We're big in CHINA!

Craig and I were interviewed by Voice of America reporter Wan-Cheng Chao  about our strawbale home.  Our architect, Sigi Koko, and our new strawbaling friend, Katie, were interviewed as well.  Ms. Chao reports for the Chinese-speaking population in the U.S. and abroad.  You may listen to the interview and read the story.  (Note: the country music at the beginning and pig noises toward the end!)

I'm going to try to get my sister-in-law to use her mad language skills to translate and record the interview for us.  That way I can put it on the blog and the English-speaking among us can hear it!

Of particular note is the statement Ms. Chao made to me; that the Chinese would think this was a 'peasant house' because it is made of straw and other things that Chinese peasants would use in construction.  I thought this was great!  One of the reasons we're building in this manner is because the materials are locally available and sustainable.  Those Chinese 'peasants' are some pretty smart people!

4th of July!

Forgive me, I have been remiss.  I have not posted anything since Ben's birth announcement, and now I must play catch-up!  We've made much progress that has been documented, but not posted.
Since I go back to work two weeks from today (end of maternity leave), I'd better get in gear!

Our 4th of July was spent working on the house; go figure!
Below: the house at some point in the day.  As you can see, the salvaged slate roof had been completely installed, and we'd already made a good deal of progress on strawbale installation.

How thrilled I was to see a motorcycle in our garage!  Our new friends, Mike and Judy, came on their bike to help out.  In addition to attending Sigi's strawbale wksp at our house, Mike and Judy have done much research in preparation for their future home construction, so I learn much from them everytime we work together.

By this time, I was 1 month post birthin', so I could be a bit more helpful to the construction cause.  Still quite weak, but in good spirits, I ceded control of the wee one to a very helpful grandmother, and attempted to do some good.  FYI: In case you didn't already know, square post = not good for pole dancing.

I've learned by example: a clean jobsite is a safe jobsite (dad sweeping up).  By extension, the house where Craig, Ben, and I are currently living, should be deemed a Superfund site based on my housekeeping skills.  Thanks dad!  That dry straw makes for a crazy slip hazard.

MY MOM, yeah!  She's an excellent strawbaler, but we do get silly.

I assure you, my parents have done nothing to deserve being pressed into service like this.  When the time comes, I'll be there to change their diapers and soothe their bunions...

Our builder, Jeff, putting plywood up along the underside of the roof trusses.  The bales get wedged in tight to this backing board.

Judy and Mike heading out on their trusty steed after a good day's work.  Dad (below) sent them off with, I believe, frozen peanut butter cup fortification.  All bikers should have dads like mine sending them off with goodies for the road!

THANK YOU MIKE, THANK YOU JUDY!

In addition to learning lessons from our project, please know that we'll be there for you when yours comes around!