Open Source Ecology - User contributions [en]

Planning Notes

2014-12-17T16:30:13Z

Catarina Mota:

*Jan 31 - Open Source Thesis defense.
*Need to install backup electric water heater.
*Daily ablutions for MicroHouse 4 -
Monday
:*Leave at 5 PM for OSE 940 resend
:*After meeting - Shelf, coat hangers, and baseboard put; lamp + water filter assessment
Tuesday
:*Inquire about SU
:*Agriculture visit at 2:00 PM - drop off recycling and propane tank
Wednesday
:*Send off 941 and 940 + Propane Tanks + Recycling including paint cans
:*Mount 2 White Boards -- 3.5 and 4.5 - 6PM
:*Take down all stuff to workshop and bring books from HabLab
:*Fix loft height adjustment and floor cutout for expansion
:*Fasten baseboard
:*Fix the Awning and cover the insulation
:*Fix leak in MH1 kitchen; caulk bathroom sink

Thursday-Sat
:*Keep cleaning outside - finish everything else
*Catarina - A design charette with key players on OS hardware. Xerox PARC for open source. Research Center. Charette and Residency Program is an activity of Center. Design Charettes.

File:MHWorkshop 2.jpg

2014-06-08T04:12:05Z

Catarina Mota:

File:Chrow.jpg

2014-06-08T04:04:41Z

Catarina Mota:

Catarina Log

2014-06-08T04:02:18Z

Catarina Mota:

=Sat Jun 7, 2014=
[[File:chrow.jpg|800px]]

=Mon April 7, 2014=
*Left message at Jamesport Lumber asking for contacts of contractors in the area: 660-684-6404
*Left message with two contractos recommended by Jamesport Lumber: Marvin Yoder - 660-772-3003; Jamesport Builders - 660-684-6931
*Jamesport Hardware Store: Parton Hardware 210 S Broadway St., Jamesport MO 660-684-6418

=Mon Mar 10, 2014=

==TO DO==
*Swimming Pool: check delivery date
*Microhouse: order additional water heater, replace busted pipe, check and repair water leak.
*Solar Cabins: clean, paint, floor, whack weeds + lay straw.

==Spring Residency==
Design work in the morning, infrastructure work in the afternoon.

=Sat Mar 8, 2014=

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ic50hEb8sWBx0cMHJaCpChrKVf5jeRempN1Tl48SWA8/edit# LA Wishlist and Requirements]

=Fri Mar 7, 2014=

==Vertical Garden Materials Suppliers==

===Plants===
*[http://www.sedummaster.com/faq.html Sedum Master] - Located in Canada, ships to US. [http://www.sedummaster.com/sedumblankets.html#top Regular mat] (17 varieties): $3.5 sq ft. [http://www.sedummaster.com/sedummats.html#top Feather mat] (lightweight): $4 - $4.50 sq ft. Mats not appropriate for walls (drainage and nutrients problems). Custom grow: need estimate. They also sell sedum in 4 inch pots.
*[http://www.plantdelights.com/Sedum-for-sale/buy-Stonecrop/Green-Roof-Plants/Autumn-Sedum/ Plant Delights Nursery] (North Carolina) - $11 for 3.5 in pot of John Creech sedum.
*[http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/332/john-creech-stonecrop/ Monrovia] (California) - $14.99 for .65 Gallon of John Creech sedum
*[http://diggingdog.com/pages2/plantpages.php/P-1775 Digging Dog] (California) - $7.5 for 6-9 in. pot of John Creech sedum (not clear if this is the correct pot size)
*[http://sgplants.com/store#plants Succulent Gardens]
*[http://www.oikostreecrops.com/product.asp?strParents=0&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=891&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1 Oikos] - $68.75 for 25 plants in pots (2.75)

===Structures===
*[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=wallmounted&count=10&offset=10 Vertical Gardening Systems]
*[http://agreenroof.com/green-walls/wall-mounted-systems/ Green Living Technologies]

