on the backhoe sure work great

[@nathansearle4307]

Get a large fish tank heater or 3 for the hot tub. Should keep it above freezing so you can spend less time and wood dealing with it.

[@curtisclark3546]

Thanks and well done once again. Very good video work. (and groundwork too) The front will look so amazing with a blanket of snow on it. Next spring break will be a good time to tidy up after you plow snow all winter.

[@dlsimes]

Jesse, you should install some outdoor lighting for this evening working.

[@RyanSerhant]

You guys rock!!

[@MrMinimalst]

Alyssa's hat & scarf game is on point!

[@egood4531]

1. Congrats on moving into the house and winterizing the trailer. 2. Grizzley -Cover with tarp and use as wood shed. 3. Wood storage under deck directly under the hot tub or down hill. Just Ideas. Time for indoor projects. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

[@kapperoutdoors]

A lot of people gave me a lot of Guff because I chose not to use fabric and it's a trade-off. I didn't use fabric because in the future grading it often pulls up the fabric kind of like what happened to you early. Looking forward to seeing finished project, thank you and good luck. You will finish strong!

[@kennethharwood2083]

A horse troughs heater would be great for the hot tub

[@kapperoutdoors]

Nice project day! Love seeing the machines in action.

[@shoelessmalek88]

Keep and stay warm guys. God bless you both.

[@javabeanz8549]

Really enjoying the work light videos! People further South usually don't have a clue about how short the days are in the PNW!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Things happen when you play in the dark !! Looking good, Thanks for sharing.

[@robanderson4137]

Really loved the intro music on this one.

[@Woodmiller]

Jep, great sound! Love to know the name of that song! And nice cutting and video skills!

[@mikegage3369]

Do your bugs live in the wood pile? With the pile next to the house will they migrate into your SIP’s?

[@dennis2376]

You should not put firewood near the house, fire risk and bugs that will destroy your house will be a problem. Check out forest fires risk.

[@kickit59]

Jesse & Alyssa that was a pretty long days work! At least this winter you can work on the inside & be dry & relatively warm. Certainly that will be better than the roof work! Keep up the great content!

[@northeastoutrider2124]

I spent six weeks here in Maine clearing acres of land late this year only to get hit by the early arrival of winter snow this year and loose progress in the back and forth between frozen ground and snow and thaw to mud. I lost easily 100 yards of delivered crushed stone because I wasn’t able to get the geotextile fabric down before the snow snuck up on me. It turned into an endless game of stripping snow and frozen ground to try to lay out proper material only to have it liquify. Be thankful you got done what you did. You just saved yourself from loosing a lot of material.

[@RVthereyetmemaw]

Hard days word is so rewarding, but it always helps if it goes your way!

[@bluebird5100]

Drain the hot tub til spring, so you don't waste anymore of your time.

[@Bluenoser613]

don't stack wood against your house... bugs.

[@Its_Mee_Bee]

3 word: Exterior Work Lights Put that grid power to work for you on these evening projects!

[@darlenegraham2082]

Must feel so good to visually see so much open space on your property.

[@nhcaesar9556]

Two thoughts about some things that should make your new life in the house better: (1) Buy a couple of 4' X 8' sheets of rigid foam and cover the opening to the loft. This will help keep the heat at the living level from rising up to the loft. (2) Install floodlights high up on the front of the house to light the driveway area. It would make night plowing, or any outside work, easier, rather than using the backhoe's light bar.

[@TomSramekJr]

Bugaboo has the whole coat thing covered.

[@aaronduell9797]

It's hard to believe, but wasn't it like a year ago already that you were installing those LED's on the Backhoe?!? It's been an awesome time watching you both work together and achieve your goals!

[@rkorsberg]

Use the wood to heat your house and put a stock tank heater in the hot tub to keep it from freezing in the Winter.

[@kernowgirl53]

I'd drain the hot tub till spring and put your woodburner in the house to use all that wood and cut electric bill?

[@thenorthforty1032]

It was nice to see your house at night with the lights on inside.

[@Bodgemiester]

Probably a stupid question but why don’t they have siding on yet? Surly more important than a bathroom before winter hits, won’t the OSB swell?

[@iLikeC00kieDough]

Bodgemiester at the very least, I would’ve put up house wrap.

