My Super Duper New Can Opener

 When Dan and I got married, he still had his military issue P-38 can opener.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

I used it ever since, until recently the tip broke off so that it would no longer puncture the can lid. We reckoned his old P-38 was over 40 years old. 

Many cans come with pull-ring lids nowadays, but I still needed a can opener, so I bought a cheap squeeze handle rotary wheel job.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

It lasted for a couple of months before the wheels wouldn't turn when it was applied to the can. But it would still punch the can lid so I used it to start the cut, and then switched to the p-38 to finish removing the lid. 

One day I needed an inexpensive item to make up the difference for free shipping on Amazon. So I took a look at can openers. Some of the newest designs were odd interesting, but many did not look at all practical. Or made for longevity. I think sometimes people have innovative ideas that can't muster practical reality. 

Electric can openers were out, especially the battery powered ones. But I do have an amusing memory of my mother calling her cat by running the electric opener. Said cat always came running, even if no cat food was being opened.

In reading product reviews, I discovered others had the same problem I did with their squeeze handle can opener. The gears just weren't up to more than a couple months of usage. Then I found new P-38s for sale, but wondered about the quality of the steel. Building materials have been cheapened so much over the years that I'm cautious about buying things without seeing them first hand.

Then I saw the Ganji Kankiri

 

Source: Amazon

This is a Japanese can opener (kankiri) which basically works the same as the P-38. Except the blade is larger and heavier, and I loved the hefty sized handle. It wasn't expensive, either.

It felt a little awkward at first but it's easy to use and does an excellent job of opening cans. Some reviewers complained that it cut a somewhat jagged edge, but once I got used to it, I thought it cut a smoother edge than the P-38. I anticipate not needing to buy another can opener for a long, long time.

I never dreamed I'd ever be excited over a can opener, but I do love me some good manual tools. 

My Super Duper New Can Opener © 2026

by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

New Look For the Masonry Stove

I have one more project update to share with you, this one is for the masonry stove. After we made the adjustments and improvements on it last summer, I wasn't sure that I liked the resulting look of it.

 

The improvements in efficiency were well worth the change in aesthetics, but I was used to the visual variations of the bricks and wasn't sure I liked the solid white. I felt something was needed. Here's what we ended up doing.

The newly painted green alcove matches the thermal curtains I bought last year. I got the cast iron tree silhouettes from Etsy. All in all, I like it better. I liked the brick look best, but this is a good alternative.

New Look For the Masonry Stove © 2026

by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Painting the Front Room

On our cold, windy, snowy, icy days, I've been painting the front room. Besides the window coverings, painting means this remodeling project is finally almost done. Once the walls are painted, I can finally start putting the room in order and using it again! I have a weaving project in mind and I'm looking forward to getting back to my loom.

The room certainly needed fresh paint. We could see the old layers of paint on the walls when Dan replaced the windows, and mine is it's third paint job in 100 years. And all of them have been green! I chose a green that coordinated with the window quilts and the throw rugs. 

The old paint was glossy, and I find glossy paints don't take new paint well. Or at least new paint will scratch off more easily over the years. I didn't want to use messy paint remover, nor do a dusty job of sanding, so I washed them down with hot water, dish soap, and Bon Ami. Bon Ami is a non-bleach scrubbing powder that works very well and is safer for graywater systems. I rinsed it off with vinegar water. The walls definitely needed a good cleaning and this took the sheen off the old paint too. 

New color on the left, old color on the right, .

The only "oh well" I have is that when Dan installed the cubby units, he attached them to the wall and desk with angle brackets. So I couldn't move the desk to paint behind it. I did the best I could, but if the desk and shelves are ever removed, it will be obvious! But then, I figure whoever comes behind us will likely re-do the walls anyway. Really, the 100-year-old tongue and groove should be replaced with new walls, but that's beyond the scope of our time, energy, and finances at the moment. A future project out there in someday-ville. For now, fresh paint will have to do.

I'm happy with the way it's turning out. The old color was dingy and dull, but this new shade is fresh and cheerful. It improves the room tremendously.

Painting the Front Room © 2026 by Leigh

at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Snow, Colder, Easy Winter Window Energy Hack

On the last day of January we got snow, real snow with fluffy snowflakes, not frozen raindrops. Thankfully, it's not as treacherous as ice, except where it hid the thick slippery patches of ice that haven't melted yet. It snowed all day.

Meowy's early morning footprints on the back steps. 

Early morning view of one of the girls' pastures.

The goats sniffed at the snow but had no intention of leaving the barn.

