Building a Self-Sufficient Farmhouse: Stone Walls, Gardening, and Kitchen Upgrades

[@TheIndigoEscape]

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[@royblomquist2622]

Simon is a true artisan, his attention to detail in his stonework is a beautiful thing behold.

[@christfreedomuk]

So nice to see mum,. she seems so calm and loving. Bless y’all for looking after her 💯

[@joannadrawe6654]

Your mom is blessed you and your sister chose good, hard working men for partners/spouses.

[@marydegraffenreed3145]

he is such an artist with the stonework such a joy to watch

[@knelson5442]

It is so nice to see you all working together and as individuals. Such a relaxed way to get things accomplished. I love watching your mom garden and watching Simon work with such incredible talent and patience. You and Omar aren’t too shabby either when it comes to building things and creating your dream property. Congrats to all.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you so much!

[@ginacrusco234]

It's one thing to watch Simon's stonework on fast forward, zip-zip-zip, and it's quite another to watch your stonework in real time, where I can identify with the strength needed to lift the stones and undergo with you the painstaking process of choosing and wetting and mortaring and leveling , stone by stone.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thanks Gina for your comment. I’ll take that in mind for future videos! ❤️❤️❤️

[@ginacrusco234]

@@TheIndigoEscape Oh, I enjoy watching it both ways!

[@nancibishof6462]

Simon does beautiful stonework. He truly is a craftsman. I think your use of the stone facades is smart. It will help keep your home cooler in the summer and keeps the traditional look of Portuguese stone houses.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Most indeedly, thank you! ❤️

[@didielenanzih6883]

Hard work pays off.Looking beautiful.👍❤

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Yes! Thank you!

[@jennichristie5264]

Girl power! (And Simon 😀)

[@gonegreywolf]

You are really getting the hang of the stone walling. I am in Peniche and I am going to try to make a dry stone wall in the garden - thanks for your lovely videos.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

You can do it! Good luck with it!

[@sashacat53]

I love seeing you having such a beautiful relationship with your mother.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

You are so kind

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

The stonework is fantastic!

[@ctownsend4600]

You’re an amazing family. Love watching you. Tell Simon how wonderful he is! And Mom!

[@TheIndigoEscape]

That’s so kind of you Cathy. Thank you! Will do!

[@brittawrolson5936]

The beach looks beautiful! What a great way to get a break from the house building!

[@rhondadorey1723]

Wonderful video, I love all the stonework. You're fast becoming a competent builder, and managing so many different jobs on the homestead. What a sense of pride you'll have when it's all done! Bravo. 😊👍🇨🇦

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you Rhonda! I appreciate the comment. I enjoy the stonework and I really also enjoy learning new skills. Not so much building irrigation systems 😂

[@harrietlivengood6793]

The rock work is beautiful. You did a wonderful job build the side cabinet. Things are progressing nicely, great job to all of you. ❤

[@travelinaway2707]

What a beautiful life you live!! How lucky you all are to have each other. The life you live is like a fairytale dream for some of us. Well done, so much love and joy to all of you. ❤❤❤

[@TheIndigoEscape]

What a lovely comment! Thank you so much ❤️❤️ we do feel very blessed and sometimes can’t quite believe we live here

[@janiswolfgang3169]

If you can get leaves from the forest or leaves from trimmed trees they make a good mulch . Be careful of pine needles

[@joannadrawe6654]

That is what we did this spring in Texas.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thanks for the comment as we have pine needles and was wondering if it can be added but I guess pine is quite a harsh

[@LorraineinAustralia]

Another beautiful video..❤️ Your stonework is amazing.. Simon must be pleased with your work. He of course is freaking amazing 👏👏👏 Love the littlest of drawers. Love to you all.. 🐨🐨🐨🐨

[@TheIndigoEscape]

So sweet of you to say, thank you ❤️

[@SnowCrash1977]

I've bingewatched all your videos in the last week or two, and it was so much fun watching your progress. Unfortunately, now I'm at the point where I have to wait a week for each new video, but I'll manage somehow. 😁 BTW, could you show the transplanted Olive-Tree again in one of your next videos? Very curious to see how it looks like now. Greetings from Germany to Portugal

