Cast Iron – Rusted To Reseasoned

Cast-iron pans can be a beautiful addition to any kitchen, but they can also a little intimidating. At least they have been to me!

My pans always seemed to rust, and they did not seem “happy” or clean. It just seemed easier to use Teflon non stick pans, which can make you sick if over heated (known as Teflon flu). Since I knew I’d be cooking on a wood stove with no guarantee of temperature control, I decided I’d give cast iron a real go out here. Cast iron cookware (Amazon) is known for distributing heat evenly, which is great for cooking over an open flame or on a wood stove. It’s also supposed to be naturally non stick when treated right. It just takes a little time to season.

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Addition Update, Plus Around The Homestead

Just a little update from around the homestead and how we are doing now that there is snow.

Our addition is finally done enough to be considered livable, woohoo! I waited for a bit to make sure everything was working out properly before writing about it, but our insulation and chinking plan came together well. We are nice and toasty warm now! Continue reading “Addition Update, Plus Around The Homestead”

An Off Grid Thinking List

I assume some of you following this blog found us because you’d like to go off grid some day too. So I thought I’d put together a list of things we use all the time out here, as well as things to think about before jumping in to the off grid life. I know Kyle and I wrote a dozen lists before moving out here and we still missed things!

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A Kick In The Teeth

Sometimes life kicks you in the teeth. Or Alaska kicks you. Or a 4 wheeler.

Yup. Definitely a 4 wheeler.

After talking about being safe on the homestead, I gained my first serious injury on the beach. Turns out speed + wearing two pairs of gloves (Amazon) because *brrrrrr* + giant flat rock = holy mother-of-pearl that hurts. Continue reading “A Kick In The Teeth”

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When A Hen Is A Rooster Is A Hen

When we started our flock of chickens we had 35, we currently have 8.

Alaska is harsh, our dog, Link, is harsher. We had seven hens, two adult roosters, and one baby rooster until recently, when our adult roosters “The Bobs” disappeared. I mean no trace, just gone. I have no idea what took them, but there have been bears, lynx, coyotes, eagles, and foxes all seen in this vicinity, so any number of predators could be the culprit.

Since our roos absence, one of our hens, Hobbles, has started taking on the characteristics of a rooster. She’s gained a lovely tail, larger and redder comb and wattle, and is now crowing in the mornings! Continue reading “When A Hen Is A Rooster Is A Hen”

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