Game Changing Transformation @ Off Grid Log Cabin, Pond, Fishing, Cast Iron Cooking
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- My off grid log cabin homestead evolved dramatically this week, a game changer in how I use the wilderness property. A major departure for me, I have help clearing the forest and make a decision that really changes the look of the homestead.
I start by catching fish for dinner from my canoe and I make a fish chowder with bass and vegetables and herbs from my organic garden in the forest. I cook it on my homemade rocket stove in my outdoor forest kitchen, preparing it while I cook pancakes on a cast iron skillet and make chaga tea over the fire.
After spending a few days with my neighbor clearing land for my greenhouse and timber frame workshop, I decide to dig a pond in the forest for swimming, skating, drawing water from for my vegetable crops, for drinking, cooking and cleaning. After the pond is dug down to bedrock, it's starts filling up with rainwater and I plant grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables around the perimeter to attract wildlife and for future food harvest.
I level the rocks near the edge of the pond to prepare for the foundation of the root cellar, timber frame and log cabin workshop and explain how it will be situated in proximity to the greenhouse.
At the end of the video, heat drives my Cali, my golden retriever, and me out of the forest and into the lake for a refreshing swim.
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I aerated my pond with a windmill from Koenders (it's Canadian!) No electricity required and it kept the pond from freezing over.
How does that work? Do you have a video?
@@Neznisgip Likely, simply turns a large air pump. Good maintenance, and heavy plastic pipe into the pond, will keep it running for many decades. Other possible, is the mill runs a generator to keep batteries charged, which run the pump on a cycle.
@@Neznisgip At the top of the windmill is an encased membrane. As the blades spin, it forces the membrane up and down, which forces air down the tubing. The tubing is fastened with zip ties to the legs of it. At the end of the hose there is what looks like a large rubber shower head. I filled a plastic bucket with 1 inch gravel and then tied the "shower head" to the inside of the bucket by drilling through the plastic (the handle might eventually rust.) Then I sank the weighted bucket/shower head into the deepest part of the pond. Simple and easy. It keeps my pond ecosystem very healthy; before I had installed it, I had a large winter fish-kill because the pond froze over. Also it looks very cool and requires little maintenance.
@@marych3425 yes there may need to be some type of aeration as Shawn mentioned, for the summer months also in order to keep even catfish alive unless it rains fairly often maybe. A friend lost almost all of even his catfish in their pond which were dying daily the year we had a drought basically the whole year here in Texas. But once he put a pump in the pond during the drought, he didn't lose any more fish.
Mary ,I wrote the comment before I read yours ,We are from Central Illinois, Very happy with the windmill so far ,Had it 8 years ,Been thru some check valves and added an alcohol system,to keep from freezing,An issue just popped up today ,Water quality down ,We have had almost zero wind for a week ,Usually the wind drives you crazy ,Don’t want to run electric aeration !!!
Such a perfect life for a dog 🐕❤️
It must feel wonderful to be able to use and benefit from your own garden. Love the sounds of the day around you; birds, wind, fire snapping, paddle dipping in water, lovely day.
How clean and pure, it is all over there. Wonderful.🌷🌻🌺🍀☘🍀🌷
Thank you, Thank you for saying what you were cooking!! I would have never been able to name all the veggies, type of fish or seasonings.
Can't wait to watch all the plans coming together. Exciting times ahead!
Your homestead is looking amazing! I love your little slice of Heaven on Earth! Stay well.
Perfect slice of heaven
I had an Old Town canoe given to me in 1961 as my 12th birthday gift. I was a Boy Scout and my troop was very active with canoes. We made our paddles and I still have my first one. It was green like yours and was areal piece of art. I paddled it thousands of miles I am sure.
Jack, do you find now you are looking at lighter, modern canoes or are you still using the Old Town? I have a 17 foot aluminum that is 90 to 100 lbs. and I'm wondering about risking injuries trying to throw it around as if I'm still 25 yrs old.
I am loving what is evolving. I know when winter sets in, your workshop will be a great place to create wonders. I mean art-wonders. I think the little side place to the left of the house may be a good writing studio. Wonder if you will put in another small wood stove in there for a winter retreat? Writing or filming. The pond making is too much for me - hard core labor. I also wonder if you are just let life bring what it will, or if when you are 60 and 70 if something is in your soul you might want to try. The long house seems perfect to invite a visiting artist to teach or possibly a Shaman to share what it takes in life -- conservation, spiritual, inner growth, etc. You work so hard, I need to take a rest now and then from watching. LOVE your Callie. So sweet.
A lovely video. I just love when you wander around and tape the scenery, it is so lovely and peaceful.