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Ah cool thank you, olive tree is going well, alot of the new growth is coming from nearer the main trunk and up to half way of the branches that remained. Appreciate you message :)

[@jeanniehyde8090]

Great vlog as always. Simon is an incredible builder and very patient . Your surfshark ad with your mum was hilarious 😂 your fur babies are so precious 🐈‍⬛ x

[@TheIndigoEscape]

AH thank you so much, have a great week ❤️

[@afrarunduml1170]

Hi there! If you make your compost, don't throw weeds on it. Have a own pile for weeds. This weed pile you don't use for compost. And the compost you make this year (look into compost making for your climate zone), you can use next year for your beds. For mulch it is really good to use wood chips from trees. You can also use it in between your beds and on the beds. It takes longer for them to degenerate, and they really good keep the moisture underneath and the weeds out. You can ask companies who do gardening or tree doctors, if they have wood chips for you. It is possible to get them for free.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

I do have a Woodward nearby that has wood chip. Well, it’s more like pine bark. Would that be something good to use? Or is pine too harsh for mulching?

[@ireneromero5326]

Everything is looking beautiful 😊❤

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you so much 😊

[@patnewman9543]

Stone wall looking beautiful!

[@joannadrawe6654]

Yes it does!

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you 🥰

[@leannedwardsdesignandpaint7591]

Simons work ethic is amazing Omar gonna be astonished at how much he has achieved while Omar been away it looking great

[@TheIndigoEscape]

I agree! Can’t wait to see his face! 🥰

[@gladysirizarry4004]

The garden is looking good, and Simon is rocking that stone wall 👍🏼 saludos a Tu mami ❤ ella me hace reir 🤣 surfcharge 🤣🤣 Que Dios la Bendiga!

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Hahaha I’m so glad she wanted to be part of it

[@EnglishMadeleine]

I’d say that was a job well done! 😍

[@miriammuskal5402]

Simon's doing a beautiful 🤩 job

[@janmitchell641]

I’ve been told to use straw not hay, otherwise you will get weeds from the hay.

[@teepeeX]

​@@janmitchell641shouldn't if completely dry.. fewer than getting

[@annadaurie2435]

Simon does amazing stone work. Love seeing your mom and you doing the shark advertisement. lol, it was cute.

[@chriscardinal7007]

Fabulous job, looking so amazing! Love, love stone work! Keep it up!

[@harrietlivengood6793]

You’re making wonderful progress!

[@coralsancetta7242]

Set up an area bounded by pallet wall, fill with weeds etc as a compost area. Keep adding then let it decompos add another pallet bay to start another compost pile, keep repeating if needed. It takes months to make good compost.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thanks for the tips!

[@doriskuhberger8559]

Awesome video as usual. Great progress. Thoughts and Prayers.Thank you for sharing. Love and Blessings. Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you so much Doris! ❤️

[@doriskuhberger8559]

@@TheIndigoEscape ❤

[@sandramckenzie653]

You are doing such a good job on the stone work and your cabinet work. I bet hubby is wishing he could be back there with you. Love watching the progress of your building.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you! I appreciate it. ❤️ He is! He can’t wait to come back home

[@GardenGirl-nl2wu]

You need to compost the weeds first. The heat produced will kill the seeds.

[@KeriOwen-f9u]

Next year, make raised 3ft beds out of scrap timber. So, much easier on the legs and back. Great work as always!

[@wendycape7283]

Impressive and absolutely beautiful stonework. I love it❤️❤️❤️

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@angelat4639]

I think your wall looks great!

[@chriscardinal7007]

Ps I saw someone else just have a bucket of water and dip each stone in before placing:)

[@Hummingbirder1]

10:07 Thunderstorm and singing/churring European Nightjar!

[@TheIndigoEscape]

woo! What an ear!! Thank you I have been wondering what int he world was that sound! Just googled it, what a gorgeous bird. We have been seeing and hearing far more birds this year! I dont know why!! This made my day!

