“The nation needs to return to the colonial way of life, when a wife was judged by the amount of wood she could split.” W.C. Fields⠀
If only the pilgrims would have had log splitters!
I came across that quote the other day and I couldn’t stop laughing for like an hour. Because you know, out here in the woods trying to grow your own food, cut your own firewood and prepare for a long and cold winter, a quote like that kind of rings true. The little woman is going to need some skills, and every week it seems like I’m learning a new one.
The log spiltter arrived on Friday and the HH got to work lickety split with the chain saw slicing through logs that were already down on our property.
And even though Google is at our fingertips, hands on learning, and figuring out a few things on your own {without running to the computer to find the answer} is actually kind of enjoyable. I think sometimes when the answers come easily, you really miss out on part of the learning process. Seriously, if only the pilgrims would have had log splitters!
We haven’t quite mastered the art of stacking wood yet, but maybe by the end of summer we’ll finally get it right and by this time next we’ll be pros. Or at least…. better at it than we are now.
We’re fortunate there is an abundance of hardwoods on our property. The problem right now is getting to them. The woods behind us has really filled out over the past two months which makes me think maybe early April {before everything leafs out} might be the best time for felling trees.
Above is a photo of a piece of oak on the left and pine on the right. Oak, ash and maple are what we’re after. Although we really don’t want to clear any maple trees unless it’s absolutely necessary because we want to have a go at maple syrup.
Although we were planning on log splitting being a designated chore for the HH, it’s actually kind of fun. And, a pretty insane workout too. Seriously, it kind of makes you wonder how many people out here have gym memberships. LOL. Probably less than 1% if I had to guess.
My latest not so aesthetically pleasing basket of kindling.
Ahhh yes. I think I’m beginning to find my groove here.
HEY… It’s Tuesday, have an AWESOME day!
~Mavis
Cindi says
We love our log splitter — but BE CAREFUL! My husband is missing most of his thumb on his left hand thanks to the log splitter. He’s been operating a splitter for years, but all it took was one moment of carelessness. But it definitely beats splitting 5 cords a year by hand!
andrea d says
Stacking wood- Do you know the game Jenga? You want to make two columns that look like that where, using 3 or 4 similarly sized pieces, you alternate the direction of the wood for each layer. Make your columns, one at each end of the row. Once you get them to a good height, fill in the space between them with the rest of your wood. The columns will keep the other pieces from tumbling. Hopefully that makes sense. My almost 70 year old dad is a pro at chopping at stacking- and he still chops with a sledge hammer and a wedge!
Mandy says
Yes! I was trying to think how to explain this, as my parents always chopped and split 10 cords every summer and it was mine and my brother’s job to stack it at our house and grandma’s.
Wilma Sutherland says
Or you can cheat by putting cinder blocks on their sides about 6′ apart with 2×4’s sticking up and put your wood between them. I saw that and thought it was quite clever!! I stack pillars – that way we can remove one pillar at a time and not have it all collapse. Some people do art-work pictures but I’d never want to burn it then!
Gee says
Cinder blocks! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Mandy says
Oh my goodness! Mavis, you are a hoot! If only you were my neighbor. I am currently searching for a good bargain on a banana costume, as my little guy will be turning a year old just a few days after Halloween and I found him a monkey suit. I think it will be hilarious to carry him around, dressed as a banana. I love your outfits. You are awesome!
UpstateNYer says
Mandy – I just love your banana idea! It made me LOL for real!
Brianna says
Del Monte does a giveaway every year for banana costumes. I won one last year and it arrived in time for Halloween. I’m not sure when they open the contest, but go for it, you never know.
Mrs. C. says
Mavis, in a lot of places the state and/federal parks sell permits to cut trees for firewood. Restrictions apply, of course, but the permits are inexpensive.
Sue R. says
I like to use our log splitter too! Does your splitter “stand up” so you can also use it on large rounds of wood? That’s when I need the muscles of someone stronger than me!
Jenny Young says
Because of the ticks, we cut all of our trees in late winter….usually January or February for us. Plus, no yard or garden work to keep up with at that time of year.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Jenny!
Cheryl says
Hey Mavis, the July Consumer Reports has an article on Tick Proofing Your Yard, page 13. Thought of you immediately when I saw it.
