More from Season Four

Just when thoughts of gearing down from work on the Earthship a young couple from Germany via  Work Away, an international work exchange site, contacted us. The enthusiasm of this pair has been amazing and anything they have been a part of has been done with hard work and skill.

Now usually by this time of year we have not hosted anyone due to the cooler Fall weather but this year during the days we have been blessed with an Indian Summer. Night time temperatures do typically drop but so far with adequate accommodations, evening fires and blankets there have been no complaints.

So the blessings continue to arrive here on the hill and all is moving along as it is meant to. The building coordinator creates a daily list of jobs to attend to and as Pascal and Lisa work so well together jobs can be given to them and they can be left alone as others attend to other chores.

The following is a list of accomplishments completed so far during the final push of this season.

...  The last tire wall in the house is finally done ... Continued bond beam work ... Construction of wall sections that will close in parts of the home from the coming snow ... On going yard clean up and gathering of wood. Also during the next week we will attempt to close in the south facing of the place with temporary particle board sheets to once again protect the existing shell of the place. The added closure steps will accommodate anyone who wants to chip away at the present To Do List inside, such as the building of window frames to house the majority of the south facing windows. Anything that can be worked on during the colder months ahead will get us many steps closer to moving in.

Yard clean up and burn.

SIP a structural insulated panel. Custom made using recycled foam.

Last tire wall completed with cement forms. Hand prints and souvenir included.


Supper is ready so it's time once again to say farewell. Thanks for hanging out during yet another blog story from the hill.

Chow for now...

PEACE OUT!!! Patty J.

Rain and Clear Skies

Taking in a deep breathe of gratitude for just this wee bit of rain during the worst wildfire season to date. I am composing this blog entry while the rain is just now tapering off. Even though the amount of rain is small it all makes a difference. There is a sense of relief for now.

Thick smoke, orange sun.

Seasons come and go and along with each year all four seasons continue to vary and change. Some, no actually many, say this is all due to climate change. In this moment in time it is my belief that  human kind on a whole have and continue to have both positive and negative impacts upon Mother Nature and the changes we continue to witness may very well be due to the negatives we continue to inflict upon our home planet.

What am I doing to make a difference well all you need to do is gaze up at the image above and see an integral piece of a huge puzzle called an Earthship. This image was just taken the other day during the one of many timber frame sections found in Earthship Pavo Natura. It is my belief that this off-grid home will contribute to lessen the carbon imprints that are commonly produced to directly and indirectly support human activities in the home. Pavo Natura is soon to be one of the many ships that more and more are choosing to build as a way to help bring back a new and different quality of life, as well as feeling some peace of mind.

Serious but necessary topics I have chosen to talk about this evening. My present perspective has me  feeling that by writing about what ever is on my mind is an interesting form of brainstorming. Brainstorming clears the mind very much like how the air feels after a storm.

The air currently smells amazing, fresh and real after oh so many days of surreal air and heaviness.

Thank-you for the rain and clear skies.

PEACEOUT!!! Patty J.

Earthship Pavo Natura Season 4

Time to add to Earthship Pavo Natura's Season 4 running dialogue.

As per usual we aim towards starting up a new season in the month of May. May 1st. 2018 arrived with no volunteers which is unusual if one was to compare with the past seasons come and gone.

You know what they say about all things happening for a reason well I have always believed in these words. The beginning of this new year of construction did start out slow but once June arrived even though the volunteer numbers were still low a lot of important baby steps were accomplished. Pavo was blessed with some help from neighbours and friends which always warms my heart. Also the necessary task of cleaning and organizing the work zones throughout the surrounding areas is always a very important detail to complete. Cleaned and organized space means a clear and productive work days to follow.

So now for a completed and almost completed task to date list.

... Basement bond beam completed ...

... Start of basement rafters in progress ...

... New timber framer on site volunteer guest Brent from Australia, as well as the valued help from Ryan ...

... Jessica and Mike taking on the tires ...

... Feature tree beam raised and looking amazing ...

Back basement rafters.

Back basement bondbeam.

 

Brent has become a natural timber framer.

Jessica returned with Mike, tire pounding 101.

