another chapter

I'll soon be heading back to the states and Regina will be keeping things green and lush along with some help from Jaime.  The inside of the cabin still has a ways to go but we made some infrastructure strides that are important.  Lately been working on our road and creating a more permanent parking area.  Our second try at a small garden is growing and hopefully Regina will get something before the critters and birds get it all. 

 our porch temporary kitchen

 Parking area

Full moon

Been working on lots of basic infrastructure with water system which now gives us good pressure and plenty of water everywhere we currently need it.  We have been spending multiple nights at the place which has been lovely.   Humanure compost bins are up and being used for composting toilet and several small improvements like gutters went up

 Nighttime

 Neighbors property

 Compost bins for toilet

 Well in foreground and water tank above

 Dante's 4th birthday party

 Jabuticaba tree planted in honor of Elwood Allen 1932-2016 - RIP

lights, water, action

Ash Wednesday 2016

As carnaval comes to an end on a beautiful summer day - we have some nice updates as we gain some momentum again in Brejal.  One of the biggest changes relates to electricity - we installed a small solar system which is working but limited and also bought a used generator that can make up for the difference as needed.  The generator is in the shop at the moment but hopefully we'll have it next week.  We also had a well dug which should resolve all our water needs.  We do need to run a pump but if the it can't run off the solar energy we can do it off the generator which will fill a larger tank which will give us pressure.  On the building front, we have built a small enclosure for a composting toilet set-up and we're in the process of installing a finished floor in the cabin.  After a lot of rain a few weeks back, we were getting bogged down in mud - so we got some landscapping stones and are making some walkways and steps.  Regina is planting lots more ornamental plants and we will get a new load of seedling for fruit tress and such once we get the new water system up and running.
Here are pictures of some of the above

 

The beans here were grown on our land - although various critters got the lion's share of the crop

corn, cassava and more beans are on the way

 Waters were vary high on our creek after about 8 straight days of rain- normally it's under a yard waide

 Solar panels

 You can just make out installed panels on roof

 Lights on inside

 Interior components

 Beginning of our well

 beginnnings of outhouse

 Finished outbuilding

 Flooring to be installed

 small storage area behind outhouse

 pavers

Healthy disregard for international intellectual property rights

flooring going down

As things grow

 Downtown Posse - nearest town - just down the hill - about twenty five minutes by car

 Some current pictures of house and surroundings - showing a bit of the growth in greenery over last six months

Back in the saddle

Been back in Brazil for a bit over a week and are getting ready for a christmas celebration at Regina's parents house with most of the brothers and sisters to be in attendance - possibly the last big event at the house that has been home base for the family for about 35 years.  We've been out to Brejal once so far but forgot the camera - so no new pictures of there until next post.  Main change is some growth in plants.  I'll be doing some work on the family home for a bit - a little painting an cleaning up in preparation for putting it on the market.  Otherwise getting some materials lined up for work on our house in the beginning of the year
Below are some pics of our new digs in petropolis where we rented (house has an apartment on each floor and the owner lives above and we have lower part).  It's in a great neighborhood and is walking distance from downtown - where we typically walk in the mornings

 Christmas fair in downtown petropolis

 Regina and her brother Fernando (who has acquired a huge einstein resemblance)

 Joana, Rodrigo and Dante

 Baby Gael (just about 2 months old)

Happy Holidays to all