Apprentice Quarters
We are closing in on our first full day at the farm. We arrived here yesterday around 3pm and have made every effort to make this our home. As apprentices, we (my boyfriend Josh and I) are given a teeny tiny cabin, an outdoor kitchen, and an outhouse. Surprisingly, we can fit all of our things in the cabin with some dancin' room to spare. This could be, of course, because the bed is a futon and not a very big one at that (Josh is 6'4"). But we make do.
The outdoor kitchen
Living here has and will pose a multitude of challenges.
Starting with the kitchen situation. 1: There is no refrigerator, just a large cooler. For this, we must switch out gallon jugs of frozen water from the barn down the hill. Not really a big deal, just something to remember. 2: The kitchen has only 3 walls. Thus-critters. We will have to constantly wash dishes, keep things tightly tucked away, clean, and monitor for nests and other such things. Perhaps things we should do anyway? Aside from all that it's like have a picnic every meal and it's been a lot of fun. Occasionally it requires cooking with gloves, scarves, and hats on in the mornings and night but we just have to adapt. 3:Water and electricity are subject to the weather. We only have 2 solar panels for power and a large water tank hooked to the gutters. This water is not to be consumed. Drinking water is hauled from the barn down the hill in 5 gallon jugs. Say it's a rainy day- Good! We have more water...but less power. Say it's a sunny day- Good! We have power, but the water dwindles. Say it's just cloudy? Well hell. Learn a rain dance and light some candles. We have yet to run into any problems and if we run out of water we can just get some from the barn. Don't worry, we won't waste away out here in a dark little cabin.
Starting with the kitchen situation. 1: There is no refrigerator, just a large cooler. For this, we must switch out gallon jugs of frozen water from the barn down the hill. Not really a big deal, just something to remember. 2: The kitchen has only 3 walls. Thus-critters. We will have to constantly wash dishes, keep things tightly tucked away, clean, and monitor for nests and other such things. Perhaps things we should do anyway? Aside from all that it's like have a picnic every meal and it's been a lot of fun. Occasionally it requires cooking with gloves, scarves, and hats on in the mornings and night but we just have to adapt. 3:Water and electricity are subject to the weather. We only have 2 solar panels for power and a large water tank hooked to the gutters. This water is not to be consumed. Drinking water is hauled from the barn down the hill in 5 gallon jugs. Say it's a rainy day- Good! We have more water...but less power. Say it's a sunny day- Good! We have power, but the water dwindles. Say it's just cloudy? Well hell. Learn a rain dance and light some candles. We have yet to run into any problems and if we run out of water we can just get some from the barn. Don't worry, we won't waste away out here in a dark little cabin.
The cabin
There are many great things about an outdoor kitchen however. We eat among pine trees, experience the weather first hand, we cook listening to birds and a windup radio, and watch the sun move from on side to the other. It's a very unique experience, nicer than a campfire and more involved than a normal kitchen. This is truly rustic. For all those designers looking to create a rustic feel, try putting it all outside. That should do the trick.
Moving on to the cabin. It is roughly 15' x 20' in area. There is one working light bulb, a sink hooked up to an empty water tank, a small cabinet with all our clothes, and as I mentioned earlier, a futon bed. We couldn't figure out the propane heater last night so we slept through the mid-30s and woke up to the frigid air (not like the refrigerator brand, remember we don't have one of those) and quickly put on warm clothes and ran into the sunlight.
Nothing comes free here. Water is hauled, heat is generated, refrigeration is temporary, showers are down the hill, and the lights are dim. But, what is free is the abundance stars at night, a distant view of mountains, produce in season, and plenty of glorious sunlight. So far so good but the real work starts tomorrow. Bring it on.
Moving on to the cabin. It is roughly 15' x 20' in area. There is one working light bulb, a sink hooked up to an empty water tank, a small cabinet with all our clothes, and as I mentioned earlier, a futon bed. We couldn't figure out the propane heater last night so we slept through the mid-30s and woke up to the frigid air (not like the refrigerator brand, remember we don't have one of those) and quickly put on warm clothes and ran into the sunlight.
Nothing comes free here. Water is hauled, heat is generated, refrigeration is temporary, showers are down the hill, and the lights are dim. But, what is free is the abundance stars at night, a distant view of mountains, produce in season, and plenty of glorious sunlight. So far so good but the real work starts tomorrow. Bring it on.