When you move to a country property that has no buildings, the first thing you should construct is an outhouse. But that’s not as simple as it sounds . . .

Learn what it’s like to live between two feuding families in a backwoods corner of a rural island, and see what it teaches about life, harmony and getting along.

I woke up with the rising sun on the morning of Thursday May 15, 1986 in a tent pitched on my homestead property. It was my first morning on the land, I was there by myself, and it was one of the most sharply depressing moments of my life. It was all I could do to stop myself from running away from the crazy venture I’d gotten myself into.

Want to earn a living outside the city? Watch and see how Bill and Joann Woods do it. Smart decisions, hard work and a little innovative thinking has made all the difference for them . . .

Steve Maxwell researched and installed fabric-covered shelters and shares the knowledge to help homeowners solve their outdoor storage problems.

UPDATED 13Jun2020 + video: Some of you may remember me telling you about our daughter, Ellie. We adopted her from South Africa in 2008. Click here to read if you missed it. She was 7 months old when we met her on…

*WOODWORKING: See shop-cut veneer panels made from cherry.
*CATTLE PASTURE: Watch steers discover fresh spring grass.
*ROUTER BITS: Discover three profiles you’ll love to know about.
*WOOD FINISHING: Succeed with quick drying urethanes.

*CEDAR RAIL FENCES: See ours close up right here.
*SEPTIC SYSTEM REVIVAL: Working perfectly after 3 years.

*PINE CHEST COMPLETE: See milk paint refurbishing job.
*COOLER CABIN: Learn how to keep sleeping loft cooler.
*GARDENING: See how greedy nearby plants invade pot.
*RASPBERRIES: Learn how to prune & mulch properly.

*BIRDS OF PREY: See where a pair of ospreys choose to nest.
*WATER WELL: Watch the birth of a great source of pure water.
*WOODWORKING: Learn how to scribe wood for nice, tight fit.
*GREAT TOOLS: See three great ones from this 2009 video.

*COTTAGE LIFE: The easiest way ever to prime a water pump.
*MOLD CONTROL: Kill mold safely, forever and without bleach.
*TOOLS: See why impact drivers are the kings of screw driving.
*BUILDING: Learn to use a garden hose as a building level.

*CONSTRUCTION: Learn to layout a square foundation properly.
*TOOLS: See rare footage of behind-the-scenes chopsaw testing.
*PAINTING: Discover the right way to use masking tape.
*WOODWORKING: Install & adjust jointer knives accurately.