In pondering the floor insulation options for Strawtron, I’ve come to a bit of a question mark in the sheep’s wool department. Originally, I had planned on doing some light clay straw in the timber platform, between the floor joists, but I’ve come to acknowledge that the R-value of this method is lacking.
The Strawtron timber frame plans! (SE corner view)
I’ve been exchanging many emails with Tom Cundiff over the past month or so about the timber frame plans and drawings for Strawtron, our new house. I’m excited to now show off these great 3D drawings that he has come up with!
Here’s the lowdown on the new house design… Read More
This has no direct relationship with the content of this blog, but it’s too big to ignore, and to close to my soul to not mention here. The Occupy Together protests (or the We are the One Percent, or Occupy Wall Street) are igniting worldwide, and I must say, it’s hugely exciting, and part of me wishes I could participate. But I’m geographically nowhere near any of the protests. So be it.
I do hope this movement has staying power, because this present time feels like it could be a tipping point — politically, socially, culturally, ecologically… and these protests can have huge power, as long as they are tactically and thoughtfully organized, and with clear and powerful messages and demands for change. I don’t want to hype it up, but there is so much coalescing in this world, so much demand for real change, and these protests are a mighty vehicle in a hugely important time to get our message out there.
Check out these photos from protests around the globe.
p.s. Check out Occupy George and how you can protest wealth inequality in America.
I figure many of the readers of this here blog are familiar with wood heat, but perhaps that is just an assumption. Anyway, I want to mention this post I recently wrote for sustainablog about wood heat — it’s called Wood Heat Stoves: 4 Reasons You Should Consider Heating with Wood.
Check it out. I love wood heat, and the benefits are many. What it all boils down to, though, is that nothing really compares to having a live fire in your home. It just feels so… human.
You may have noticed lots of references here lately to hand hewing and broad axes. Call it research, I guess, because I’m still debating how I will acquire, and then work with and move those white oak timbers I mentioned earlier.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this quality video. Really well shot, very clear, very easy to understand the process of hewing here. Check it out!
Check it out. Here’s one more nifty Gränsfors Bruks video, this time inside the factory with a couple of highly skilled smiths creating an axe head.
Gränsfors Bruks: Still Hand Forging Axes in High Tech Gadget Age
The newly tiled (and styled) cob house
We’re finally back in Gobcobatron! The tile floor is done…. for now. (Yea, we still have to seal it with linseed oil, but April and I are waiting until next spring to be 100% certain the floor is dry… we’re not taking any chances.) The difference in the house is dramatic, especially when you combine the look of the terracotta tile with the newly lime plastered walls. I am really liking it.
In this post I’ll provide a simple explanation of how we laid the tile using clay and sand grout and clay adhesive. Read More
Laying floor tile in Gobcobatron
I’m never doing this again, I swear.
That was all I could tell myself during the first two days of laying floor tile in Gobcobatron. (Except with a few more expletives thrown in.) What a project! Thankfully, whereas the first two days of laying tile were absolute hell, it did get better over the next three days. It was an utter job, though.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage‘s annual Open House is coming soon, and on that date you’ll be able to tour Gobcobatron, my cob house.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
1:00- 4:00 p.m.
Location: Rutledge, Missouri
Directions: Call or email us at (660) 883-5511 or dancingrabbit@ic.org
This is your chance to enjoy free tours, get a peek inside several natural 
buildings, and learn about life off the grid, renewable energy, organic gardening, and building with alternative and sustainable materials. During Open House, there will also be a village fair with homemade wares and treats, live music, and much more!
buildings, and learn about life off the grid, renewable energy, organic gardening, and building with alternative and sustainable materials. During Open House, there will also be a village fair with homemade wares and treats, live music, and much more!Hope to see you there!
If you’re paying attention, you might notice a few minor changes on The Year of Mud.
About The Year of Mud
Hi there, I’m Ziggy. In 2008, I launched The Year of Mud while building my first natural home. This blog is a collection of personal stories and experiences building with clay, straw, and wood over the past 15+ years. A few of the things that get me fired up are natural plasters, timber framing, & Japanese architecture. Since 2012, we’ve been hosting Natural Building Workshops so you can learn essential skills to build your own natural home.
