miriam hawkins

If you make something out of various materials sewn or glued together what ever is inside might show through in daylight. But maybe a crazy quilt idea is the look you want. Seams of a quilt can show through too. Getting a shade or covering to fit snuggly without being over or under sized is a lot of planning and trial and error - just do one first. Fastening it in with a rod is as good as how level and plumb the windows are. In my van, I screwed washers along the edges then used magnets to keep it all in place. Paint the washers to match the wall or trim or just go for a steam punk look. The other thing I tried was hanging lots of layers of curtains on a hefty rod. It doesn’t look wonderful when each piece is different but it holds the air in. Wool is good next to your body because it breathes - curtains don’t need to breathe - they need to block air movement. Velvet or corduroy might be a better choice than wool. Terry cloth sometimes isn’t all that insulating it’s just thick. Old lined curtains can be found at thrift shops or yard sales and those are fairly insulating. If they get ugly use them for drop cloth when you paint.

Tony you can add carrots and onions to the asparagus

A favorite
Hominy, carrots and sausage
Soak half a bag of dried hominy overnight for a few whole bag for a crowd
Rinse and boil in some broth or plain water an hour or more before chow time - don’t need a lot of water but don’t boil it dry
When that is tender add in some sliced carrots
When those are tender add in some cooked sausage chunks
The hominy is bland and we’ve done it with ham or hamburger but the sausage gives it more flavor. Salt and pepper to taste
This tastes best cooked in a Dutch oven over a fire

Now my cooking story story
We were camped with a historical group - everyone in costume
Usually my husband did the cooking over the fire. He wasn’t there so I thought I’d give it a go. First I built up a pretty good fire... I had never tried to cook over a fire.... Then I put a little too much oil in the skillet... Oops. Oh well. When I got the oil hot I put some meat in there to brown. I was going to make stew I think. Well things got a bit out of control about that time. The oil was way too hot. Fire way too big and oh the smoke. Then I looked up and some one with one of those news reporter cameras was aimed at me. He was about 50 ft way with a zoom. Yup it was me he was aiming at. He kept moving in closer. Well never mind I had my work cut out for me...  I dabbed at the tears running down my cheeks and I tried to pull the skillet off the fire with out spilling the whole thing. And I knew the leading cause of death for pioneer women was catching fire while cooking... Oops a bit of grease. Ew smoke and fire and more tears. So the reporter smiled a very toothy smile and introduced himself as I dabbed the tears from my face and sighed at the cooking disaster. So then the reported interviewed me. I gave it my best as he wrote everything down and snapped a hundred more photos... this was before digital cameras.  Then he said do you have a few words for my readers? I said through my tears and snot running down my nose - dab dab- “I don’t know how our foremothers did it.” And he wrote every word... nothing like having my first cooking over a fire documented by the newspaper. Fortunately it rained and the event was called off so I didn’t make the front page of the paper. When I looked in the mirror I had big black streaks all over my face. That too was documented... My husband showed up about that time and rescued the meat. I did learn the lesson - cool over coals - low heat. Big fire for boiling water and low heat for cooking.

I struggled with no sleep for years. I’m not sure what will help you but some liver/gallbladder  cleansing helped. I kept my gallbladder and I’m careful with the diet. I drink a lot of water early in the day. Any supplements also early in the day. I don’t eat late in the day. Boring books before bed. Write any to do lists early in the evening. Trick your brain into having stuff that keeps you awake done with. If it’s in paper it’s done? Journal? It could was hormonal. Magnesium helps unless it makes lots of bathroom trips.. I’m a red head so maybe I react to herbs and drugs differently than most people. I try to avoid drugs etc.

When I moved I didn't throw anything away. Do I fit in???

Friends are loaning an old RV. I believe I should check it for mold.

Amy Gardener wrote:Imagining the possibilities here is a fun exercise. If it were me, I would not buy anything that I didn't need for my future 5-acre homestead. Which of course reminds me of Leigh Tate's book. Which leads me to look at her master plan. Hmm... I notice that she has a hoop house. Instead of a tent, how about examining your masterplan and seeing if there is something like a hoop house in your future that could double as your temporary shelter? Or if you're planning on insulating your barn in the future, how about spending the money on the insulation now and making that a temporary shelter? If you're going to buy plywood or doors, or siding, or any other material, buy that for your tiny house within a barn and use it for the "dream" purpose later.

Yes!!! coming up with ideas had been so good!
I do need a master plan. The plan has been to insulate the barn, thoroughly clean,  put some stain and sealer on the floor, refresh the plumbing and fix part of it into a home. But there are pieces of siding in rough shape. I would like to replace siding, put in a new door or two and a couple windows then insulate the living end of it. If I totally move in or do much to the living area it will be hard to do the insulation and siding. It looks like I'll be getting my old van back and I'm thinking it might be my best solution for a place to live for awhile! I just have to get it to run, drive it there and move in. If necessary it can be parked in one end of the barn to keep me a little warmer. There is a hay field and quite a few walnut trees on the property.  The neighbor keeps a few goats. There is a creek that runs about 1000 feet by the road. Up from the creek and bordering the property is a wooded utility easement. The barn sets in the middle. Just sitting here pondering... I wonder about hiring someone to put all new roof and siding on the barn frame - don't know the cost to buy materials or labor. It's about 48x30. - bigger than my needs. Anyway for now temporary is what I'll do. Thank you for so many ideas and really excellent advice. Baby steps for now.

4x8 plastic election billboards?

Glenn Herbert wrote:Rather than buying a carport or shed to put in your barn, I would suggest some sheets of plywood (and some 2x4s if you don't have any on hand) to make a box inside the barn. It doesn't need to be a complete box - some sections could be plastic curtains that can be opened for light and ventilation - but you can get a sturdy enclosure that will be completely reusable when you get to building permanent structures.

The billboard tarps are dark and stiff, but once in place will be very strong. I just got another pair of 14' x 48' on special sale for $70 each including shipping... that is a lot of durable coverage for cheap. Just don't try to make the entire enclosure with black billboard tarps, and you will be fine.

Two 14 x 48 billboards would more than cover the ceiling but it would be heavy to get up there. Really good price! Yes plywood could most certainly be reused. Even the thin stuff would work. I tend to over think... summer will come eventually and venting it would be a good idea. Yet it needs to be warm in spring and fall.  Big refrigerator box under a couple awnings?

I said above that I was hoping to be in something more substantial by late fall or early winter. I lived in northern Wisconsin so I do understand - you are incredible. I also have seen the difference an awning over a tent can be substantial. I once built a couple WWII island front era officers wall tents with raised awnings  over each tent and another awning for the area between. Sides rolled up. Nice. Using an awning over tents makes a huge difference in the summer unless it is a plastic awning. Plastic in summer holds heat in. I had forgotten. I wonder if it makes much difference inside of a barn in the summer?hhhhmmmmm it might if it is air conditioned.