A Desert Oasis

By Christina Nellemann

In the start the ball rolling Texas desert, Patricia Kerns has created a small community of tiny adobe, cob and straw bale houses that snug down right into the landscape. I first saw Patricia’s tiny houses in the book, Little House on a Small Planet. The dome of the Egyptian design guest house caught my attention because of its interesting shape.

Patricia’s little community in Terlingua, Texas contains six teeny-weeny houses: the main straw bale house, a shower house, a bathroom, the guesthouse, a cob studio and a new project which will shelter a kitchen and a great room. The cob studio was built with Ianto Evans of the Cob Cottage company. The main straw bale bordello is a 20-foot circular structure. Her power comes from several solar panels and a small wind turbine. She uses rain catchment systems for all her dampen needs.

She also has a video tour of her property and its tiny houses on her website.

Her love of natural building and small spaces came along at a in days of yore when she wanted to simplify her life and become financial independent. She took a straw bale building workshop, and she realized that with her new skills, she could vamoose her career as an attorney and build her own house.

A few years later she is living the life of her dreams in the desert. She was kind enough to send me her confabulation of building a life of simplicity:

Journey to a Small Place
By Patricia Kerns

My journey to a small squelch began with a simple desire for financial independence. Several years ago, having taken an early retirement from my gaffer, I needed to find a way to live on less than half my previous income. I had to reduce fixed expenses, especially mortgage/rent. The reckless idea that I could find some cheap land and build a house with my own two hands began to work its way into my head.

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Phoenix, AZ Real Estate is Perfect for Everyone

Have you brown study about moving to the Valley of the Sun? Phoenix, Arizona, has a booming economy and many job opportunities at all levels, plus world-year entertainment facilities, a thriving arts scene, great sports teams and everything you could want when it comes to shopping. With its supranational airport and excellent road connections, Phoenix is a major economic hub, and it’s also immensely popular with tourists who delight the warm sun and the clean desert air. You can find every kind of Phoenix, AZ real estate, from chic apartments in soaring high rises to huge family homes with casitas and splendid landscaping. Several superb gated communities offer privacy, and there are fascinating momentous areas filled with handsome older buildings and mature citrus trees. You’ll find some great deals on houses here, as Phoenix is certainly not concise of affordable homes. But its speciality is luxurious golf properties overlooking its many high-quality courses.

Source: Real Estate Bubble Talk

HIGH DESERT ESTATES

PRINEVILLE, OR; $209,500; 3 BR; 2 full BA; 1856 sf;
The setting you've dreamed of. This bright and cheerful manufactured home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with sunny skylights, sizeable family room, and garage. Nothing to do but move in. Fantastic buy! $209,500. #2804830
Offered by: Vashti Radabaugh
Phone: (541)420-2765,

Source: PRINEVILLE, Oregon area homes for sale and listings from Vashti Radabaugh

Houses For Sale High Desert News

Esmeralda County has few people, fewer worries Reno Gazette Journal - Jun 13, 2010 "The first patch I drove through here 40 some years ago, there was a house for sale, and I thought, 'Who would ever want to live in a circumstances like this? and more »

Rural Nevada county of Esmeralda has few people, few worries Reno Gazette-Journal - Jun 11, 2010 "The first constantly I drove through here 40 some years ago, there was a house for sale, and I thought, 'Who would ever want to live in a billet like this?

In the area (June 12) Silver City Sun News - Jun 12, 2010 9 am to twelve o'clock noon today, High Desert Humane Society, 3050 S. Cougar Way. Bring proof of previous vaccinations; 538-9261. Friends of the Library Libretto Sale, and more »

Community Events Calendar Bend Bulletin - Jun 12, 2010 10 am-3 pm; High Desert Museum, 59800 SUS Highway 97, Corner; 541-382-4754 or www.highdesertmuseum.org. TOYZ FOR FOOD: A sale of outdoor recreation gear,

In the area (June 11) Silver City Sun News - Jun 11, 2010 9 am to twelve o'clock noon, High Desert Humane Society, 3050 S. Cougar Way. Bring proof of previous vaccinations; 538-9261. Friends of the Library Enlist Sale, and more »

Esmeralda County has few people, fewer jobs, but don't talk about consolidation Las Vegas Review - Journal - Jun 06, 2010 Esmeralda County has few people, fewer jobs, but don't talk about consolidation"The first without surcease I drove through here 40 some years ago, there was a house for sale, and I thought, 'Who would ever want to live in a group like this? and more »

Area homes sales increase, prices soften during April Kingsport Times News - May 18, 2010 There is an copious inventory of homes for sale, mortgage rates are favorable and sellers are being competitive," she added. The normal days on the market and more »

Mountain's Edge and Providence builders add new neighborhoods Las Vegas Review-Journal - Jun 05, 2010 Mountain's Head start and Providence builders add new neighborhoodsBeazer Homes is selling homes at its Stonehurst neighborhood at Mountain's Keenness. Priced from $175000, each high-performance home includes at least 15 eSMART

New homes could take the place of pecan trees Arizona Daily Star - Jun 13, 2010 Said Carolyn Campbell, overseer of the Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection: "Even hearing that someone wants to do restoration on the Santa Cruz River

10 Seek 59th District Assembly Seat Mountain News - Jun 03, 2010 In the high desert where he lives, Tyler said, container has collapsed by 92 percent in two years; such regulations are "the last thing our economy needs. and more »