End of the Road Ranch

We've been discussing the claim shanty idea a little more and have ironed out a few more of the details.  Here are the updates:

It looks like we will be building it at about 12x16 instead of 16x16, but we will be adding a loft for all of us to sleep in.  This idea came up originally and we both got a good laugh about the idea of me 9 months pregnant climbing up and down the ladder with two toddlers in tow at least three times a day - not to mention a little later with 2 toddlers and a newborn.  Well says we can put in a small set of stairs, and that makes all the difference in the world.  With this modification the whole downstairs area will be for living space.

This weekend we finalized the location of the shanty on the property.  I wish you could see the view out the front door!  I'll get a picture someday, but we sit right below a large mountain range that curves around us and the front door opens right onto the view.  It is tucked into a grouping of trees and large Manzanita bushes which will help cool it in the summer and protect it from winds in the winter.  This location already has power and water run to it, so we will have at least one outlet and running water just outside (I even heard mention of a sink inside!).  We might even try to get our hands on a very small (think dorm sized) fridge to keep some basics like milk and butter right in the cabin. 

I am getting excited about the smaller details of decorating a rustic cabin.  I am having a much harder time trying to decide whether to choose the red, the ivory or the classic blue granny ware than I had deciding that I could manage to live like this.  I've been asking everyone to give me any old worn out jeans they are thinking about getting rid of so I can cut them into strips and make a braided rag rug.  I think haven't yet decided between muslin curtains or jean curtains.  We will leave this cabin furnished to some extent as a guest house once we move to the big house, so I think most of these things will get to stay up and functional.

I am slowly getting the garden redesigned, and should be already to go by the last frost date here.  No early spring veggies this year, but it should be a great summer/fall garden. 

I'm off to go work on my denim broomstick work skirt before the kids are up from their nap.  I hope to be done today and start work on a nice skirt for church and my sister’s wedding/graduation in a few weeks.  I still have to make at least one other work skirt and the kids clothes before I start the rag rug!  Better get sewing!

Don't forget to say "Great!" with a sincere smile when someone, especially your dh asks how you are today, it helps everyone feel better.

 - Care