This is the sad part.

The really sad part about building a house on a fresh lot is that even when you are planning to build a natural home you have to cut down some trees.  This was so hard to do as I hate seeing big developers go into forested areas and cut everything down. There are still lots of trees left and we are going to be using the wood from the trees that had to come down to make counters, rafters and floors. My friend has a portable mill and is coming to mill the wood.
Even so this picture makes me think of a graveyard for trees. :-(


It is good to see the site taking shape though and I am in the planning stages for getting the septic field put in.  My neighbour has suggested I get an engineer to design it and then he can put it in for me. This is a great option and I am going to be making the call this week.

The surveyors came and did the corner posts at the front of the lot and are coming back on Monday to do the back posts.  It is good to get the survey done properly so we know we are far enough from the property line when we put the foundations in.
My apartment in Maple Ridge is up for sale and it is hoped that I sell it soon.  I plan on being on Mayne from July for the summer.  If all goes according to plan we will be putting the foundation in during July.

A Masonry Fireplace I Love

I really like this heater I discovered on facebook. It is from a great blog/website Firespeaking. Firespeaking is currently represented by Max Edleson and Eva Edleson.  They are "dedicated to combining the inspiration of beauty with the precision and engineering of function in order to create magic and a continual reminder of the sacredness of daily life in our homes and public spaces."  As stated on their website,  their "work can mostly be categorized as “architectural” with a strong emphasis on using natural building techniques and community involvement."  Please contact them if you are interested in hiring them.  They are most interested in projects in Oregon, Washington and California.

A Masonry Stove

Victoria BC couple build award winning cob house.

Great cob house in Victoria. Click here  to read all about it.

On a hilltop in Victoria, British Columbia, Ann and Gord Baird lived in a trailer with his two children for 20 months while they hand-built their dream home -- out of cob.

Beautiful Images of Cob Homes from Natural Homes

I hope you enjoy these beautiful images from the facebook page for Natural Homes. This is a great resource for anyone interested in natural building.

Great idea for a 'tree wall'

I love this idea for a wall in my cob house.

Natural Home in Wales

This is such a wonderful home,  just had to share it here on my blog.

It is a house built in Wales so I hope you enjoy all the images and information available here at

Simon Dales Natural Home .

There are lots of pictures and links at this amazing site.

Cob Houses

Here are some lovely pictures of cob houses for those interested in seeing what they look like. The first one is just around the corner from where I will be building mine. It was built by an amazing woman called Kate. She inspires me. Her house is so beautiful and inviting. I can't wait.