Today we got logs for the Solstice fire stacked up by the fire pit. Then we started with the decorations. The boxes came out of the back top of Shane’s tool shed and ornaments collected over the years began to emerge. 
Having an inside tree, fake or real, in a Tiny House is nearly impossible. There just is not a lot of extra space for such things. When you are surrounded by trees it makes it seem just a little less of a good idea. So we choose a cute little tree (about 15′ tall) just outside the front door and set to work.
Oz picked out the best stars and a few other ornaments to go on the tree.
We even got a star on top. There was no good way to hang it so we have to use a bit of sinew to attach it. I am pretty sure we have the fanciest tree in the woods.
It took us about an hour with a lot of up and down on a very unsteady ladder. The ground is all but a sheet of ice and not great condition for the use of a ladder.
The project done we took a picture in the fading light and moved inside.
After a friend came to spend the night with her kids and news my mother might be headed over to spend the night I decided it was time to start the bench. The bench will be the thermal mass for the rocket stove that will be built next season, but for now it will serve as the frame for a ‘guest bed/couch. As the lumber used will eventually be swallowed up by cob I didn’t think I needed to buy new wood. I have a stack of old wood, mostly picked up for free from friends who wanted the ‘scraps’ out of their yard; that is what I used.
I asked Oz to take a few pics so I wouldn’t have to stop working. Its an odd angel and doesn’t show much… next photo less on will be on how to take pictures to show construction details I think.
It not pretty and the ice on it made a lovely mess on the floor, but it is solid, will not have to be replaced for the rocket stove and dried out quickly enough once inside. For the bench surface I used 3/4 plywood that was once the fold down bed in an old camper trailer. Due to the wood stove the bench had to end at 6 feet. Anything longer would put it too close to the heat. It is 25′ wide with the ability for the surface to slide forward with the ‘back’ able to drop down. It becomes a twin sized bed at that point. The support for the slide out part will be made of logs from the yard. I have not found the right ones. They matter as they will be exposed even when the cob is done. In the mean time and for this winter I have a place for company to sit and an extra sleeping space.
Two Ravens Garden and Permaculture Site 