Living The Country Life

editor’s note

(Photographer: Dean Schoeppner)When autumn arrives with fewer daylight hours and cooler nights, it’s time to start thinking about battening down the hatches. At my family’s place, that means making the barn and other livestock shelters snug for cold north winds and Iowa blizzards. We have upgraded our shelters over the years, making big investments to restore the old barn, build lean-tos, and upgrade some outbuildings.A few years ago, my husband, Bob, thought it was cheap and efficient to use two metal Quonset huts, with Wide Load spray-painted on the ends, as sheep sheds. There was a gnarly tree growing between the huts, and the goats loved to noisily climb the tin buildings and eat leaves off of the tree. It was a sophisticated look for our place. I hated it.Finally,…

get ready for fall

Radio HighlightsTune in to the Living the Country Life radio show to hear about these topics (and more):• Understanding frost• Preventing road collisions with farm equipment• Beekeeping winter strategies• Tire safety: Expiration dates• Temporary livestock fencing• Uses for chicken feathers• Cover crops in high tunnels• Winter habitat for wildlifeTo find a station that broadcasts the show, visit LivingtheCountryLife.com/RadioShowEnjoy These Stories at LivingtheCountryLife.comBe sure to check out our website if you haven’t already. You’ll find lots of ideas and inspiration for your acreage.Our Favorite Smoked Meat RecipesDelight friends and family with smoked salmon, ribs, and more. Visit LivingtheCountryLife.com/SmokedMeals to find recipes you can make in a smokehouse or grill.Eat Your VegetablesIs your squash and tomato harvest still going strong? Visit LivingtheCountryLife.com/VegetableRecipes for new ways to use summer’s bounty for family meals…

make it yourself

HOMEMADE BUTTERWith some whipping cream, a little elbow grease, and this easy-to-use Butter Churner ($39.95), you can enjoy fresh butter anywhere. Add your favorite herbs and spices for unusual flavors. Vermont Country Store; vermontcountrystore.comSAY CHEESEWhether you own goats or dairy cows or just buy milk from a store, you’ll find easy recipes for making cheese in The Beginner’s Guide to Cheesemaking by Elena Santogade (Rockridge Press; 2017; $13.47; amazon.com).(Photographers: Brie Passano (butter churn and canning supplies))CANNING BASICSIf you’ve never tried canning, Ball’s 4-Piece Utensil Set ($6.97) and Collection Elite pint-size sharing jars ($8.78) will get you started. freshpreserving.com ■…

fall decor

DIY FEATHER WREATHDress up an ordinary twig wreath with feathers and nuts, above. Tuck short feathers all the way around and hot-glue Brazil nuts around the center. Attach a spray of long tail feathers to the bottom of the wreath and finish with a satin bow.THRILL OF THE HUNTScour antiques shops—or the barn—for old metal containers or chicken coop boxes, above right. Fill with gourds, corn, or pinecones for a naturally rustic display. We found the mailbox, far right, for less than $10 at Raised Rustic in Ogden, Iowa. raisedrustic.com(Jacob Fox)PIPE DREAMThe Faucet Garden Stake with Two Planters ($37.55) overflows with farmhouse charm. Vintage Style Living; vintagestyleliving.comPete Krumhardt (wreath); Jacob Fox (metal containers) ■…

vintage fall festivals

TEXASThe legendary Round Top Antiques Fair is celebrating its 50th year. The fall show runs October 1–6. roundtoptexasantiques.comMINNESOTAJunk Bonanza is an indoor event in Minneapolis that runs September 20–22. You’ll find vintage items, antiques, and repurposed goods. junkbonanza.comMISSOURIMidwest Antique Fest & Flea Market boasts great music, food vendors, and unusual treasures. It’s open September 21 and 22 in Kirksville. midwestantiquefest.comARKANSASIn Prairie Grove, the Junk Ranch offers 35 acres of antiques to explore. Visit the sale October 5 and 6. thejunkranch.netNEBRASKAMake the pilgrimage to Waterloo for Junkstock at Sycamore Farms on September 28–30. The event is pet- and kid-friendly. junkstock.com ■…

yard smart

DO IT ALLThe Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow ($159.96), above, transitions from yard cart to dolly to firewood mover and more. Worx; worx.comEASY DOES ITA wide deck and removable panel on the Sun Joe Garden and Utility Cart ($159.99), middle right, makes hauling and unloading a cinch. Sun Joe; snowjoe.comWORKHORSEPull it by hand or hitch the 1,400-pound (max load) Steel Utility Cart ($198.83), right, to an ATV or tractor for heavy-duty work. Gorilla Carts; gorillacarts.comLOCK IT UPYou can leave the keys behind when you put the fingerprint-activated Tapplock smart lock ($99) on a shed or outbuilding. The weatherproof lock only requires charging once a year. You can add multiple users or unlock it from your mobile device. Tapplock; tapplock.com ■…