Skinning (Content Warning)

So, I've been busy skinning some of my animals from this years trapping season. Didn't really get much, but we got

3 Weasels

2 Raccoons

1 Squirrel

2 Rabbits (Shot)

I'm collecting up all my pelts to tan at some point in the future.

Caught something!

Went to check the traps as usual today. Walked up to our one, seeing something was caught thinking it was a Fischer, but instead it was a Raccoon! Wasn't what we expected, but we're still really happy we got something. All our other traps had became victim to weasels, who set them all off, and stole the bait. Little jerks :) 

Anyways, it was a really nice day to be out on the Skidoo. Now time to relax :)

Quick Update

Hey everyone! So we've just been spending the last few days checking traps and doing a bunch of skiddooing. Just basically having fun in the forest. It's been snowing everyday, but it's been absolutely beautiful temperature wise. 

As far as trapping goes, we caught a weasel. Not worth much of anything on the fur market, so I usually just keep them for myself. I'll have to think of what I want to do with this one!

Please make sure to go check out my online store, there may be something that catches your eye!
http://norsewares.storenvy.com

Weekend update

Hey, so I haven't updated at all this weekend. We had family visiting, so we were doing a whole bunch of nice family activities. Put out a few more traps, but today it is snowing like crazy, so we're just staying in for the night. 

This weekend we spent time at the farm. It's our uncles beautiful farm that is only a 5 minute drive from our cabin, and no one lives in it, so it's mine and Dan's duty to look after it every day. (Maybe one day even live in it! That would definitely be a change from the cabin! But the great thing is, it's still right in the forest!) Our horse is there, so we have to go there every other day to check on him and feed him. Seeing as not much interesting happened, here is some pics of us at the farm.

Also, I've added a new item to my store! Go check it out at http://norsewares.storenvy.com

I'm hoping to have a better update for you all in the next few days! :)

Easy day

 Not much happened today. Me and Dan went for a walk on our frozen river (it is just behind our cabin). It was really cold out today, so we didn't go too far, but it was beautiful scenery. Dan took a couple photos for me today of my outfit, and my brand new fur coat he bought me! It`s absolutely gorgeous, and so warm. Made from Marten fur, with a Wolf fur trim I believe!

Me and Mr Ice Beard haha!

Also i'm going to mention that you should check out the newly launched website www.heathencommunityresource.com where my store is listed under the shops tab, and also my pictures are listed under the photos-people tab! Another thanks to the owner from me :)

Trapping

I have been a little sick the past couple of days, but I managed to get up today and out with Dan to check a couple of our traps. No catch, but I don't blame those little guys for not wanting to be out in this -45c weather! I thought I would use this post to explain a little about trapping, for those who do not know how it works.

Here is one of our box sets. There is a piece of meat in the back, which is smothered in Marten and/or Fischer lure, so they can smell it. They will climb up a tree branch and into the box, and once they make the slightest touch on the prongs in the middle, the trap goes off, and it is an instantaneous kill. You have to be extremely careful when setting these traps, they are very fragile, and if your hand accidentally touches the prongs when it is set, then expect your hand to be broken in million pieces! Ouch!
The animal is then taken home to be skinned, fleshed, stretched and dried, then they are ready to be sold, or ready to be tanned for personal use!

The walk to one of our traps. Winter wonderland!

Here is a little something I just finished making. We got an accidental weasel catch, so instead of wasting it, I skinned it out, and made a mini fur rug type thing!

Tomorrow we will be checking the rest of our traps, keeping positive and hoping we have caught something!
Right now, Dan is cooking some amazing Elk meat supper, so we're going to eat, relax, and keep warm for the rest of the night. Hoping to get up early and start our day!

Day in the woods.

Beautiful day today! For the first time in the past couple weeks, it was actually a good temperature outside! Only -16c, so me and Dan took advantage of the good weather and went to check a couple of our traps. No luck catching anything, it's been too cold the past few days for animals to be moving much, but just walking in the forest was worthwhile. We then spent a couple of hours cutting some wood, had a great time, and we are super tired out now! A snowstorm has just started to blow in, so feeling very accomplished today, and happy that we got something useful done before a snowfall.
Now, I am just done listing new items on my store, Norse Wares. Make sure to go and check it out! The link is to your right --> :)
Here's a couple pictures. I think the rest of the night will be spent resting our achey bones!



One of my favorite sites. Fresh fallen snow on evergreens.

A picture of a snowflake on one of my pieces of fur! Gorgeous!

My first post!

Well, here is my first ever post! I decided to create a blog to show my day to day life, so my first ever post will be an overview! I live in the forest, in a cabin, and almost every part of my life is Viking inspired. I live the kind of life that most people in today's society, would never attempt. Yet, there is that small part of society that would love to live this life (don't hide, I know you're out there!). I want to show people the beautiful reality of living free, and simple, and self sustained. And maybe, it'll just convince more people to try and live this way. It is hard, yes, do not get me wrong, you have to be tough! Especially living in northern Canada, where temperatures can hit a low of -45c (like it is this very moment). Forget your convenience, and cities, and towns, and social life, haha! The nearest town with a population of maybe.. 50, is 15 minutes away, and all that is there is a post office, and gas station. The nearest city is 2 hours away, so stocking up on necessities is a must! I live with my fiance, Dan, and our 3 dogs.
Living this way truly makes you appreciate every single little thing you have. Everyday i'm truly grateful for the roof over my head, the wood stove, our meat in the freezer, and my little family.
"What do you do there? Don't you get bored?" You may be asking. And the answer is Survive, and no!
Every day I wake up and think "what do I need to do today?". Now that it is winter, and the temperature drops severely, plus not to mention being up to your waist in snow, wood cutting is something we do on a regular basis. You're probably thinking 'Why don't you get that done when its not cold?!' Well, because it gets us out and about, gets us moving on cold days, and also makes us tough of course! There is no time for sitting around when you live like this, so the more work you can make, the better! Also in wintertime, we trap for fur. This is a very sensitive topic for a lot of people, but this is our income, and also it keeps us warm if I decide to make some clothes from it! Also, I keep myself busy with my online store, Norse Wares.
In the summer time, life is of course a little easier (except for all the damn mosquitoes, ugh). We spend our summers growing our garden for our vegetables, visiting lakes, swimming in our river, and lots of fun activities.
Hunting wild game is an all year round must. We hunt Elk, Moose, and Deer to keep us fed for the year.
Every day for us is basic survival, but in the end it makes us real. And I can honestly say, I have NO regrets about living this way. It was my choice 2 years ago to leave the city. I hated it, I hated looking out of the window to a colorless, nature-less world, seeing drones disguised as people walking the streets, going to work. It wasn't for me. I wanted to look out of my window and see the trees, birds, animals. I wanted to go outside and only hear the earth, not the sound of vehicles and people. I wanted to be able to breathe fresh air, not pollution, and I do. I love this life, and honestly, I don't think i'd ever go back. You may have many questions, because I don't think I've even covered a quarter of my life here, so please, ask away! I look forward to updating you all on my days, and I hope you truly enjoy my blog!
If you want to visit my online store, please go to www.norsewares.storenvy.com !
Also, free free to come find me on facebook, www.facebook.com/jetmoonchild