Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Friday, September 11, 2015

Tuning Up The Homestead

.... before winter.

We burn wood for heat but have a forced air furnace with duct vents in all the rooms.  Nobody ever mentioned not to shut off vents in unused rooms when we built our home nine years ago .. and now I've heard/read twice recently that this can damage the duct-work.  So, to be on the safe side ... we will have the heating/AC system inspected.

The driveway has been resealed as well as the exposed aggregate concrete patios and walkways.  All cracks have been filled to help prevent expansion from freezing temps and water seepage.

Windows were cleaned this summer (by DH ... that's another story), and all hardware & fittings will be adjusted (read REPLACED) on the double hung tilt windows to ensure a tight fit.

The freezers are filling with locally farmed meats.  Storage shelves are filling up for extra measure.

Anything that is loose or wonky will get tightened before the snow flies.

Our hope is to even get the exterior trim and front door painted before too long.  Hopefully our painter still has us on his schedule.

A home is a huge investment and letting it get run down can devalue it if repairs start piling up.

After our heat filled dry, drought-ish summer, I'm actually looking forward to cooler temps.

I'll leave you with this 'fun' to watch website .. not really having to do with winterizing, but it's a good resource if you like historical cooking techniques, food preparation, food preservation, etc.


                                        Jas Townsend & Son 

3 comments:

Rebecca said...

You're quite right about home ownership requiring vigilance! Sounds like you've got a bunch of the prep for winter out of the way! Good for you :)

Jada's Gigi said...

You are wise homeowners....we are trying to be as diligent but may not quite be up to you your standards.

Felisol said...

Dear Mrs Mac.
Have we really known each other for nine years??
I always think of your home as brand knew. I did take part in it's birth and growing. It is true that time flies faster with old aging
Like you we have spent most of this summer repairing and prepairing for the winter. We aren't ready yet, so we hope and pray for nice weather at least out September.
We have double glasing all over the house, but they don't last forever either. We've had to change 9 windows and the double terrace doors some years ago. Money well spent. As eletricity is relatively cheap in Norway, as well as renewable source ,all from water, we use that for heating. We have indoor and outdoor fireplace as well for the very cold days and the warm summerr nights.
I love the sound and smell of a good fire. You probably have a special room for your furnace?.
I am impressed by the way you strategecly planned your home and garden and also by the way you step by step have reached your goal.
May God richly bless your house, home and ever growing family, from now and ever on.