As some of you know, my wife, Mary, was suddenly diagnosed with an advanced case of chordoma in May 2024. That’s a very rare, slow-growing cancer that affects the spine and lower skull. Only one in one million people are…
Have you ever dreamed of owning a beautiful, affordable tiny house? Perhaps one you built yourself with your own hands? This article is the story of how my son Robert and I did more than just dream when he got…
Got a water line that needs to be protected from frost? Watch an actual installation video that I made a while back showing a smart heating cable on a cottage country water line. This system is so efficient you don’t…
Back in the 1990s, I learned a valuable lesson that I haven’t forgotten. It happened over a ten year period while I interviewed dozens of construction company owners and executives for ongoing articles I wrote for a magazine called Carpenter. The…
Ever thought of building a country life for yourself? Join Steve for part 2 of a 3-part conversation he had helping a young man with questions about setting out to build a modern homesteading lifestyle for himself.
Adding daylight to your home is one of the best things you can do and it’s the ultimate green energy source. Here’s how to make it happen with sunlight tunnels when conventional skylights aren’t an option.
Does your water well let you down with chronically insufficient water? Do you run out of water whenever the weather gets dry? Click below and watch (for free) what might be the most valuable part of my online video course…
Question: How should my husband and I choose an architect? We’ve bought five acres of waterfront property that’s blessed with interesting topography. We envision a small, green home, perhaps using water reclamation technology and solar energy, incorporating local materials. How…
Watch the transformation of day-old Leghorn chicks into full-fledged free-range laying hens. Besides being cute, there are key things you need to do to raise these birds properly.
Off-grid power technology is getting better quickly in surprising ways, and this means it’s never been easier to enjoy running water and electric power for lighting and small cooking jobs in cabins and lakeside cottages that can’t connect to utility…
Have you ever noticed how outdoor art can make a neighbourhood so much better? This article is about a remarkable outdoor artist who is making great things happen on building exteriors in southern Ontario, Canada. That’s him below, from a self…
Have you ever wanted an off grid solar system to power your home or cottage? How about wind energy? Let me to tell you a true story about a couple who built an off-grid energy system way back in 1998 that’s…