We’re often asked what our favorite season in the yurt is, now that we’ve had some time in each part of the year. I would have initially guessed spring or fall. But summer it is. No fire stoking, no big crazy winds, being open to the outside noises and scents and spaces at all times. I’m already missing it a bit as the nights start to cool down and I know the two straight months of windows and dome open day and night will be coming to an end.
I expected it to be too stifling in the summer. There have been a few overly hot spells, but mostly it has felt like we’ve been on one long camping adventure. Complete with an unexpected twist of not having a refrigerator for the whole month of August when ours went kaput and we waited for the warranty service and delivery of the replacement. One cooler outside (under awning above) and one inside, also doubling as stage for the Midsummer Queen or a boat for her and her brother… Despite their multi-purpose use this summer, I can’t say I’ll miss the coolers.
Summer… a time when everyone has been busy-busy with their self-assigned wood and water tasks to get us ready for the days and months (and years?) ahead…
A time when we’ve been able to use outdoor spaces to experiment with things like what it’s like to be a washer woman. This in large part thanks to the fairy godmotheresque teacher in the Waldorf Morning Garden parent/child class that Aria and I go to on Friday mornings during the school year, Ms. Quatie, who lent us her wringer for the summer. And also thanks to Josh’s mom’s laundry room decorations – an old washboard and assorted antique hand laundering implements. And to the magic that is the Breathing Hand Washer – a plunger-looking device that is both fun to use and actually works.
Summer, also a time for sawdust gathering… And sawdust swimming… I can’t say I blame the silly little ones as I am always purposefully barefoot when gathering the humanure system sawdust supply. Sawdust with its splendorous silky feel…surely some spa will be offering it as a treatment at some point!
A time for making MORE sawdust, of course. Including the cherry that will eventually be counters, shelving in the tapered yurt…
A time for hidden beaches down the road…
A time for blackberry, raspberry, and mushroom hunting in and around the uncleared 16 acres…
I seem to have nothing to show in the raspberry department – they don’t stay around long enough for the camera! But it has been fun watching and waiting for the chanterelles to be ready. And now they are! Every precious one so, so delicious.
And finally that time for ripe peach eating, thanks to a basket full traveling to us from New Hampshire. We’re scheming and dreaming about which Maine hardy varieties we’ll plant here next year. At the moment the leaders are Reliance, July Elberta, and Stark White Giant.
Summer… A time for feasting in the outdoor dining room on lobsters that came from somewhere not too far from where we swam earlier that day…
Soon we’ll be rolling in the awnings and zipping up the windows to those chill winds of fall. But for now we’re still hanging on to every last moment, and bite, of this summer HERE!
Circle In 
So much fun! I seem to remember using a wringer washer when you were Arie’s age. UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
Nice choice in literature Aria!
yes! i am interested in living in a yurt with my growing family (we live in vermont). i am so glad to find your blog. i look forward to exploring more!!!!!
Hello 🙂 i have been reading your blog and my family and i are so inspired by you. We were wondering if you could give some of your knowlege as to what the requirements were for you to move on it full time. We will pay for land in cash and love your area but are worried about the cost of red tape lol. Ie septic and well before you can live on it full time. Any advice would be lovely. Thank you so much audrey and fam:)
Hello! Very, very good question… In our case, as long as we do not have running water there is no need or requirement for a septic. We also didn’t need to have the well on the property before we moved on. It differs from town to town though. It was clear what we needed (or rather didn’t need) by spending some time talking to people at the town office and with the town code enforcement officer. Very exciting that you’re planning out your family’s adventure – best of luck!