In 2004, my husband and I were living in an upscale suburban town, barely making ends meet and dreaming of owning our own home. We didn’t have any money to speak of, and a mortgage was out of the question — but we believed we could find a way. And so began our journey to building our own cordwood masonry home with our own hands. Seven years later, here I sit outside that mortgage-free home, in my fenced garden, finding it hard to put into words what this journey has meant for me and my family.

I won’t tell you it was an easy road. I won’t tell you I didn’t make a million mistakes. I will tell you it has all been worth it. Every tear, every bruised limb, every drop of sweat was a milestone on my path to self-awareness, and it empowered me in ways no one could have foreseen. This blog isn’t about the “right” way to do anything. It’s about doing things in the ways that work and resonate for you. My goal is to inspire — and maybe enlighten — rather than impress.

My home is far from finished. We still walk on the original floor sheathing, and the bathroom doesn’t have any drywall. Still, it’s all beautiful to me, because we built it. I know every log in my walls, every nail, every screw, every truss. They are a part of me, and each one carries a story. As you read this blog, you’ll hear some of those stories — some funny, some scary, each one a lesson learned. I was never one to do anything the easy way. Maybe you’ll learn from my mistakes. Better yet, maybe you’ll decide you can do it better and set off on your own path to self-reliance. Or maybe you’re already walking that path and just looking for a little inspiration to keep going. Either way, I hope you’ll join me — because although I’ve gained much, there is still much to do, and I’ll need your thoughts for inspiration too.