Just you lighting the outdoor kitchen stove is something like a holy ritual to me. Peace, Shawn ✌️
Cali so adorable! I ordered one of her shirts and going to wear it when I take my dogs for a walk.
So great to hear about your dreams. Cali is so fit and you have given her a dream life. Go you guys!!
What a great video Shawn, beautiful! At 15:21 Cali (the mud puppy) tended the camera for you, super friend you have. I see Canadian bass like Mepp's spinners too. You are knocking it out, good work! Thanks for all the hard work you do to let us enjoy it.
Hi I am a new subscriber to your channel you came up and I just Love the peacefulness of your videos, I went back and watch a whole lot of them.
I adore your dog and truly admire you for following your dream.
You the Best i ever seen, make God bless you
:)
Well we all know where Cali will be once the pond is full. Property is looking awesome Shawn.
This is exciting to see. The workshop and cellar sound brilliant. I hope we get to see an aerial shot of the layout in conjunction with the cabin.
There is a certain peace to be had when one is out on the water. It restores the soul. Thank you.
I saw where you downloaded yesterday but pulled it back.
This sounds like a plan to become more self sufficient and it is on the way to completion.
Beautiful scenery, but a little warm at 40 degrees Celsius! The Mexicans have the plan to work until the heat of the day, then they takeoff unit the cooler evening to start working again.
Keep up the great job! Don’t get sick in the heat. Thanks again for all you do to take us on this journey.
I'm excited to see the next chapter unfold. That's a big pond!
Good planning, and you’ve given me some ideas on how to make better use of my property
I like your style of thinking, and for me it is only a matter of time to see all these components integrated together, good luck Shawn.
Love your videos and I'm always learning a lot! They're quite therapeutic actually as I live vicariously through you...until the mosquito tried operating your camera (13:13) - then I didn't want to be there anymore.
i agree. the fly buzzing made me move on. cool videos
You don't have flies or mosquitoes where you live? We do here and I'd rather be where he is with the bugs than anywhere else without them. I have a good swatter if it comes to that! 🙄😏🤗
Could watch your videos all day.
Hey Shawn just wanted to say I watched your posting on your other channel (I did it now ) or something like that anyway I noticed you looked genuinely worried about telling people what you had done and it really bothered me to see how almost upset you were. I've been following you for years now and I don't generally comment maybe twice in the years since subscribing but Shawn you know what is best for you and your land and everyone should know by now you would never hurt the land or the animals just don't worry so much the people who know you from watching of course know that
With you all the way, Mark!
Even the earliest settlers were always striving forSomething better or at least the smarter ones were. If they weren’t we would not be very good today
Gotta have water!
10k likes,151 dislikes.says it all Shawn,keep at it mate you are a top man.cheers from u.k.
Very well said, Sir!
👍Cali’s sooo Happy !” WOW !”
This must be the misload from yesterday. lol no more time off for you Shawn!
:)
always awesome watching your craftsmanship in videos to bad your wife and kids cant stay there with u in the peaceful sanctuary keep up great work and cali rocks!
I love watching Cali bringing her toy for you to throw..she never seems to get tired.
That fish/vegetable stew looked so good. 😛
I look forward to seeing how that pond area develops over the next year or so...and to Cali playing in the water! :)
Summer Time, Can't beat it.
Gorgeous scenery video once again!!! I will really be looking forward to next week to see the progress!! This is so entertaining to watch what all you do, and I admire you greatly. What a wonderful life! :)
Me too Shirley. I'm addicted to this channel. Seems I enjoy the sounds of hammers & saws & digging, who knew!
AWWW - THE GAMER GRANNY !!! ON THIS CHANNEL !
I love your style Nanna, you make me miss MY Nan, and wish that I'd spent more time with her teaching her how to enjoy the many different types of games (she was ADDICTED to Dr. Mario - couldn't get ENOUGH of it).
I didn't know you had a YT channel and I'll be tuning in now that I do!
@@ShawnDelaney Thank you Shawn! I love this channel, it is so peaceful and beautiful and he makes me want to live out there 'off the grid'. :)
@@ShirleyCurryTheOlderGamer me too Nanna, me too.
You are living out most of our dreams, thanks for sharing !
Cali sure does like the pond. It’s going to look so natural when you finish adding plants and trees. Even more beautiful because the water will attract more wildlife. Of course like you mentioned it might be attracting them to your garden too. You’ll work it out. Can’t wait to see what’s on the next video. Thanks Shawn. And Cali for making me smile and laugh. She is so much fun to watch.
Attracting so much more mosquitos the make their lava in still waters they will love this pond . We try this but after one season fill it up because of this raison
She truly is the luckiest dog in the world.
