lighting up the mountain top...really striking and strange at the same time...
Friday, April 29, 2011
After the Storm
In Hawaii, rain is followed by beautiful rainbows...in Arklyand we were treated to a stunning site that is not so easily captured in a single word. It has to be described to be understood. Our lanai faces East so the sun goes down behind our barn. The mountain top across from us was illuminated when the sun peeked through rain clouds. Note the heavy clouds sitting on the top of the mountains. We could not see any hint of the sun out anywhere except 
lighting up the mountain top...really striking and strange at the same time...
lighting up the mountain top...really striking and strange at the same time...
Wood Miser is Home Again!
Morris, our builder, had been babysitting Butch's log cutting machine while the Pole Barn was being constructed. Today the Wood Miser is in its new structure and Butch is a happy boy!
If You Build It Will It Grow...?
Breaking ground for our "this year" garden. Our first garden ever in the earth and next year we are hoping to have this garden joined by the Hydroponics Greenhouse. We continue to add to the "steep learning curve" we're on and know we are going to be exhausted but certainly glad we're giving it a try!
Yesterday at Boxley Mill in Lost Valley Near The Buffalo River
There are many old mills in AR and we took a country drive yesterday to see one that is only open for two weeks of the year. After getting very lost in Lost Valley we found the washed-out road that lead to Boxley Mill. Built in 1869, it was high-tech for it's time, which I found interesting as the South was so impoverished at the end of the Civil War. The Mill has been only partially renovated so it was fun to see machines and equipment in original condition as well as pieces that had been cleaned up. Due to the recent storms in our part of the world everything was wet, wet, and more wet! I've included the barn photo so you can see how high the water was by noting the debris hung up on the fencing.
Old Boxley Mill
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Washing Out with the Rains
We have had torrential rains, lightening, thunder and high winds for days now and our road has washed away in spots. Later this morning we are going to try to get our cars to the other side of the culvert so we can walk to them and drive out..that's assuming the remainder of the road isn't washed out in spots. We have plenty of food, etc. so we are fine if we can't get out for awhile. Worst rain in recent history here...13.58 inches here since last Thursday night.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Breaking Ground!
Earlier plans to build closer to the stream require building very close to the natural gas well. Not wanting to risk blowing ourselves to kingdom come provided some thoughtful conversations like What the hell were we thinking!!!! Also, in really looking over the spot there appeared to be some drainage and water issues that would be costlier than anticipated. We reviewed our options and choose a flat spot on an upper bench area of our property. It's a bit closer to our rural road than I'd like but well separated by trees from what little traffic we have here. Morris Hanks, our friend and builder, is operating the excavator.
Mushroom Riks
We have lots of oak on our property and thus great opportun
ities for growing mushrooms. We are starting with Shiitake and once the holes are drilled, spawn is placed in each hole and wax seals it. Butch is put them under our porch which we hope will be a cool, dank environment in which they will thrive..starting in about 9 months we should have our babies!
ities for growing mushrooms. We are starting with Shiitake and once the holes are drilled, spawn is placed in each hole and wax seals it. Butch is put them under our porch which we hope will be a cool, dank environment in which they will thrive..starting in about 9 months we should have our babies!
Butch, Buster and Bees...
Butch is now a proud member of the NWA Beekeepers Association and is setting up his hives and testing equipment sans bees in this photo. Over the next two nights he was lucky enough to capture two swarms of bees, through the efforts of Dr. Jim Pickett, and get his hives buzzing!. They are on a sugar water diet (until nectar starts flowing) as they start to draw comb...no stings so far...
Butch has his Big Boy Truck!
Now that Butch has his truck we can really start developing this place. Next is his tractor and he is hoping to buy that this coming week.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Getting Started
A little history and a few photos before we begin...
It's been years getting land, preliminary buildings and equipment, home design and RETIREMENT all in hand so we can finally begin developing Clearwood, our 10 acre retirement homestead. In 2004 we purchased land in the Ozark Foothills to house a Wood Miser; yes, a wood cutting machine that Butch swears was not a mid-life crisis purchase. Thought he'd like to cut some wood. Our in-town neighborhood homeowners association at the time good naturedly tolerated this behemouth sticking out of our garage until a barn - Little Big Barn - was first drawn on a bar napkin then built on the ten acres. When drilling for water we came up dry. Not to be undone by one dry well we dug another and hit a lovely natural gas pocket that should carry us to our grave....one way or the other...and has led to creative thinking when considering what else to do on this property.
Butch, lovingly known as Renaissance Man conjured up numerous ways to use our bounty. A small lumber operation...pole barn, kiln, truck and tractor to start, raising bees, growing mushrooms and then eventually a hydroponic greenhouse to produce lettuce and possibly tomatoes. I say eventually because for right now we can only handle the wood cutting, bees, mushrooms AND building a home to take us into our rockin' on the front porch with The Rolling Stones years. The hydroponic greenhouse will be in our 2012 picture. Fortunately, Little Big Barn has an 800 sq. ft. living quarters so we are on property to manage and enjoy the day-to-day journey.
Our house plan is a Southern Living Home Plan Tideland Haven #1375 that we had customized by their architects. We will be forever thankful to a couple who blogged their experience building this same plan in Louisiana. It was helpful to see how the house looked as it was going up and when it was finished. Our building budget dictated fewer French doors and windows, straighter exterior walls and roof lines and our living space needs called for a larger dining room and sun porch. On paper we are pleased with the redraw. Building always requires adjustments so we know to be open for change!
It's been years getting land, preliminary buildings and equipment, home design and RETIREMENT all in hand so we can finally begin developing Clearwood, our 10 acre retirement homestead. In 2004 we purchased land in the Ozark Foothills to house a Wood Miser; yes, a wood cutting machine that Butch swears was not a mid-life crisis purchase. Thought he'd like to cut some wood. Our in-town neighborhood homeowners association at the time good naturedly tolerated this behemouth sticking out of our garage until a barn - Little Big Barn - was first drawn on a bar napkin then built on the ten acres. When drilling for water we came up dry. Not to be undone by one dry well we dug another and hit a lovely natural gas pocket that should carry us to our grave....one way or the other...and has led to creative thinking when considering what else to do on this property.
Butch, lovingly known as Renaissance Man conjured up numerous ways to use our bounty. A small lumber operation...pole barn, kiln, truck and tractor to start, raising bees, growing mushrooms and then eventually a hydroponic greenhouse to produce lettuce and possibly tomatoes. I say eventually because for right now we can only handle the wood cutting, bees, mushrooms AND building a home to take us into our rockin' on the front porch with The Rolling Stones years. The hydroponic greenhouse will be in our 2012 picture. Fortunately, Little Big Barn has an 800 sq. ft. living quarters so we are on property to manage and enjoy the day-to-day journey.
Our house plan is a Southern Living Home Plan Tideland Haven #1375 that we had customized by their architects. We will be forever thankful to a couple who blogged their experience building this same plan in Louisiana. It was helpful to see how the house looked as it was going up and when it was finished. Our building budget dictated fewer French doors and windows, straighter exterior walls and roof lines and our living space needs called for a larger dining room and sun porch. On paper we are pleased with the redraw. Building always requires adjustments so we know to be open for change!
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