Vroom Vroom …. Here I Come!

I have never been a lover of cars. Buy one and once its yours, a quarter of its value disappears within the first year?!? The ability to use it means you are tied to a volatile energy source that is often linked to wars and is terrible for the environment. It is an expensive monthly habit, that in a city like Toronto, causes more pain than gain. That said. I love my car rentals and auto share programs. Road trips are amazing and somethings you simply can’t carry on your bike.

One of my goals in life was to make it to 40 without owning a car and over the past 20 years I have made choices to protect that goal. I will be turning 40 in August and just bought my first car. I am a little early on the calendar but for me this is a victory and for the first time in my life I am super in love with a car. My car. Check out number 9!

Top 10 lesbian cars

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Notice Given

This is my 11th home in Toronto.

I have loved them all but this one I love the most.

As of now I have 2 more months here.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Meet the Arizona Corn Princesses

Those girls just got a make over!

This is one of very few pieces I am taking up North to my little home.

Most of the art coming with me I have picked up in my travels and is often from various Indigenous cultures. Feels suiting.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

The smallest travelling me, ever

Over the last 20 years I’ve been fortunate to see as much of the world as I have.

Most times when I travel, I shop. I’m a sucker for pretty things and love bringing art home from far away places.

The goal of my 14 day trip through Panama and Costa Rica was to bring home only memories and I am happy to report I did just that.

One small backpack, everything was used, I stayed on budget and have nothing to declare. Mission accomplished.

Small space living here I come!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

I hope he has a solid left

My neighbours told me the red squirrels are bad right now and this might be a summer full of rodents.

That made me think about how many animals Tigger is going to have to contend with.

My best guess is that none of them will actively seek out a cat, but I really don’t know.

Wild turkeys and cats? Deer, squirrels, owls and cats?

Bears, coyotes, wolves…. you don’t have to read about those combos.

I will have to do a little research.

No cat outside unattended and not after dark.

He has his claws. He has a bell. I really hope he has the ability to hold his own.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Pretty, Pretty Plywood

Plywood is about $50.00 an 8 X 4 sheet.

The Ginger Shack plan is a 100 square feet with 13 foot walls.

I will need 33 boards. I think.

Either way, its close to that number and that puts the cost around $1650.00.

Add the cost of the deck, the studs, nails and a few other bits and I am thinking $5000.00 for wood is a safe budget.

Plywood – easy, affordable and pretty!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

In the Black?

I have $12,000.00 to build the Ginger Shack. It seems like a lot but I am starting to wonder if it is enough.

The Grand Cook Stove is 2400.00 USD. Take the exchange rate, the trip to Michigan, the stove pipe etc and I am thinking $4000.00 CAD.

$8000.00 is still a good amount of money.

I really enjoy a financial challenge. I grew up with coupons.

Here’s to staying in the black on this adventure.

4 foot counter top for at the new low price of $59.00?

Yes Please!

Slick door handles.

Keeping my eyes on their flyers … things like this have to go one sale!?

I hear that odd sized windows and 1 off windows go on sale.

Perfect.

I feel like my new second hand shopping ground just opened up. Goodbye Value Village …. Hello Home Depot!

My lesbian status just got a gold star!!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

I don’t want to do the right thing

I don’t want vinyl siding but I will have vinyl siding because its the right thing to do.

I am really not a fan of synthetic fibers.

My “wood house” is going to have lovely hues of Natural Oak if you squint your eyes in the right light.

There will be ‘Starless Night’ blue door.

In the end I am sure it will be beautiful and according to my mom, more importantly it will be easy to maintain.

Fashion or function.

Sometimes much to my dismay function has to win.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Reclaim Detroit!

I have had a love affair with this city for a number of years. If I was a billionaire business person I would buy up most of the downtown and move my head quarters there. If Havana, Cuba is a UNESCO heritage site I don’t know why Detroit is not. Stunning Architectural history everywhere.

A friend of mine sent me this article and we are now planning our Michigan road trip! One Amish Wood Burning Stove and some amazing wood for my floors!

Reclaimed history in my home? Yes please!

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

Leaving the Concrete Jungle

July 1st, I will be leaving Toronto to live in some wide open Mother Nature. As I prepare to leave, I am trying to make my peace with saying goodbye to the city life I love. I think the best way to say goodbye is to take a little of what you love with you.

I really love concrete. I love the texture of it, the feel of it, brand new under my wheels and I love the smell of it when it is wet from a rain.

The area around my wood burning stove will need to be insulated. At first the obvious choice was brick but I don’t want a small country cabin in the woods. I want a small, slick modern little home.

Posted by Live Small Think Big

Folk artist. Lifelong cyclist. Plant based. Zero Waste. Environmentalist. Lover.

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