Restoring the Small Cabin: From Fallen Tree to Livable Off-Grid Retreat

February 5February 3 by Teresa

Introduction: Restoring the Small Cabin When we first saw the small cabin, a tree had fallen across the roof and packrats had clearly moved in. It had been abandoned for years, but beneath the mess we could see good bones. This post documents the earliest stages of restoring our small off-grid cabin — from assessing … Read more

Finding Our Off-Grid Cabin: The Beginning of Our Cabin Project

February 8February 3 by Teresa

This post documents the very beginning of our off-grid cabin journey — how we found the property, what we walked into, and why we decided to take it on. This project became the foundation for everything we now share about off-grid living. If you’re new here, you can explore the bigger picture in our guide … Read more

And we have done it! Gone Off Grid

February 6November 2 by Teresa

Well, the day finally came. We sold our big house we built 10 years ago (4000 sq ft) and moved to our off grid home…..now to start building and growing

Oregon Grape

February 3May 10 by Teresa

Oregon Grape

Found on the west coast of North America here is a picture of Oregon Grape in bloom.

Soon these flowers will turn into clusters of purple berries with a that bring to mind a cluster of grapes…hence the name.

Off Grid Tools

February 3December 3 by Teresa

Off Grid Tools Survival Axe Ultimate Outdoor Multitool-Hatchet Hammer Saw, Black

This is an excellent off grid tool, an all in one that comes with a Hatchet Blade, Hammer head, Nail Claw and Pry bar as well as a replaceable 6″ saw blade, but that’s not all. It also has 5 hex sockets and a hardened steel glass breaker and seat belt cutter.

Best Books to Read Before Going Off Grid

February 4December 3 by Teresa

Books to Read If You’re Thinking About Going Off Grid If you’ve been thinking about moving off grid—or even just flirting with the idea—there are a few books that can help you understand what you’re really signing up for. Some focus on the practical skills you’ll need, while others share honest, often humorous stories about … Read more

Winter at the cabin

February 6February 10 by Teresa

This post is part of our ongoing cabin journey — you can start from the beginning in Finding Our Off-Grid Cabin: The Beginning of Our Cabin Project. This past summer was a challenge. With forest fires in the area and road closures limiting access, we weren’t able to get up to the cabin as much … Read more

Small Wood Stove

February 3January 1 by Teresa

A Small Wood Stove for a Small Cabin

2025 Update: We have taken the wood stove out and put in a propane furnace. It’s wonderful and the cabin is now for our guests

The cabin is only 10 x 11 so there was no need to leave the big cast iron wood stove that was in there. A small wood stove will do the job we need it to do.

There are all kinds of small wood stoves out there, we are trying to recycle and use what we have so spending money was not part of the plan. We found a larger wood stove in the cabin, but the heat from it would have blown us out of there, so we decided to buy a cheaper wall tent stove.