[@MirandaHorger]

Ok, I'm only halfway through the video, but I had to comment! I LOVED your surfshark promo!!! Also loving all the cat footage 😻😻😻 - now for the rest of the video... 🤣

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Glad you liked it!! Really appreciate it Miranda 🥰🥰

[@MirandaHorger]

The amount of progress you're making is incredible! It may or may not seem that way to you as you work away at it day by day, but seeing it week to week, it looks really fast! Absolutely beautiful! I love the aesthetic of the stone walls with the mix of large and small stones, care with color - it's looking SO GOOD! Cheers to you all!

[@heatherlaird-mcleod3271]

One day at a time 😊

[@monikacarless_wordwitch]

From experience, unless the hay has been really well rotted, it's not a good idea, and even then! Weeds galore! I'd use straw, rotted leaves. So good you all took a break!

[@TheIndigoEscape]

I’m starting to think I’m using straw and I just call it hay thinking it’s the same thing but after a quick google I realise they are totally different things!!

[@teepeeX]

I knew as soon as you put that chair on uneven floor, i hope you were not hurt to bad.Keep old draws for cats otherwise ur bed be next. Make sure you put at least 6 inches of straw. For weeds the rest of garden, spray bottle with 1:2parts vinegar and water, it takes a few days but will kill off weeds down pathways, around house. Any of your new trees clear out the bottom around base and mulch as well they need it too, the older ones will be ok but best to clear, put rock bases around. ONCE HAY and other dry shouldn't get weeds.Great job having a go at rockwall. Mum doung a great job in garden

[@Marliyn-ri5ez]

Hello, I do so Love your MOM,she is a Lady after my own heart. I also Love to garden and I'm so upset right now I had my whole day planed for planting and it;s pouring down rain. Boo. I'm also wanting to see if I can do up stone work like you folks do. Love watching you all do that. Take Care

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Oh bless, it’s a bit annoying when you have set time to work on the garden as sometimes it feels that if you miss several days, you get quite behind but at least the garden is getting free water! And then you’ll have lush gardens to look after ❤️

[@AdaMakawee]

We always composted the cuttings first. The heat from the composting process takes care of the seeds. I've never done it this way and I have the same concern as you, those pesky seeds.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thanks for the info! I think there is a general consensus that’s the way to do it. So I will try to get a pile going in the future.

[@janarixalam5205]

I enjoyed the video very much. You all work so hard and you are making great progress. All of the food you make looks so healthy and amazing! The garden is growing very well. Your mother is such a strong beautiful woman just like you are! Simon is such a blessing! The beach looks absolutely gorgeous and inviting. I am very happy you were able to take a break and just relax in the sun and surf!

[@alexandraines3796]

You are doing an amazing job! art indeed! congratulations! and thank you for sharing all with us.

[@BarbaraScott-j3k]

In the future use straw to mulch.

[@Marliyn-ri5ez]

It cost a lot of money over there for straw so they do the best they can. I'm from the US and I don't think they bail it like we do hear.

[@BarbaraScott-j3k]

@@Marliyn-ri5ez A few minutes after I commented I saw they were using bagged dry straw. I, too, am from US and when she said at the beginning of the video she was using hay, I was alarmed. One year I used hay in my garden and had a horrible seed problem later.

[@katieallen3927]

It’s interesting how animals bond and defend each other.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

I know! These three cats aren’t super close but as soon as another one comes, they defend each other! So at least they got their backs but I wish they would cuddle haha

[@katieallen3927]

@@TheIndigoEscape I once had a 90 lb dog that my 8 lbs cat would defend with her life, not that he needed her help. He paid her back when a stray showed up and tried to start a fight. The stray quickly realized he'd picked on the wrong cat. He's probably still running for his life.

[@annadaurie2435]

You are also doing a great job on the stone work.

[@jrnamida5470]

Good Job on garden and stone wall...

