2-Years Renovating Our Forgotten Limestone and Log Cabin

Two whole years. The passing of time for this project has really put to test the reality of time and space. 2023 was only two years ago, but to us, it’s a lifetime. We have spent almost every minute of our spare time putting everything we have into this house: financially, physically, mentally. But reviewing a complete start to finish of the hardest part of the work, made us both emotional in ways we have never felt before. It took everything we had. And we did it.

There is still so much work to do, but by the end of 2-years, we kissed goodbye to the absolute worst of the work. We put to bed the worst of the concrete work, limestone lifting and lime mortar mixing. The perimeter drain is completed, and every limestone wall is stable. The majority of the lumber is safe, and the house is quickly getting closed in. For the first two years, we focused on turning this abandoned shack into an empty shell. And now, we can turn this empty shell into a home. And that is something we have not even dared to believe was possible, but it is. And we will do it.


But of the 40 plus we have released at this point, this was the first one to make us emotional to watch. We have never seen it all put together into one spot, and this isn't even all of it. There are plenty of projects we left out for time. The before and after shots from this video bring up a lot of emotions.

But also, just in general, we also love this video, because its relaxing and great for bedtime. We hope some people find this as a sleepy-time video, and that it can help some people get to sleep.

Though the screentime largely focuses on Luka, Alyson and Ladi, there were so many people who helped us complete this project. Our volunteers used their precious vacations, travel time and experiences to come and spend time with us. It was such a blessing, because we literally could not have done this without them. We can never express our gratitude enough.

Thank you to:

To Jernej Bajde, Krištof Štrovs, Martin Štrovs, Maša Mlinarič, Nejc Razpotnik, Christy Gibson-Korzen, Julien Merat, Christian Gibson, Adam Hampuch, Mickie Hooper, and Matt Hooper for helping with the initial clean-out and demolition of the interior.

Toni Kovač for giving us electricity and for pulling many of the stumps and the stairs out with his tractor.

To Metod Bajde, Domen Bajde, Marc Hudnut, Laura Norman, Sean Sjoholm, Elena Priess, Olivia Johansen, Tobias Sonne-Hansen, Zeb of Amsterdam, Joost of Amsterdam and Magdalena Bártková for helping with digging and excavations around the property.

Jaka Savšek, Milka Tomažin, Luke Hanson, Alice O’Mahoney, Éanna O' Loughlin, April Newton, Zoe D’Ath, Oliver Westerna, Ramona Stӧckle, Harrison Laurie, Valentin DaSchmitzi, Mathilda Elkær, Asta Dalga, and Maya Lamm for helping on various limestone wall builds.

To Julien Ospina for helping backfill the drainage.

To Dominique Rivest for help on the pig pen doors and on the interior.

To Charlotte Letroye for help on the pergola.

Our volunteers did so much more than just this, they worked on lots of different things around, but it would take the entire description to explain everything. We also shared so much laughter, singing, problem solving, meals, snacks and Radlers amongst strangers who turned into our friends. Thank you to every single person for helping get us to where we are, it was one of the best aspects of this project.

We also want to pay special thanks to Ladi Bajde, who at almost 80-years old, was out with us 75% of the time, putting his own blood, sweat and tears into a house that is not even his. It has given us the most amazing memories, working together as a family towards a common goal. We would not trade it for the world.


CHAPTERS:
Introduction: 00:00 - 04:00
South Wall Construction: 04:01 - 18:47
Interlude - Hoop House: 18:48 - 19:38
East Wall Construction: 19:39 - 38:49
Interlude - Terrace & Pergola: 38:50 - 39:47
Bottom West Wall Construction: 39:48 - 52:10
Upper West Wall Construction: 52:11 - 01:12:18
Interlude - AŽ Beehouse: 01:12:19 - 01:12:55
North Wall Construction: 01:12:56 - 01:31:29
Final Reveal: 01:31:30 - 01:33:17
Credits: 01:33:18 - 01:35:50