If you're going to build stepping-stones out of cinderblocks, you're more than halfway to building bridge piers already. So why not add some planks and make a bridge out of it? The biggest problem with putting structures in the creek is that the water has to flow around them. Because the structures take up part of the cross section of the creek, the average flow speed between the pillars/stepping stone will be higher than at a point where there are none! This will lead to scour. A way to combat that is to put a layer of heavy stones on the creekbed around the stepping-stones/piers.

With regard to the root cellar, I don't think a roof will help much, because it cannot prevent water from flowing through the soil! It would be better to line the access cavity with either boards (might not last long) or grass turf.

And about the water line; what about using a human-powered pump? There are off-the-shelf hand-pumps and treadle pumps, but most of those are suction pumps. What you'd want to pump the water over the cailing and into a bladder is a pump with positive exhaust pressure. I'd think you could drive the water pump off a car or truck with a bicycle crankset with a big blade, putting a very small cog on the axle of the pump. Feet operated is probably best, because your legs are generally more powerful than your arms. Add a one-way valve after the pump to prevent the water from flowing back.

Unfortunately, building a bridge would mean taking two or three other things off the list, and we already had to leave things that felt pretty essential off. Honestly, I'm not even sure we need stepping stones (that was on Mark's list), but I figure they'll do the trick quite well for now.

We'll probably put the stepping stones along the edge of the ford, which will prevent scour because the ford is already paved with cinderblocks. I appreciate you mentioning that --- your description made a lot of sense!

Sounds like we need to do more thinking about the root cellar project. Good thing it's far down on the list.

Your pump ideas sound interesting, but have the same problem as the bridge --- they add more time, which means the project probably wouldn't make it onto this year's list.... The theme of the year is trying to get quick projects done without complicating them.

It helps a lot to think things through thoroughly before doing them. If you want to make/build something, make a sketch of what you want to make. Take measurements, and make a list of things that you need to make it. Think of possible pitfalls and how to avoid them. Don't start the task until you have all the required materials for it, otherwise you won't Get Things Done.

Sure you can make things up as you go along, but that tends to take longer in my experience. Especially if you have to go and hunt for stuff that you really need to finish a task.

Also, try building success for yourself into your planning by dividing tasks into smaller subtasks that you can accomplish within a day. People tendto you feel good they you can tick items off their list.

You're totally right --- I've been making lists just like that for our winter projects and trying to stock up on the supplies when the floodplain is dry enough for driving. (It sure is easier to get things done when you don't have to take a day to drive to town for the supplies and another day to haul them in...)

I haven't gotten to the things on the bottom of the winter's list, though, like the root cellar. Actually, I made my supply list before I'd realized that my overly ambitious plans for the winter were a bit nuts --- sounds like it's time for a new list and series of diagrams!

And sublists are the way I make myself happy. Mark will sometimes remind me to write something on the list just so I can check it off! (Yes, I am a very simple person....)

I had a few stumps in the yard from some trees that we had to cut down. Hubby cut them as close to the ground as possible using a chain saw, and then we drilled many holes in the cut surface using a large drill bit. The stumps rotted out on their own within a year.

BTW, my Egyptian walking onions are doing great. Thank you again!

I think our stump removal is going to be even simpler --- cut to the ground and ignore. We cut the trees down about six years ago, so all except one or two have finally stopped sending up shoots, but the stumps are still making mowing difficult. (The organic matter starting to be made by the rotting roots, though, is very good for the adjacent raised beds!) This is one of the easiest things on the list, and just writing about it makes me want to do it first so that I can mark something off.

I'm so glad to hear your Egyptian onions are thriving!

For some reason it's more fun to find solutions to the things on your list than the things on ours.

When I read about your driveway it made me think of something that may be helpful. Around here we have huge swamps and wetland. Many of logging roads and fire lanes are what we call corduroy roads. In the low areas logs were laid lengthwise across the road right next to each other. Over the years they have added fill or gravel over top of them. I don't know if it would work for you or not.

Justin --- My mom suggested the same thing (based on reading books about the Civil War in her case.) I think it's a fun idea, but not very practical for our farm. From my understanding of corduroy roads, they take a lot of manpower to build, and then you have to contend with the fact that the logs start to rot pretty fast and you end up with a road full of good potting soil but not very good traction. If we had no cash and unlimited time, I'd say they'd be a good option, but I'd rather spend a little bit of money on cinder blocks that will last decades and save us a lot of time in the long run.

Fritz --- We've had a similar experience, but Mark was able to take some of the stumps out this year with his bare hands! You're totally right that it's the ones that the fungi worked on which were able to be pushed over. Actually, I think he took out about half of our stumps this year with just a bit of elbow grease (and the occasional use of the spud bar.)