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Jan 01
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Looking Back on 2021

By Food for thought, Homesteading, South Slope Farm

Well, here we are again. Another year (of mud, timber, gardening, challenging weather, the pandemic, parenting, life on earth) for the books. In many ways, 2021 was a continuation of 2020. So many ups and downs. So many glimmers of both hope and despair. We all need a collective pat on the back, unironically. It’s impossible to pretend that things are “normal”. It’s hard to know what to say after a while without repeating myself. And so this annual recap exercise takes on some new meaning.

Beyond the pandemic and the continuing torrent of challenges, there’s a host of things to remember and celebrate. I can fall prey to pessimism pretty easily these days, so this is good practice for me. Life is indeed full, and here’s a glimpse of some things worth remembering in 2021.

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Jan 22
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3 Cob Oven Design Improvements

By Cob Oven
cob oven design improvements

Last spring, I finally had the time to build the new cob oven under the timber frame pavilion we built in our 2019 Timber Frame Workshop. Our intention had been to use this cob oven to host monthly community pizza nights. (We’re doing that, although not in the same way I imagined it with the onset of the pandemic).

I took this opportunity to make some small but effective improvements to the standard cob oven design. After using the oven regularly for 8 months or so, I want to share those design enhancements and a few pictures of the construction process.

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Mar 09
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Japanese Plasterwork: History of Plaster Craft in Japan

By Video, Clay Plaster, Japan

I’m a big sucker for the series Begin Japanology / Japanology Plus. It’s a long-running TV series that dives into specific aspects of Japanese culture, hosted by the mild-mannered Peter Barakan. The premise and delivery are very simple, and there’s an episode for seemingly everything Japanese.

Recently, an episode devoted to Japanese plastering was released. It’s an informative, inspiring look at the history of plastering craft, and some of the newer work being done today.

One word: storehouses. Check it out!  

Dec 03
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Charred Wood Meets Bright White Shikkui Plaster

By Lime Plaster
shikkui lime plaster finish

Bright white shikkui lime plaster contrasting with the charred oak timbers

The hammock house, our outdoor timber frame structure, has been a fun opportunity to experiment with different finishes. The charred oak timbers were a first try. This spring, we installed an earthen floor over the plywood subfloor, which I’ve always wanted an excuse to do. And this fall, I did some of the first finish plaster, a shikkui lime plaster in the gable ends.

Here are some process photos of the shikkui experience.

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Nov 08
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Standing Seam Metal Roof Saga

By Roofs

installing standing seam metal roofI have a love/hate relationship with metal roofing. The romantic natural purist in me is less than enamored with the stuff. Let’s face it, it’s an industrial product. The pragmatist in me recognizes the numerous advantages and rolls his eyes at the idealist. At the end of the day, metal is an obvious roofing choice. It’s fairly easy to source, lasts a long time, and looks respectable enough.

The big challenge is that fringier and more aesthetically appealing natural materials are just so frustratingly unavailable. Wood shakes/shingles, slate, thatch — I love these materials dearly. Realistically, they’re just not in the cards for most of what I do. 

So once again I fall back to metal. But this time I insisted on standing seam for the outdoor kitchen. I have to admit, standing seam proved to be a real learning experience. I thank the gods it’s behind me now.

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Oct 02
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charred yakisugi cedar roof decking 01

Charred Cedar Roof Decking

By Carpentry, Timber Framing

charred yakisugi cedar roof decking 01

Back in July, April and I debated about how the roof decking should complement the stained timber frame in our outdoor kitchen. At first, we considered some kind of white paint treatment on the roof deck, but I was never sold on the idea. Long story short, we decided to do a total 180 on the whitewash idea — I charred cedar instead, yakisugi style. Here’s how it looks.

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Aug 15
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Himeji Castle Tour: The Most Plaster I’ve Seen in My Life

By Lime Plaster, Japan

himeji castle tour

There are so many architectural details to absorb at Himeji Castle that it’s somewhat dizzying. The multi-level main keep (pictured above) has an astonishing dry stack stone foundation wall, a soaring timber frame with huge posts and beams, and an amazing cascading tile roof. Notably, the earthen walls (and even under the roof eaves and between roof tiles) are finished with shikkui.

I was taken to Himeji Castle for part of the “Who Wants to Come to Japan” TV show filming. While I was there, I had a rare up-close and personal look at some of the shikkui plaster restoration work on one of the rooftops.

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Aug 05
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Outdoor Kitchen Timber Frame Raising

By Timber Framing

timber frame wetting bush

The timing of our most recent Timber Frame Workshop worked out perfectly. We were able to spend the entire final day raising the small outdoor kitchen timber frame. Despite the intense heat of the day, we pulled it off without incident.

What a thrill to go from raw timber to a finished structure in a week — there’s really nothing better than standing back and seeing all of your hard work pay off. Especially with the help of a bunch of great people…

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