==Sedum==
For vertical gardens (short):
*[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b228 John Creech]: height: 2-4 in, zones: 2-9, spread: 3-12 in ([http://gardening.about.com/od/gardendesign/ig/Plants-to-Walk-On/Sedum-spurium--John-Creech-.htm plant 8 in apart]), evergreen
*[http://www.perennials.com/plants/rhodiola-pachyclados.html Silver Gem]: height: 2-4 in ([http://www.bylands.com/plant/silver-gem-stonecrop-sedum-pachyclados other source says up to 12 in]), zones: 3-9, spread: 12 to 24 in, evergreen in mild regions only
*[http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/SEDB.html Dragon's Blood]: height: 3-4 in, zones: 3-9, spread: 18-24 in (plant 10 in apart), evergreen except in coldest climates

For horizontal gardens (taller):
*[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/b266/sedum-makinoi-ogon.aspx Ogon] (3-6 in) - zones 6 to 9
*[http://www.perennials.com/plants/sedum-spurium-tricolor.html Tricolor] (4-6 in) - zones 2 to 9
*[http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3791 Palmeri] (8 in) - 15 to 20 F (but it has been known to survive in 0F)
*[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a126 Tetractinum] (up to 6 in) - zones 5 to 8
*[http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Sedum-sieboldii- Sieboldii] (6-12 in) - zones 3 to 9
 
My favorite variety: [http://www.greenroofplants.com/catalog/plant-catalog/viewplant/?plantid=736 Sedum Spurium John Creech]: "A very low mat-forming selection, this Stonecrop has rounded deep green leaves and small clusters of pink star-shaped flowers in the summer. Tolerates light foot traffic. Full sun / partial shade. Mauve / pink flower. 2-4 in. (5-10 cm). Zone 2-9." Some sources say it's [http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/creeping-sedums.aspx deciduous], others that it's [http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/332/john-creech-stonecrop/ evergreen] (?). 
 
Sedum has shallow roots and easily propagates from cuttings - they'll take root within 7 to 10 days. 
 
We could purchase a few specimens and use those to propagate a sedum horizontal garden - which we'd then use to get cuttings for the vertical gardens. 

==Vertical Garden Models==
[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=wallmounted&count=10&offset=0 Vertical Gardening Systems]

===Living Pictures===
Shallow wood box filled with soil and covered with galvanized mesh. Appropriate for succulents. This is probably the approach we want.

*[http://www.modernmom.com/f296c758-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html How to Make a Succulent Wall] 
*[http://sgplants.com/products/living Living Pictures] 
*[http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/gardening/how-to/h/-/19697363/how-to-make-a-succulent-vertical-garden/ How to Make a Vertical Succulent Garden] 
*[http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/diy-vertical-succulent-garden-project-00400000063442/ Make your own living succulent art] 
*[http://homeguides.sfgate.com/type-wood-needed-build-planter-box-52380.html Woods appropriate for planters]

'''Challenges'''
*Size: We may need to make several of these and tile them as in this [http://www.houzz.com/photos/2932811/Green-Street-contemporary-patio-philadelphia example] (plywood and mahogany frame, root barrier behind soil behind landscape fabric held in with wire). We can also make our own large tray (a wood grid) rather than individual boxes - but individual boxes may be more manageable (can be removed more easily). [http://theshopatvictoriagardens.blogspot.com/2010/08/green-wall-sounds-good.html Victoria Gardens] built wall-sized panels which appear to use burlap in between the wire mesh and the soil ([http://theshopatvictoriagardens.blogspot.com/2010/08/growing-up-vertical-planting.html more Victoria Gardens photos]) - they probably have wood shelves behind the burlap.
*Water flow/drainage: make holes at the bottom of each tray?
*Weight: will the wall withstand the weight? Perhaps use bookshelf approach where most weight rests on the ground and picture hanging hooks keep flush to the wall (may require a row of bricks below the bottom tray).

===Pallet===
Not appropriate for succulents. 
*[http://ellisbenus.com/ideas/diy-vertical-garden/ Pallet Vertical Garden]

===Vertical or Angled Pockets===
Not appropriate for succulents.