[@merindahthornton5080]

I loved watching you build the wall- it brought to mind one of my favourite poems, Mending Wall by Robert Frost- look it up. I’m sure you’ll be able to identify with it. 💕

[@elaayala4124]

Cool vlog 🙏🏽Awesome team ✨Well done you all ❤

[@aurelianaduque9672]

Excelente video. ❤❤

[@miriammuskal5402]

Great work all around❤

[@jenhawke2663]

Use straw for mulch not hay. Straw has been de-seeded and is less expensive. It’s normally used for animal bedding

[@melinda5777]

OUTSTANDING!!! All of it!!! YES, I can tell part of this was filmed a few videos ago or maybe just one and other bits were newer. I think. Happy to see you at the beach! Which one? And any footage of your travels there and back and more footage of the beach town you were at?? Oh I hope so! Anyway, I Loved all of it! Simon is so talented! Tell him he has a fan and Elf doesn't need to be jealous!😂 and Mum, HELLO❤!!! She is so cute like my Mom!! Hope Y'all have a great week! ✝️🙏❤❤❤🇺🇸🇵🇹👣☘🌻🍍🍍🍍🤗😎

[@TheIndigoEscape]

The video was filmed over last week so it’s quite recent. Even the very last clips were filmed on Friday! The beach was two weeks ago 🥰 hope you are well Melinda!

[@CynthiaEvans-i2f]

good job on that wall.

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys, good work 👍😁💪.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thank you too!

[@wafamughrabi8723]

Hats off!You guys are doing a great job,but can't you quick-dip the whole stone in water instead of spraying it with the brush!?

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Yes you can for sure! Depending on how heavy the stone is. The smaller ones are just easier to throw in a bucket of water but the bigger ones, for the sake of your back, a brush with water will do!

[@wafamughrabi8723]

@@TheIndigoEscape Thanks for your reply. Regards to your sweet mother

[@sashacat53]

I understand that you are doing this on a shoestring budget however with your mulching, I would initially buy bales of hay and straw to get your gardens protected. This will give you time to build up your mulch. I hope u don’t mind me making these suggestions.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Thanks for the tips! I always appreciate all the suggestions you all write to us. Very appreciated. So, keep them coming!

[@TomWilson-ir6uq]

Bad not to clean the tools at the end of the day 😅

[@TheIndigoEscape]

I agree!

[@Hummingbirder1]

About birds then: I keep hearing European Serin singing in the background on your videos. If that's new for you, I'll try to find a time-stamp. Edit: interested or not, when continuing watching the video a Serin started singing at 26:15 and even more loud at 32:31. Btw, the stone walls are really shaping up, good work. Is Simon a pro stone mason?

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Yes they are!!! They are everywhere and always chatting to each other. Im always imagining them gossiping about whats happening in the neighbourhood. Then you see four of them flying together, perching on the trees and chatting across. Ill try to film them but they are quick! There is another bird that hangs around here and are even more common. It's all brown and when they open the wings, the inside is orange. It looks.a bit like a Robin but not as chubby

[@Hummingbirder1]

@@TheIndigoEscape By your description you leave me totally stumped! I have no idea what that more common bird could be... I hope you get it on video/photo at one point, just for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!😁

[@portugal1969]

👍

[@damdekmyhomeដំដែកផ្ទះខ្ញុំ]

Hello

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Hello!👋

[@helgavoorneveld1530]

Never seen weeds used as mulch 😮 how about sawdust or wood chips

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Probably best but here we are learning haha 🥰

[@farmafabis]

I have a curiosity. I don't understand nothing of construction, that's why I'm askking. Why Simon doesn't finish the block walls and after that make the stone wall? It have to be make on parts? Did I miss some explanation?

[@barbie5697]

Because he’s breaking up the monotony of the block wall.

[@carinep.4520]

Great video. Where are you located?

[@TheIndigoEscape]

In central Portugal

[@lizellis4286]

That’s why they call a female cat, Queen

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Queen Luna 🐈‍⬛👑

[@pathardin7580]

Instead of using the tape measure each time just cut a piece of wood to the length you need.

[@TheIndigoEscape]

The thing is it’s much quicker reading the measuring of 30-32 rather than getting a piece of wood and check if it’s straight, etc. it really wouldn’t save much time but thanks for the tip!

[@heatherarthur6232]

When’s the baby due?👶

[@TheIndigoEscape]

Interesting question. No one is pregnant here