Are you staying warm this winter?
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To celebrate the first day of winter, I thought I’d give you some of our tips for staying warm. Considering winter has already started here in North Idaho I have gotten a little reminder of everything I need and even put a few gifts under the tree that will help my husband and kids stay warm around the homestead. I hope that this list of tips and products will not only help you stay warm, it might also help you with some last minute gift ideas!
Now I could lecture all day on making sure you have enough firewood, your chimney is cleaned out, you have propane, etc. but my husband doesn’t listen, so you probably won’t either. Everyone procrastinates on something and for us, its always firewood. We have it on the property, but not ready to go into the burner.
Clothes
Staying warm when working on the homestead is not just about the clothes or the warmth of the clothes. Safety has to be considered due to winter clothing often hindering your agility, balance, speed, and vision. Make sure that the clothes you are wearing are cold rated for the climate that you live in. The technology in work wear has come so far you can often get relatively thin, insulated, and waterproof clothing that is not bulky!
Warm Wear
One of my favorites is my Full-Swing Carhardt Jacket. This jacket not only fits nice, I have a full range of motion and do not have to add several layers to stay warm even while working in negative temperatures.
Base layers can also be extremely important. They protect you from the cold right at the skin layer. I like them more than long johns because they don’t bunch or pinch under your clothing because they are so thin and silky.
Insulated overalls and jeans can be a great option as well. Personally, even with appropriate cold rating, I find these to be too bulky. But my kids love them!
Warm extras
There are so many different types of gloves out there and I get so frustrated that everything that is cold rated is usually for skiing and other winter sports that don’t require a huge amount of dexterity. If you’re ever tried to fix the heated water tank that broke for the thousandth time with numb hands or puffy mittens, you know exactly what I am talking about. I found these great gloves that are pretty warm, thin, and easy to get on and off that have worked great for barn chores. I spent 3 days last winter building farrowing crates in negative temperatures using these gloves and my hands stayed comfortable and I kept my dexterity. I will admit that I think if I was our riding fence lines in these temps, I would need something more though.
Winter Boots
The proper boots for the weather is probably one of the most important. Your feet must be taken care of to keep you warm, safe and in action. Make sure that you have the right sole. A boot with good grip is really important in the ice and snow is needed for traction. A sole with lines works better in mud because it dispels the mud outwards and reduces build up. You don’t want a boot that is too heavy, so I am going to circle back to cold rating again. Being able to still move quickly if needed, climb fences, and dodge a pissed off rooster are all imperative. I have really loved both my muck and bog boots. Both have a lot of options for cold, wetness, height, and calve size.
Stay Safe!
Keep your vision as unobstructed as possible. I know this can be hard with hoods, beanies, and scarves. You’ll thank me though when avoid getting head butted by or milk cow or don’t duck down far enough going under the hot wire.
Handy Items
One thing that we wouldn’t be able to live without is our weed burner/propane torch. These are super handy for thawing frozen hoses! We will use ours to light the fire in our Heatmor system. This is a wood burning heaters that pumps hot water to furnace in our base for our central heat. It is amazing!
Every year for Christmas my kids get a pack of hand warmers for their outdoor winter chores. Now these are one time use, so they like to hold on to them for cutting firewood or late-night farrowing.
Heat lamps can be a controversial subject in the homestead community because improper use can cause fires. With our piglets in the wintertime, not having a heat lamp would ensure the loss of piglets. We have also used them over wire cages to keep poultry and rabbit waters thawed.
Staying warm winter “Hacks”
To avoid frozen hoses, doing something called “walking the hose” will drain the water out between uses. Check out this video for a dramatic version of how to accomplish this.
One trick that the guys use when they are cutting firewood or working on equipment is making a “Swedish Candle”. Check out this video to see how to make one.
Staying in & staying warm
Bottom line is that you won’t be out working in your garden or spending as much time with the animals when there is snow on the ground. Use this time to snuggle in, learn, plan, and improve yourself. My favorite ways of doing this is my reading and listening to podcasts. Here are some of my favorites or ones I am reading/listening to now!
Books
Storey’s Guides – If you’re a homesteader, there are Storey’s Guides for every possible topic on the homestead. They are super handy and easy to read.
Miracle Morning – I am reading this right now with a local book club. I have finished it yet, but I am so empowered to fight mediocrity!
Deep Work – This book has been suggested to me on numerous occasions. I finally started listening to it on Audible in the car and it was kind of a mistake. My brain just started exploding with ideas and I had no way to write them down.
Four Agreements – I recently read this book and loved how much it built my confidence personally and with my businesses.
Podcasts
I LOVE podcasts! In fact, I hope to be launching my own in 2022. I feel like I am sitting down for coffee with a friend to talk about the topics I really want to discuss. I have a few that are my favorites and wait each week for new releases, and many others that are waiting in my que to be heard soon.
Old Fashioned on Purpose (Jill Winger)
I listen to all of her episodes, sometimes twice so that I can take notes. She is a no fuss homesteader, homeschooler, and entrepreneur who I resonate with very much. I have had the opportunity to meet her and listen to her speak at the Homesteaders of America Conference in fall of 2021 and she very much is the person that she portrays herself to be on the podcast.
Pioneering Today (Melissa K Norris)
Melissa is great storyteller with a lot of great information. I like listening to her when I am working with my plants. I don’t know why, but her podcast is always my go to as soon as I go out to the grow room. I have met her too and love how down to earth she is!
Passive Income Examiner (Lindsay Sutherland)
Lindsay is a new friend of mine that I met in my book club. She talks about ways to earn extra income without having to invest a ton of time (at least not long term). Her perspective is so bright and she is so excited to learn from each of her guests, I am drawn in immediately.
Messy Bun Podcast
This is a new podcast that I just started listening to. It consists of two ladies that talk about all the messy conversations that you should be having with your teenage daughters. I like that its not all opinion, they include a lot of facts and data while making it entertaining at the same time. Their conversations are so raw and personal, it makes me excited to build my relationship with my 13-year-old daughter and she navigates further into her teenage years.
Enjoy your winter and stay warm!
Don’t forget to check out the rest of the Winter Preparedness Series!
Staying warm isn’t just about us. Our animals, equipment, and land are all affected by the cold weather.
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