*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-1 Pockets] 
*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-4 Shelves] 
*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-3 Hanging Pots] 

===Trays===
Plastic trays with individual vertical compartments. Appropriate for succulents.

*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-2 Country Living] 
*[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/Item/brightgreengrovertbg20 Grovert] 

=Thu Mar 6, 2014=

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MawJqAwNle6hJxE2Cu9k1IY3po6W6QKZnnsXCWGu-ws/edit# FeF Improvements List]

==HabLab To Dos for this Week==
*Check water / install pipeline if needed
*Clear rubble outside
*Lay straw in front of the house
*Clean room for Chris
*Hang storage area curtain
*Finish cleaning fridge
*Wipe front door
*Wash sheets
*Wash vacuum filters
*Install new water heater
*Weld chimney
*Close old chimney hole
*Insulate new chimney hole

==MicroHouse To Dos for next Week==
*Internet
*Cell phone signal booster
*Fridge
*Repair water leak
*Stucco south and east walls

==Whitewash Recipes==
[http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/whitewashing-using-slaked-lime.aspx Mother Earth News] 
[https://fiascofarm.com/recipes/whitewash.html Fiasco Farm] 
[http://beforeitsnews.com/self-sufficiency/2012/08/homemade-diy-paint-whitewash-and-milk-paint-2444918.html Homemade DIY Paint] 
[http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-whitewashing-walls-paint-recipes-for-1585093.html?cat=30 Yahoo] 
[http://www.wikihow.com/Whitewash-Furniture How to Whitewash Furniture]

===BoM===
*Hydrated lime [http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/concrete-cement-masonry/concrete-mix/carmeuse-type-s-miracle-morta-lok-masons-hydrated-lime-50-lbs/p-1502423-c-5648.htm]
*Salt
*5 gallon paint buckets
*Coating brushes [http://www.menards.com/main/doors-windows-millwork/mobile-manufactured-home-parts/exterior/accessories/7-roof-coating-brush/p-1480883-c-12590.htm]

=Mon Mar 3, 2014=

==FeF Requirements for Year-round Operation==

===HabLab===
*Insulate bathroom/kitchen wall
*Robust water heater
*Sufficient heating for common room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms
*Finish interiors (paint walls/floor, close holes, finish ceiling, etc)
*Mud room (physically separate from main room)
*Covered porch/patio
*Outdoors and indoors firewood racks
*Finish exterior rooms
*Robust plumbing
*Robust water system
*Robust electrical system
*Robust internet
*Cell phone signal amplifier

===Exterior===
*Gravel or wood chip paths connecting all buildings - for both pedestrians and vehicles
*A way to shovel/clear snow-covered paths
*Solar lights or reflective cells along the paths

===MicroHouse===
*Draft insulation
*Permanent (buried) water system
*Permanent sewage system
*Permanent electrical system (30A)
*Internet connection
*Cell phone signal amplifier
*Two additional modules (bedroom + living/working room)
*Heating on all modules
*Covered porch/patio
*Outdoors firewood rack

===Workshop===
*Second stove

==House Painting==
I think the best contrast colors for dark brown walls are white, yellow and apple green. See for example:

http://blog.styleestate.com/storage/thumbnails/2908662-2950705-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1243374071765

http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/844425/Da_Lime_inda_Coconut

Menards doesn't have any bright greens (only boring ones), but Home Depot does have one that looks pretty nice (bamboo leaf). So here's the palette I suggest:

Inline image 3

Links for the paints at Home Depot:

Bamboo Leaf (green):
http://www.homedepot.com/s/Bamboo%2520Leaf%2520%2520paint?NCNI-5

Lemon Lime (yellow):
http://www.homedepot.com/s/lemon%2520lime%2520paint?NCNI-5

Chalkboard Paint:
http://www.homedepot.com/s/chalkboard%2520paint?NCNI-5

For the MH I think we should go with white for the walls as that will make the space appear bigger.

=Fri Jan 16, 2014=

<html><img src="https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1HfFz_Rh_EAbcS-UeYPk2UIb0cXuZs7NhRUhhW2em9oM/pub?w=771&h=583"></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/drawings/d/1HfFz_Rh_EAbcS-UeYPk2UIb0cXuZs7NhRUhhW2em9oM/edit edit]

Looked into [[Swimming Pool]] idea for morale management.