Weathered tree used as a natural post.

Today's date Sunday, August 19th. 2018. Workshop for today will be hosting Kurt as acting foreman, Brent, volunteer from Australia and Ryan valued friend. Let the new raising begin.

As we wait for one more helper Kurt is doubling as German Chef dejour. Late lunch menu includes Rouladen and Spaetzle Dumplings, served also with purple cabbage. That's if I can get into town.

As I share this story line with you today, inside the mini Pavo trailer, I actually feel a momentary sense of calm even though the B.C. skies are so full of smoke that the surrounding mountains are hidden from view.

Background here usually boasts mountains.

Needless to say the wildfire season has been beyond surreal and somewhat scary this year. In the meantime we continue the important work on the Earthship. When I project into the future, when all will be living inside this amazing home, I am confident that there will be a much higher sense of well being and security that will protect us in oh so many ways.

Now this maybe part one of todays story. Just have to charge up the camera so I can document todays raising which may include photos and short videos. As well as some food pics, thats if the grub is not all gone in a flash, which is very common when it involves this particular menu.

Well that's it for now. Cheers to all and stay safe, be happy and enjoy the rest of the weekend.

PEACE OUT!!! Patty J.

Men making it happen in the Timbers!

Stop and smell the flowers...

Hello to all and happy June 2018.

Yes I am finally back online. So here goes new stories to tell and share.

There has been some changes up here at Earthship Pavo Natura. Some of the best changes involve something that is very close to my heart, gardening.

My smallish gardens include the first wee Pavo garden found within the fenced off yard. As well as the Pallet Garden. Some plants in both gardens are finally showing signs of maturity. The next images are plants found in the Pallet Garden.

Yellow Iris finally blooming

Yellow Iris...

Second year of Concord Grape...

These plants continue to show signs of continued growth which is oh so wonderful.

First sign of a Daylily...

Healthy and lush Raspberry plants...

The Raspberries are huge this year. The yellow Daylily is petite but of so precious.

As the seasons come and go I discover new ways of tending all the plants that have established. These discoveries have surfaced for the following reasons. Patience, research, meeting local gardeners and, for me, the most important, letting go of any fears of going outside the box with new and unique ideas. 

The planting of new babies has been a success even without the constant access to running water. Reason behind this is totally due to a cooler Spring with very much appreciated rain that we can catch off of our small Pavo roof. I have also discovered that I have no false expectations of constant success within the gardens up here. Label reading with any new plants is advised of course but I am discovering that most plants do best in their correct zones and along the way I continue learning tips to baby along any new species within these gardens.

Another tip when establishing a new garden is to reach out to friends that are gardeners just to see if they may have an over abundance of perennials in their gardens. Also I have discovered a gardening group located within my surrounding community full of gardeners who either sell or give away extra perennials. Forging is another way to create very wild yet natural gardens and I am surrounded by many species of wild plants that I carefully dig up and transplant. 

Gardening is my form of peace and creativity which is found just outside my front door. Feeling really blessed.

My hope is that anyone that reads this blog entry is having a creative and successful gardening year, and remember to "stop and smell the flowers".

PEACE OUT!!! Patty J.

Clean Air...

I was urged to write about country life and clean air after reading the following words.

These words speak to many of us who dream of a better life. In my mind part of living a better and yes an authentic life includes all the ingredients combined within these words of wisdom.

My dream is here right now surrounding me on almost 12 acres of land in the West Kootenays.

There is no noise pollution.

We do breathe clean air.

The water around us is all glacier fed which contributes to pretty much pure clear yet cold water and oh how refreshing this is on the hottest of days.

We have no old cabin on the land but we do sit in our wee yard where we see and feel the stillness, and yes it is possible to hear the stillness.

I want to be out where things are simple and every breathe is a reminder that there is beauty and magic left in this world. I'd certainly love to say that all is simple here but living off grid in the country sometimes has its challenges. But even these challenges are a part of life once they disappear a simple life reappears.

As the years float by since the move here it has become more and more evident that, when one pays attention and slows down, the daily reminders are full of beauty and magic and how amazing is that.

