The Beam Machine~ Our First Cut

For those of you who have a heart for homesteading or have a small farm life of your own already. You know how you soon learn the value of doing something yourself. Making your own lumber and timbers is no exception. With the price of workers comp. & gas going through the roof, many local saw mills are closing, or charging more and more for the simplest of timbers. We decided to try our hand at cutting our own. There are many options for chainsaw mill kits. We decided to try one of the most popular cheap models first. So out of Bailey’s we ordered the BEAM MACHINE. It was only $32.00, but the shipping was 16.00 to Alaska (but we are used to that). The service from Baileys was great, it arrived in less than a week. The Beam Machine itself if a little crude in its finish, but this is a tool, not a piece of crystal. The Beam Machine works by nailing on a 2×4 on the log you want to cut, and the bolt on beam machine has a “sleeve” like piece that rides or guides the saw down the log. However, I found that the sleeve does not fit very snug on the 2×4. It is to small to fit on a rough cut 2×4 that actually is 4 inches, and is slack on a “store bought” planed 2×4 that is really 1.5×3.5 inches. Even with this being the case The beam machine still managed to fair well. We are ordering the “ripping chain” they recommend for use with it. As it is supposed to help cut faster and smoother. Even with a fairly sharp chain it took 10 minutes or more to make this 8′ two sided log you see below. When we get the ripping chain we will post an update to this post. On this log we did not re-fasten the 2×4, but rather we cut one side and turned it around and cut the other side. Giving us a nice 6 inch two sided log that stayed fairly square and is not to bad for our first time using it. With two more cuts we could have a nice 6×6 or 6×8. I feel that with the new chain (and another log or two it), will be much easier to make the cuts turn out even better.

Chicken and Eagle

Here is a picture from last year at butcher time. I had a good laugh putting this picture in this border. A little to happy thinking of chicken dinner. Nothing like home grown chicken. This was one of our Light Brahmas

Also this is a set of pictures we took of an eagle that we saw, setting in a tree just off the side of the road on our way to Fairbanks last time. The third picture came out a little blurry.

We’ve gone Turkey

I have been enjoying the photo editing program that came with our printer. So here is on more photo mix, this one of our chicken and turkeys. They are getting bigger. I cant wait for a yummy turkey dinner…. MMmmmmmMM
Hope you enjoy this one too. We have 9 turkeys and 8 chickens. Three of the chickens are Turkens. They are funny looking critters. The Turkeys are mixed, but the chickens are all roosters, and they all are heading for the freezer.

Mixed Pictures

Here is a recent mix of pictures. One of each of the children, and one of each of us. There is also one picture of the children sharing a couple slurpies. They each got their own straw and we’re trying not to get brain freeze…lol.

Dirty Laundry ~ Puppies

Just thought you all might like to see a update on how cute and how BIG the puppies have gotten. If only all dirty laundry was so cute!

Speaking of laundry, our washer died on us rather unexpectedly, so out of budget had to replace it, you cant have puppies, a toddler, and a new baby for long without a washer. Here is one other picture of all four puppies.

Reading – The Revelation (Abrams Daughters #5)

We have finally reached the last book in this series. It is a relief but also kind of sad. I hope all ends the way we hope but with having read many books by Beverly Lewis I am ready for a few twists in the country road. After starting to get back to a more normal routine we are back to reading at night again. We finished book four just before Vision was born, and had to wait a bit to get this one started.

The Revelation (Abrams Daughters #5)

BY: Beverly Lewis

We finally Finished the Series!!!!

We Have PUPPIES!

Miss Kitty has had her puppies. To check them out, go to our new page at the top called Simple Living Alaska Kennel.
~Blessings~

New Pictures of Vision

Here are some pictures of Vision. Sorry we haven’t posted more lately. After we get back in a rhythm we will be back to adding more to read about.
~~BLESSINGS!~~
Vision O’YHWH 1 hour old!

Wanting to eat…

Vision & Daddy!