BLOG
Balancing Work, Dirt, and Everything in Between.
This blog is for the modern homesteader, a space where ambition meets simplicity.
From the desk of Paige—a startup executive by remote workday and homesteader by every other hour—these essays explore the art of cultivating an intentional life rooted in simplicity, creativity, and good old-fashioned soil.
Under the Snow, Revealed
We bought the land in winter, knowing we might not see the ground before closing. A few warm spells gave us a glimpse—but it wasn’t until after the deal was done that we saw what we’d inherited: buried pots, plastic beds, and a field full of questions.
Before We Break Ground: Defining Our Vision, Values and Goals
Before we map anything on paper, we’re pausing to look ten years ahead. What kind of life were we really trying to build here? That simple question, along with a pro-approved visioning process, led us through clarifying our values, crafting a shared vision, and setting real priorities for the land.
From the Rainforest Afar, We Sealed Our Desert Deal.
Morning after morning, from the porch of our carport (also made of pallets), we mulled over due diligence findings, discussed negotiation tactics, and (with the occasional help of Starlink and solar panels) prepared our Inspection Objection Letter. Maybe the humidity and being at sea level gave us the gusto we needed. We leveraged Cooper’s findings—the leaky pond, the questionable structural integrity of the greenhouses, the stuck baby deer!—to compose the letter outlining our concerns and our position: There’s a worst-case scenario for each one of these issues. Worst-case scenarios cost pasta.
I Negotiate Now
Cooper and I strapped on our cross-country skis and glided across our soon-to-be property, still blanketed in snow. The visit was equal parts scouting mission and neighborly meet-and-greet—except the neighbors had some unexpected news. “You know the pond leaks, right?” one said. Then another… The thing is, the pond was completely frozen over. But as the snow began to melt, so did the leverage begin to appear. By the end of the week, we had a growing list of negotiation ammo—because when two of the biggest assets on the property might become the biggest potential expenses, you don’t just sign and hope for the best. (Or so we’re told…)
Embarking On Our Lifelong Homestead Journey
We’ve officially said “yes” to our forever homestead—a 44-acre property that aligns with our vision of self-sufficient living. The decision wasn’t without nerves, but trusting our shared values gave us the confidence to move forward. This is the beginning of an exciting journey where we’ll balance the practicalities of debt reduction and investment growth with the deeply personal work of building a life rooted in intention.
Let’s Cut to the Chase: Homesteading Ain’t Free.
The simple life isn’t cheap. In fact, it’s a paradox: you have to shovel a lot of figurative (and sometimes literal) shit to earn the privilege of shoveling the real stuff. My dream is to homestead full-time, which is absolutely work. Retirement to me means not having to work for money. And when I can put an actual number on that (my FI number), it makes the vision feel so much more real. I become stoked to put money in those envelopes…
P.S. What We’re Doing Here
Slow living, intentional living, trad-wifing?
There are always trends, and there are always people telling other people how they should live…
Garden Planning at Elevation: Tips for Success, And My Practical Plan for 2025
You know that little voice that’s already scheming for the season ahead, eager to discover what we can do better next year, whatever better looks like. So, what does ‘better’ look like? The question is a natural place to start as we enter garden planning time. Here are four tips for planning your garden according to your vision and values, with some of my personal favorites and focus areas this year.
All’s Well That Ends in Pink Sequin (Or, How to Knit & Sew Cuffed Christmas Stockings)
I settled into my sleeper car, excited for 28 hours of cup-filling activities. With Christmas around the corner, the knitting project at hand felt meaningful and practical: a ribbed cuff for the linen Christmas stocking I planned to make.
From the Desk of the Author
Creativity is my job, but it's also what makes me, me and if you're reading this—I'm guessing it's part of what makes you, you. The journey to homesteading is a winding one, and you don't have to be surrounding by the cowboys on Yellowstone to be on it…