UpstateNYer says
I could be wrong but doesn’t cut wood need to sit for a year before burning? So that it dries out enough.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! We had 3 cords of wood delivered for this winter… may order another 1 or two more. We will be using the log splitter for next winters wood and thereafter.
Heidi says
You will make it a lot easier on your backs if you rotate the splitter to the upright position. Then you can sort of roll or walk the rounds instead of lifting them. Get yourselves a five gallon bucket with one of the seat lids and you will be set.
Pauline in Upstate NY says
You go, girl! And yes, you are right about it still being a work-out… But the good news is that, when you *own* the woodsplitter, you can just do it for an hour or two at a time, rather than going all-out for a weekend to get your money’s worth on a rental! One suggestion: different stoves take different lengths of wood, so if you haven’t bought your next woodstove yet, err on the short side when you’re cutting, otherwise HH might find “cut 3” off of each piece of firewood” on his fall to-do list!
Barbara Gantt says
Winter is the bet time to cut trees in New England. Spring is too muddy to bring them out of the woods. You also want them to dry if they are newly cut. It warms you up on a freezing winter day.
Mavis Butterfield says
Good to know. I wouldn’t have thought that was when people should cut a tree here but with all the leaves now, I’m sure you are right.
Tamara says
I was hoping you would decide fall and winter were the times for cutting trees; one reason, of course, for all the leaves but also because of the birds’ nests in spring/summer. 🙂
Gee says
As they used to say, firewood warms you three times: once when you cut it, once when you stack it, and once when you burn it. 🙂
DLAtkinson says
You mentioned having a go at making maple syrup. You know Mavis Butterfield’s Sugar Shack sure has a nice ring to it.
Lynda Kling says
You do know you shouldn’t use pine in your wood stove, right?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes.
Tracie@SomewhatAwry.com says
A friend of ours burns EVERYTHING in his woodstove. I wouldn’t, but he also said that he puts his potato peels in with a load of wood when he has them. Every year when he has his stove serviced it’s clean as a whistle. Crazy huh? I have no idea why potato peels would clean up creosote, but according to him, it does!
Cheryl says
I have to admit as someone who would like very much to live as far off the grid as possible and at the same time, can’t afford it; I am learning a lot about splitting wood and wood stoves. Why do you not use pine in a wood stove?
Lisa says
The pine will form creosote in your wood stove. Also don’t cut trees down in early spring when the sap is running.
Jeanie says
You are really a lot like one of my heroes…Tasha Tudor.
Gee says
Mavis, you crack me up! A pilgrim dress and a woodsplitter in the same photo? What a hoot!
Mary Neathway says
Seriously- the Pilgrim outfit and the wood splitter together gave me the laugh of the day I need. We too burn wood- we order a logging truck log and that is the exercise the aged husband partakes in as he saws and chops and hauls to the wood shed. But if I had a pilgrim outfit… maybe I”d help….
Deborah says
I love your dress and cap. It is so cute. Wish I had one, too.
Marie says
Mavis,
I had lunch today at Michie’s Tavern in Charlottesville, VA. I think you really need a large copper firewood tub like one I saw there. Love your blog.
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE the chicken dinner there. One of the best meals ever!
Elaine says
Seriously Mavis!! That costume! OMG I busted out laughing! I thought you photo shopped yourself or something! I would have been laughing too hard to do any work! I always show my 12yr old son pics of Lucy and the chicks but he’s gonna love these! You are too funny!
Thanks for the laugh!
Jo says
Check out a book titled ‘Norwegian Wood: Chopping, Stacking, Drying Wood’ – it has some impressive wood-stacking images.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Jo.
Christy says
Oh Mavis! I love that you decluttered like a champ before moving to the East Coast, but kept the Pilgrim outfit. 🙂 (Some people would’ve thought it not a necessity, but clearly it is.)
Mavis Butterfield says
The pilgrim outfit was non negotiable. 😉
Pat says
OH my gosh Mavis! That picture with that quote is hilarious! I had to show my husband and we both had a good laugh.
Helen in Meridian says
I am so glad the Pilgrim Outfit survived your donation years….but I think I saw your Where Is Waldo t shirt in the donation pile….boo.