Introduction

The 57 acres that comprise Cedar Ridge Farm are located in the beautiful rolling hills of South Central Kentucky. My wife, our four children, and I are on a homesteading adventure as we work toward increased self-sufficiency. We grow much of our own food and enjoy being in touch with the agrarian roots of our lives.

One of the major projects we have undertaken is the building of our own home. The house we're building has three major distinguishing features: 1. we're building it without incurring any debt; 2. it is a timber frame structure; and 3. the exterior walls will be plastered straw bales. We live debt and mortgage free, and building our house with that approach makes perfect sense. Large timbers in a home possess a beauty and project a sense of strength, stability, and warmth that we want in our home. Straw bale walls provide insulation and make ecological sense. This blog is a record of our home-building project.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Two new videos of the construction process

I’ve put together two new videos. Actually, they’re slide shows of photos taken during the construction of our house. Part One starts with the raw timbers in February 2005 and concludes in February 2010. A lot was accomplished during that time even though it wasn’t as much as I had hoped for.

Part Two shows the progress we’ve made this summer and fall. I couldn’t be happier with what we’ve gotten accomplished just since late May.

I wanted to put these photos together in this way to see a synopsis of my work. I’ve been focused on each day and each task. So, it’s nice to sort of step back and see what we’ve been working on come together.

Here they are. Enjoy and, please, leave a comment (I love hearing from ya’ll)!

Part One:

 

Part Two:

6 comments:

Jessica said...

I can't believe how much progress you've made in such a short time! I have no doubt you'll make your summer 2011 move in date.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I'll admit it - I cried. Sniff. God is using the internet in some amazing ways. I'm so happy for ya'll. What a true "power couple," really a power (of prayer, I'm thinking) family. Jennifer

Wade said...

okay Darryl, I need to get a life!! After watching your videos I realized how long I have been following your blogs.

Great job!!

Wade

dp said...

Thanks, Jessica! I'll continue working hard so that we can move in.

Jennifer, thank you for your comment, too. I've continually asked God to be the one to build the house; it's too big for me!

Wade, I'm sure you have a life. I hope to be following your blog soon!

Anonymous said...

I added myself to follow your blog. You are more than welcome to visit mine and become a follower if you want to.

God Bless You :-)

~Ron

kentuckyagrarianwannabe said...

DP alias Milton Mudburn, great slideshow I've been watching since the beginning and had not seen a lot of these pictures, once again great job.

Tim