I have no long punch list of going-ons this year. No school this, kids that, vacations anything.
We bought a giant disaster of a property in 2018.
The End.
Our new property has been referred to as dysfunctional, neglected, a giant shit hole, a burn down, a money pit, War of the Roses, kind of place. None of that is really untrue.
But it’s not haunted, so I will take it. That’s kind of my hard line actually.
We seem to be drawn to this type of property though, it is our third in the last 24 years, all needing love, restoration, re-imagination, and lots of sweat equity. This kind of hot mess actually inspires me in a rich creative way.
This property needed me as much as I have needed it, but we both didn’t know about it until the day we moved in.
The property is healing on a daily basis.
Besides the restoration taking place, there are endless chores, and chores make sense to me. There is something innately rewarding and mindless about evening chores when all is quiet. I look forward to putting my muck boots on, gloving it up, and, well … chop wood, carry water.
Now if Santa isn’t to hung up on the place that falls between naughty and nice, I would ask him for more dirt, healthy dirt, dark rich loamy yummy dirt. Just putting that out there.
Our dogs moved into what I think in dog language would be THE BEST SUMMER CAMP PLACE EVER THAT NOW HAS SNOW BUT WHO CARES!
They hit the ground running and never looked back to ask questions. They are loving their new life here, to them the disaster part is our human problem, the space is all theirs and it’s awesome. They have room to work and run, they have ducks, they eat fresh duck eggs, they have new adventures, and a horse neighbor. They are living large for sure.
We will be here for awhile to dump as much love into this piece of earth, on the very planet coincidentally by the same name.
And if I am being honest we really moved here for my dogs.
And to have ducks, obviously.
And that bringing this property to its potential is most likely the coolest project I have had in a long time.
Leave every place more beautiful than when you arrived – Love, Nancy
Nancy Tanner 
We did the same thing in New Hampshire, except no ducks, and you are right. This is the best thing we could have done! We are so grateful to have this little farmhouse that rewards us with every improvement we make…and there have been quite a lot of improvements required. My husband and I have done a good deal of the work except the roof, the bathroom and the dog fence (It had to be done right or our pups would have become bear meat). I so enjoy your writings and love that you are so happy in your new world.
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I am so thankful that you have been able to find you great space! Much happiness!
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So lovely. You should be able to easily find a publisher to pack all your writings into a volume. But it would take time away from your heaven on earth. You have very lucky dogs.
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Your human and fur family seems to be thriving – I see that as a win win and that you have landed where you are needed the most.
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I’m so happy for you!! Thank you so much for your blog and sharing with us. Merry Christmas!
To you as well Linda! ❤
HUGS!
That looks like an awesome place for you and your dogs. So glad you are enjoying the adventure!