@@raffaellavitiello1762 Mosquito Dunks would help. They're about $1 each here in the US, which treats 100 sq ft/30 sq m of water surface for 30 days.
Whats going on in this world (the states) has got me anxious and yes angry at times. With that being said ..i thank you (& Cali) for your videos for helping me in my personal world to come back down to some kind of well being, comfort & some kind of normalcy. And too, always making me hungry. :)
OMG you added a Pond! And right outside the Workshop and Greenhouse! This so exciting, I cannot wait to see them finished. I have seen ALL your videos on TH-cam, they are mightily addicting..the peace, the quiet, the solemnness of being alone in the woods, just you and Mother Nature..oh and the angel dog. There is no stress on this journey for your viewers, just pure joy ;-) Carry on Shawn, you are like a family member in our household..and your product is solid gold.
your creating something new it’s amazing
Didn't post for two weeks...thought I'd produce a full length feature movie! ;-) Your canoe looks the business, don't make em like that this side of the pond. Spent today in my childhood haunt on the west of Scotland, climbed the Saddle, only 3400ft but I can say I'm knackered. When I was there in the 70's it was a few caravans and a couple of chalets, now its 2000 vans and about 600 chalets..times change. Seeing Cali in the water reminded me of my dog Craigie a Lab who jumped into the river in spate (at aforementioned haunt) and we had to fish him out in the sea loch 2 miles downstream, good day had by all.
Scrumptious food
Cali is the poster dog for Goldens. She has a remarkable personality and presence. Even when I can’t see her, I can here her huffing. Thanks for posting.
That built-in rocket stove is a great unit.
What a wonderful beginning... scenes on the lake are so relaxing. Great camera work... fine music. You definitely are living a wonderful life Shawn... to use the line from the old Jimmy Stewart Christmas movie. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Alice said it very well: Cali and the pond! LUV what you have done to the landscape for long term. Great job. Looking forward to the shop build. Give Cali a BIG SMOOCH from Mike & Ronnie. GOD BLESS
Me: Shawn, what is your strategy for a succesful happy life?
Shawn: I make pancakes in the wood in the company of a dog.
Me: I cannot find any fault with that strategy.
I am getting less and less understanding of this strategy Apparently Shawns wife hasnt understood it for a long time
WTHeck? That's an awful rude comment toward someone you don't know and a situation you know little to nothing about.
Always pleasure watching your videos, thank You 🍀👌🙂
Thank you Sean. You videos are such a breath of fresh air... almost literally. Keep going strong💪💪
:)
😊
Cali's new swimming pool (pond ) !! Looks great and I love hearing all the nature sounds!! Have a great 4th!!
A sight to behold.......and to hear! Shawn you have created an incredible space! Just beautiful ‼️‼️
With the amounts of rain/snow you get there, that pond will not go stagnant. I'm sure you will have some fish, frogs, and other wildlife in it soon enough. And you can help it along by jump starting the wildlife by pulling a few buckets of that lovely stream water/muck and adding it to your new pond. Anyway, it is a grand adventure. I'm enjoying watching and seeing how it turns out.
I am just 4 minutes in and I am in awe of the relaxing power of these sounds and images. That is therapeutic art at its best. If this is not an antidepressant, I do not know what is.
Annnndddd the next chapter begins! Looking forward to seeing you up at the cabin next time!
👍😎👍GWW... Ooouuuttt!
Such beautiful videography, Shawn. The land you inhabit is so pretty....like a dream in technicolor! I have to bow down spiritually to grasp how it is all so lovely...the birds are amazing...so many different bird songs. Cali looks so good...she is in heaven...I wonder what the birds are saying to her?
Your cooking...still so yummy looking. Go team Shawn James!
Love the vision for the pond....
I am a big fan of "alone in the wilderness" but you took it to the next level!
Send the channel link! Need more recs...
@@RockTheParkOfficial sorry, I didn't understand the question,
Do you mean the link to "alone in the wilderness"?
It is a documentary about the life of dick proenneke but it's difficult to find it on Internet !
Cali , she is very active , so cute
Call it 'Mud Dog Pond', or 'Cali's Holler'.
Love Cali... she has so much fun♥️✌🏻
This all starts to seem less like a "den" as we called it when we were kids(- a temporary place to play). This seems more like planning and working for a grown-up life- water, food, work, power , a place to live a life in a way you want -well done.
From den to homestead.
