Farmstead Development – Shibagau Creek Forest Farmstead

June 30, 2024February 4, 2025

Spring 2024 House Renovations

We’re thrilled to announce that our extension renovations are done, for now. Peter’s father Rudy built the original extension in the 1970s, but it remained unfinished. It took us 2 months of hands-on labour to renovate, resulting in 2 new bedrooms and another large living-room space. Here’s a sampling of “before, during and after” photos to tell the tale.

From moving the extension storage to the barn (thanks Miko and Heeji) to cleaning, wall construction, plastering, painting and furnishing, it was a lot of work, but the outcome is magnificent.

Naturally Lennox & Addington, aka our local tourism office, was onsite last week to take photos and promote us. It was such a pleasure to walk Rob & Miranda around the property, share stories, see them enjoy nature and admire our handy work. And while we don’t have a FB page (yet), here are the links for you to click on, admire and share:
https://www.facebook.com/naturallylennoxaddington/posts/pfbid02BpT9n98TkKLvipuqEAh2QFvuG6FsScvMzCytFkdAX5pjRte7Bst3epUBSAaDcVjWl https://www.facebook.com/share/p/buB2ttmFYwwaD6RL/?mibextid=WC7FNe

The farmhouse can now host bigger groups – it’s honestly the perfect place for family reunions and rustic retreats. Updated photos are now on our AirBnb link: https://airbnb.com/h/scff and we are looking forward to summer rentals in between our programmed events. If you know anyone looking for a retreat in nature away from the crowds, please pass the link on.

June 27, 2023

Outdoor Washing Station

With an outhouse composting toilet and shower in the field, it made sense to also set up an outdoor washstand. Here it is sitting on logs next to the end of the house. Water comes from the rain barrel stack, just like the kitchen sink.

The kitchen sink now drains into a bathtub filter and herb garden.

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023

Barn Renovations – New Meeting Room

Scott Russel has been back working on the barn. His beautiful new floor from last fall is now complemented by an enclosed meeting room that functions perfectly for workshop sessions. The open centre aisle continues to provide abundant light and air in keeping with the open magnificence of this structure.

With recycled windows and French doors, a comfy couch, table and chairs, we are all set for gatherings.

Over the past 3 years the barn has come back from a sad state of disrepair.

The new floor

June 27, 2023June 27, 2023

Kitchen Deck Construction Progress

This spring we completed construction of a new deck and outdoor kitchen. The 12’x12′ kitchen includes repurposed cabinets someone removed from their cottage purchase, a sink connected to the rain barrels and a roof that provides shelter from sun and rain. The deck extends around the water pump, giving new steps up to the front entrance porch. We worked together over a few months, having begun construction during a February thaw and now we are seeing the improvements as we have guests staying for the workshops.

February 12, 2023June 27, 2023

Outdoor Kitchen Deck

Breaks in the winter snow are allowing us to begin building a larger deck for the outdoor kitchen. The goal is to have adequate space for counters, food prep and a rain water fed sink for washing-up. A sloping roof extension will provide shade and protection from bad weather. Hopes are to eventually seed the kitchen roof with mosses and grasses.

November 20, 2022June 27, 2023

Rain Barrel Shower

The fall saw completion of an outdoor shower with a view. Rain water is collected in barrels on the roof of the house, to be warmed (slightly) by the sun and flowing through a hose to the shower stand. Hop vines will be planted to create a green enclosure.