Clean air, clean water, no noise, stillness and simplicity can be very much a part of this world today and I am beyond grateful and I feel blessed to be right here where my life has taken me. 

PEACE OUT !!! Patty J.

Almost Spring...

Several weeks ago the weather totally teased us with thoughts of Spring. Today we're back in the depths of winter. The snow continues to fall as does the added chores of wood chopping, snow removal and water collection. Honestly the reality of how cruel this white season can be makes for many challenges especially when one chooses  to live a modest lifestyle. When I say modest I mean living in a smallish home without the usual luxuries such as running water and constant heat. Both of which, until moving here, I really took for granted.

So until the earthship home is completed these on going realities are a part of this journey. The chores will always be a part of life here but will be somewhat minimize once the move is made into the new home.

Future home.

The first winter here the road out was snowed in with no way of getting out until the tractor tires were set up with chains. Needless to say after one week of being snowed in the groceries and water were dwindling. Thanks to the generosity of a neighbour I was able to catch a ride into town and replenish the groceries etc. Four years later being snowed in does not present a panic situation. Interesting how one adapts.

Best investment ever.

As this winter heads closer to spring I have continued to make my rag rugs and create willow baskets. Other new creative projects I have tackled include teaching myself how to make dream catchers as well as some air dried clay beads etc. What better time then now to be learning new and interesting things.

Finished a rag rug for a client.

Custom hand made egg basket.

Custom hand made gathering basket.

Hand made clay beads keeping some small lady bugs company.

So in closing I continue to work on my crafts, work on some new ideas for the garden and occasionally check out how many days till Spring, 51 more days to go.

So until I write a new blog entry stay safe, happy and warm. From one adventurer to another, stay true to your dreams even though the road can have some obstacles.

PEACE OUT!!!  PattyJ.

Season Three Closing

Wow I cannot believe that another summer has come and gone.  Even though during the many dry, hot smoke filled days it felt like summer was never going to end it somehow now feels like the days pasted by quickly. The passing of time is a curious phenomenon for sure.

So with the passing of Summer 2017 comes along the end of the Work Away Volunteers, leaving a slight trickling of some of our Pavo Tribe Family. During the Pavo experience this year there have been countless steps forward towards our dream coming closer. The selfless help from so many warms our hearts, and we continue to learn and enjoy the volunteers and guests and family that visit us.  Citizens other then our Canadian friends that arrived here at Earthship Pavo Natura haled from Austria, Munich, New Zealand, the U.K. and France quite the smorgasbord of folks I'd say.

There is simply a sense of fulfillment and yes relief when another season draws to end. Fulfillment this year is linked with the leaps forward in the timber framing post and beams, roof installation of ship lap, cement pours, bond beams and footings, yes more tire work, final finish of one inner wall via cement and lime application, positioning of the water cistern and last but not least construction clean up and wrap up of existing roof, walls and windows. The relief surfaces when the quiet of just us, two dogs and two cats remain behind on our 12 acres of land. There is an obvious feeling of quiet and peace surrounding us as we prepare for our last Winter in the trailer.

South facing.

View from our trailer.

Wildfire Season.

It's Tuesday, September 26th. 2017 signing off for now.

PEACE OUT Patty J!!!

Season Three Part Two

Welcome back to Earthship Pavo Natura.

I am taking a break today while partner Kurt is away picking up our glass and framing wood for the house.

Season Three is upon us and the progress has been amazing. Before I go into to many details about how all is going this year I want to take a moment to thank all of our amazing guest volunteers that have traveled to the West Kottenays to help us with our amazing project.

Names I recall so far from Season Three are as follows. David Moor from Austria. Sean and Fanny, Taylor, Marly, Sam and Rona from the UK. Eli from  Montreal Quebec, Anne Martin from Munich. also last but not least is the unforgettable Lawrence from everywhere. You are simply amazing and have been so generous with your gifts of giving within the work on our place as well as all your amazing contributions to the menus, laughs and wisdom. You will be and will continue to be a huge part of the Pavo Tribe, world wide Earthship Warriors.

