Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Today was one of those days where the satisfaction of hard work makes the food taste even better. With Rachel away up north in Michigan, I decided to tackle a few projects around the homestead. The weather was windy but warm for December, and it seemed like the perfect day to put the grapple on the Kubota L2501 and get to work on the brush piles. These piles have been growing as I’ve been clearing out the cottonwood forest behind the house. The goal was to burn as many as possible, but with damp wood, it’s always a bit of a challenge. I made good progress, though, and even cut up some cherry wood from a dead tree to use in the smoker later.
Dinner was smoked meatloaf, something Rachel’s been craving for a while. Even though she wasn’t here to enjoy it tonight, I know she’ll love the leftovers when she’s back. I fired up the Weber smoker, used the fresh cherry wood, and let the meatloaf cook low and slow for about three hours. There’s something deeply rewarding about preparing a meal like this after a long day outside—it tastes like accomplishment.
It was a productive and satisfying day. I burned a good number of brush piles, prepared a meal I’m proud of, and even started thinking about our goals for 2025. It’s always nice to share these moments with you, so thanks for coming along. Tomorrow, when the leftover meatloaf gets even smokier in the fridge, I’ll enjoy it all over again. Until next time!
To learn more about the grapple we have for our tractor, visit the following link: cattachments.com/catawba-grapple-comparison
(These What's For Dinner videos aren't intended to be how-to recipe videos, but more of an inspiration video for you to leverage our ideas in your own kitchen. Cooking should be easy and fun, and it can be a great way to bring a couple together to work on a common goal. We hope these videos inspire you in some way ♥)
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👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
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Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
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00:00 Fun Saturday Plans with Tractor Grapple
00:33 Smoked Meatloaf and Rachel's Trip
02:13 Progress on Forest Clearing and Wildlife
03:57 Discussing 2025 Goals for the Channel
04:26 Burning Brush Piles and Challenges
07:42 Preparing Cherry Wood for the Smoker
08:30 Setting up the Weber Smoker
09:52 Meatloaf Assembly
11:14 Smoking the Meatloaf and Cooking Tips
13:13 Recap of the Day's Accomplishments
Today was one of those days where the satisfaction of hard work makes the food taste even better. With Rachel away up north in Michigan, I decided to tackle a few projects around the homestead. The weather was windy but warm for December, and it seemed like the perfect day to put the grapple on the Kubota L2501 and get to work on the brush piles. These piles have been growing as I’ve been clearing out the cottonwood forest behind the house. The goal was to burn as many as possible, but with damp wood, it’s always a bit of a challenge. I made good progress, though, and even cut up some cherry wood from a dead tree to use in the smoker later.
Dinner was smoked meatloaf, something Rachel’s been craving for a while. Even though she wasn’t here to enjoy it tonight, I know she’ll love the leftovers when she’s back. I fired up the Weber smoker, used the fresh cherry wood, and let the meatloaf cook low and slow for about three hours. There’s something deeply rewarding about preparing a meal like this after a long day outside—it tastes like accomplishment.
It was a productive and satisfying day. I burned a good number of brush piles, prepared a meal I’m proud of, and even started thinking about our goals for 2025. It’s always nice to share these moments with you, so thanks for coming along. Tomorrow, when the leftover meatloaf gets even smokier in the fridge, I’ll enjoy it all over again. Until next time!
To learn more about the grapple we have for our tractor, visit the following link: cattachments.com/catawba-grapple-comparison
(These What's For Dinner videos aren't intended to be how-to recipe videos, but more of an inspiration video for you to leverage our ideas in your own kitchen. Cooking should be easy and fun, and it can be a great way to bring a couple together to work on a common goal. We hope these videos inspire you in some way ♥)
---------------
👕 Shop Our Merch: bonfire.com/store/1870smerch
🌻 HOSS Garden Tools & Seeds: shrsl.com/33ehp (Promo Code SHOP1870 for free seeds!)
🌱 MIGardener: migardener.com/1870
🌺 GREENSTALK Vertical Gardens: greenstalkgarden.com/?rstr=SHOP1870 (Promo Code SHOP1870 for $10 off!)
🥒 Epic Gardening: glnk.io/73j50/8vn (Promo Code Shop1870 to get 5% off!)
🥫 FORJARS Canning Lids: forjars.co/?sca_ref=1911228.45BY9FFxdg (Promo Code SHOP1870 to get 10% off)
🍃 HARVEST Right Freeze Dryers: affiliates.harvestright.com/1182.html
🔦 OLIGHT Flashlights: bit.ly/3z6daku (Promo Code SHOP1870 for 10% off!)
🛒 Our Favorite AMAZON Finds: amzn.to/3ihSgZP
---------------
Mailing Address:
That 1870's Homestead
P.O. Box 179
Newport, MI 48166
---------------
✅ Connect with Us 🐐
YouTube: youtube.com/@1870s
Facebook: facebook.com/1870sHomestead
Instagram: instagram.com/that_1870s_homestead
Pinterest: pinterest.com/that1870s
EMAIL: that1870shomestead@gmail.com
---------------
Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links - at no additional cost to you. We will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase, after clicking through the links. ♥ Todd & Rachel
---------------
00:00 Fun Saturday Plans with Tractor Grapple
00:33 Smoked Meatloaf and Rachel's Trip
02:13 Progress on Forest Clearing and Wildlife
03:57 Discussing 2025 Goals for the Channel
04:26 Burning Brush Piles and Challenges
07:42 Preparing Cherry Wood for the Smoker
08:30 Setting up the Weber Smoker
09:52 Meatloaf Assembly
11:14 Smoking the Meatloaf and Cooking Tips
13:13 Recap of the Day's Accomplishments
