Tuesday, April 2, 2019

A Start and a Finish

It seems that for my last few posts, I've been telling you and telling you that I'm going to build a roof for the Nebraska Sod House - but somehow, from blog post to blog post, that doesn't happen. Well - it's happening now, but only in a very limited way, as you'll see. But it is a start, although the finish isn't quite in sight.


STARTING THE ROOF



I started by cutting styrofoam pieces for the gable ends, then I cut notches for the placement of the ridge pole and two support beams. The angle of the roof is important. If it's too steep, the sod blocks will slide off; if not steep enough, rain water can't run off, resulting in erosion and eventual collapse of the roof.



After the solid styrofoam gables were in place, I built up the east end gables with sod blocks...



...and finished the west end likewise.



View from the back - or north - side. I've painted the gables a dark brown to hide the white and also to tame the bits of styrofoam that would otherwise fly around.



This is the collection of rot-resistant cedar that I'll use for the roof beams.
These were the straightest and tallest trees that the homesteader could find after searching along several creek banks. 



The poles have been cut to a uniform size for the roof beams. The homesteader always left the cut poles as long as possible; the extra length was convenient for hanging meat, lanterns, etc. 



The ridge pole and two support beams are in place.
Soddies were usually built with one, three, five, or - rarely - seven beams, with three beams being the most common.



Another view.



This photo shows the support posts being cut for the ridge pole. The forked posts were placed underneath the ridge pole at each end of the soddy and prevented the weight of the ridge pole from collapsing the sod blocks on which it rested. Sometimes the notched posts were set outside the house, to save valuable floor space, but some were placed inside, where the posts were useful for hanging pans, coats, photographs, lanterns, etc.



The forked support posts have been cut to fit.



A forked support post is temporarily in place on the west side of the soddy. (I forgot to take a photo before I inserted wood pegs to use for hanging various items.)



The east side forked post is temporarily in position. At this point, I needed to plaster the gable ends, paint and age them - and again, I forgot to take photos!



Both forked support posts are in place, and the gable walls have been finished.



A closer view of one notched post.

And now I've gone about as far as I can go with the roof construction - which isn't very far - until I complete the interior of the soddy. I've realized that although the back opening is large enough to allow a good enough view of the interior, it will be too small to allow for decorating after the roof is on. 


 FINISHING THE FLOOR

As you may remember from my last blog post, I was not happy with the soddy's dirt floor, but I wasn't sure how to achieve the effect that I hoped for: a hard-packed dirt floor with a scant top layer of loose dirt.  




Blizzards kept blowing across Nebraska, so my chances of access to real dirt were anywhere from nil to zilch. So I started experimenting.



My experiments began with a rummage through the kitchen cupboards. (Robert's kitchen cupboards - but fortunately he wasn't home at the time, so I had free rein. Free but guilty.) I was looking for anything that could provide the right color and texture to simulate dirt. I found some likely spices; a little hot chocolate powder; a bit of espresso. I added some Hobby Town Fine Turf mixture. It all added up to a concoction that was the color of dirt with the aroma of (inedible) food.  



I mixed up paints that came close to the color of the spicy concoction.



The floor needed a rough texture that was more pliable than joint compound, so I tried using torn paper towels with uneven edges. The dark color on one piece of towel is residue from a previous experiment that failed. Just ignore it.



I smeared a lavish layer of matte Mod Podge over the floor...



...and added the pieces of paper toweling and let the floor dry. 



The texture was good - although it's hard to see in this photo - but there were wide gaps that needed better coverage.



I smeared on more Mod Podge and added more paper toweling.



The resulting texture was just right, but there was too much shine, so I repainted with another coat of the acrylic paint mixture to dull it down. (The color in this photo is darker than the real thing.)



I sprinkled on the aromatic "dirt" mixture, and the result was very close to my vision - but not quite. I was willing to wait for a try at real dirt before I settled for this "not quite right" version. If the real dirt wouldn't work, I was going to call it quits. Enough is enough.



Three weeks later - by late March - there had been some mild days, and the snow was gone from the ground, although it was still mostly frozen. I went out on one of the milder days, located a likely spot, and hacked and chopped out a paper cup full of REAL dirt! Now the experiment can continue! I baked the dirt to thaw and dry it, then pulverized it with a wooden mallet, then pressed it through a sifter, and voila! I had a powdery dirt that was just the color and texture that I wanted! 



There was actually very little difference between the spicy concoction and the Real Dirt - but the real dirt had a better texture and better color consistency.



