……Did I ever imagine I’d have an outhouse in my back yard. Let alone one that we’d use on a daily basis. LOL, my oh my how times change. Back when I was a teen my Dad bought a place up north and as they renovated from a camp into a home the outhouse was their only means of a bathroom. I must admit it was one of my least favorite parts of going up there for visits. Thankfully there was a campground just up the road that we could shower at for $1.00.
Here is how it happened …. I was chatting with my farmer friend about the upcoming pig roast we were planning. I casually mentioned that I was planning on renting a port-a-potty. He inquired about the cost, I gave a guess of what I thought it may be and he sharply replied “I’ll build you an outhouse.” My initial thought was “I don’t want an outhouse in my back yard” but amazingly I kept my mouth shut and did not share my thoughts with him.
The next time I visited he was sawing wood with his saw mill and within a month or so I had a permanent port-a-potty at the cost of a couple hinges and a lock and lots of labor from my farmer friend. Maine Man brought it home & he and the girls (Flower Girl & our Fresh Air Child) stained it. (and themselves..lol)
It was a hit at the party and saved my septic system BIG time! Funny thing is we use it daily. With the gardens, pool , and animals we all tend to spend a good amount of time outside. Crazy, who would of thought I’d have a outhouse and LOVE IT?
12 comments:
Lol, dropped in from Down to earth blog and thought for a minute you were in Australia when I saw the outdoor dunny! Until a few years ago, when the local council installed a new environmental 'green' system, we had these down at the community hall. They were of the 'long drop', or deep hole in the ground variety though, and kids from town were terrified they'd fall in when they had to 'go'.
They are still there though and for big events us 'bush' people still use them when the line for the 'posh' toilets is too long :D.
Cheers,
Robyn
Ok-so why is there a way to lock the door from the OUTSIDE?? : )
Lisa the Local
Ahhhh, come on --- show us the inside!! Wooden hole or plastic seat????
My grandparents got inside plumbing in 1950 on their farm in So. Indiana. When we went up to visit them during the summer-- we could ONLY use the "2 seater" since we played outside ALL day long. The best part was drinking water from the hand pump in the breeze way. That was the coldest water!!
THANKS for bringing back great memories!!
Still want to see inside!!!
The reality is if an outhouse is maintained properly, it is more ecological than anything that gets waste treated. On an island that I visit each summer, each camp has its own outhouse. Everyone keeps a bucket of forest duff to sprinkle on whatever is deposited. In the spring when the outhouse gets cleaned what is left is just like soil.
When I was in elementary school my home was one of the few with indoor plumbing. I felt deprived.
Wait---do you ever have to empty it or do anything with the *gulp* poop?
That actually sounds like a cool idea if the waste just composted like any other waste. And this coming from a true outhouse hater.
Thanks for sharing!
I love the color you guys stained it. How cool. Great for summer, not winter. Noooooooo Wayyyyyy.
I am curious what sort of pit you ended up with underneath that thing. I can see the benefit but I don't want to dig any more holes at my place (not by hand anyhow!)
ST, NEVER HEARD OF BUSH PEOPLE....AUSTRALIA IS ON MY WANT TO VISIT WISH LIST.
LISA SO THE WIND DOESN'T CATCH THE DOOR OR IN THE CASE OF MY CHILDREN SO U CAN BE FUNNY AND LOCK PEOPLE IN.
TH, I WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES OF THE INSIDE SOME TIME FOR YOU. ONE SEATER, PLASTIC RECYCLED SEAT.
DL, I hear you if I had to use it I may not like it. BTW....what is forrest duff?
L, WE DUST THE DROPPING W/ LIME. COME WINTER WHEN WE HAVE WOOD ASH AGAIN WE WILL USE THAT.
K, I LOVE THE COLOR TOO. INITIALLY I WANTED IT NATURAL WOOD JUST COVER W/ POLY BUT MY FARMER FRIEND SENT UP AND OLD CAN OF RED STAIN AND IT LOOKS REAL NICE.
W, MM DUG ABOUT A 3 FT HOLE UNDER IT.
Country Girl, forest duff is that layer created by years of falling leaves, needles, moss etc. It is easy to get from the Spruce trees that inevitably blow over in the winter.
I just stopped by your blog and had to say- too funny. I could see doing that if we had more land.
I am a new gardening and hoping to become homesteader. :)
I homeschool my four kiddos as well.
Nice to meet you and love love your garden pics. gardens are just beautiful.
I love it! It is very cool looking too :-)
I love it! It's adorable. And I have always *hated* outhouses! :-)
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