Yeah. Funny, when other people are Constructing homesteads, it's Easy for ppl who are into Their Dreams to wait until yours is competed (where there's Always another project to embark upon. lol!) to come enjoy it with the builders. Some of our mid life aged kiddos are your ages and doing what you are..down by gulf coast but in small town. We're in mid 70's, Super Healthy but Have to pace ourselves down here in crazy weather..mid west and are doing in small town on small scale what you guys are on your land. Would like to have a well but it's not permitted. We'rere putting up wter catchments tho. Exciting times to be working together on such projects. I told my hubby IF I konked out on him, he has Right to never speak to me again. LOL! It takes time to figure out Where to put Buildings, Gardens, etc., etc!! You're doing a great job and it's looking amazing. Stay Safe! Try to Not over work. You all are in our prayers. Blessings to you and yours!!
It's called: PERMANENT RESIDENCE!!!
@@SnarkyRogue aa!
זה בדיוק כל מה שאמרתי בעבר שצריך להיות והנה זה נעשה כמו שנאמר "לא המדרש הוא העיקר אלה המעשה" הוא קרא את מחשבותי או שזה היה מתוכנן מראש רק שלא אמר זאת שיהיה לו בהצלחה סרטונים טובים עוד מצפה לנו בעתיד
When Shawn James doesn't work I get depressed. I am so happy you have finalized your goals and am super excited to see your progress. Best of luck!
loving the sounds that nature brings to your homestead and looking forward to the new additions
Same
Shawn, a couple of ideas for your pond. Use a solar/wind small pump to send H20 thru a large vessel (water tank) filled almost full of pea gravel. Exact plans on Koi Pond websites. If pond has fish present the bacteria will keep the water clear. Feed the fish using a rope and pulley system to suspend a wire mesh container above the center of the pond. Load the wire basket with scrap meat and fish parts, load it, and pull it out over the pond. Flies will lay eggs, then the larva fall thru the wire mesh and feed the fish.
Looks great shawn, Cali always brings a smile to my face. Golden Retrievers are such amazing dogs, you really dont know until you have one or a few of your own.
:)
You have a beautiful place and life! You’re blessed by what you enjoy doing...
The more time I spend at my cabin enjoying the forests and animals, the more blessed I feel. Sometimes the simplest things in life bring the most enjoyment, and it helps I have 2 Golden Retrievers of my own to spend my time with.
Is it just Cali's personality or is it a trait of the Golden Retriever dog breed that she very seldom barks at all? (Maybe she's much less stressed than the city dogs I have had?)
@@itsjustournature8045 I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old golden retriever's, and neither of them bark much. They are both good guard dogs, and will bark at any visitors they dont recognize, whether its a animal or person, but I encourage that behavior .
The pond area is a great place for Cali to play fetch. A big open area with water.
I think your pond is gonna be great in a couple of years, can't wait to see it then, haha!
Thank you for your dedication, and for sharing it ❤️
Hi Shawn. Very well done. I can't wait to see the pond with some growth. It will be an oasis. My mouth was watering seeing that Bass in the pot. Be well.
Huge departure from your other projects. I think it is a great idea and you did a great job on it's design. Going to be beautiful, good ice skating.
This is like watching a different planet compared to my reality during these crazy covid times. Thanks Shawn.
Can't wait to see the finished product
Hey shawn my 7 year old son would like to know where you learned all these skills to build things like this ? Do you use books or did you have a mentor ? Thanks
I think in one video, he stated his father could build. Sorry to interrupt..in case he doesn't see, I wanted to share with your son what Shawn had said early on
We just got back from camping for 2 weeks, in a state forest, we had that same heat index, miserable hot, and the horse flies, deer flies, mosquitoes, geez, but there was a lake, swam every day, sometimes multiple times a day. We use a tent, and were surrounded by trailers with noisy generators. When they left, peace! I'll take all the bugs, just want to be outdoors.
that was HUGE. In compere with other channels do the same thing for years and years you are true game changer. its more than self reliant. its exact life. this is amazing. when you said pond i thought about those back yard big ponds. but this is more like small lack and absolutely deep. I really like it no actually love it. i remember true man show but this is real i mean we all consciously know that its reality.
Nice, projects to keep you very busy. Cant wait to watch them all evolve.
What a beautiful, natural home and landscape you have created! It is my dream to create something very similar for myself and my daughter. I'm working to make this dream a reality and I am very inspired by your work. Thank you! This really is how God intended for us to live, in peace and in harmony with nature.
This pond will be wonderful once it fills up. Fascinating to watch these projects evolve. 👍
It's funny we're distracted by a tweet, text message, email and you're distracted by a hawk or wildlife in general and yet not miss a beat on a point you're trying to communicate.
Epiha well said👍
Well put.
