New Site

I found a nifty new site: http://naturalhomes.org/  What a goldmine of information!!!

Would love to attend one (or many!) of the courses.  Lord willing!

Give to those in need

Ephesians 4:28
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.


I've been thinking about this verse in terms of growing my own food.  We should keep in mind giving of our abundance to those in need.  God gives us abundance NOT so we can store it up for ourselves, but so we can share with others. 

What a great concept!

Big Houses

The other day I was inputting data at work.  One of the spaces was for square footage of the houses.  The first ones were around 4,000 sf.  I thought, "That's a big house!"  As I continued to enter data, the house sizes got bigger and bigger.  Eventually there was one between 8 and 9 thousand square feet.  Wow, that's a monstrosity!  All I could think was how that was obscene.  How much energy must it take to maintain a house like that!  And probably 90% of the house isn't even used on a regular basis.  Ack!  What waste!!!

Reading

I've been working my way through the straw bale saga and its exhausting me just reading about all the work.  Part of it is that its sometimes hard to visualize what she's talking about.  Another part of it is how much work goes in to meeting all the regulations.  Sheesh!

I know building one's own house is a lot of work.  That's okay.  But it seems we make it so much harder than it needs to be.

On another subject, I've been thinking more about how some of the "natural building" ideas can be used in our current society.  Protecting our planet means starting where we are now, and it looks like the number one priority for me is insulating the house better so as to cut down on energy consumption.  I try to keep the thermostat down a bit but still keep the house functionally warm.  But a lot of heat (winter) and cool air (summer) is lost.  What a waste!

What is True Wealth?

Well, it can't be money, right?  I think wealth is part contentment, part peace, part relationships.  I'm sure there is more.

So if we are content, peaceful, and have good relationships, we are truly wealthy.

I'm rich! I'm rich! :)

Hermitage

Was reading The Art of Natural Building and saw "hermitage" which gave me an idea....

A few years ago I was looking into what it would take to run a Bed and Breakfast.  It's a lot of work!  But I thought this would really be an interesting thing to do.  Well, circumstances at the time made me put aside that idea - put aside but not give up!

What if it were a Nature Retreat instead!  Could create small out-buildings from local, natural elements for people to get away for a few days and spend time in meditation and relaxation.  That way each "hut" would be unique and people could enjoy creation and spend time with the Creator!

Raccoon

Okay, so this is not exactly about building, but something I'm reminded I must keep in mind when searching for a site - wildlife.  Since I had a raccoon try to break into my room through the window last night, I'm reminded that wildlife will be a factor.  I have to remember this when picking a potential home site, as well as in the design of the home.

What is the natural wildlife in the area?  How will I keep them OUT of the house without kicking them out of their own homes?

So much to think about!  What fun!!!

"House of Straw" by Carolyn Roberts

Started reading this book.  It's about a single mother who builds her own straw bale home in Arizona.  Well, if she can...I CAN!

Well, I wouldn't pick Arizona....

Church Expansion

Our church has decided to expand one of its building to accommodate larger gatherings for dinners and such.  I want to put together a proposal that they "go green" with their addition.  I think its important that we teach with our lives about good stewardship (not just be all talk!).

We'll see how that goes over...!

"The Natural House" by Daniel D. Chiras

I have no idea how I'm going to read all these books, but one leads to another leads to another and they all look so interesting!

This one is cool cuz it gives a breakdown of several types of natural homes.  It even includes log homes...ahh, NOW you're talkin!  Did you know you can buy log home kits and build it yourself?  But that is not very eco-friendly so I guess that won't be a choice.

Kinda wondering what a combination house would look like.  One with cob, straw bale and logs.  Guess I'll just have to design it myself!

Social Justice

"Growing numbers of people in the U.S. and other affluent countries are recognizing that not only will material abundance not make us happy but that the time spent working to accumulate it can make us miserable."  Robert Bolman in The Art of Natural Building.

Another book and fascinating reading.  This book is a compilation of writings by several different writers.  Not very far into the book and already loving it.  Wow, do I appreciate someone putting all these thoughts and perspectives together!

Clay anyone?

Since our backyard is mostly clay, it would be interesting to try the cob mixture to build something back there. Red clay no less.  We've tried gardening, but we have to bring in potting soil to get anything but weeds to grow. 

And I like the idea of a root cellar, but from what I've read they don't do so well in the south due to warmer climate.  Hmm...thinking...thinking...

Zeitgeist Addendum

While I don't agree with their take on Christianity, there are a lot of important things to learn from this two-hour video.  I like how well thought out and comprehensive it is.  I also like that it gives real ways to implement change.

Say That Again?

One phrase keeps running over and over in my mind: "Never buy new."  This comes from the cob cottage book and I think it is something everyone can incorporate into their lives.  Our consumerism is destroying natural resources.  So I buy second hand clothes and second hand books (about the only two things I buy). 

But I will not buy second hand food - eww!

But What Does That Mean For Me?

I've done some online surfing and found that a lot of the alternative building material homes are either in remote places or in communes.  This just does not seem practical for most people.  I understand that the reason for this is all the regulations on building. 

But how do most people incorporate these methods into their daily living?

How do people who enjoy city life use these ideas?  Installing a "green" water heater doesn't seem to go far enough. But moving out in the middle of nowhere is not going to happen on a large scale. Not sure where this leaves us.

Just ordered another (yes, another!) book:  The Natural House: A Complete Guide to Healthy, Energy-Efficient, Environmental Homes.  Hoping this gives me some ideas!

Straw Bale Houses

Here's an interesting brief article on straw bale houses.

Economic Slavery

Our culture has set us up to be in debt almost from the time we set foot on the ground.  Being able to "pay our way" seems an impossible dream.  Schooling has become phenomenally expensive, especially higher education.  So we set off in the working world already deeply in debt. 
Buying a home with cash seems an impossibility, so we end up with crazy debt via mortgages.
How do we free ourselves from this?  From my readings, it seems possible.  I found the suggestions in the previously mentioned books interesting, but not sure how feasible in the current economy.  Banks will not finance buying land these days (this knowledge comes from working at a commercial real estate appraisal firm).  I would love to buy a piece of land and try out some of the alternative building materials, but with a mortgage already on my shoulders, cash is tight.
So how do we do it?
Stay tuned....and suggestions welcome!

Interesting Books

I've been exploring options for earth friendly homes.  I recently purchased "Earth Sheltered Houses" and "The Hand Sculpted House".  These books are helping me learn more and more about alternative building materials.
I found the anti-government, anti-Christian slant of The Hand Sculpted House to be a bit distracting, but the book is still very informative.  Working my way through it....
Earth Sheltered Houses starts out by debunking common misconceptions about underground homes - many of which I believed!  So it has been a good read.

If only I didn't have to work and I could spend all my time reading and researching!