Outdoor wood boilers are an excellent heating option for people with access to a forest, a willingness to make firewood, and a lot of indoor space to heat. Watch my video review on one of two boilers I’ve been using…
My wife, Mary, and I have been gardening together for almost 40 years, and one thing I’ve noticed is the tremendous value of mimicking nature in specific ways. Mulching is perhaps the clearest example. In the same way that Nature…
Watch my oldest son, Robert, mix mortar for a traditional stoneworking project he took on. I know from decades of experience that this simple recipe is strong, workable and lasts forever.
Getting a Starlink internet dish installed on a forested site can be tricky. This video shows how my oldest son, Robert, installed his dish on flat limestone bedrock, but the same approach could be anchored in soil. It’s about as…
Q: How often should I have my septic tank pumped? I hear greatly varying recommendations and I don’t want to run into trouble. A: There’s a good reason septic tanks need pumping out, and it’s widely misunderstoood. Pumping is necessary…
When a huge stone was uncovered while excavating for an addition my son Robert is building, we got out our fastest rock drill and some ancient tools called plug and feather wedges. You can see the situation in the video…
Sometimes tinkering can make good things better. The blower fan upgrade on my outdoor wood boiler for space heating is a case in point. The stock fan that came with my Portage & Main 34-44 unit does a good job,…
A fire pit enhances your outdoor space, serving as an elegant and inviting centerpiece. Whether you buy one or make it yourself, it’s ideal for hosting outdoor events or enjoying a peaceful evening at home all year round. Below are…
Earlier this summer, my oldest son, Robert, put up a prefabricated sleeping bunkie at his place, including a stone foundation. It turned out great. Watch the fun in the video above.
Hidden in the nooks and crannies of the great big country of Canada, you’ll find modest geniuses quietly doing great work with their hands. Allan Hubley from Wileville, Nova Scotia is one of them. I discovered Allan online as I…
Self-sufficiency has grown as a trend for the past few years. It’s been a blessing for many who want to live off the grid as well as rely more on growing their own food supply. If this sounds like something…
Something magical happens when you sit around a fire pit on a cool evening, roasting marshmallows, telling stories, and warming up. If you have ever dreamt of having a cozy fire pit in your backyard, know you are not alone….