- The extreme cold last week caused a little bit of panic for us. The automatic closing house vents that we purchased 18 months ago have started to fail. Meaning that we had 3 or so that did not close at all and another 3 that did not close completely. Fortunately for us, our pipes did not freeze under the house, but we could feel a significant difference in the floor temperature. We decided to go ahead and replace these. The cost is not the issue as finding daylight hours to complete the project is.
- We have never been entirely happy with the very expensive sink faucet that we purchased and installed when we moved the kitchen sink. It has started to become difficult to use, setting off our breaker on several occasions and requiring some engineering in order to continue to use. Another decision was made to go ahead and replace it as well. We did decide to go with the low-tech option. Matt was able to install this in one evening.
- Positive news from the blast of cold air, although both of our water barrels frozen neither cracked so we did not need to replace either of these.
- Our chickens also survived the cold. We ended up adding some additional bedding and a separate water bucket which needed to be emptied and filled every day but otherwise they appear to be doing great! The price of eggs has jumped to 4.49 a dozen so I am very hopeful that come March we will not need to purchase eggs!
- After testing positive for the flu a week ago, my goal for this weekend is to get Christmas decorations put away, finish up some canning projects and make a couple of meals for the weeks to come!