Our New Beginning: Embracing the “Going Slow” Lifestyle on Our Five-Acre Urban Farm

After what felt like an eternity – three long, anticipation-filled months – we are absolutely thrilled to announce that we’ve finally found and acquired our dream home! This isn’t just any house; it’s a sprawling canvas of nearly five glorious acres, offering the ultimate escape. Here, tranquility reigns supreme, with no immediate neighbors, no constant traffic hum, and the luxury of wide-open spaces. Yet, convenience isn’t sacrificed, as we’re just a 40-minute drive from the sun-kissed beaches and a mere 10 minutes from school. The best part? We’re only a few miles from our previous residence, ensuring the kids can continue attending the same school and cherish their existing friendships – a truly wonderful bonus in this exciting transition.

This move is a pivotal chapter in our family’s journey of embracing what we call the “going slow” philosophy. It’s about more than just moving; it’s about cultivating a life rich in experiences, connections, and self-sufficiency. Our vision for this property is to transform it into a vibrant urban farm, a sanctuary where outdoor activities aren’t just an option but a way of life. The land itself is incredibly diverse, offering a multitude of ways for our family to connect with nature and each other. We are especially excited about the existing fishing pond, complete with its own dock. This natural wonder is teeming with life, home to literally thousands of fish, including a healthy population of largemouth bass – promising countless hours of angling fun for everyone.

Adding to the unique charm and recreational opportunities of our new estate is a private 4-hole golf course that gracefully winds around the perimeter of the property. While not avid golfers ourselves, the sheer novelty and potential for family fun, or even just a picturesque stroll, is undeniable. It’s an unexpected amenity that truly elevates the property’s appeal.

Revitalizing Our New Sanctuary: A Labor of Love Begins

Our new home, though bursting with potential, has seen quieter days. The house and its extensive land have stood vacant for a few years, patiently awaiting a family to bring them back to life. It’s clear that both the interior and exterior are yearning for a little tender loving care – a challenge we eagerly embrace as part of our “going slow” adventure. This isn’t just a renovation; it’s a resurrection of a forgotten gem, infusing it with our family’s spirit and vision.

One of the more unique features we’ve discovered is a well-used sand trap, an integral part of the existing golf course. Peeking into the contents of the nearby trash can, it’s evident that this particular spot was quite a popular gathering place in its heyday. It tells a story of past enjoyment and hints at the social potential this property holds. The golf course also features its own natural water hazard – which, conveniently for us, is none other than our abundant fishing pond. And here’s another fantastic bonus: no more alligators in our backyard! Living outside a planned community now means a certain freedom and, shall we say, a more practical approach should any scaly visitors decide to wander onto our land. It’s a humorous, yet welcome, departure from our previous suburban concerns.

Exploring the Main Residence and Inviting Spaces

The main house itself offers a fantastic foundation for our family’s future. The back of the house opens up to breathtaking views of the property, creating a seamless connection between indoor comfort and outdoor splendor. One of the standout features is the gorgeous swimming pool, a clear blue oasis that promises endless summer fun. Adjacent to it lies a patio so expansive it could comfortably host massive parties and lively family gatherings. We envision sun-drenched afternoons spent splashing in the pool, followed by evenings filled with laughter, delicious food, and cherished moments under the stars. This space is designed for creating memories, a central hub for our family and friends to connect and celebrate.

Beyond the main residence, our property boasts a charming guest cottage, perfectly situated right off the fishing dock. This self-contained haven includes a comfortable bedroom, a convenient kitchenette, and a surprisingly spacious bar/entertainment room. The previous owners affectionately dubbed this area the “19th Hole,” a term I, as a non-golfer, didn’t quite grasp until Scott enlightened me. In golf, with its traditional 18 holes, the “19th hole” is the beloved unofficial stop where players unwind and celebrate a round well played, typically with a refreshing beverage in hand. This cottage is an absolute gem, offering a private retreat for visiting family and friends, or even a quiet escape for us when we need a moment of solitude. It embodies hospitality and adds another layer of character to our growing estate.

My Creative Haven: The Future Studio Kitchen

There’s one more structure on the property that has my creative gears spinning at full speed. This separate building is destined to become my personal project: a state-of-the-art studio kitchen. I envision a space meticulously designed for content creation, tricked out with perfect lighting for filming television shows and podcasts. It will feature mounted video cameras, a dedicated editing room, and all the technological enhancements needed to bring my culinary and lifestyle visions to life. I simply cannot wait to start this transformation! The idea of inviting fellow bloggers and content creators to come out and tape shows with me, collaborating in this purpose-built space, fills me with immense excitement. Wouldn’t that be an incredible amount of fun, fostering a vibrant community of shared passion and creativity?

