Bittersweet...

Steve and I sit on the sofa - the same sofa our daughter was born on 10 years ago, the same one that sags in the middle because her two older brothers have used it as a trampoline well before she was born.  The sofa is covered with stains - not from the birth, but from one and a half decades of living.

Anyway. Steve and I sip our coffee on this sofa while the sun comes up over the Eastern ridge, lighting up the tip of a snow covered mountain looking like a pyramid. Over the 18 years we've lived here at our homestead in the wilderness, we've watched this spectacle many times. The view was better earlier on, when the Sequoia and Alder trees were smaller and didn't obscure the view of the ridge as they do now. 

Trees do a whole lot of growing in almost two decades. And so have we.

We've done so much growing that we've outgrown this life for now, and that's why we will move in a few weeks.

I kept telling people that they'll have to drag me out of this house on a stretcher when I'm dead. Now, I'm ready to leave it while I'm still very much alive.

We raised our children here (and lots of other animals). We've grown literally tons of food in the garden. We taught numerous kids and adults homesteading and wilderness skills here. Several friends got married here because it's such a beautiful, special place.

There are so many memories on this land.

We love this place with all of our hearts and souls and minds and spirits, and yet, it's time to move on to the next chapter.

Our kids have grown from homeschooled, barefoot, constantly naked-in-nature little hippy people to almost adult (Kai), teenager (Luke) and pre-teen (Eva), and they are definitely not interested in running around the woods naked any more.

I don't blame them.  They need more opportunities, more exposure to a different way of living, other opportunities, a better school system, more peers.

That's why we decided to find wonderful renters who will take care of the homestead, while we live in the Skagit Flats in an area that's famous for its foodie vibe. I bet the money we used to spend on gas now will go to the local bakeries.

I can't show you pictures of our new place yet, because the official closing date is the end of March, but I can't wait to share it with you!

I'm excited about the location! And the great kitchen! And guess what? I'll teach cheesemaking classes in it! Also? I'll show you on the blog what you can do with a blank slate, because let me tell you, the new land doesn't have anything on it.

So stay tuned.

Wish us luck with the moving. Luckily, we have two teenage sons who love lifting weights, so carrying furniture shouldn't be a huge problem!