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.