The Renovation Journey: A Family Affair

Before we can fully settle into our dream home, there’s a substantial amount of work ahead of us. This isn’t just a quick refresh; it’s a full-scale renovation that we’re undertaking as a family. Our immediate priorities include ripping up all the old carpeting throughout the house and installing fresh, new carpet in the bedrooms for comfort and a touch of modern elegance. Simultaneously, we’ll be tackling the task of digging up outdated tiles and replacing them with beautiful, durable wood laminate flooring, which will give the main living areas a warm, cohesive, and contemporary feel. And of course, no major renovation is complete without a massive painting project – we plan to paint every single wall, meticulously transforming each room with a fresh coat of color and life.

We’ve established a clear and democratic division of labor, ensuring everyone plays a part in this grand endeavor. My role is focused on the floors and trim; my knee is still on the mend, which means no ladder work for me, but plenty of ground-level tasks. The kids, as you might imagine, are tackling a variety of jobs – from cleaning to helping with lighter demolition, their energy is invaluable. Scott has proudly claimed the title of “roller guy,” expertly handling the larger wall sections. My dear friend Kelly, with her keen eye for detail, is our designated ceiling trim gal, ensuring every edge is perfect. And then there’s Coco, our furry family member, whose primary responsibility is, naturally, supervision.

Apparently, for Coco, supervision entails finding the most comfortable, freshly painted baseboards to lean against for a strategic nap. She has a particular fondness for resting against newly finished surfaces, providing a humorous counterpoint to our tireless efforts. Her laid-back demeanor reminds us to sometimes pause and appreciate the progress, even if it means a quick snooze. This renovation journey, despite its inherent challenges, is proving to be an incredible bonding experience, teaching us patience, teamwork, and the immense satisfaction of building our dream together.

Our Vision for the Urban Farm: Sustainable Living and Community

We are absolutely thrilled beyond words for this new home, not just as a place to live, but as the foundation upon which we will build our family’s urban farm. The five acres will be put to incredibly good use, transforming into a vibrant ecosystem of sustainable living. While the private golf course is a unique amenity, we’re currently deliberating its long-term future. Maintaining that specialized grass is quite a lot of work, and our priorities are shifting towards cultivation. However, we’re definitely keeping it intact for now, especially until Scott’s parents, who are passionate golf fanatics, come to visit. They can at least enjoy a few rounds and experience the charm of our “19th Hole” firsthand!

Our future plans for this urban farm are extensive and deeply rooted in our desire for self-sufficiency and connecting with nature. We’re eager to learn how to raise chickens, providing us with fresh eggs and a wonderful lesson in animal husbandry for the kids. Growing tons of organic produce, from seasonal vegetables to herbs, is high on our list, as is cultivating a diverse array of exotic fruit trees. Beekeeping will introduce us to the fascinating world of pollinators and provide us with delicious, raw honey. We also plan to explore as many different methods of gardening as possible, experimenting with what thrives best in our new environment. Once my studio kitchen is fully built, I’m excited about the prospect of teaching cooking classes to children in the area, connecting the farm’s bounty directly to delicious, healthy meals. This is truly the essence of the “Go Small, Have Fun” plan I’ve often spoken about – living intentionally, embracing joy, and sharing our passion with others.

Our entire family is enthusiastically involved in the development of this mini-farm. The kids are insanely excited about getting chickens, and we’ll be channeling that energy into building the coop this summer. It’s a project that promises hands-on learning and lasting memories. In parallel, I’m incredibly excited to announce that I’ll be remodeling the entire main house kitchen with the generous support and expertise of my friends from Thermador. This partnership means a state-of-the-art kitchen that will become the heart of our home and the perfect complement to our farm-to-table lifestyle. I suspect this summer will be filled with a lot of outdoor grilling as the kitchen transformation unfolds!

All of us, including the kids, are committed to documenting every step of these fun and fulfilling projects on the blog. It’s not just about sharing our journey, but about inspiring others and celebrating the small victories along the way. This entire experience is truly a dream come true for our family. Before we sign off, we just wanted to take a moment to extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being a loyal friend and cherished reader of Steamy Kitchen. Your support means the world to us as we embark on this incredible new chapter.

Lots of hugs ‘n smooches,

Scott, Jaden, Andrew, Nathan and Coco