This blog started out as a place to share my small, simple life here in California — goats, gardens, quiet routines, and the river nearby. But life has a way of nudging us forward, even when we’re not sure we’re ready. After a lot of thinking, praying, and working through the emotional weight of the past few years, I’ve made a decision that feels both steady and overdue.
Why I’m Staying in California
After 19 years here, this place has become part of me, and I’ve grown to love it in ways I never expected. But since my husband passed away, living out here has also become too remote and isolating. Daily life is harder than it needs to be — long drives for even simple errands, constant worry during fire season, and the feeling of being tucked away from civilization instead of connected to it. At my age, that’s simply too much to carry.
Even so, I don’t want to leave California. What I do want is a fresh start that still keeps me close to my congregation, my routines, and the familiar landscape I’ve lived in for nearly two decades. Staying in Siskiyou County gives me that balance: connection without isolation.
I still want to follow my dream of having a real homestead — land that works with me instead of against me, where I can finally build the simple, efficient setup I’ve been planning for years. A shed conversion home, a manageable piece of land, and a layout designed around the life I actually want to live.
Most importantly, I’m ready to move forward emotionally. Staying in my current house has kept me frozen in time. Starting over somewhere nearby gives me room to breathe, grow, and be myself again — without losing the community and familiarity that help me feel grounded.
The Plan: A Shed Conversion and a New Homestead Layout
My next home will be simple, intentional, and designed around the life I actually want to live.
The Shed Home
I’ll be converting a shed into a small, efficient home — something I’ve researched for years. A shed conversion gives me:
- A manageable space
- Low monthly costs
- The freedom to design the interior exactly how I want
It’s the kind of project that feels right for this next chapter — practical, affordable, and deeply personal.
The Land: One Acre, Divided with Purpose
I’ve settled on a layout that finally feels like the perfect balance.
¾ Acre for the Goats
This will be their dedicated space, designed intentionally instead of squeezed into whatever corners are available. The plan includes:
- Rotational paddocks
- A central lane for easy movement
- A goat shelter and yard
- Space for browse, roots, and hay storage
It’s a setup that supports healthy goats without relying on store‑bought feed — something that has always been important to me.
¼ Acre for My Home, Orchard, and Garden
This is where the heart of the homestead will be:
- The shed home, placed for good sun exposure and easy access
- A small orchard with fruit trees and hazelnuts
- A garden designed around the Daily Dozen — beans, grains, greens, cruciferous vegetables, and more
- Paths and layout that make daily chores simple and efficient
It’s compact, intentional, and exactly the scale I want.
Why California
I once thought I would need to leave California to build the kind of simple, efficient homestead I’ve been dreaming about. Arkansas seemed to offer everything California didn’t — affordable land, lower taxes, an easier building process, and a slower pace of life. For a long time, that felt like the only path forward.
But after a lot of thinking, praying, and listening to my own heart, I realized something important: I don’t actually want to start over in a place where everything is unfamiliar.
What I want is a fresh start without losing my congregation, my routines, and the landscape I’ve lived in for nearly twenty years. Staying in Siskiyou County gives me the best of both worlds — the chance to begin again, but still remain connected to the people and community who support me.
California may be challenging in some ways, but it’s also home. And now that I’ve decided to stay, I can focus on finding a manageable piece of land here and building my shed conversion the way I’ve planned for years. I can still create the one‑acre homestead I’ve envisioned — just closer to the people and places that matter to me.
Looking Ahead
Starting over will still be an adjustment, but it’s one I’m ready for. I’ll be selling my house in April and looking for property in Hornbrook so I can be closer to everything — meetings, field service, errands, and my congregation. I won’t be isolated anymore, and that alone changes everything.
A fresh start is coming — right here in California — and I’m finally at peace with that.
SMALL HOMESTEAD by the river 