Microhouse 2 Overall Development Board

2014-05-24T15:27:20Z

Catarina Mota:

[[File:MH_2_mod_3_design_SKP13.skp]]

<html><iframe width=100% height='500' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ArNBTd6xfT7MdE5TUnozdXNuMEc5NXpCdThuZWRzdHc&output=html&widget=true'></iframe></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArNBTd6xfT7MdE5TUnozdXNuMEc5NXpCdThuZWRzdHc&usp=drive_web&pli=1#gid=1 edit]

<html><iframe width=100% height='500' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ArpE5Y9PpJCXdEE0eFBRcERYSE5uYXd2bDJpa2FJSXc&output=html&widget=true'></iframe></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArpE5Y9PpJCXdEE0eFBRcERYSE5uYXd2bDJpa2FJSXc#gid=1 edit]

Microhouse 2 Overall Development Board

2014-05-24T15:26:42Z

Catarina Mota:

[[http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:MH_2_mod_3_design_SKP13.skp]]

<html><iframe width=100% height='500' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ArNBTd6xfT7MdE5TUnozdXNuMEc5NXpCdThuZWRzdHc&output=html&widget=true'></iframe></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArNBTd6xfT7MdE5TUnozdXNuMEc5NXpCdThuZWRzdHc&usp=drive_web&pli=1#gid=1 edit]

<html><iframe width=100% height='500' frameborder='0' src='https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0ArpE5Y9PpJCXdEE0eFBRcERYSE5uYXd2bDJpa2FJSXc&output=html&widget=true'></iframe></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArpE5Y9PpJCXdEE0eFBRcERYSE5uYXd2bDJpa2FJSXc#gid=1 edit]

Shopping

2014-04-13T16:50:52Z

Catarina Mota: /* Sedum */

=Mon Mar 10, 2014=

==TO DO==
*Swimming Pool: check delivery date
*Microhouse: order additional water heater, replace busted pipe, check and repair water leak.
*Solar Cabins: clean, paint, floor, whack weeds + lay straw.

==Spring Residency==
Design work in the morning, infrastructure work in the afternoon.

=Sat Mar 8, 2014=

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ic50hEb8sWBx0cMHJaCpChrKVf5jeRempN1Tl48SWA8/edit# LA Wishlist and Requirements]

=Fri Mar 7, 2014=

==Vertical Garden Materials Suppliers==

===Plants===

*[http://www.sedummaster.com/faq.html Sedum Master] - Located in Canada, ships to US. [http://www.sedummaster.com/sedumblankets.html#top Regular mat] (17 varieties): $3.5 sq ft. [http://www.sedummaster.com/sedummats.html#top Feather mat] (lightweight): $4 - $4.50 sq ft. Mats not appropriate for walls (drainage and nutrients problems). Custom grow: need estimate. They also sell sedum in 4 inch pots.
*[http://www.plantdelights.com/Sedum-for-sale/buy-Stonecrop/Green-Roof-Plants/Autumn-Sedum/ Plant Delights Nursery] (North Carolina) - $11 for 3.5 in pot of John Creech sedum.
*[http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/332/john-creech-stonecrop/ Monrovia] (California) - $14.99 for .65 Gallon of John Creech sedum
*[http://diggingdog.com/pages2/plantpages.php/P-1775 Digging Dog] (California) - $7.5 for 6-9 in. pot of John Creech sedum (not clear if this is the correct pot size)
*[http://sgplants.com/store#plants Succulent Gardens]
*[http://www.oikostreecrops.com/product.asp?strParents=0&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=891&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1 Oikos] - $68.75 for 25 plants in pots (2.75)

===Structures===
*[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=wallmounted&count=10&offset=10 Vertical Gardening Systems]
*[http://agreenroof.com/green-walls/wall-mounted-systems/ Green Living Technologies]

