The Second Generation

Last year, at about this time, we installed our first solar water panel.  I'd bought a used unit, and we quickly realized it was not large enough to meet our needs.  So last week, J & I did the final touches on a unit we fabricated, and over the weekend, got it installed.  It's about twice as large as the first unit, so between the two of them, we should have plenty of hot water.  We've also begun work on another, highly efficient unit that J designed.  We hope to be testing it before long, and if it works as well as we're hoping, I'll be sharing more about it in the weeks to come.

I love blue flowers, so I'm happy the bachelor buttons have begun blooming.  The Twelve Apostles lilies that J brought from his house have also started blooming.  Ths past month has been a dry one here.  We're hoping the chance of rain today and tomorrow turns into some good showers to water the garden.  Baby squash and cucumbers are beckoning, but seem to be in a holding pattern without rain.

In addition to taking blog pics this morning, I shot some new shaving mugs from Whynot Pottery, to list in the shop along with my shaving soap.  If you're in need of a Father's Day present, check out their gorgeous mugs.  I've got the first one listed, and will list more over the next couple of days.   

The Sun Heats My Water

As we took care of the Ugly in the last post, I guess it's time for the Good and the Bad. The bad first (that's always my preference). On Saturday, the fox came around again, in broad daylight, while J was mowing. I chased it off of two chickens, but it had already gotten one hen. So, we were up before light yesterday, moving the chicks in with the big hens, as the transition is easiest that way. If they wake up together, they sort of think it's always been that way. We'd been holding off on consolidating them, to give the chicks time to grow enough to hold their own, but they were outgrowing their coop, and their yard was not as secure as the big hens. They've adjusted with a minimum of discord, thank goodness.

There are lots of good things, including the solar hot water system. We had another leak, this time larger, but J quickly remedied it, and it seems to be humming along just fine now. J cut the last of the trees for the pond, the bean & winter squash poles are up & stringed, we got cardboard down on the newest garden paths, and many other assorted homestead chores got done. Thank goodness it started raining. Now we get to rest!

Another good thing has been that we've eaten quite well this holiday weekend. Fresh Pea Soup from the last harvest of the season, 2 types of broccoli salad (we had lots of broccoli ready to harvest at the same time), and my first tortillas. They were so easy and good, I'll be making them again. This post will be long, so I won't include any recipes. If there are specific ones you'd like to know about, let me know, and I'll include them in a future post.

The first picture shows J securing the cover on the unit. I bought this unit used, and the cover, which is a corrugated plastic roofing panel, needed replacing. The unit is 8' X 2', and encloses several runs of copper tubing. The water in the tubing is heated by the sun. It is an active system, which means that anytime the water in the collector reaches 145 degrees, a pump circulates it to a storage tank. It is an open system, meaning the water that is heated in the collector is the same water I'll use in my shower.


Joseph created some metal brackets, to secure it on the roof.


The thermometer registered in the 180's just a few minutes after setting it up. A little while later, it was off the charts, so at least 220 degrees.


The unit was placed on the roof of the house, facing south.

Since being set up on the roof, we haven't had a full day's sun. Even so, we've seen it register in the 180's. We've turned our water heater down to 125, to keep it running at bare minimum. We're making hot water from the sun. Another of my longtime dreams come true!

A Bit of Ugly

Arachnophobes, be warned. There is a most decidedly large 8 legged picture in this post. The picture was taken so we could ID it, but then I decided it was good to be real, and post it, lest you think it's all kitties and roses at The Clean Green Homestead.

I had the day off today, and J got off early, so this evening we headed into the crawlspace to finish hooking up the last of the solar hot water system. There were 4 of those big guys obvious to us, and the picture is of one of the smallest spiders. Best I can tell, they are dolomedes tenebrosus, or fishing spiders. Feel free to correct me on that.

I've done enough plumbing with J, now, that I can anticipate his needs somewhat, which meant I got to prepare most of the parts with the pretty purple primer. We finished things up, and opened up the system. There was one small leak from the panel on the roof, which required tightening. Otherwise, it's looking good. We're looking forward to seeing what it will do with a full day's sun. Sometime over this holiday weekend, I intend to post about our system, and have some more photos to show.

Last night, I noticed things are turning towards summer here. Yesterday I worked a bit late, then ran a couple of errands. After fixing J & I a simple supper, I wandered outside at dusk, and noticed the sights, smells and sounds of summer. I noticed the frogs calling to each other and a whippoorwill in the distance, the sweet smell of milkweed blossoms, a trio of bats flitting about and fireflies blinking their messages to one another. It brought me great peace, and once again, made me thankful to call this land home.