Most people thought we were crazy.

However, this is what I see when I go home now...




That's my drive way. Who's really crazy here....

I'm 99.99% sure this had a pull out flour shoot on the right side below the counter top. The hinges are different, and there is evidence of the old hardware. Plus, I can tell from the interior construction. We know the glass was replaced by my wife's mom about 25 years ago. As for the countertop, I've seen them with wood and enamel so I'm not sure if that's original.

We've tried to buy an oak Ice Box a number of times at Resale shops. They carry a hefty collector's price tag now!

I'm probably going to develop a "Organic Rural Downshift Lifestyle" thread at some point. However, until then there's a few pictures (posted above) of the work we did on the house.

The exterior still needs to be remodeled. I've been working up a design for it. Here's a CRUDE hand sketch I completed over a picture I printed...




The exterior remodel is going to wait until we need a roof and (probably) new windows. We simply don't have the money to WASTE on dressing up the otherwise functional exterior. We will, eventually, but for now we're putting everything into the organic farming component and really want to install a 100% Solar Power System within the next 5 years.

You really had a nice house Gary, but I personally like your new place a lot better.

Crazy, well that IS a L O N G driveway....

Gary, saying a panel is 3ft by 6ft (I don't know how large they really are, I've seen all sizes) how many would it take to make you 100% solar?

Oh and I am guessing you are talking about a hot water solar exchanger as well?

DON'T WAIT TO LONG, do it while you're still young.

Oh and JJ had some plans for an organic toilet composter. It was pretty neat setup.

Randy, its not the size of the panel. Its your electric demand vs panel output and storage capacity.

Its a detailed analysis.

Thanks. We do too. DOWNSHIFTERS!

Its only 1.4 miles round trip up to the road and our mailbox.