Big Duck came out after Dan filled the ducks' pan with warm water.

The video is a little out of focus, but it's the best I could do with heavy gloves on my hands.

We got a total of four inches of snow. Not a record breaker, but enough for the neighborhood kids to build snowmen to their hearts' content. It was our coldest day so far, with a high of 25°F (-4°C) falling to a nighttime low of 7°F (-14°C. The greenhouse got down to 19°F.)

Wood yard with the boys' pasture in the background

Driveway gate

Back side of the house approaching the greenhouse

Side gate to the front yard

Greenhouse and keyhole garden

Late afternoon sun trying to burn through the clouds

After a walk around the yard, there's nothing nicer than coming back into a wood cookstove warmed kitchen with a pot of soup cooking.

The window idea is one I found on permies.com. Windows (even energy efficient ones) are notorious energy leaks. When you put your hand on the window on a cold day, the glass is colder than the walls. That's why most of mine are covered with thermal curtains. 

The cold air from the windows sinks and is one reason why floors are so cold. The idea here is to install a simple barrier to prevent the cold air from cascading down from the window and further chilling the room. All I did was to take a piece of 3/16 inch foam board, cut two layers 6 inches times the inner width of the window frame, and glue them together. Then I slid them into place, resting on the window sill.

I could immediately feel that the air below the window ledge wasn't as chilly! It didn't magically make the room warmer, but it definitely makes a difference, and without blocking the view or the light. 

I only bought one sheet of foam board, but I took the remaining piece and fitted it to my kitchen sink window.

This window leaks cold worse than the bathroom window, so even one layer of foam board made an immediate difference. A double layer works better, so I'll add a second layer when I get more foam board. I plan to install these in my other windows as well. Even the energy efficient windows don't completely keep out the cold. 

This might be a good time to put in a plug for a really good book because it has an entire chapter on easy ways to stay warm while decreasing your energy bill. The authors call their ideas "luxuriant environmentalism." I did a book review on it a few years back here.

It offers easy solutions for global environmental problems, ideas anyone can implement, from urban renter to rural land owner. These aren't problems that only governments can solve, we can all do something to help. This book focuses on actionable ideas. 

You can get it at permies.com here.

You can get it at Amazon.com here.

We're supposed to be heading toward a warming trend, with the snow and ice melting during the day and refreezing at night. I'm not sure if the winter weather is over, but it will be nice to have a reprieve.

How about you? How are you surviving your weather?

Snow, Colder, Easy Winter Window Energy Hack

© 2026 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Real Winter Weather

Living in the southeastern U.S., our winters can cover a range of mild to frigid. But we didn't escape the recent winter storm that swept the eastern part of the country. Fortunately for us, it wasn't as bad as they predicted! Here's my photo record of what we got.

We didn't get snow, we got freezing rain.

The ground was covered with ice crystals, while everything else was coated with a layer of ice.

The danger of winter storms here is when trees and power lines are covered in a thick coating of ice. If it gets too heavy, branches come down, knock out power lines, and we lose electricity. Fortunately, it wasn't that bad.

Walking in it was crunchy and slippery, especially on our sloping land.

The wind was bitterly cold. Between that and the strange white stuff on the ground, none of our critters would go outside. Feed and warm water were served in their respective quarters.

Our coldest night was 10°F (-12°C). The greenhouse went down to 18°F (-8°C). My winter veggies are hanging in there, but I'm doubtful my green peppers will make it, even after covering and insulating them for the night.

exterior greenhouse door

solar panels

kale and garlic in the garden

poor daffodils

Things began to melt the day after the storm. Current temps run from above freezing during the day to below freezing at night. Sunny areas are muddy during the day and icy at night. White patches of ice crystals persist where there's shade. The wind is still cold, so we go out for chores and animal checks, but it's mostly indoor time. I'm spending mine painting the ceiling of the front room and planning a weaving project.

Parting shot

Sam

How is everybody else faring in this unwelcome weather? We've got snow in the forecast for Saturday. Looks like winter isn't going to be over anytime soon.

Real Winter Weather © 2026 by Leigh

at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Front Room Side Windows: Before & After

Apparently I don't have a good photo of the original side windows in the front room. This one is the best I could find for a before photo.

Photo from 2009

The windows behind the blinds were identical to the ones in the front of the room. Actually, they were identical to all the original windows in this house. Even though we replaced them all, those old windows were used for the walls of the greenhouse.

I have pictures from 2020 of Dan replacing them (here), and a picture of how it's looked since then. 

