! the permaculture bootcamp in winter

Some people seem to think that there is nothing to do here in winter, but there is LOTS to do:

  - keep that sawmill running!
  - frost seeding
  - the festival of shelves
  - junkpole fence at basecamp:   Winter is the perfect time to build junkpole fence at basecamp
  - equipment maintenance
  - we run rocket mass heaters and other rocket contraptions. Winter is the best time to really understand the value of all the rocket mass heaters we have.  And to build experience with each of them.   And because we have so many rocket mass heaters, this place might be one of the best cold climate places to be in the winter.
  - as we use firewood, we try to replace it for fuel to be used next year
  - Winter is a good time to make skiddable structures next to the shop.  When the structures are done, we can move them where we need them.
  - Experience the ATI of the wofati and the wofati greenhouse  
  - Plow some snow with the tractor from time to time

Plus for this upcoming 2020/2021 winter, I got the idea that we should try to add a little levity.  So here is the current plan to lighten things a pinch through the darkest days of the year:

  thu nov 26 - thanksgiving - all day off (maybe a magnificent dinner?) (josiah cooks)

  wed dec 2 - day of light - a half day of improving the lighting in and around our nest

  thu dec 10 --  christmas decorating for 4 hours

  wed dec 16  - half day of christmas baking

  wed dec 23  - half day of making christmas stockings
                            plus
                              o baking
                              o further cool decorations
                              o christmas movies

  fri dec 25  - all day off - go into missoula and get chinese take out for everybody

  wed dec 30  - half day of movies and spiced cider

  fri jan 1   - half day of putting away christmas stuff plus movies

  wed jan 6   - pina colada day (half day), blended drinks, pizza and the house is 80 degrees (buy hawaiian shirts for everybody?)

  wed jan 13  - houseplants day (half day)




Changes?  Stuff to add?

I gotta wonder, what happens on houseplant day???

Maybe paper-making or some fun crafty things on Valentines Day?

Maybe some more Christmas movies on the latter half of Christmas Eve?

I think you've added in a lot of fun, seasonal, community-building things. It sounds like winter will be a lot of fun!

Nicole Alderman wrote:I gotta wonder, what happens on houseplant day???

We buy a lot of awesome houseplants and pots and stuff.  Propagate a lot of what we already have.  Go around the house and charm the socks of our inside garden.

I love the fun day ideas and I'm totally stealing them. My project list is painfully long and it can be tough to come up with relaxing ideas that aren't just vegetative.

If there is still interest in the rocket sauna, my offer to put up the coin for needed materials still stands. Personally, I'd love to see a project just for the boots, by the boots, for the boots.

My impression is that once the greenhouse is done, josiah is gonna make his own rocket sauna.  Not one for everybody - just for josiah.  Like that?

Rocket Sauna is an excellent winter project!  Combine with a polar plunge pool . . . .

Sofia is making a bowl by burning out the inside of the bowl






Indoor projects




winter harvested sunchokes




using the classroom as a theater ---  watching "Brave" from the couch balcony




I'm wearing my hot pants!





the snow can hide the tipi door





we saw cat footprints in the snow and eventually (months) managed to get this feral cat to come this close for bits of salmon





The snow melts and freezes a few times




winter is a great time to whittle up a spoon





we tend to make a lot of shelves in winter

Here is the tipi in the second winter - wow, this is old, it is still using that very first canvas with the weird green stuff




Everybody is headed up to do some lumberjack (lumberjill) stuff




Emily demonstrates how to "lumber jill"




winter fashion




Josiah saw a bobcat!

fred and josiah setting some posts at allerton abbey




allerton abbey in winter




some interior cob work in winter




lots of sawmill stuff





lots of planning and design in the winter




we do a lot of timber stuff in the winter




winter kittens




conducting experiments




allerton abbey in winter




basecamp is pretty overrun with wild turkeys all winter





doing a lot of winter timber work gives us lots of small branches which are excellent for winter paths




the first sign of spring

I love the (new normal) Holidays!
Btw Jan 6th is my birthday so "Let them eat cake 🎂! I will bake!
I am already working on decorations! Also for the dock!
Awesome to be a part of this community!

Julia Winter wrote:Rocket Sauna is an excellent winter project!  Combine with a polar plunge pool . . . .

Yes, Love a polar plunge!!