Log Home Dreams
Log Home, Good Friends & a Camper
The Beginning of Our Journey
Welcome to the very first blog post on Rustic Roots & Simple Living! I’m Roxanne Hoover, a high school science teacher with 30 years of experience, and together with my husband, a wildlife biologist of 30 years, I embarked on a transformative journey towards a simpler, more fulfilling life. Our journey began three years ago when we felt a deep need to slow down and reconnect with the simple pleasures of life. This blog is a space where we share our experiences, projects, and the lessons we've learned along the way, hoping to inspire others to embrace the joys of simple living.
Building Our Log Home
Our journey towards simplicity took a significant turn when we decided to build our log home. The process began when we acquired two acres of land in our small town. To our surprise, our previous home sold within just a few hours, leaving us with the immediate need for temporary housing. Fortunately, we have good friends who generously offered their basement for us to live in. During this time, we built a large garage on our new property and moved our camper into it.
After nearly five months of living in our friends' basement, we moved into the camper in the garage in April 2023. This was undoubtedly the most challenging part of our journey. Living in a camper is not as fun as camping, but it was a necessary step towards our dream. In June 2023, the construction of our log home finally began. We chose Coventry Log Homes for their outstanding quality and craftsmanship, and our builder, Ron Spaulding from Michigan, did an amazing job. By July, we had a fully enclosed log home, and it was our turn to take over and finish the job.
July 2023
Beam Construction inside
The following months were filled with hard work and dedication. By the end of January 2024, our home was livable. This summer, we have added the porch railings and steps, and we are nearly finished with the deck railings on the back. Our log home stands as a testament to our commitment to a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. In subsequent posts I will detail many of the projects inside the home.
I couldn’t resist this mailbox!
Embracing Simple Living
Simple living is about finding joy in everyday activities and reconnecting with age-old traditions. For us, this means baking homemade bread, canning fresh produce, and hunting for unique antiques. Each of these activities brings immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Baking fills our home with delightful aromas and provides us with wholesome, homemade food. Canning allows us to preserve the bounty of each season, ensuring we have a pantry stocked with delicious, nutritious options year-round. Thrifting and antique hunting are not just hobbies; they are ways to find unique items that add character and history to our home.
Front Porch May 30, 2024
Lessons Learned Along the Way
Through our journey, we’ve learned several valuable lessons about the beauty of simplicity:
Slowing Down: Life’s pace doesn’t have to be relentless. Slowing down allows us to appreciate the little things and live more mindfully.
Less is More: By decluttering and focusing on what truly matters, we’ve created a more peaceful and organized home environment.
Self-Sufficiency: Engaging in activities like baking and canning has empowered us with the skills to be more self-sufficient and less reliant on store-bought goods.
Looking Ahead
As we continue our journey, we have many exciting plans and projects on the horizon. From finishing the construction of our log home to exploring new simple living activities, there is always something new to learn and share. We invite you to join us on this journey, share your own experiences, and find inspiration in the simple things in life. Together, we can create a community that celebrates and supports the joys of simple living.
Homemade yellow cake with lemon buttercream frosting.