In conclusion I just have to mention what has been accomplished this year. Our timber framed posts and beams are 75% done with the addition of rafters throughout and a dormer which completes the look of the loft bedroom. Also the cement footings are shy of only two remaining to be poured, with three bond beams poured as well. Oh and yes two more huge accomplishments on record. The back laundry/bathroom room tire wall is almost finished as well as the start of packing in and smoothing out our first wall, which is what we fondly named our Marly wall. There will be more pictures to follow as I very much wanted this years Pavo Tribe to be highlighted amongst the pictures attached with this blog entry.

Well this day is almost complete and I find myself feeling very rested and I feel very grateful as my mind, body and soul feel calm. Wow what a feeling.


PEACE OUT Patty!!!

Sam and Rona preparing bottles for their window.

The Sam and Rona window completed.

Cement foreman Sean with David.

Anne and Eli.

Off to work we go high hoe, high hoe.

Season Three Part One

I am so grateful for all my creative diversions that take me into the longer warmer and sunnier days of Spring. As well as the continued pre-planning necessary to prepare us for the arrival of our third and hopefully final season of construction on our off grid home. We are encouraged by the number of volunteer guests that have contacted us so far interested in our off grid project. Many of these free spirited individuals have made contact through this wonderful site called Work Away. This particular site has given us some exceptional, mostly younger folks that are keen on learning the steps involved within the Earthship experience. Our home is a custom Earthship where one will find some very unique ideas. Kurt has conceived within his beyond intelligent mind this custom design that will one day be a new shelter.

Welcome to the hibernating Earthship Pavo Natura

Awesome sunny day

Our wee Layla awaiting Spring

Once we rise above the end of Winter we can begin again on our journey towards another very exciting construction season. Our focus will be concentrated upon the completion of all the bond beams which are found on the very top of each tire wall section. Once this is completed we will then forge ahead with the raising of the rest of the timber post and beam design, as well as the completion of the roof. Also on the agenda is the start of the electrical and plumbing as well as the floor and wall surfaces and the installation of all of our south facing windows. Oh  and I can't forget the introduction of the bottle brick walls all made from donated wine and beer bottles. The example I shared is an image of our first bottle wall we did with the help of Marilynn a young woman from Quebec who stayed here and helped us for a month last year. Hey Marilyn miss you.

So yes we still have a lot of work to complete but I can't imagine spending my summers doing anything else then working towards the completion of this vision. So any like minded individuals that happen to read this blog entry and want to spend a day a week or more volunteering their time while gaining some unique knowledge entwined within the construction of a super interesting building concept you can contact us here under the comment section below or check out our community on Facebook called Earthship Pavo Natura.

Until then smile your way through the rest of Winter.

PEACE OUT Patty J.

UNIQUE WORKS DESIGN STUDIO

UNIQUE WORKS DESIGN STUDIO...

I have been on the verge of spreading the news of my design studio since our move to The Kootenay's in 2012. There have been postings here and there on a page I created on Facebook several years ago simply called UNIQUE WORKS with a small following of folks from several corners of the globe.

I have kept this studio pretty much to myself during our period of adjustment to a new place. That time has arrived to spread my wings a wee bit and share some of what I love to do.

Rustic Bench

Twig Light Tree

Rustic Maplewood Basket

Rag Rug

Rag Rug

Antique Window Caulk Board

Rustic Bench.

Willow Egg Basket

Antique Window Flower Planter

Large Gathering Basket.

These creations represent both past and present works.

After many years of working upon my own self discovery as an artisan I have often wondered, why do I move from one medium to another. Finally I have discovered that I sometimes lose interest when doing the same thing for too long. So I have learned to go with how my mood hits me and create what moves me at any given time. Just going with the flow.

Parting words of wisdom that I often refer to are shown in my last image. Often a personal mantra I repeat whenever I feel discouraged.

PEACE OUT Patty J.

Off Grid Reality

This morning I have decided to write about some of the realities we have faced here at Mini Camp Pavo. 

The image below was taken at the start of winter  2015. The view has changed somewhat as has our off grid experiences. I have personally learned that this current way of life is truly not for the faint of heart or spirit. It has been, and I am sure will continue to be, a test of endurance and learning.

