We both grew up in the country. Ever since we were married, we have had a shared vision of having a comfortable home in the country with plenty of space for children (and animals) to roam. In late Spring of 2007 we took the plunge and put our home up for sale. It sold much faster than we expected and we were soon homeless! Graciously, Jim's parents provided a temporary refuge and we were soon able to close on some nearby land. Summer was spent feverishly planning our new home and securing the necessary paperwork. We broke ground the week following Labor Day 2007. Thirteen months later, we moved in. It was a challenging, adventure filled year, but we now find our selves indeed home by the fire.
Our goal was to create a warm, inviting home for our family in the most environmentally friendly way we can afford. This includes the size, design, methods and materials, including:
In the spring we decided we should name our place. While pondering pleasing names like Green Meadows, Prairie View, and the like, it was Aidan that suggested the name that stuck. Three of our cats have proved to be excellent hunters and every morning we emerge to find several dead rodents on our door step. Indeed, Dead Rat Hill seems befitting, if not inviting.