What Makes a Cottage?

I created this blog with hopes of moving to the mountains of North Carolina by now.  Dreams of a few acres of bliss with rolling hills and mild weather. A cozy home for my family warmed by a wood burning stove in the winter and cooled by summer breezes in the summer.  A garden to eat from, trails to hike and bike.  Nature to enjoy.  What could be sweeter?  Hmm?

So what is a cottage?  Alex says it's a log cabin in the mountains surrounded by a forest.  Brian thinks of a flower garden and homemade dinner with meatloaf, peas and mac-n-cheese.   I think of comfy homes that are made to live in and not look at.

So a year later, we are still in Florida and looking for land but realizing while we are here lets plant a garden and learn how to homestead for when we do move.

I planted my garden.   I have string beans, purple hull peas, cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, bell peppers, chives, cilantro, rosemary and 3 fruit trees: pear, peach and orange as well as blackberries!

Next!

Rain barrels
Rustic fence around front yard
Well pump (need manual/electric pump? I don't know if this is possible.
Chicken coop for 5 or so cool chicks!

Solar Whole House Fan (Mike doesn't like this idea/however, in the event of a long term power outage this would be a great idea...

I also have an idea to create a small green house out of old house windows.  
4 big oaks in the back taken down (to plant more in the back)

A little at a time and a year from now I'll have to be pried away from here.  I feel I'm on a path and I don't want to squander time away waiting to find a home that could be the one I'm in.  So, as our little cottage on a quarter acre evolves I'll post pics and stories along the way and hope to make a few more friends on my blog.

Wherever you are, be where you are!

Peace!