We have started installing the observatory. It is a 360 degree window around the top of the loft. The hope is to bring in as much natural light as possible. Alex's design has been in the works since July and the steel post that support the roof and house the windows has just arrived. These custom made window are going to look spectacular.

Jennifer and Horacio are talking about design (always). Fall has arrived and the leaves are starting to chance colors.
Here I am doing the first layer of earthen plaster on the loft. It is such a great material (clay, sand, & straw) because you can use your bare hands and it feels nice between your fingers. It is so plastic that you can sculpt it into any shape, but we have decided to make it smooth/flat on the straw walls.
Horacio is so proud of his work. It looks great because he spent many hours getting it exactly how he wanted. I remember him working past 7 PM last week (with a flashlight) because he loves earthen plaster so much.

We have all been talking about how nice it is to enjoy the work we are doing. At times, it almost seems like it is not even work, which is why we often work late - even after it gets dark

This is the mural that Horacio etched into the lime plaster.

2nd Coat of Plaster

This week we started the second coat of lime plaster! It is only Wednesday and we should finish it this afternoon. It is going so fast.

We are done with light-clay straw as well. This is Owen mixing it for the hundredth time.

The craziest thing occurred last week. I was the first one on the site one morning and went into the loft, only to find a screech owl in there. It was freaking out because all the windows were closed and he could figure out how to get out (I think it came in the rough opening of the downstairs door). There were pepper nails everywhere, so we were worried about puncturing it's wings when it was freaking out. Tony and Rachel came over with a net on a stick and scooped the owl up and released it far away from the village. They said he flew away easily with little to no harm done. They were such piercing eyes, as if he was looking into your soul.

We finally put in all the doors on the lower level, so hopefully no more owls will be getting caught in the loft. Here, you see Owen and Jennifer trying to get the door to fit.

It is starting to feel as if the building season is winding down. We've lost one crew member, Owen, who has gone to Sandhill Farm for the rest of the season. Also, we got a new crew member, Randy, who has been integrating the last few days. His help has been much appreciated.

Its amazing to take a step back at the end of each day/week/month and to see how much we have accomplished. For me, it seems like it is going by so fast.