Tiny House Ontario

Fortunate to be Porchin’ it

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Laura

Last weekend it became official! The cloth porch made it through the winter. The damage was close to zero. A couple of staples out and one of the boards is slightly warped. The cloth is in perfect condition! All the stuff in the porch undamaged too. Unbelievable really!

So this year, I will not spend the spring fixing the porch, rather I can get the boxes put in for my raised beds. I can build my washing station (hopefully), get the eves troughs up and the rain water diverted. All great stuff! YEAH!

It will be easier to work there this spring because there will be a little escape hatch to get away from the black flies.

So here is what it looks like inside the cloth porch on a sunny spring morn’.

Categories: Tiny House Ontario | Leave a comment

Minimotives and Tiny Housers

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Laura

It is spring! It is spring! Now is the time to get those houses off the ground, or off the wheels if you so desire!

This is a bit of a lazy Laura post but one that had to be done and I think, why reinvent the wheel?

In this case, Minimotives blogger and artist, Macy, has collected a wonderful list of Tiny Houser links for any of you who are researching the topic, this is a GREAT place to start!

I also have to say that her article on Tiny House design inspiration is divine!

For this little post, if you want photos have a look at Minimotives. 😀

Happy Housing!

Laura

Sailing Bye

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Laura

When I was a young girl, I was a guest from time to time on Simcoe Island with my parents, to visit Bruce Orr and his family. They had a fantastic cottage there on the beautiful shore on this jewel of an Island.

Bruce’s family had owned the land for a long time and actually his ancestors had been lighthouse keepers there since, I believe, the light houses were built. When I was a teenager and learning to paint he asked me to paint a photo of the Simcoe Island lighthouse for him. I tried, but I did not have the skills to do it.

Over 30 years later, I can paint quite a lot better, so I thought I would give it another shot. It is still difficult to paint because of the roof lines. Finally, at long last, here is my best shot. I hope you can see it from Heaven Bruce, it is just a little 8×10

(Special thanks to Colleen Murphy who gave me some great tips for photographing the water in this image. I am sure you will agree that this is a much clearer capture than the first version which I have since removed)

This is a genealogy link to the Orr family and this lighthouse.

Categories: Art, Laura Moreland, Ontario, Original Art work of Laura Moreland, Simcoe Island, Time, Tiny House Ontario, View | Tags: Simcoe Island | 4 Comments

Rain Water Wash

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Laura

Tiny House Ontario is in the process of installing a little place to wash up with our collected rain water.

The drainage is fantastic on the escarpment due to it being limestone bedrock with natural faults every few feet, so even when it is raining like crazy, for days, the ground is not wet. Thus a simple drain tube should do the trick. A sink and shower will be added… hopefully… on a raised platform. It depends on what the building inspector says about adding on to a non existent building/art project…

Here is the beginning.

Categories: Building code, Environmentalism, Nature, Off Grid, Simple living, Sustainable living, Tiny house, Tiny House Ontario | Leave a comment

Home Sweet Home

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Laura

It was wonderful to get back to Tiny House Ontario even though it was just a Friday to Monday trip. The weather was perfect! I am very comfortable here in Hamilton in my small house, which has lots of light and a wonderful small studio for me to paint in; evenso, my home is Tiny House Ontario. This is not just because I love it there, but it is a place where people know my name. Mostly everyone.

My husband was also down with me and we brought the dogs out for a few walks while we were there. Unfortunately Honey got a tick and since that particular area of Ontario is awful for Lyme disease… we have to keep our eyes on her.

On one of the walks we went to the bottom of our escarpment and I found a wonderful old tree which made me think about how simple places can be and still be home. This single tree, rotting and twisted is the home to so many creatures. Additionally in the top there is a little nest.

Tree House Condo?