==Sedum==
Species we like:
*[http://www.perennials.com/plants/sedum-spurium-tricolor.html Tricolor] (4-6 in)
*[http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=3791 Palmeri] (8 in)
*[http://www.perennials.com/plants/rhodiola-pachyclados.html Silver Gem] (2-4 in)
*[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-details/kc/b266/sedum-makinoi-ogon.aspx Ogon] (3-6 in)
*[http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a126 Tetractinum] (up to 6 in) - zones 5 to 8
*[http://www.northcreeknurseries.com/plantName/Sedum-sieboldii- Sieboldii] (6-12 in) - zones 3-9
*[https://www.google.com/search?q=sedum+dragon%27s+blood&espv=210&es_sm=119&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Fz4bU_rUKu6GyQH89IGoAQ&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1407&bih=730 Dragon's Blood] 
 
My favorite variety: [http://www.greenroofplants.com/catalog/plant-catalog/viewplant/?plantid=736 Sedum Spurium John Creech]: "A very low mat-forming selection, this Stonecrop has rounded deep green leaves and small clusters of pink star-shaped flowers in the summer. Tolerates light foot traffic. Full sun / partial shade. Mauve / pink flower. 2-4 in. (5-10 cm). Zone 2-9." Some sources say it's [http://www.finegardening.com/plants/articles/creeping-sedums.aspx deciduous], others that it's [http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/332/john-creech-stonecrop/ evergreen] (?). 
 
Sedum has shallow roots and easily propagates from cuttings - they'll take root within 7 to 10 days. 
 
We could purchase a few specimens and use those to propagate a sedum horizontal garden - which we'd then use to get cuttings for the vertical gardens. 

==Vertical Garden Models==
[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=catshow&ref=wallmounted&count=10&offset=0 Vertical Gardening Systems]

===Living Pictures===
Shallow wood box filled with soil and covered with galvanized mesh. Appropriate for succulents. This is probably the approach we want.

*[http://www.modernmom.com/f296c758-3b45-11e3-8407-bc764e04a41e.html How to Make a Succulent Wall] 
*[http://sgplants.com/products/living Living Pictures] 
*[http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/gardening/how-to/h/-/19697363/how-to-make-a-succulent-vertical-garden/ How to Make a Vertical Succulent Garden] 
*[http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/diy-vertical-succulent-garden-project-00400000063442/ Make your own living succulent art] 
*[http://homeguides.sfgate.com/type-wood-needed-build-planter-box-52380.html Woods appropriate for planters]

'''Challenges'''
*Size: We may need to make several of these and tile them as in this [http://www.houzz.com/photos/2932811/Green-Street-contemporary-patio-philadelphia example] (plywood and mahogany frame, root barrier behind soil behind landscape fabric held in with wire). We can also make our own large tray (a wood grid) rather than individual boxes - but individual boxes may be more manageable (can be removed more easily). [http://theshopatvictoriagardens.blogspot.com/2010/08/green-wall-sounds-good.html Victoria Gardens] built wall-sized panels which appear to use burlap in between the wire mesh and the soil ([http://theshopatvictoriagardens.blogspot.com/2010/08/growing-up-vertical-planting.html more Victoria Gardens photos]) - they probably have wood shelves behind the burlap.
*Water flow/drainage: make holes at the bottom of each tray?
*Weight: will the wall withstand the weight? Perhaps use bookshelf approach where most weight rests on the ground and picture hanging hooks keep flush to the wall (may require a row of bricks below the bottom tray).

===Pallet===
Not appropriate for succulents. 
*[http://ellisbenus.com/ideas/diy-vertical-garden/ Pallet Vertical Garden]

===Vertical or Angled Pockets===
Not appropriate for succulents.

*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-1 Pockets] 
*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-4 Shelves] 
*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-3 Hanging Pots] 

===Trays===
Plastic trays with individual vertical compartments. Appropriate for succulents.

