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lizzie
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 04:56pm
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My "little house" experience is different in that we live in the boonies all the time, on a wilderness lake in a mountain national forest but we built our cabin on some land that is only five miles from a busy city. The reasons? The land has been in our family since 1879 and there was no structure on the property. The younger members of our family wanted a "base" to return to for family gatherings. We ordered a 10 x 18 lofted barn with a four foot covered porch built by a nearby Mennonite community. I had 2 windows added on the back wall and ordered a larger window for the front, with a small window in the gable looking our of the front loft. I also ordered the metal roof. We salvaged as many materials as we could and a neighbor helped us with wiring and plumbing. We painted the entire inside white and used the Allure flooring in Country Pine (from Home Depot) for the floor. Our primary task was to get a workable bathroom installed before our family reunion on Nov. 17. I had scrap tin that I hoped to use for the shower enclosure but it was just too difficult to cut and bend. Instead, I bought 4x8 sheets of metal trailer skirting from HD and aged it by a direct application of muratic acid. It was a scary process but the tin is beautiful. I bought a truck load of all sizes of shutters for $20. We used the good solid wood ones to make the privacy walls for the bathroom. Others went on the exterior windows. I still have a pile left! My husband made a shower rod out of copper tubing and we used our collection of thrift store drapery rods to make towel racks, etc. A pipe cutter is a cheap and super useful tool! We set up a big tent for the food and had a wonderful day with our family. Some of the kids took sleeping bags and spent the night in the loft. We have a long way to go and can't wait to go south next week and get back to our project.
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Sustainusfarm
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 05:13pm
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How about some pics?? We wanna see it!
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EvoQ
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 05:23pm
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Hey Lizzie I was Born and Raised in Alabama spent 45+ years there. So welcome to these Forums as I am relatively new here also. I have Hiked and Hunted all over the State (Alabama) but never heard of a Mennonite or Amish community other than in South Alabama, but I would love to hear where this town is at. Also as in Alabama there are only 2 Wilderness areas I wonder where your location is for the cabin. I have hiked many many times all over the BankHead National Forest where the 1st and only large Alabama Wilderness is located. I just Love that Area for it's plentiful waterfalls during the spring and also the many Box Canyons, especially where Alabama's Largest Tree is located in the only Virgin Old Growth Forest in the state. I have even witnessed Black Bear signs in that forest, but it is a hike to the big tree at 6 rugged miles each way. I have also hiked the ending of the Famous Appalachian National Trail in the Dugger Wilderness area, and I believe the Lake there is inside the Wilderness area could this be where you are at ?
It's Good to see some people from other than Out West...lol.. here on the forums, and also from back home. Hope you and Your Family have a Wonderful Holidays.
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lizzie
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 06:16pm
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I;m not good with photos because we have a satellite internet system and it is slow, but I will try. I'm sorry my post was misleading. I live in the mountains of western North Carolina[b][/b], the "little house" is in south Alabama, near Dothan. It was a huge farm at one time but is now mostly developments. The piece that I kept is 10 acres with a spring and all weather creek. It is completely private, can't see other houses from our place. My great-grandfather bought this place because of the spring and my cousins and I have many happy memories of damming the creek and playing in the woods. Now our children and grandchildren are playing there. When we return we have the porch railings from a 1900's house in Lenoir City, TN to cut down and install on the porch. I am also bringing the bricks that held up our original farm house, hoping to use them under the little house.
Lots of folks with "chalets" here in the mountains are replacing their pressure-treated deck railings with metal. We are hauling a bunch of deck railings down also. I'm sure we can use them somewhere. This is a really fun project and gives us something to do in the winter. Thanks for you interest. lizzie
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 07:20pm
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Welcome! Would love to also see pics...your place sounds awesome...I like all the family history and would love to see your creative work using all the different materials you mentioned
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lizzie
Member
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 07:27pm
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Little House in Alabama
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hattie
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# Posted: 21 Dec 2012 10:19pm
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Very pretty place lizzie! I love all the history. Would love to see more pictures when you can take some.
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lizzie
Member
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# Posted: 22 Dec 2012 09:43am
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#1-In addition to the Little House, we have two RV pads. This is the way it looks when we have guests. #2 This shot of the interior is a little busy". I had to use donated curtains to get quick privacy for our gathering. Will replace them soon. #3. This is a shot of our deck and the steps that go down to the spring.
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Sustainusfarm
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# Posted: 22 Dec 2012 11:31am
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SWEET!
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Bevis
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# Posted: 25 Dec 2012 04:09pm
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Nice...I would've held onto that piece of property too. I have some in NW Bama that I am holding onto.
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