I vacuumed up all the loose "concoction" from the floor, sprayed on an adhesive, and sprinkled on the real dirt, patting it down firmly. And at last (!) I'm satisfied with the soddy's dirt floor. (I know that you probably can't tell much difference from the previous floors; you just need to be here to see firsthand!) And I can still use the spicy concoction for landscaping, so I won't waste all those good things from the kitchen.


So, once again the roof construction must be postponed. But I've experienced much industrious pleasure as I work on the interior of the soddy. My next post will feature some of the ways and means the homesteaders employ in "making do" with whatever is at hand in order to create a home on the "treeless plains."

24 comments:

  1. You may think we can't tell the difference in your floors but I definitely can and you can't beat the authenticity of the real thing. Plus I was worried little creepy crawly critters might come and eat your floor with all those tasty things in your concoction. haha. I think your logs in the roof construction are great Marjorie. You have selected the perfect ones. The bark is the perfect texture for the scale and they add such wonderful interest to the interior. I can imagine them being a fantastic place to hang interesting mini's utensils and pots and pans from. I'm really looking forward to watching the interior come to life, so yes, the roof will have to wait! :D

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    1. Hi, Sam - I'm so glad that you could see the difference in the floor versions; it's always hard to know whether a photograph will show what I want it to show! But (YIKES) I had never given a thought to what critters that kitchen concoction might attract. I did bake the mixture before using it, but that probably only made it more appealing to the little critters who like that sort of stuff. Maybe I won't use the leftovers for landscaping after all! Now that I've started work on the interior, I'm eager to keep going; it's a lot more fun than laying sod blocks. Thanks for stopping by!
      Marjorie


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  2. Me encanta el resultado que has obtenido,tanto con los troncos,que me parece maravilloso como en el suelo,no creo que pueda ser más real,es auténtico y me gusta muchísimo!!!!
    Besos.

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    1. Hello, Pilar - Thank you for your interest and for your nice comments. I'm so glad to have finally finished that dirt floor! Now I can move on to other things. I've been busy with the interior of the soddy, so I hope you'll stop by next time and see my progress.
      Marjorie

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  3. Hello Marjory,
    I get more excited about this project with each new post. The roof support structure is fantastic. I love the poles with the overhanging edge and the forked posts look terrific. As for the floor, bravo in not settling because you got it just right. the texture is magnificent and you can see how the real dirt adds a layer to the dimension of it. It is coming along beautifully.
    Big hug
    Giac

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    1. Hello, Giac - I appreciate your excitement! I'm eager to get back to the roof, but meanwhile I'm having a really good time getting the interior in order. I'm so pleased that you like the dirt floor; that was a trial - a long one - but I'm glad that I waited out the snow and used the real dirt. At least I'll be doing the outdoor landscaping in warm weather so dirt will be plentiful!
      Marjorie

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  4. You are so incredibly creative and clever. I love seeing your progress.

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    1. Hi, Brandy - Thanks for stopping by again. I'm now following your blog and have been reading some of your earlier posts - and having a good time! Now that the floor is finished in my soddy, I hope that I'll make faster progress on the remaining work. Please come by again and see what's next!
      Marjorie

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  5. Every little detail you add to this fantastic project makes me love it even more, if that's even possible! I love the beams and their little pegs and can't wait for the delightful moment when you adorn them with all sorts of wonderful pioneer paraphernalia! The facade with its new roof shape is wonderful to see, and the dirt experimentation really paid off! The floor looks incredibly authentic! I guess there's no substitute for the real thing, and I am glad you finally moved past the ground freeze so that you could prove your theory right! Can't wait to see the interior become an amazing homage to history, as I know it will be, and to hear more fascinating facts about this incredible structure and the brilliant folks who made use of what they had to hand!

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    1. Hello, Jodi - You've made such lovely comments on the soddy; you help me see it through fresh eyes and renew my excitement in accomplishing the next steps. Thank you for your encouragement! I'm finding that the interior isn't quite as sparse and simple as I had expected it to be; those bare necessities keep multiplying! But how satisfying to watch it come together. And - I still have the roof to look forward to!
      Marjorie

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  6. Actually Marjorie, I can clearly see the gradual improvements of your soddy's compacted dirt floor and I applaud your dogged persistence in getting the color and texture EXACTLY RIGHT! The results are Beautiful!
    And as to the roof beams and supports- MOST IMPRESSIVE! Their natural curves and rough texture immediately evoke a by-gone era and conjure up the image of men in their sweaty shirt sleeves, chopping down tall trees and dragging them via mules back to their settlement.
    In this day we take for granted how labor intensive house building was and causes us to appreciate their construction skills, all the more.


