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Chicken Coop Semi-Fail

Chicken Coop Semi-Fail

[ 0 ] By: Everett

In addition to a disgusting pigsty – literally – both inside and outside the house, the previous occupants left behind a plastic calf hutch, often used in these parts as shelter for calves being raised for veal, but in this case for the pigs they kept in the front yard. I bought some chickens off [...]

A Newbie’s Philosophical Glass Blowing Notes

A Newbie’s Philosophical Glass Blowing Notes

[ 4 ] By: Everett

My latest hobby has proved very fulfilling so far. I find myself drawing parallels between glass blowing and other things throughout the day. As I roll a piece of gum around in my mouth and mold it into a ball I am reminded of spinning a glass marble in a graphite mold. Making something tangible, [...]

eBook Review – Coming Home: Letters from a Tiny House

eBook Review – Coming Home: Letters from a Tiny House

[ 2 ] By: Everett

I read Coming Home: Letters from a Tiny House by Hari Berzins in two sittings. The first was about a month ago, and the second was tonight. It was an enjoyable read, but I think the book would have been better suited for bite-sized sessions. I would have liked reading a little each day with [...]

Finally Here, and Finally Now

Finally Here, and Finally Now

[ 4 ] By: Everett

I’ve said for years that the ideal situation for me would be to own a good piece of land next to hand-picked neighbors / friends, as opposed to living in an intentional community. Today I signed the contract and paid the down-payment on 17 fantastically varied acres and a nice little home. My neighbor just [...]

New Garden with Cardboard Kill Mulch

Another New Garden (and hopefully the last for many years)

[ 0 ] By: Everett

It seems like I am always starting a new garden on a new property. Hopefully this time will be the last for many years unless I start another new garden on this property. The good news is I’ve gotten pretty good at turning virgin ground into a productive garden in the first year without tilling [...]

It was well worth the effort.

Making a Book Case with Old Apple Crates

[ 3 ] By: Everett

I’ve been working hard on getting the garden going on virgin ground (again), customizing a calf shelter to make a chicken coop, setting up the new house, turning a pig-pen in the front yard into an herb and fruiting shrub garden, cutting up firewood for next year, planting flowers, chestnuts and paw-paws in various locations…  [...]

Reconstructing a Deconstructed Life One Brick at a Time – Learning a Craft

Reconstructing a Deconstructed Life One Brick at a Time – Learning a Craft

[ 6 ] By: Everett

Yesterday was my first day learning how to make borosilicate glass art (i.e. learning to “blow glass”). I have been looking for a visually creative outlet that produced something tangible. Things like welding, whittling, rustic furniture… were along the lines (i.e. a “craft”) of what I was looking for, but I never felt like they [...]

Oil Lantern Safety Idea

Oil Lantern Safety Idea

[ 2 ] By: Everett

With a two-year old running around you can’t leave oil lanterns sitting out on tables to be knocked over. I’m sure there are dozens of ways to do this, but I settled on using materials I already had on hand: – About 8-10 feet of rope – Two small coat hanger hooks – Two small [...]

What It Takes to Light This Place Off The Grid

What It Takes to Light This Place Off The Grid

[ 6 ] By: Everett

My preference in lighting this one room cabin is to use oil lanterns because I enjoy the warm glow of natural light over the cold, blue beam of LEDs. However, the problem with oil lamps is that they do burn up a lot of oil, and that stuff isn’t cheap. It would be cheaper, and [...]

After we made the decision to separate and sell the house I wanted to get some pictures of me and my son just spending one last warm day on "the farm" together.

The Last Three Months in Pictures

[ 9 ] By: Everett

The last three months have been wonderful, but full of things that trumped posting on Living a Simple Life. Having recently become close friends with a photographer, I thought the best way to play catch-up and save a few thousand words would be with pictures. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into my lovely and [...]