CALHOUN FABRIC STRUCTURE PROJECT: Watch Me Prep Steel Legs Before Installation
Watch me prepare steel legs for the 42×80 foot Calhoun fabric structure I’m putting up at my place. This is one in a series of videos about this big project.
LILAC LESSONS: How I Finally Got Our Lilacs Flourishing
Sometimes the smallest things in life can make a big difference. Steve’s 20+ year struggle with failing lilacs tells the story.
ROUND FIREWOOD PILES: How to Get Wood Properly Out As You Use It
A subscriber asked me: “What’s the best way to get wood out of the round firewood piles you’ve written about? Do you just reverse the building operation? Does the tarp get crusted with snow and ice? I really love the…
HOMESTEAD CATTLE PASTURE: Take an Aerial Tour of Our Forest Farm
I spend time each year working on fences and clearing encroaching brush, and thought you’d like to see what my fields look like from above. Click above for an aerial video tour of our pastures, the forest that surrounds them,…
LIFE INSIGHTS: Lessons Learned From an Old Shed Roof
A few of autumns ago I climbed onto a small, deteriorating roof of a shed that I hadn’t walked on for 30 years. This activity got me thinking about how buildings can be anchors for our lives and guide posts…
DIY Tips to Secure Your Family’s Food Supply for the Long Term
There are several benefits to living a self-sustaining life, and fresh, homegrown foods are one of them. Get it right and things like excessive waste or running short on certain foods will become a thing of the past. With mindful planning…
DECK BUILDING: Three Saws That Make The Work Easier & Better
In this week’s video episode, see THE kind of deck building saw to buy if you can only get one; a simple tip for cutting with a hand-held circular saw; why a miter saw is a great tool for deck building; a cordless tablesaw in action and more
INVERTER GENERATORS EXPLAINED: Quiet, Clean electric Power for Modern Needs
Inverter generators have become increasingly popular for homeowners, campers, and anyone needing portable power. But what exactly is an inverter generator, and how is it different from a traditional model? In this article, I’ll explain how inverter generators work, their…
How to Remove Tree Sap from Wood, Clothes & Vehicles
A subscribers asked: “How can I stop sap from oozing out of several new Douglas fir benches I had made? I’m getting sap all over my clothes, so I need to remove sap from cloth, too. Is there something that…
BLANDING’S TURTLE VIDEO: Watch a Rare Species Visit Our Driveway
Watch as Steve and Jake bring a rare Blanding’s turtle back to the lake.
INVERTER GENERATORS: A Lighter, Quieter, Better Portable Power Option
If you’re looking for portable electric power for camping, power tool use away from the grid, or for sensitive electronics, there’s a significant evolution in generator technology that you should know about. It has to do with advances in a…
LAWN MOWING: High-Mileage Zero-Radius Model Keeps On Cutting
Canada’s Handiest Man, Steve Maxwell, sings the praises of a lazy man who revolutionized lawn maintenance by inventing a zero-radius turning lawnmower.