A very busy summer, indeed.

Slowly, but surely, the Dacha updates.

This summer has been a non-stop tornado of work and productivity. And what else might one expect while building a homestead? Here’s a little peek into our lives.

First, a short video that was made possible with some footage our friend Jon Karr managed to take with a tiny little camera.

As far as the plastering goes – we are almost done with what was a much more difficult and involved project than we initially expected. Plastering is hard work, despite the forgiving medium.

photo by shira golding

Each new layer was its own learning experience, as we experimented with plasters of lime, clay and a combo of both.

photo by shira golding

I personally still love plastering, and prefer it to the less comforting dry wall option. It’s cozy in the straw bale shed, and it better be for how much time we all spent massaging that wall.

photo by shira golding

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For Ten Dollars, a Bag of Clay

Here is our video entry into the Pay It Forward Contest, held by our local Alternatives Federal Credit Union.

Alternatives gave out ten dollars to whoever wanted it, and those people were supposed to give it to someone else in the community, an organization or an individual.Then, the giver of the ten dollars is encouraged to make a video or write an essay about their recipient, and in it illustrate what they can do with it that would benefit the community. Afterwards! A committee at Alternatives picks ten or so videos they like the best, and set them loose into the public, where anyone can vote on which entry they think should get the grand prize-oh- $500.

Taking advantage of some beautiful footage our friend Shira took of us, plus friends, plastering the straw bale cottage, I put together this doo-hickey.

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