    elizabeth

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    1. Hi, Elizabeth - I so agree with your appreciation of the hard labor involved in building even a simple dwelling in those long-ago days. It was often also lonely labor; only the most fortunate homesteaders had neighbors to share the work and the satisfaction of a hard job accomplished. I'm looking forward - with trepidation - to the roof work; it's going to be a complex process. I keep telling myself that I can surely build a tiny roof using tiny bits of material, knowing how hard those settlers worked to build the real thing! Thank you for your encouraging comments.
      Marjorie

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  7. I think the dirt floor has turned out marvelous! I'm so excited to see this project progressing! Can't wait to see the interior finished off (interior is more interesting than roof in my opinion! LOL) - Lori K.

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    1. Hi, Lori - Thanks for the encouraging words regarding the dirt floor; I'm happy with the way it turned out and even happier to be moving on to something else! I'm enjoying working on the soddy's interior - and yes, it's definitely more interesting than the roof. (Much easier, as well.) I hope to have some progress to show soon.
      Marjorie

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  8. Un trabajo fantástico y muy laborioso Marjorie, le estás dando un toque rústico perfecto.Me encanta y estaré esperando los nuevos avances.Besos:-)

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    1. Hello, Rosa Maria - Thank you for your nice comments on the soddy's dirt floor and the (beginning) of the roof. The roof is very rustic, and becomes even more so as it progresses! I'm looking forward to getting back to the roof when the interior is complete. I hope you'll stop by again to watch my progress.
      Marjorie

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  9. Wow those roof beams and supports are amazing.The dirt floor looks great. I love the very interesting history lesson :)
    Hugs Maria

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    1. Hi, Maria - I've found it very interesting to learn about the construction techniques for the sod houses. Those homesteaders were masters of ingenuity! The completion of the roof will be harder than the beginning, but I'm looking forward to the job anyway. For now, I'm making progress on the interior and hope to show my progress soon. Thanks so much for stopping by!
      Marjorie

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  10. Hi Marjorie! Sorry I am so late to comment... just a little busy lately! The additions to the Soddy look absolutely fantastic!!! You have made very convincing ridgepole supports and the ridgepole too! The floor experiments are very educational! It is so interesting to see the difference between an artificial "almost good enough" spice concoction and the real genuine dirt! I am glad you persevered.... you will be glad you did and it does look more convincing than the spices! I can understand your desire to get the roof finished before you decorate any more... but working on the inside will be so much easier this way! I look forward to seeing more!

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    1. Hello, Betsy - Yes, you're so right about the interior being easier to work on without the roof. I've made quite a bit of progress on the furnishings and accessories, and I'm pretty certain that I couldn't have accomplished most of it with a roof overhead blocking out my work space. So I have the cart before the horse again, but at least I'm working in comfort. I appreciate your comments about the roof supports and the dirt floor! It felt really good to have that floor over and done with; it was a long process. Thanks for stopping by!
      Marjorie

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  11. Hi Marjorie, It's me again! I just wanted to add that part of the reason my Castle Dollhouse is still so incomplete is that I am building the rooms from the bottom up.... so that the room is easier to work on without the ceiling attached (each ceiling is the floor of the room above!) It is a good idea and one that has allowed me to access the interior space easily, but the down side is that the structure as a whole is taking a long time to finish! I am enjoying seeing your unique creation grow! :)

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  12. Hi, Betsy - I almost missed this addition to your previous comment! I built my French Farmhouse and Tuscan Villa from the bottom up as well, which made the interior work much easier. The villa was the only one that gave me a problem, and it wasn't the ceiling that was the challenge; the back wall was SO FAR BACK, compared to the others that I've built. I had to complete those back walls before the ceiling was added so that I could work from the top, since I couldn't reach in far enough from the front. The soddy's walls are all within reach, but with the ceiling on, there's definitely just not enough working space for my hands and arms - and part of my head! It's good to know that I'm not alone in going through these Ceiling Challenges! Thanks for sharing.
    Marjorie

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  13. Your project is looking great. This is good post and great photos - you found the perfect logs! The floor is taking shape. We are learning with you! Keep doing what you are doing :)

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    1. Hi, Troy - Thank you for such encouragement! I appreciate your interest. I'm just about ready for an "interior" post, so I hope you'll stop by soon and see my interpretation of life inside a soddy.
      Marjorie

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I'd love to hear your comments!