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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.