Month: October 2015

Sobre a vida no campo <3

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E hoje me peguei pesquisando sobre causas e efeitos de ervas daninhas na horta e consequentemente nos efeitos que a vida no campo tem nos causado.

Um ano e 2 meses morando nesse cantinho especial, mas foi somente nos últimos 2 meses que passamos a viver intensamente cada pedacinho desse lugar.

São incontáveis os aprendizados até o momento e vamos tentar compartilhar ao máximo aos nossas experiências, mas neste post quero falar um pouco sobre como a nossa relação com a natureza tem nos moldado todos os dias.

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Morando em uma cidade como São Paulo é muito mais difícil se perceber como apenas mais uma espécie desse planeta, mas aqui… aqui somos só mais um.

Cercados por tanta vida verde, insetos fofos e outros nem tão fofos assim, sobrevoados e observados por pássaros aqui somos nós quem pedimos permissão pra viver e aprendemos observando como a natureza é perfeita e como ela se basta.

Um dia desses notamos a presença de uma coruja em um tronco seco e como ela era linda. Corremos pegar a camera pra tirar algumas fotos.

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Mas surpresa mesmo foi no dia seguinte perceber que tinha um filhotinho de coruja naquele tronco e encontrar o mesmo caído perto do nosso portão.

Logo assumimos que ele precisava de ajuda e trouxemos pra casa. Um amigo do Dan que é especialista em pássaros nos orientou colocar o filhotinho coruja de volta o mais perto possível do ninho e deixar a natureza seguir seu curso.

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Assim fizemos e passamos os dias seguintes só observando tudo que acontecia naquele pedacinho do nosso quintal. Coisa linda <3

O pai e a mãe coruja passavam o dia todo em uma árvore próxima ao ninho de olho no filhotinho. Quando o sol se punha os dois voavam sem parar em direção à floresta trazendo comidinhas para o bebezinho coruja.

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A evolução do corujinha foi incrível. Em poucos dias ele já estava em um dos troncos da árvore treinando o vôo. Pulando de um galho pra outro e testando a potência de suas asas.

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No dia seguinte ele simplesmente voou e para nós ficou somente a lição. A natureza é perfeita e ela se basta.

The Transformation. From Wasteland to Workshop.

The Farm has been a complete construction site for weeks now, things have been trodden down, destroyed, and some things, rebuilt. We’ve found ways of reusing as much as possible and removed as little as possible, pathways have been created where once was lush flora, and our house is filled with dust, debris and sand.

All of these things have made life difficult, and, as before, the overwhelming feeling of taking on more than we can chew, niggles me in my loins.

But with each passing day, another aspect of our project gets closer to being finished. We’ve come so far, and our amazing builders have worked tirelessly, and meticulously to deliver to us our vision.

Last week, the Oficina, in its structural form, was finished. The new slab and access ramp, made up of old crushed rock from the destroyed walls upstairs, and a 6″ layer of clay, hardpacked, and then concrete screeded on top. The roof has been built and tiled, the door and frame was cleaned, treated and oiled, new locks were fitted and it was varnished, a window was recycled from upstairs to offer light and ventilation, and everything was painted, inside and out.

Although I’m not sure of this buildings original use, I believe it was a stable, the split door indicates that, but whatever it was, it was pretty much good for nothing when we began. Although one of the smaller projects on the farm, it felt like a huge accomplishment getting it to where it is today. See the snaps below to see the transformation.

A workbench is being made in the next coupe of weeks, and a workstand is on order. Electricity and water will be wired/plumbed in the next couple of weeks, too. Then it’s a go.

Now I just need to find a way of making a living out of this…

Before, West Wall.

Before, West Wall.

After. West Wall

After. West Wall

Original Frontage and Door

Original Frontage and Door

New Frontage, with restored door, new locks, and first pass at the handpainted sign.

New Frontage, with restored door, new locks, and first pass at the handpainted sign.

Before - Inside Building

Before – Inside Building

After - Inside Building. Workbench and Rack to come.

After – Inside Building. Workbench and Rack to come.

Everyday Should be the International Day of Coffee..

We love coffee, just as much as we love our life here on the farm. So International Day of Coffee started just like any other, a fresh brew pour-over served with sourdough toast, along with the sounds of the birds chirping in the distance. There really is no better way to start the day, surrounded by those you love, drinking what you love and listening to what you love. The natural sounds of life.

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We took a wander down to the oficina, and the darling buds of spring have began to appear. Avocados, limes, mangos and of course, coffee. The trees go brittle and bare during the winter, but Spring has sprung, and leaves, pods, flowers and eventually, beautiful fruits will be graced on those branches. IMG_0387

Here, at Oficina74, we like to think every day as International Coffee Day!

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