When we first embarked upon this homesteading project, we were naively dreaming of an idyllic lifestyle in the woods. It's safe to say that after two and a half years of focused effort, barring the blessing that is our friends and neighbors, we have experienced very little that resembles our dream. Instead, we've been challenged in more ways than either of us ever thought to imagine.

They say, don't they, that it is better to journey than to arrive. Which, when it comes to building houses, is rubbish. Because what you really want to do is to build the thing, move in, and get on with living your lives.

Kevin McCloud, Grand Designs

That last few weeks have brought the first glimmers of hope that our dream is truly becoming reality. We have the beginnings of a house, and electricity that works all by itself(!) (we will write about our solar installation at some point soon). Our workshop, while largely unfinished, is weather-tight enough that we have a dry space to work on things. These tiny indications that a "normal" life is in our future gives us hope.

The other day, after working on our house, we actually took a break for a half an hour to just be, something we have done far too little of in recent memory. We listened to the chirping birds and admired the dwindling mountain views (budding leaves eat up our views with each passing day). We're getting there. Slowly, slowly, we're getting there.