the compost toilet

well, since the weather has been bad everything has been put off for another week. we started the compost toilet so i decided to put up the pictures of the progress so far. i am still wood burning the toilet seat lid so i havent included that yet...

we gathered scrap 2x4's and some plywood from another project. the wooden toilet seat was just laying around but i removed the lid so i could wood burn a henna inspired design on it. the bucket is from salt for a saltwater fish tank but a spackle bucket will do, they're the same size.

we built the frame heavier on the bottom for stability

after covering the frame with plywood and cutting a hole for the toilet seat to be attached to, we sanded the plywood as smooth as possible then stained and polyurethaned it so it can be wiped clean easily... pictures of the finished toilet coming soon :)

off grid education!

here is a listing of books that have helped me tremendously, some spark the imagination, others offer technical help. 

1.     if you are interested in a composting toilet, either for off grid living or an extra bathroom in a traditional home, garage or studio, the humanure handbook is invaluable! 

The Humanure Handbook: A Guide to Composting Human Manure, Third Edition

2.     efficient home heating made cheap and easy

Rocket Mass Heaters: Superefficient Woodstoves YOU Can Build

3.     the beautiful and creative homes of owner-builders, a wonderful inspiration for a simple backyard retreat or a full blown 4 season home 

             Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter

4.    the title says it all

  Off the Grid: Inside the Movement for More Space, Less Government, and True Independence in Modern America

5. a classic that is amazing to read, it seems as though Thoreau is alive and well now in our times, the problems were the same in his lifetime. this book really makes you think about consumerism and how we are made into sheeple. REQUIRED READING!!!

Walden

6.     Travel-Trailer Homesteading Under $5,000

7.     no, i dont own a boat but i DO run some of my gadgets off of deep cycle batteries. this book is awesome for anyone willing to learn, it's written in laymans terms so i didnt get lost and give up! A+

The 12-Volt Bible for Boats

 

 8.     what do we do with this water?

The New Create an Oasis with Greywater: Choosing, Building and Using Greywater Systems - Includes Branched Drains 

 
9.     A good, basic, organic vegetable gardening book

Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)