tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14938634839642757572024-03-05T02:35:58.472-08:00Treasures, Travel, and TalesDawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-26999838007316118842021-02-18T13:17:00.004-08:002021-02-21T06:16:48.953-08:00Shed Camping: February 2021Oh my. I can hardly believe that I haven't blogged here for 6 months -- and yet the proof is in the timestamp on my last blog post (the demolished Shack). I have been camping but haven't had the gumption to write about my adventures. Let's see if can do a little catch up here. Country roads taking me homeThe year 2020 was a trying time for all of us. Next month will be the year anniversary Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2United States37.09024 -95.7128918.780006163821156 -130.869141 65.400473836178847 -60.556641tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-43730384093482165202020-08-10T19:00:00.002-07:002021-01-30T14:16:31.055-08:00There's No Turning Back Now: Goodbye ShackThe first stages of a driveway.I have dreamt about living on my own land for years, moving toward that goal at a glacial pace. Based on a variety of things, there have been ongoing adjustments to my plans since buying the land in 2015. Actually, I have made adjustments for all of my adult life. But today the next step has happened and there is no turning back. Today, The Shack was Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-74634752971763997422020-07-12T15:54:00.000-07:002020-07-12T15:54:09.486-07:00Treasures: Placka Storage BuildingWhew, time flies. It seems that I am behind in everything - especially blogging - but I wanted to share my newest treasure. My Placka Storage Building is another step in my journey toward my homesteading dreams. I can't begin to explain how much I love this little shed.
I love this shed for tangible reasons. I need a place to store my camping belongings. The color is gorgeous. And it provides a Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-66874693679388503422020-05-18T02:00:00.000-07:002020-05-18T02:00:06.745-07:00Crunchy No Knead Round Loaf BreadOver time I am becoming more able to bake breads and biscuits. But I still need easy bread recipes. This beautiful no-knead round loaf definitely qualifies as easy.
I call this my Living Traditions bread because I saw the recipe made for the first time on their homesteading Youtube channel. Using only few ingredients, they start their loaf at one point in the day then go about their choresDawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-58537632188922359192020-04-27T19:06:00.001-07:002020-04-27T19:07:31.980-07:00Camping -- April 2020It's a surreal time. In some ways nothing feels the same. We are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. So many things have changed and with social isolation, wearing masks on rare trips into stores, and working from home my days are blending together in a strange way.
And yet, some things are soothing and familiar. The Shack is one of those things. My land is a constant for me. It is Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-37352148801107570402020-03-30T05:43:00.001-07:002020-03-30T05:53:00.509-07:00Bird Journal: Turkey
Turkey at The Shack
Only someone with a trained eye, with much experience and with the ability to zoom in on my photo, will be able to see my visitor. I apologize. I had no way of getting a better shot.
While camping at The Shack, early one extremely foggy morning, I woke to a distant and strange noise.
At first I thought poor Willy, my dog, had stomach upset. His stomach often Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-61458571362244558892020-03-16T08:25:00.001-07:002020-03-16T08:25:33.638-07:00Shed Demo (part 2)
more progress on the shed demo
In February, I finally worked up the nerve to begin demo on the shed. That included working up enough nerve to stand close enough to the shed to begin pulling off some of the siding. I was proud of the little bit of progress I made during that weekend visit.
You can read about the beginning of the Shed Demo - The Shed Has Got to Go! here.
Last weekend I Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-37788631384416930142020-03-01T08:17:00.001-08:002020-03-01T08:17:21.855-08:00Bird Journal: Northern Flicker
Northern Flicker - photo courtesy of Pixabay
I knew it! I just couldn't prove it! Until recently. There are Northern Flickers at The Shack. I'm thrilled to have finally positively identified one. And through the excitement of seeing an elusive Flicker I am learning a bit more about them.
When I lived in my previous apartment, a single Northern Flicker sat perched on a tall, dead tree Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-75250372397723829632020-02-24T03:50:00.000-08:002020-02-24T03:50:34.143-08:00Shed Demo - The Shed Has Got To Go!As with many projects, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and taking that first step. I've been planning to tear down this little building ever since the first time it blocked the view from the window. I've just been too afraid to begin.
