Living on our property was a blessing, even if we were staying in an 8×12 power shed without running water. The quiet and rest were exactly what I needed, and it suited my husband too. He only had to step out the door and walk across the yard to work, pop back for lunch, and then head back again.
Christmas and Delays
After we moved onto the land, the next major task was installing windows and doors. We kept waiting for our order to arrive, hoping to have them and the wood stove in place before the holidays. The end of the year approached, but still the windows and doors had not shown up.
Eight weeks later my husband called the supplier and pressed for answers. He discovered the company had made an error — no order had been placed. That meant we now faced another 6–8 week delay.
We had hoped to spend Christmas Eve curled up in front of the wood stove. It didn’t matter that the house wasn’t insulated; we wanted to be in our own place. Instead, we celebrated with a campfire in the yard.
It was a simple Christmas Eve. We didn’t exchange presents, but we were thrilled to be so close to our goal. I pulled out the fiddle I hadn’t played in months, and we spent the evening reminiscing, star-gazing, and fiddling. Simple suited us just fine.
Electrical Work
After spending the holiday with friends and nearby family, my husband began the house wiring — by himself. He studied the code book and consulted his father and a friend, and in the end the house passed inspection with flying colors.
My one complaint was that he had to work in freezing temperatures because of the delayed windows and doors.
Slowly, the Pieces Came Together
When the windows and doors finally arrived — 14 weeks after our original order — my husband and a coworker installed them. The arrival was a turning point. Next came the wood stove, and that day felt glorious because we could finally heat the place properly.
Extra Time Off
Originally, my husband was supposed to return to work the second week of January, but when his boss offered extra time off he accepted. He spent all of January and into February working on our cottage. We hired a friend to install the HRV unit and the in-floor heating system, which proved worth every penny.
For major tasks my mother organized weekend work parties for insulating and hanging drywall, and friends helped with mudding and taping. We were floored by their generosity; they pitched in quickly, often needing nothing more than a meal in return. Their help meant a great deal to us.
Just before texturing and final mudding were finished, my husband went back to work.
The Winter Days Felt Long
Even with several large writing projects on my plate, things got hard when my husband returned to his job. I missed him and the convenience of having a vehicle on hand. Eventually we settled into a routine where Tuesday became my day to use the vehicle for errands: laundry, grocery shopping, baking, internet work, and visiting friends. At first it was helpful, but over time it became overloaded and stressful.
I wanted to sit and visit with people, not rush between homes while juggling laundry, baking, and online work. Sometimes I would pop into the grocery store while the dryer ran or check the mail while dough rose.
I began to miss having a fully outfitted home and the ability to welcome people in.
Then we lost water at the property. My husband found mold in our shed and cleared it out. I began experiencing severe tooth pain and sleepless nights; after multiple dentist visits, the diagnosis cost us a considerable sum. That winter the problem recurred, and the repeated setbacks wore us down.
Melt-downs became more frequent. We were tired of the grind and discouraged that my health wasn’t improving despite the rest. Day after day felt like trudging through mud, and our enthusiasm dwindled. It was a challenging season on many levels.
Honest Reflections
I’m not sharing the hard parts to complain or elicit pity, but to be honest: it wasn’t easy. Delays and setbacks — often beyond our control — made the process heavier. Who loses water at the end of winter, after all?
Still, there were bright spots. Our vehicle remained reliable throughout, which we appreciated greatly. Even when troubles felt stacked against us, good people stood for us and offered help and encouragement.
We didn’t make the journey alone. Looking back, helping hands were woven into every part of the process, supporting and encouraging us from the day we arrived in the valley and as we built our mountain farmstead.
Spring Arrived for the Land and for Us
As spring descended on the mountains, our hope and energy began to return. Green shoots pushed up through the torn-up work site. My husband’s oldest brother came down to help with finishing work. The septic field was installed, flooring was laid, tiles went down, and landscaping started around the house.
Although the cottage still lacked exterior siding, the interior became nearly livable.
At last things were wrapping up: kitchen paneling and cabinets, trim and interior doors remained. It felt like the end of one long chapter was finally in sight.
Embracing a New Beginning
On Easter Sunday the realization hit me: this intense season was nearly over. As we sang songs of praise, I fought back tears. The hustle and strain of building had consumed us, requiring constant decisions and adjustments. We had to stay mentally engaged or pay the price later.
We’d felt torn — both feet in the world of house building while our hearts wanted to invest in what matters most spiritually. We weren’t regretful; we had peace about the project and count ourselves undeniably blessed. But I longed for our feet and hearts to be in the same place again.
That Easter morning, I sensed the shift. Spring was returning to the land and to our spirits. The long winter was ending, our house was almost finished, and we were preparing to resume more normal lives — now within the walls of our own home. With my health improving, we could even begin to imagine starting a family.
The End
And that brings this entry in our Journey to the Farm to a close. If you have questions about our journey, home, or land, send them my way this week and I’ll do a Q&A on the blog. Though this series ends, I’ll continue sharing cottage, garden, and farm updates every Friday. Thanks for following along.