How to Start a Fire

I enjoy having a wood stove for heat. The heat penetrates and keeps me warmer than other forms of heat.

The supplies I use throughout the winter to start and maintain fires are; seasoned wood (usually Juniper), newspaper, kindling and lighters. Items I use occasionally are: lint, toilet paper rolls, cardboard, junk mail and magazines.

When I start a fire, I crumple up newspaper or other forms of paper i.e. junk mail, and place on the floor of the stove. I crumple it to allow little pockets of air which the fire needs to burn. If the paper is not crumpled it won't burn well and will burnout quickly. Sometimes I add lint which I stuffed into empty toilet paper rolls to give it a boost. Lint burns easily and quickly.

Crumpled paper.

Next I place dry, thin pieces of kindling; twigs, splintered pieces of wood from spliting wood, pieces of board from projects and even leaves. I place them in a criss-cross style to allow air to circulate through. After they are in place, I set a piece of wood on top ensuring space between it and the kindling to give the fire air. 

Kindling

Wood on kindling.

Lastly, I start the paper on fire with a lighter. I leave the vent door open slightly to allow enough air to get the fire going. Then I sit back with my hot chocolate and relax. 

Fire. Wood will shift as fire burns kindling. 

Safety precautions when heating with wood:

• Each year the chimney needs to be cleaned professionally to ensure repairs aren't needed and to prevent fires caused from collected soot. 
• Have a working fire extinguisher handy at all times. Not next to the fire though just nearby. 
• Do not leave lighter near fire. It can heat up and explode. 
• Having working smoke detectors. 
• Keep children away from the stove and all supplies, especially the lighters. 
• Ensure the door and vent is closed to stove before you leave it unattended. 

Winter Routine

Each year I go through the same tasks to prepare our home, family and myself for the winter. This particular year we've been busy with building projects and food preservation, leaving me behind in my pre-winter routine. Some tasks are done, others not so much. Another problem which has caused delays, is my list keeps growing as I find other things to add.

Home Preparations:

• Have wood stove cleaned.
• Trimming of trees and blackberry bushes.
• Draining of all hoses and outside water pipes at each animal home site.
• Have new fire extinguishers if others are old or don't work.
• Put all gardening tools in storage.
• Wrap outside faucet to prevent freezing.
• Have working non-electric can opener.
• Indoor-Outdoor thermometer. 
• Change batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors.
• Boards or plastic to cover back porch screened areas.
• Air conditioners out of bedrooms and into storage.
• Plastic on windows, inside and out
• Wood for heat.
• Small eco-friendly electric heaters for bathroom and kitchen to prevent frozen pipes. The electric bill is cheaper than repairing broken pipes. (Which happens all too frequently in this area.)
• Winter clothes pulled from storage.
• Summer clothes put in storage.
• Material for sewing projects and yarn for crocheting projects.
• Food preserved and breakfast breads baked and put in freezer.
• Stockpiling of food, personal care products including over the counter meds and cleaning supplies. 
• Stored water. Just in case pipes do freeze. 
• Ensuring flashlights are working, extra batteries, working radio (preferably crank or solar). Electricity goes out frequently in our area.
• Lighters for starting fires.
• Extra blankets available.
• Electric mattress pad.
• Stockpiled food for animals.
• Heated water bowls for outside animals.
• Eight to ten inches of hay on chicken house floor for insulation.
• Mulching of trees, shrubs and plants. 
• Extra hay for bunny. 
• Extra water for bunny to change out when other is frozen.
• Snow shovels.
• Boots

Car preparations:

• Ensuring up-to-date on maintenance and re-check all fluids.
• Inflate and rotate tires.
• Water in car for drinking and to clean windshield if needed.
• Food in car.
• Sleeping bags in car.
• First aid kit in car and other supplies in bathroom cabinet.
• Extra gloves and hats in car.
• Ice scrapers in car.
• Extra winter coats in car.
• Supplies for animals for times of travel; food, water, treats, dog sweaters, extra leashes, copy of shot records. 
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Tire chains.
• Jumper cables.
• Flashers.
• Maps.
• Shovel
• Kitty litter to provide traction if you get stuck in the snow or ditch.

What do you do for winter preparation?

Low Wood Supply

In Northern California we have short summers. Winter comes quickly. Usually by mid-October we're ready to start burning wood. I mentioned to my husband about purchasing our wood soon, so as to be prepared for winter. I don't like waiting until the last minute. The wood cutters are already selling wood. I like to order five cords to ensure we have enough for the winter in case it is bad or longer than usual. We use Juniper because it burns hotter, lasts longer and doesn't have as much creosol. We still have a small amount but not close to what we need. I hope we are ready in August to get our wood.

Wood that still needs to be split from last year. 

Wood that needs to be stacked from last year. 

Stacked wood ready to use. 

Rapid Weather Changes

Today the snow is rapidly melting again and we are dealing with mild flooding. With all the snow and flooding I've begun to think again about our emergency packs. I have 2 bags with stuff for our family in it. I bought a third bag for each one of us to have our own bag.

Entrance to our driveway.  

Another view of the entrance to our driveway.

I'm not complete with the bags yet because of lack of funds. I'm slowly getting things together and trying to search clearance items in the stores. I've learned to look in all areas of a store if there is a clearance sign because you never know what you will find.

The items I have so far are:
4 packs of single load laundry detergent
4 ponchos-in case one gets torn or lost
6 toothbrushes-they come six in a pack at the Dollar Store
3 small tubes of toothpaste
3 nail care kits
3 packages of dental floss
14 masks
1 Monistat for yeast infections
10 trial size bars of soap-I've collected these when I worked out of town by staying in motels. I just kept the extras in my room.
3 deodorants
several pair of heavy-duty socks
knit hats
winter scarfs
several pairs of ear plugs
6 razors
3 packs of water proof matches
long johns
rope
combs
shampoo and conditioner
tylenol
hand warmers-8 pairs

Things I need yet are:
Lip Balm
emergency blankets
crank/solar flash light and radio
toilet paper—I have, just need to get into bags
emergency sleeping bags
food
water
light sticks
first aid kits
duct tape
change of clothes and jacket for each family member
medicines we take on a regular basis—I have, need to put into bags
cold medicine
whistles
manual can opener
dog food
book on emergency preparedness
paper and pens
books to read
card games

Have you started your pack?

Snow Anyone?

Our 23.9 inches of snow came and melted, quickly. The snow was melting fast but not fast enough. I didn't realize it had accumulated on a large branch of one of the giant trees in our front yard. The weight of the snow broke a large branch. When we get the funds and time we have to go an get the tree tar and cut the branch off. Weather can be hazardous.

The tree with the broken branch. 

The split branch.

Lilac bush with broken branch.

Closer view of broken Lilac branch. 

Here we go again!

After having a few weeks of rainy but fairly warm weather for this season, we're back to the snow. We are supposed to get 23.9 ". I like the snow. I just wish it wasn't so close to planting season. I have yet to talk my husband into tilling my garden area. I have my seeds, potato seeds and onion bulbs just sitting here waiting.

Beginning snow.

Snow an hour later.

Beginning snow.  

Snow an hour later.