The existing shed. Falling down and scary.
The shed scares me. I think the previous owner/builder of the shed had planned on putting in an Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-7277279418506582662020-02-23T13:03:00.000-08:002020-02-23T13:03:05.757-08:00A Jar Full of Biscuits
Delicious biscuits from scratch.
I've recently had some really good luck at making flaky, tasty biscuits with a new-to-me recipe and technique. I am so proud of these pretty biscuits that I keep them on display in a jar on the kitchen counter.
This recipe and tips came from Appalachia's Homestead with Patara. I have tried to make biscuits from scratch previously. Many times. But they Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-23082765342891259542020-01-29T01:00:00.000-08:002020-01-29T01:00:09.314-08:00Sights and Sounds at The Shack in January 2020I hadn't gone camping at The Shack since NOVEMBER! That is far too long between visits. But this past weekend I was able to go up and enjoy my little bit of land on the ridge. Here are just a few of the sights and sounds from the trip.
It was extremely foggy when I arrived. I had to hang my head out the window in order to stay on the road. I began a few false turns before I was able to find the Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-63813653995007092892020-01-27T01:00:00.000-08:002020-01-27T03:21:43.156-08:00Introducing Deb - She's Making Her Dream Come TrueI would like to introduce you to Deb. She and I are very similar in some ways. Deb has decided to make her own dream of living in the country true. She took the huge first step and has purchased her own piece of land.
The country road approaching her land
Congratulations Deb on taking that step! And congratulations on finding such a glorious piece of Almost Heaven, West Virginia!
This Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-79453256725022162592019-11-24T12:12:00.003-08:002019-11-24T12:12:48.688-08:00The Benefits of SLOOOOW Progress Toward My Homesteading DreamsFor the most part, I feel like moving toward my retirement homestead dream is not happening quickly enough. I become overwhelmed and frustrated. I question my sanity and wonder if I've bitten off more than I can chew. However, I also sometimes think of the good things about this snail's pace progress - spanning over four years so far.
(The photo is mine - The Shack October 2019. The Slow/CautionDawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-87634650034081429422019-11-17T17:00:00.000-08:002019-12-14T12:24:45.140-08:00My Basalt Bird Bath - The Popular Spot at The ShackIn April, I splurged and bought a basalt stone bird bath by Stone Age Creations. I wanted that bird bath from the moment I saw it at Sun Nurseries but it's price tag was almost as hefty as the stone itself. But I splurged. And I'm so glad I did.
You can read my original review about the bird bath here. Or jump directly to the Stone Age Creations page on Amazon here.
Almost Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-54574368913605701842019-11-03T15:46:00.002-08:002019-11-03T15:46:37.858-08:00October 2019 Autumn Colors
Country roads, take me home. Rt. 50.
Late October in Almost Heaven, West Virginia is a wonderful time of year. The scenery during my camping trip last weekend was breath-taking. I could not stop looking at the sights around me.
I don't recall last year's autumn colors being as vibrant this year. Ms. Judy (my realtor) agreed with me. She said that last year was too dry. The Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-24394612511321369432019-10-12T11:52:00.000-07:002019-10-12T11:52:25.214-07:00Tales - Sweden's Crisis PreppersI recently watched a very interesting show by SBS Dateline titled
Sweden's Crisis Preppers. Because Sweden is viewed as a country that takes complete care of it's citizens, I was confused by why Swedish people would need to prep. My American acquaintances often use Sweden as proof that free college and free healthcare are doable. Because I know precious little about Sweden, and Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-82190898070777601902019-10-09T06:42:00.001-07:002019-10-09T06:45:09.362-07:00The Thuja Green Giant From PlantingTree
Thuja Giant Green from PlantingTree
I am very excited to share that I have found another excellent source for obtaining plants and trees for my land at The Shack. This is a nursery that delivers big, healthy plants right to my front door.
