Balança Rio Homen

Balança, Portugal

A lover asked his beloved,

Do you love yourself more than you love me?

Beloved replied, I have died to myself and I live for you.

I've disappeared from myself and my attributes,

I am present only for you.

I've forgotten all my learnings,

but from knowing you I've become a scholar.

I've lost all my strength, but from your power I am able.

I love myself...I love you.

I love you...I love myself.

 Rumi~*

Home

Photo: Argulus

"On the return trip home, gazing through 240,000 miles of space toward the stars and the planet from which I had come, I suddenly experienced the universe as intelligent, loving, harmonious."

- Edgar Mitchell, the 6th man to walk on the moon and the founder of the Institute of Noetic Science 

This is It!

I found a better layout than the ones before!

Designed by Pietro Russo, it is a low-maintenance, modern, well-designed green housing alternative.  I think I will need two.  Or just one, and a separate guest cottage.  Throw in some solar panels, a dome green house.  A pond by the herb garden near a river.  What do you think?

Ahhh...now where is that land?

November!

What a hectic month it has been so far!  Waking, dressing, feeding, kissing & shuttling both kids to school.  Six hours later I fetch both and try to immerse ourselves in nature somewhere to recharge our batteries before coming home for a bath, snacks and more activities that take us well into dinner time.  Six hours sound like a good amount of time but it really flies since I spend at least half of it on motherly duties.  We managed to get rid of our colds quickly by adding fresh pressed garlic into our soups and have been having cravings for seaweed, gyozas and miso soups.  The weather is definitely getting colder.


Today I finally got to soak in a hot bath without anyone to bother me!  The last time I tried to do this David was almost two years old and adamant about me getting out as soon as possible, as if I was invading his reserved territory or doing something unthinkable.  Impossible really.  He would not have any of it.  If I had known that motherhood was going to be challenging in so many ways, I would have thought twice, really.  Maybe.  Because I really enjoy a nice long salt water bath with lavendar essential oil, but it's more than that.  I am raising my kids the opposite of how my mother raised me.  She would never let her kids get in the way of her indulgences.  It's funny how we do some things the opposite of our parents.

The kids are so much work.  And you really don't know until you have them, really.  Motherhood has to be the hardest and the most rewarding job I have ever had and I dream of the day when I can have a whole day just for myself.

I am waiting for spring..

Calling All Cherry Trees!

Spring 2005, Seoul

I just read ''Billa's into the Wild''  and this post really hit it home for me.  Reading The Ringing Cedars Series is life changing as it is already but seeing images of someone actually living a life as close as possible to how Anastasia is living, stunned me.

The closest thing to a forest glade that I can see myself living in is here, located in the north, hidden away.  It is the only place I have experienced pure timeless joy. 

 So to all the cherry trees in the world, I send endless love and gratitude for all the breath taking blossoms you grace us with year after year!  And for all the petal kisses as you shower down upon us before returning to Mother Earth.  I have one request, and that is for you to lead me to where I can create my own space of love!

By the way, if the above place is where you are leading me to, I happily accept!

The Ultra Modern Drop House

This is it!  I found it!! The winner of the Algeco design contest.  I got very excited because it was the closest thing to what I was dreaming about.

''The houses are made with one central space that serves like a satellite from which the other components are extended like drawers. These “drawers” are actually small units with varying volumes that serve as other rooms, and include the kitchen, entryway, bathroom and two others. The nice thing about the drop house is that while these extensions can be added to the original assembly, the house can also be closed up into one contained unit. This makes it easy to lock it up when you’re away for extended periods of time and easy to transport it while staying within the limits of the road gauge!'' --3Darchitectes

Now I just need this design infused with the environmentally friendly Ecopod and I'm set!

Ecopods or Port-a-Bachs?

Do you want to live in a home with low environmental footprint, minimal operating cost and  high quality of living at an affordable price?  Then this shipping container is for you.
 

Ecopods is currently building their fourth generation incorporating the best use of recycled and new environmentally friendly materials available today.  They operate with an 80 watt solar panel and with minimal electrical needs so there is no need to run power lines or trench power cables to the unit.  It’s ready to use minutes after setup!  All you have to do is buy some land where ever you desire, and order!

''Maintenance on the unit requires very little effort. The original steel walls and frame are made from a product called corten steel. Corten steel has a rust inhibitor that stops rust at the surface. The interior and exterior floor surfaces are covered with a product that looks and feels very similar to cork flooring but is made from recycled car tires. This product has excellent interior and exterior performance qualities and is impervious to water and easy to keep clean. The entire wall and ceiling cavities have been spray foamed insulated with the latest environmental friendly soya insulation available on the market today. It is a ridged closed cell insulation, closed cell meaning there is no moisture transfer.  The front sliding glass doors and front glass side panels are double glazed thermal pane units that allow you to enjoy four season weather conditions.''

Their pre-delivery square foot building costs between $100 / $150 Canadian dollars and if this superior green building competes with conventional building costs here, then this is going on my TO BUY list. 


Then I found Atelier in New Zealand that makes Port a Bachs.

''Appointed with large internal storage cupboards and shelves / stainless steel kitchen and fittings /bathroom with open shower, sink, composting toilet. Interior fabric screen system gives the versatility of creating rooms within the large open living space : includes bunk beds, double bed room, dressing room, kitchen and bathroom.  Exterior canvas screen system allows to shelter the deck area for comfortable indoor/outdoor flow and living. 6 concrete footings form a stable, non-invasive 'foundation', allowing you to situate the unit on a wide range of ground conditions.''

 

Decisions decisions..which one would you choose?  I think I would go with Ecopod and have a local builder build me huge bathrooms & kitchens for it.