Here's what it looks like now.

The loom is in the way, but you can see what a nice job Dan did. It's a huge improvement.

I've already started painting the ceiling. It needed a fresh coat of paint. The walls will be next and after that I can put the window coverings back. I have an idea for the two quilt-look bedspreads, which will hopefully work. 

Front Room Side Windows: Before & After © 2026

 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Front Room Front Window: Before & After

The front room is a corner room so it features windows on both external walls. The ones pictured below were on the front wall, overlooking the front porch. 

The original front windows when we moved in, May 2009.

The windows were upgraded when we remodeled the front porch in 2016. We replaced the original single glazed windows with an energy efficient window.

How it's looked since Dan replaced the old windows, Dec. 2016

We got to add much needed extra insulation in the wall. 

After Dan finished the wall that incorporates the back of the masonry stove, he turned his attention to that window. But how to finish it? Do we try to match it to the original wall? I think it's nearly impossible to recreate an original look to match, so it might as well become a design feature. We decided to continue with the rustic barn look to coordinate with the new closet.  

After I paint the wall, I'll put up the curtain rod and my quilt window covering again.

Dan's challenge with all the repairs and improvements he's done to our house, is partly because it's 100 years old. That means they used true 2-inch by 4-inch 2x4s when they built it, which we can no longer get! So the reconstructed parts of the walls are never exactly flush with the original. 

One more window to go, and then it's on to repainting the ceiling and walls.

Front Room Front Window: Before & After © 2026

 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com

Front Room Remodel: Back of the Masonry Stove

To the left of the closet, a coal burning fireplace once stood.

Front bedroom fireplace when we moved in, May 2009.

It stood back-to-back with the living room fireplace. We tore them both out when we built the woodstove alcove for our soapstone woodstove.

 

The brick wall is the back of the woodstove alcove.

When we built the masonry stove, the back of the alcove became part of the heater's thermal mass.

The back of the masonry stove with the wall torn out.

But how were we going to finish that wall? For months, that was the subject of much brainstorming. As part of the stove's thermal mass, the bricks radiate a lot of lovely heat, so we wanted to leave that part exposed. The biggest question was what to do about the arch. Treat it as a design feature? But how? We wanted to use something noncombustible, which added to the challenge. Dan used cement board above the bricks for the alcove, but he wasn't sure he wanted to do the same on this side. What were our other options?

Without going through our boring drawn-out thought process, I'll jump right to the finale and then follow up with a few details. 

Here it is now. The corrugated metal panel adds to the room's barn
motif yet isn't an insulator; it doesn't impede heat from the stove.

One of the design details I mentioned above was that we didn't want to block the heat on the sides of the stove. 

The principle of a masonry stove is that heat is produced in the firebox and held in an empty brick box (the thermal mass) which radiates warmth for at least half a day (and stays warm to touch for much longer). With a standard cast iron stove or fireplace, on the other hand, most of the heat goes up and out the chimney, and the room starts to cool off as soon as the fire goes out.

The exposed front and back of the stove do a fine job of radiating that warmth. On the sides, however, we have walls. In keeping with building code, there is an air space between the stove and the existing brick alcove wall, and there is another air space between the brick wall and room wall. Further, the room walls have a layer of heat-rated insulation. The challenge was to allow the warm air in those spaces to escape into the room rather than getting boxed in. 

The mantle post pretty much hides the gap, but doesn't fit snuggly against the bricks.

The other part of the challenge was that the bricks are uneven in the stove corners, because we never dreamed the back of the alcove would ever be exposed. Our solution was to cover the opening between the brick and the mantle post with screen, to allow the warmth to circulate out into the room

The screen is curved to make a column-like look.

Except I didn't like seeing the brick through the screen. So I painted the bricks black.

After painting the bricks.

I'm much happier with that. 

Here's a closeup of my decorative mantle bit.

Two of the wind chimes I made myself.

The one on the left is made from pirns. Pirns are what they call the bobbins for end-feed weaving shuttles. I don't use that kind of shuttle, so I thought this was a better use of them than storing them in a drawer. The one on the right is made with bells I originally bought for the goats' collars. Except the product description led me to believe they were bronze, which they aren't, these are just cheap metal with a bronze color coating. They've been sitting in a drawer too, and were perfect for an indoor wind chime.

Another section of the front room is done! Next I'll show you how Dan finished the front window wall. 

Front Room Remodel: Back of the Masonry Stove

© 2026 by Leigh at https://www.5acresandadream.com