PlantingTree is an affordable online garden center. Their website is full of information about each plant; assisting me to create a wish list of Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-42772399919683405132019-09-30T11:03:00.001-07:002019-09-30T11:08:57.541-07:00Why Did the Bear Cross the Road?Why did the bear cross the road? I don't know. Perhaps to give me an unforgettable visit to The Shack. Perhaps as my totem animal bringing a message. Perhaps to scare me half to death. I'm really not sure but the experience was amazing!
I totally forgot that I had not shared this photo! What a shame. It was such a cool thing to happen.
I was camping at The Shack in June. I was trying Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-41246497368320971532019-09-29T07:55:00.001-07:002019-09-29T07:55:17.740-07:00August and September 2019 at The ShackI've slacked at sharing stories about my progress at The Shack. In part, because the progress seems minimal and in part because I'm struggling with keeping up with daily responsibilities. Despite feeling this way, I have gotten some things accomplished up on my little piece of heaven.
I keep trying to convince myself that even if I get nothing done during my trips up to my land, it is a Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-10258746483567135252019-07-28T13:14:00.000-07:002019-07-28T13:14:35.041-07:00Tales: True Appaloosa
Photograph of "Zip Me Impressive"
Not a horse from the movie but a beautiful
example of an Appaloosa.
What could possibly cause a 69 year old woman to leave her countryside home in New Zealand and travel - with strangers - to remote parts of Kyrgyzstan? The answer is horses. The love for her horses and her commitment to the Appaloosa breed. At the age that many folks are contemplating Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-62960314038030482182019-06-30T08:58:00.001-07:002019-06-30T13:13:56.132-07:00Tales: Living Proof Movie Review
Tales: Reviewing Living Proof by Matt Embry
I have recently watched a movie (twice in a row) on Amazon Prime that has really opened my eyes about several things. Living Proof is about a young Canadian (Matt Embry) who has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). And how this young man, his father, and others are on a journey to find answers, treatment, and possibly a cure. Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-17140751900156222022019-05-04T14:59:00.002-07:002019-06-30T06:01:21.743-07:00First Hummingbird Visitor of 2019Yay! They've finally arrived. I've had my feeder out for weeks. And I had begun to think they weren't returning this year. But, as you see, they're back!
It is Saturday. Early this morning I thought I caught a peek of one flying away from the feeder. Usually when I think I see one it'll come right back if I hold still and be quiet. But it didn't return while I was watching.
Disappointment.
I Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-46484627739900857042019-04-21T09:02:00.000-07:002019-06-30T06:01:00.961-07:00April 2019 Camping at The Shack - Hike in Photos
The view, a swing, and a crocheted
blanket courtesy of Jenny.
I can't believe that I hadn't been to The Shack since January! Work has been rough, the headaches have been terrible, and I am so fatigued that I hadn't felt like I could do what needs to be done to get myself up to my spot. Then our spring break (a 5 day weekend) was upon us. Even though I was tempted to sleep away my entire Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-46510989082958642062019-02-23T10:44:00.004-08:002022-07-31T09:50:34.824-07:00Handmade with Love - Jenny Hats
I have spent months thinking about how to write this. There is absolutely no way to adequately share my thoughts about this matter. Because it is such a tough topic, I'll probably tend toward the factual and a bit away from the emotional.
The first fact about what is on my mind is that cancer sucks. Absolutely and completely sucks. Period.
Some people battle cancer and win. Others Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1493863483964275757.post-39868472437484360652019-01-06T08:45:00.000-08:002019-01-06T09:10:07.203-08:00January at The Shack: Owl HuntingOkay, I wasn't actually Owl "hunting". That isn't legal. But I spent a good deal of time trying to spot an Owl during my last visit at The Shack. I went up to spend the last few days of 2018 and the first day of 2019 at my favorite spot.
Following a record-breaking rainy year, my vacation at The Shack was during unseasonably warm weather. Several days were wet and gloomy. But Dawn Raehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16482631999129705606noreply@blogger.com1