This was a summer of firsts in some respects.
After many years without animals, we finally got chickens on the land. We haven’t raised chickens or ducks in years, and I have to admit that the sound of the chickens alone adds a new dimension to the day that I appreciate. (I was very very reluctant to add a new “daily project” this year.)
This was also the first year in a while that we haven’t started a new building project at home. And thank goodness. We still have plenty to finish up between the few on-going (and yes, some long-running) projects. I’m fine with that. It’s my personal goal to spend more time finishing what we have and getting to some much-need maintenance. The temptation to do something new is always there, but it can wait. Patience. There’s plenty to do already.
One of 1000s of pizzas that we’ve baked in our cob oven
Other highlights? Our monthly Pizza Nights have been steadily increasing in popularity. We hit some new personal benchmarks this year, including serving over 120 pizzas in one night. Whoa.
An oven we built for friends this summer
Work on the timber frame pavilion was on pause this summer. There wasn’t any opportunity to work on it between classes and travel. Some of that travel including building the above oven for our friends at Earth-Bound Building in Maryland. Pretty darn happy with this one. Upon returning home, I spent 6 weeks canning tomatoes and processing peppers. (Deep breath, all of that is behind me now.) However, I’m getting back to the pavilion as we speak. A new drainage trench is nearly done, and I have my sights set on the flooring work this month. Wish me luck.
New drainage trench and mini retaining wall in the works
I’m at the tail end of my 30s now, which has prompted a lot of questions about what the next ten years might look like. Not to sound like an old man or anything, but I’m not in that mid-20s-instant-recovery-quick-transition phase anymore. I feel the effects of mentally juggling multiple responsibilities more profoundly than before. My body needs more time to rest after a big push. You know, normal aging stuff. I’ve always thrived on being busy and doing physical work, but as time goes on I’m learning to balance that a little better. Some shifting is essential. Again, wish me luck.
One of our Japanese Carpentry student groups
Japanese Carpentry Returning in 2024
On a final note, we finally hosted our long-anticipated Japanese Carpentry Workshop series. These have been in the making since at least 2018, and initially scheduled for 2020. You already know what went down that summer, so regardless to say, we’re glad to finally follow through and bring this dream to reality.
We had over 30 students between two introductory classes from all over the country and even some northern neighbors from ol’ Canada. New Jersey, California, New Mexico, Alabama, Michigan, Colorado… wow. People definitely turned out.
Kanna demonstration during the Japanese Carpentry class
I can hardly begin to summarize the class except to say that Yama-san blew our minds with his knowledge, experience, and incredible warmth and humbleness. I love the culture embedded in the work of cutting joinery, Yama-san’s attention to detail, and getting a glimpse into the vast history of the tools and building design. Really, the whole thing made me yearn to return back to Japan and just soak in more of the incredible architecture firsthand. Insert wistful sigh here. Ultimately, it’s impossible not to see things differently after having time with a master of his craft.
The workshops went exceedingly well, and Yama-san has agreed to return next year to continue this opportunity. We could not have asked for a better outcome. So, look out in the coming month for dates and signup info for the Japanese Carpentry Workshop 2024. We expect them to fill very very quickly, basically immediately.
Be ready to act.