Winter Oil
Winter has settled in. The snow off of Lake Superior is piling up into feet, and the temperatures have been below normal, as well as below zero. The holidays have come and gone, and the kids and grand-kids who journeyed home for winter activities over the holidays were not disappointed. When it comes to winter, the UP can usually deliver, in spades, and this year was a memorable one for winter weather over the holidays.
In addition to skiing, sledding and ice skating, this year we added snowshoeing into the bush to gather product for the still. The still was moved into the basement of the house when the weather turned colder, where it adds a few BTU's to the heating of the place, and more importantly, gives the entire house the pleasant aroma of whatever product is distilling. Win all around. I was curious how difficult it would be to harvest once the trees were below freezing, and whether the oil content would be affected. Turns out neither concern was warranted.
My son and daughter in-law were quick to jump at the suggestion of making oil, having become avid consumers. Donning snow shoes, and bundling up well, buckets in hand, they set out into the woods on a day that was -4F, with a stiff wind that had to put the wind chill well below -20. When they hadn't returned in 30 minutes or so, I have to admit I began to be somewhat concerned, given the low tolerance for delay on a day with those temps. But soon enough, back they came, buckets full of cedar in hand. Turns out harvesting is actually easier in temperatures that cold, as they reported the foliage was brittle, and easier to pick than during the summer. Into the still it went, as I noted the snow mixed in with the cedar leaves. Turns out the oil quantity and quality are unchanged from warmer temperatures. I would imagine the deer already knew that. What a great addition to our winter activities, as snowshoeing in the woods in winter is truly a joy, and here's another reason to do so. It's also reassuring to know I can keep up production throughout the year, which insures a fresh supply of product.
On a bit of a marketing note, with wood heat, I have to run a whole house humidifier throughout the winter. I have a hot water system, but without adding humidity, the level drops to the teens, which is uncomfortable and hard on any wood in the house. I'm sure it would be even worse with a hot air system. Anyway, adding a half dozen drops of the oil of choice each time I fill the humidifier makes for a very pleasant aroma throughout the house, and I believe will prevent the stale odor that humidifiers get after a winter of use. Pro tip, the balsam I just used makes it smell like Christmas all over again!