*[http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/how-to-plant-a-vertical-garden#slide-2 Country Living] 
*[http://verticalgardeningsystems.com/Item/brightgreengrovertbg20 Grovert] 

=Thu Mar 6, 2014=

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MawJqAwNle6hJxE2Cu9k1IY3po6W6QKZnnsXCWGu-ws/edit# FeF Improvements List]

==HabLab To Dos for this Week==
*Check water / install pipeline if needed
*Clear rubble outside
*Lay straw in front of the house
*Clean room for Chris
*Hang storage area curtain
*Finish cleaning fridge
*Wipe front door
*Wash sheets
*Wash vacuum filters
*Install new water heater
*Weld chimney
*Close old chimney hole
*Insulate new chimney hole

==MicroHouse To Dos for next Week==
*Internet
*Cell phone signal booster
*Fridge
*Repair water leak
*Stucco south and east walls

==Whitewash Recipes==
[http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/whitewashing-using-slaked-lime.aspx Mother Earth News] 
[https://fiascofarm.com/recipes/whitewash.html Fiasco Farm] 
[http://beforeitsnews.com/self-sufficiency/2012/08/homemade-diy-paint-whitewash-and-milk-paint-2444918.html Homemade DIY Paint] 
[http://voices.yahoo.com/tips-whitewashing-walls-paint-recipes-for-1585093.html?cat=30 Yahoo] 
[http://www.wikihow.com/Whitewash-Furniture How to Whitewash Furniture]

===BoM===
*Hydrated lime [http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/concrete-cement-masonry/concrete-mix/carmeuse-type-s-miracle-morta-lok-masons-hydrated-lime-50-lbs/p-1502423-c-5648.htm]
*Salt
*5 gallon paint buckets
*Coating brushes [http://www.menards.com/main/doors-windows-millwork/mobile-manufactured-home-parts/exterior/accessories/7-roof-coating-brush/p-1480883-c-12590.htm]

=Mon Mar 3, 2014=

==FeF Requirements for Year-round Operation==

===HabLab===
*Insulate bathroom/kitchen wall
*Robust water heater
*Sufficient heating for common room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms
*Finish interiors (paint walls/floor, close holes, finish ceiling, etc)
*Mud room (physically separate from main room)
*Covered porch/patio
*Outdoors and indoors firewood racks
*Finish exterior rooms
*Robust plumbing
*Robust water system
*Robust electrical system
*Robust internet
*Cell phone signal amplifier

===Exterior===
*Gravel or wood chip paths connecting all buildings - for both pedestrians and vehicles
*A way to shovel/clear snow-covered paths
*Solar lights or reflective cells along the paths

===MicroHouse===
*Draft insulation
*Permanent (buried) water system
*Permanent sewage system
*Permanent electrical system (30A)
*Internet connection
*Cell phone signal amplifier
*Two additional modules (bedroom + living/working room)
*Heating on all modules
*Covered porch/patio
*Outdoors firewood rack

===Workshop===
*Second stove

==House Painting==
I think the best contrast colors for dark brown walls are white, yellow and apple green. See for example:

http://blog.styleestate.com/storage/thumbnails/2908662-2950705-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1243374071765

http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/844425/Da_Lime_inda_Coconut

Menards doesn't have any bright greens (only boring ones), but Home Depot does have one that looks pretty nice (bamboo leaf). So here's the palette I suggest:

Inline image 3

Links for the paints at Home Depot:

Bamboo Leaf (green):
http://www.homedepot.com/s/Bamboo%2520Leaf%2520%2520paint?NCNI-5

Lemon Lime (yellow):
http://www.homedepot.com/s/lemon%2520lime%2520paint?NCNI-5

Chalkboard Paint:
http://www.homedepot.com/s/chalkboard%2520paint?NCNI-5

For the MH I think we should go with white for the walls as that will make the space appear bigger.

=Fri Jan 16, 2014=

<html><img src="https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1HfFz_Rh_EAbcS-UeYPk2UIb0cXuZs7NhRUhhW2em9oM/pub?w=771&h=583"></html>

[https://docs.google.com/a/opensourceecology.org/drawings/d/1HfFz_Rh_EAbcS-UeYPk2UIb0cXuZs7NhRUhhW2em9oM/edit edit]

Looked into [[Swimming Pool]] idea for morale management.