Jealous of this man
Apart from all the work its taking to get you to where you are.... this would be my paradise!!😁 Loving the progress dude.
Calie must be one of the most loving and beautiful dogs in the world, love your hard working life style and yor mentality to the nature. Be safe Shawn and keep up the good work and those awsome vids. Everything is fantastic to watch no matter what you postet. Best love and regards from norway.
Just love watching your videos. I have so much admiration for you ! I can’t wait to watch the progress of all your added additions !
When I need to get away, when the pain is too much to take, when I'm stressed out for whatever reason, I come to your channel. It always takes my mind off from my problems, and brings me back to a calm state of being. There is something very therapeutic in watching your videos Shawn.
That alone brings me much joy and relief from my everyday pain and problems.
I imagine myself being out there with you, and living the more simple life, enjoying nature and getting away from all the nasty people that are out there these days and all the terrible things going on right now. Watching your videos brings my mind back to where it was when I used to be pain free.
Just wanted to drop a line to say thanks for what you do, it helps people in more ways than you know.
peace
You are such a sweety. Everywhere you go you leave such kind words. God fuckin bless you dude. I wish we had a few million more of your kind.
lol Calie sure was enjoying herself going into the pond to retrieve , the area will look awesome once the plantings grow and the water comes up. going to be beautiful, shall be great for attracting wildlife for sure. As for the heat, were having , i wish we would get some rain the heat has been too much for to long.
Hey Seaun Really appreciate your videos. It’s so peaceful there. I had vision of you opening up part of thecircular trees surrounding all the property. Is it feasible take quite long time I guess God bless you and your nice family. I’m stuck in Oz. My partner is in New York were waiting for settling so we can be united. We are older couple in 60s. All the best from Oz Canada is beautiful bern there on long service leave in14. Mum lived in Montreal till eight. All the best to you and you family stay safe pat ur nice dog she’s so funny
Love the Bear paw print design on the forest kitchen.
Living vicariously through you. The bugs/mosquitos would drive me insane.
Same
Same. I get intense itching and quarter sized irritation spots with a bite, I will take Fall and Winter, 😊🇨🇦
Awesome and stay safe,God bless
What keeps your pond from becoming giant a breeding ground for mosquitoes?
The fish and wildlife he adds to the pond, and if that fails, little pads of barley grass which inhibit the larvae. Nature will take care of the mosquitoes in the lovely pond. Imagine, in the time it took to build the cabin and everything else, add that same amount of time and we'll see the fruits and benefits of pond-front property.
Well he mentioned a swampy area not far away, so even if he has to put up with them getting it started, before frogs and fish, its not like they can't fly over from the other area anyway.. wonder if you can grow cranberries there..I've thought of a pond several times, but I chicken out for worries of mosquitoes, snakes, or waking up and finding an empty or muddy hole..(We live on a mountain and without a liner, one ground shift and it gone!) I love to see ppl who aren't afraid of trying new things and just dealing with challenges as they come. Maybe I'll get brave enough to try it as I watch him work thru..
Holy cow, the same thing that stops any lake or pond. Do people who watch this ever even venture outside?
Thanks for sharing, my God I'm waiting for....🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗👏👏 beatiful just
‘You’re already there. What’s the point of throwing it?’
‘Because it’s what I do. It’s my job to engage you to play!’ 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾😁😁😁
my favorite channel. semarang indonesia
Sean in 10 years: And this is where the outdoor theater house will be.
Isnt his Name shawn?
😁 Restless in building new cabins, agree 👍😁
And in 20 years this is Space X will be launched!
Callie just loves that water
What a wonderful way to end off the week,relaxing and watching one of your videos. Lovely progress ,it really is coming together. Much love coming from trinidad and tobago
Your plans are exciting 😄. The scenery is wonderful ...
Shawn: Your channel is called self reliance, you know what’s best for you and we all know how much you love the woods. You take care of yourself, your family and the land the best way you know. We all know how much you respect the forest but you need water for life. And you have not disrespected the land in any way. trust in your self!! By the way, Cali will love the pond!!
I love the sound of forest birds combined with the sunlight filtering through the leaves! Thank you Shawn!👍🇺🇸🤠🙏✝️
You are now apart of the ecosystem by planting food. You give to the wildlife, and the wildlife gives back. Keep up the amazing work, love these videos!
Now that is a real game changer...good job
Well Done Mr. James , Thanks for Sharing Take care . I wish I could see this area in about twenty years !
beautiful spot were go fishing
The sights! The sounds! The one and only Cali! I love it.♥️ These are such awesome additions to your place. Can’t wait to watch the progress each week. Have a great and safe week, Shawn & Cali🌿🛶