[@Rayswhos24]

why not drain it ?yes the seams will open but a few days in the spring running the water it will tighten up.

[@1880TimeTraveler]

Just a heads up, It's not a good idea to have firewood stacked against the house, it's a termite hotel.

[@thomassutherland5188]

Another excellent foray into your adventures.

[@jerryminney3555]

throw up couple of temp outside lights on the house. Just a thought

[@Hellsong89]

There is already place for them to light up balcony so would be good idea to wire them at this point to utilize on winter darkness.

[@wallygater]

Nice music choice.

[@DavidANeely]

The rock looks pretty good

[@PacificAirwave144]

Good time of year to be an indoor kitty! Love your updates :-)

[@chrisjackson1650]

nice job, until it freezes ,plowing snow will move many rocks. try to leave a inch or 2 over the top

[@TheSecondLastStraw]

Wow that really improved the view! That grisly could be a chicken coop with a few bits and pieces at a later date. ❤️👍✌️

[@swamprat69er]

With smaller holes that grisly could be a topsoil screener. You already have the framework.

[@motelman6036]

Heat the hot tub with an electric element. its fast and easy, and not much to do everyday.

[@duramaxmak]

Fastest way to cut landscape fabric or filter fabric is with a hand held butane torch no more dull utility blades

[@farmerbob139]

did i ever tell you about the day i watched in horror as a 1970 impala took off over the side of the driveway, went down a fairly steep slope about 100 feet, hit a tree which bowled over without hesitation, narrowly missing a near new early 80's monte carlo that was driving by on the road below, before plowing into the shoulder of the road and rendering itself done? true story... good times.

[@ParkerFamilyFarm]

Love your channel. Cool slide effects with the drone shots. Are you concerned that stacking the wood that close to the back of the house, and all the way up to the osb, will encourage mice to infiltrate? I think they would have a hard time getting into the house (except the garage side obviously, but you can control that by closing the doors whenever you go through) but it looks like you've given them a ladder...

[@russellsmith3855]

After watching your video and living on our own homestead reminds me of the saying “what starts out temporary lead to permanent or becomes permanent.”

[@thefallman]

Hey Russell, where are you these days, haven’t seen you around in awhile.

[@mechellesiudy4082]

"I miss working with you." So sweet!

[@timkirkpatrick9155]

Getting site drainage and swales right is a real skill and requires some real effort in design.

[@Bubblegoose]

That sounds like something a plumber would say. All you really have to know to be a plumber is that shit flows downhill, and payday is Friday.

[@bseeds9318]

buy a livestock water heater for the hot tub

[@peterdahl7696]

Hi from Tasmania Summer down here ,Have a great 2019

[@yeelinli1]

Well done a brilliant job A very Happy Christmas to you both and Buggaboo !

[@jasonbutton3342]

great job, working in the dark

[@rafiqa11]

you two are doing it...your doing the " IT Thing!" much love and god,s peace be with you two

[@curtisclark3546]

Watched again and had a funny thought: If the very first camera ever was the first, what camera took it's picture? Sorry about the whacked Canon but I'm happy another cam got to record the event.

[@EVMANVSGAS]

why not drain the hot tub??? Why waste your time and wood heating the hot tub in the winter? It's called winterizing.

[@WelLRoundeDSquarE]

So why don't you buy one of the small heating elements used in traditional hot tubs and a small pump to circulate the water, and just use it to keep water from freezing. It wouldn't require much wattage to just keep it above 32F. Just a thought.

[@mgs8747]

Dude you are now an experienced backhoe operator. Nice smooth driveway.

[@cjbailey4]

You should look into a recycled rolled concrete product. It usually pretty cheap and it interlocks differently than regular rock so it lasts a lot longer than stone.

[@suburban404]

Dense graded aggregate

[@markduncan6690]

Stacking cords of firewood! Sounds like winter to me! Nice work!

[@CSMartin]

Are yard lights going to be a springtime project? As I said on your facebook, congratulations on being caught up on your videos. I like to check your dates on Instagram compared to your videos., and see just how close you are getting. You made it!

[@jonschaffer4410]

Keep up the great work

[@dianablanke2543]

I think it looks great!

[@ExtraFungus]

You have power, put a freeze guard on that hot tub.