Mini Camp Pavo

It is Jan.12th. 2017 four years since our new journey began and I am happy to report that we are continuing upon an endless learning curb even though we have faced and endured some interesting off grid realities.

Our first year here in the West Kootenays found us renting a mobile home which was only the beginning of the many changes. After living most of my life in suburbia I see now that I took for granted the many conveniences that were a part of my everyday life. Running water a real flush toilet as well as a warm and cozy environment within my home provided by the furnace.

We continue to live without running water a real flush toilet as well as a speedy way to tap into heating our space. The slow but steady source of heat is provided to us by the wood stove with of course the trailer furnace as backup. I have to say I now prefer the heat from the stove.

During these past seasons we have been also focusing upon  the completion of our new home Earthship Pavo Natura. After two years of construction Pavo has gone from the filling and pounding of the first tire to the start of the in home skeleton known as Timber Framed posts and beams. When the very first tire was completed we were still submerged within the romance of this new adventure especially when we were surrounded by the many wonderful volunteer guests some of which had traveled many miles in search of an earthship hands on experience.

View of one tire wall 

Before the winter of 2016 arrived we slowly but surely worked upon our to do chore list before the cold set in. Wood was gathered mostly with the wonderful help of family, friends and neighbours. The wrapping up of our earthship structure was covered up with tarps to secure the integrity of the tires which gave us peace of mind. We also added on an extension to our outer deck to keep the cold of winter and snow away from our storage area. The only chore we did not complete was the completion of new greenhouse plastic which has presented a new reality by way of a collapsed roof. Definitely a live and learn situation here folks tromping through knee high snow while covering PVC pipes with a new 40ft. by 40ft. tarp.

Sad sight

Winter has a way of presenting us with never taking anything for granted. It is truly a humbling experience. I just recently shared my feelings surrounding waking up during the night not seeing anything but complete and utter darkness within our current home, once again humbled.

"We must accept finite disappointment,"said Martin Luther King,Jr.,"but never lose infinite hope."

We have a along way to go until we start moving into our new home but it obvious that we have come too far to give up now. Stay tuned to the announcement of the long anticipated Earthship Pavo Natura House Warming Party!

PEACE OUT Patty J.

We are all creative!

After many months of silence due to writers block and another busy construction season on our Earthship (off grid home) I finally have a topic to go on about.

It's all about being creative within your own home. I'm not just talking about how to organize and decorate your nest. I'm referring to my own very personal journey towards being self sufficient enough to continue on with what and who I am. This, for me, encompasses earning a living teaching and creating practical indoor as well outdoor items using a combination of nostalgic memorabilia, some refer to as junk, natural gifts from Mother Nature and last but not least some additions of replicated items of the past newly created in order to move ones heart strings linked with fond memories of growing up.

Wow I know quite a serendipitous gathering of words to describe my passion, simply put ... the joy of being creative ...

Mother Natures Shadow Box.

Homemade rag rug.

Dream market venue.

The first image Mother Natures Shadow Box was discovered while on line for inspiration. I have seen this type of shadow box before. But this example really inspires me to make my own. For a special spot in our home or for a unique gift for a friend.

The second image I shared above is an example of rag rug weaving. I created this rag rug from weaving yards of bed sheets. One can also replicate this beauty with old clothing, table cloths any fabric really. Bed sheets are my favourite as i have not used flat sheets for years so for practicality sake it was time to recycle my collection of flat sheets into these rugs.

Third image as described is an example of a crowd pleasing way to transport and display all my creations at local framers markets. Dream market venue. I totally see this within my future.

During our off season away from our house project I dive into scanning the web for inspirational ideas. I then store them away for those many grey winter days, that are the norm here in the Kootenays. My goal for this coming winter is to work diligently towards building my inventory for 2017 and the many markets that are offered within my area. 

In the meantime I visualize meeting more and more like minded creative folks. The best blessings arrive within our lives during those times when we least expect meeting new people and their ideas. 

So attention all artisans out there pursue your dreams within the huge world of creativity and when you are inspired by an idea take some time to do some homework, surround yourself with positive people, believe in yourself and your dreams, and the blessings will certainly visit you.

 Time to believe, create and teach!!!

PEACE OUT !!! Patty J.