After Hawk House's foundation reinforcement project was complete we were able to do a reorganization of our storage area. Everything is now clearly labeled and easy to find. Check out our fine selection of hammers!

Our saws hang happily beneath the propane that fuels our stove, fridge, and barbeque.

Clearly marked boxes make it easy to find things and to know where to put things at the end of a work party.

organization + consciousness = ease!

Julia W does a soil test to determine the chemical make up of the soil.

We've been carefully cultivating our nettle patch. They are a valuable resource as they are high in iron. They make a great tea and can be eaten steamed!

We have discovered that rhubarb dies back completely over winter. We thought it was dead as we couldn't even find it in February. And then a miracle! It bloomed in spring!

A young mink near the well came for a closer look.

We dug channels in to the road to direct the winter rains towards the ditch but come spring we filled them in with rock to make it a smoother drive. The rain will still drain through the rock and help keep the road intact.

The diversion channel filled with rock.

Julia W having a laugh while making stakes for the cob wall.

Keith enjoying the day.

Crossing beautiful Howe Sound

Cloe looking forward to a fun day

Spectacular nature is always available

Darci with carpentry tools: sawhorse and circular saw

Keith servicing the generators - new spark plugs and oil change - gotta keep the machines happy!

Reinforcing Hawk House's foundations over the winter has been a major project.

Filling in under the new south wall with rock

They did a great job.

Kicking back in the great outdoors

The trees are waking up to the spring.

The swimming pond is clear, tinted with photosynthetic life

We transported two wood-burning cookstoves to the island (one for Hawk House and one for the cob house), and batteries for a new off-the-grid solar electrical system. Very exciting to have these big beauties warming food and bodies.

The stoves were strapped to dollies for easy movement. The two of them just fit on one water taxi. All the lifting and moving was a great exercise in teamwork. It was a real all-hands job.

One 'Bakers Choice' stove in its new home.

Back at the cob house, a straw bale wall is being built. This is actually Straw Bale Wall 2.0. The first one did not withstand several winters with no roof to keep the rain off. Lessons learned and Wall 2.0 is being built much stronger too, with additional reinforcing wire, stakes and mesh holding it together.

Scott enjoying the process.

Each bale has two wooden stakes through it connecting it to bales above and below. The stakes are tied together with steel wire that is anchored to the walls on either side.

Darci on the wall. It is six rows high.

Lookin good, wall!

The wall is taller than Keith!

The wall is now totally stacked - that's a lot of straw!

Nice job!

The wake of the boat, the setting sun. The end of a work party is just as awesome as the beginning.

Kale loves the cool of winter. The plants have suddenly doubled in size and their sweet tender leaves are enjoyed at every lunch!

Jeanine supports a piece of the new south wall of the Hawk House as it is secured in place.

Tiffany's enthusiasm supports the building process!

Cathy happy to cook the ecovillage lunch.

The joys of building are apparent on Scott's face.

Getting down to business!

Darci getting ready to cook up a storm.

Lunch on the deck in the spring sun is a satisfying experience.

The south wall of the Hawk House basement in process.

Tiff gets comfortable with a reciprocating saw. A great way to turn up your personal power!