Metamorphosis

Build; Create; Transform; Remodel; Retrofit; Refurbish; Gut; Restore; Sustain; Make one's own.

These words have slid off our tongues countless times in the past few years as we have taken on this farm, land, and life living in community. As Chris mentioned, making a house that was built for one nuclear family work for two growing families living an unconventional lifestyle has been a thrilling challenge.

September 2004 - Week 1 @ Lostview Farm - Dumpster Joy

First (really, on the very day we took ownership of the farm), we gleefully tore down and removed all things unsightly (or moldy or otherwise unlivable), and filled giant dumpsters with carpeting, linoleum, wood paneling, WALLS, and so on. We did it with the energy of superheroes, watching our home become a clean slate on which to write our own style and history. We are gradually becoming less reliant on conventional sources of energy and a relatively tiny bit less reliant on the grocery store. All this to say, we are moving toward something bigger than we are - something we all believe in - an alternative way of life.

And while our families and gardens and woodpiles grow, so will our home. Additional bedrooms, a study, a library, sun room, screened porch are all on the list. And of course there's the chicken coop/greenhouse, a treehouse for the boys... I think we will always be expanding - for ourselves, and for you all, people who we want to be an intimate part of our community.

Our place is becoming what it is precisely BECAUSE of you. You know who you are, whether you have painted, pulled nails from the floor, chopped wood, put up fences, weeded the garden, shared meals around our table, cared for our children, called or emailed with words of support, lent hours of advice and encouragement... Looking back through our history on the blog, I came across this post that actually lists projects completed in one fell swoop of a weekend by friends and family. It reminds me that we are fueled by so much more than dreams or desires or needs. It is incredible, the energy a group of people can emanate. It is contagious and inspiring and vital.

All along, from the farm being a twinkle in our eyes, we have always thought of it being a place for you, too. A place for rest or some quiet from the city, or somewhere to express your handy-person skills, or just have a really good meal with friends. I'm not being corny here, folks. I hope you feel like our home is yours...we have 36.5 acres - that's plenty space for a few (hundred) visitors.

I have been happily checking our voting stats for the remodeling contest we entered. THANK YOU all for the speedy votes of support! We're in 3rd place, I think - pretty amazing, for just a couple of days' work!! There is a $5,000 grand prize and a $1,000 people's choice prize for the blog with the most votes. At this rate, we're well on our way to winning a little seed money for our latest and costliest farm building project - the addition that Chris laid out in the previous post. Yes, we are still in planning stages, but this is the most important phase. Your support, ideas, and suggestions are like gold. And if you still want to submit your vote (by Nov 30!), we could surely use it.

The champagne is chilling...let's get ready to toast a win and bid farewell to the lawn on the east side of the house!

Cheers!