Welcome to our first ever monthly email newsletter!
I wanted to start sending monthly updates to our awesome email subscribers. A little roundup all about what's going on here on the homestead and what we have planned.
Cabin Updates
We are thrilled to say the cabin build is going so smooth! *Knock on wood.*
At the time of typing this, we are 7 logs high all the way around the cabin. Both windows and the door are framed. Levi works in the mornings to get logs prepped. He cuts them to size then peels and grinds down the branch bumps, and smooth out the ends.
Pre-nap time but post-log prep, the boys and I come outside to help set the logs! Well, Henry chases chickens and Sam sits in the center of the floor and eats my garden gloves. Levi and I set the logs. He does the smaller ones on his own but one wall is 16' long with no windows so those logs need two people.
Levi's Dad has a lot of his own projects going on so we are working as much as we can on our own for this one to not drag him away from his own place all summer like with the big cabin build.
It won't be long and we will be on to the roof build! But, we have a few things coming up that will be delaying some cabin progress for a bit..
It's Dipnetting Season!
By the time you read this email, we will have already been dipnetting and are home with our catch to process!
This year with Sam joining the family, we could get 55 salmon on our dipnetting permit. We brought home a whopping 50 fish in ONE day of fishing. Levi and his Dad got up bright and early at 3:00am and fished pretty consistently until 5:00pm that same day. Levi's mom and I tapped in on the fishing to give them some breaks but for the most part, the two of them were in the water for at least 12 hours each.
We only spent 2 nights on the beach but we really enjoyed our time there. We chose to camp just a little ways away from the action and it saved us a tremendous amount of time as well as money on fuel.
This year's salmon were much bigger than last year's as well. We like to net on the Kasilof river but the Kenai river is the place to go for bigger fish. So it was a nice bonus to bring in bigger salmon in our favorite spot.
In the Youtube video, I am going to address a few TRUTHS about dipnetting that align with common misconceptions that some people like to throw around.
Stay tuned for the Youtube video this Saturday! We usually delay videos at least a week after filming so that I'm not burning the midnight oil to edit them. But this one we'd like to get posted and back to the cabin build!
Letters From Alaska
I am so very excited about the incoming Snail Mail Club! I have new ideas almost daily on what all I could include in a monthly envelope to club members. We sent an email a little bit ago and have 20 people signed up for the free trial!
Currently, I am refining the free trial letters and have the sample postcards on the way. I also have been messing around with a unique art form that I am hoping to be able to include in the future.
I hope to be officially launching the club for an August shipment date! We will also be able to mail internationally, which is so exciting! Keep your eyes peeled for announcements on when we will launch. I am running through everything with a fine tooth comb to give you the best possible club!
(There will also be a DIGITAL option available for anyone on a budget or not interested in more physical mail!)
YouTube Forecast
What can you expect on our Saturday uploads?
This Saturday, dipnetting for salmon! Like I said, I am going to have to hurry to get my editing done but I think we can manage it.
Then, more cabin progress! We are trying to find a balance of sharing a lot of progress in each video while not having a 2 hour long video every time we post it.
My parents are visiting soon so I am sure they will make an appearance. I'd like to show some homestead updates outside of the cabin build this month.
Overall, lots of green leaves and hopefully sunny days! The mosquitoes will fade back out soon and we're keeping busy.
Thanks for reading! We'll see you Saturday on YouTube.
Sincerely,
Becca
