Returning to the Farm | A Facelift for our Off-Grid Cottage!

Hi, we are Harriet and Mauro and in February 2021 we bought an abandoned smallholding in Castellón, Spain. In these videos we share our life as we restore and improve our little stone house, learn to grow and preserve our own food, and bring our 4 acres of farmland back to productivity.
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Music in this video:
Introspective - Gabriel Lewis
Morning Mist - Staffan Carlen
Don't Waste My Time (Instrumental Version) - Victor Lundberg
Still Your Girl (Instrumental Version) - Gamma Skies
While You Can (Instrumental Version) - The Eastern Plain
Quatro Contra Um - El Equipo Del Norte
Remove The Complexities - Peter Sandberg
From EpidemicSound

[@ginacrusco234]

Your work on the white plaster and paint on the exterior makes a huge aesthetic difference and is, as you said, a real spirit-lifter. Mauro's labor on the living room floor is also paying off big-time. It was wonderful to see more of dear Santi. Wishing you 3 a healthy and happy 2024!

[@rachelunderwood4868]

As much as I love watching all your projects, I am happy for you to spend as much time as you need to and want to, with Santi. Babies change so rapidly, and this phase of feeding/sleeping around the clock will be past before you know it! My first baby turns 30 this year, which just seems impossible, but all four of m8ne refused to stay little and cute and just kept growing up...

[@TonysSunnyGarden]

You 3 are so beautiful together! The new white wall gives so much light and your house will be so beautiful at the end of 2024. Wish you all the best ☀️🙏

[@annneusidl5794]

What a wonderful journey this has been for you Harriet and Mauro. Enjoy your dreams of farm living becoming reality. The house is coming together and getting cozy. This year you can concentrate on the outside. Before you know it, Santi will be running around. Blessings this 2024. 🥰

[@davidfellowes1628]

Your resilience is fantastic. Loved the mix up with the mortar which didn't phase you at all. You are so capable. Go steady and enjoy being home. Happy New Year

[@webstercarole5]

God bless you and all your family for 2024 you are an amazing couple now with a little bundle of joy he is precious a gift for a lifetime of joy all the best Caz ❤

[@TexasBeliever57]

Your kitchen is turning out so beautiful. I love everything, but the window is epic.

[@vivalaleta]

Your little house is charming. All that you've put into it has metamorphosed it.

[@ludmillaaillaud2743]

Dear Harriet and Mauro, thank you very much for posting this video. By reading your newsletter, i know there are things you don't show us always putting a nice smile on your face even though you are tired. You are right, start one project and try to finish it by all means. I am glad that you were able Harriet to restart on your homeworks. The wall is great and the tiling too. Your little spanish cottage is turning really nice. Watching your video, give me the strength and the courage to continue on my own home projects started 10 yrs ago..By the way, I would like to wish you a happy 2024 year full of new projects for you, Mauro and baby Santi, Take care, and see you soon in another great video. Lots of hugs.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you so much ❤ and best of luck with your project!

[@marilesmartin8806]

Siempre ha sido un hogar, porque lo habéis hecho los tres.... Pero una casa, no se hace sola, ¡lo estáis demostrando! ¡os tenéis que sentir muy orgullosos!. La fachada queda realmente bonita!! ❤❤❤❤ Feliz 2024!!... para Santi un ACHUCHÓN ❤

[@joannadrawe6654]

Rendered wall looks great!!!

[@sgrvtl7183]

I always enjoy your videos, seeing improvements, and your hard work is a reality that we all need to see, ups & downs and how to fix it. I hope you two can rest & enjoy in 2024 with all this hard work behind you💚 Little Santi is a JOY~! 💙

[@Victory_Gardener]

All the best for 2024! I love your videos and always look forward to an update! The tiles Mauro has laid are beautiful. The fire really worried me. We experienced it ourselves in August 2023. The damage was enormous. We were evacuated and didn't know for two days whether anything was left standing here. We were lucky in that our small house survived. The solar system, batteries, 1 car, outbuildings, one of which had only just been completed, were completely burnt out. Many building materials, machines and work materials that my husband needs for his job were lost. My garden was not spared either. It will take us some time to recover from this. I hope 2024 will be a good year for all of us, without such horrors!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Sorry to hear about that. Too many too close for comfort near misses... it feels like only a matter of time before we experience something similar. Hope you are able to get back on your feet ❤

[@annh.8290]

Everything is looking great. It is nice to see that you are able to get out and about. Thank you for posting. Happy New Year!

[@lizwilson6633]

Love the tiles you are putting on the floor, well done it's looking great. What a difference to the front of the house, you are getting there, slowly but surely and it's all going to be amazing when it's finished. Just think how proud both of you will be knowing you've done most of this on your own. All the best for 2024. Happy New Year xxxxx

[@suewarman9287]

I have enjoyed following your progress through what was obviously a difficult year. Wishing you all the very best for 2024, from my old French farmhouse in the Pyrenées.

[@juliemcnair5182]

Hi guys, it's great to see you back at the farm. The donkey is looking really well. Keep up the great work. 😊

[@philliperickson4503]

I loved the video (is that the right word? - I am 73 years old so forgive me if I got it wrong). I wish my daughters - both in their 30s - could find such a good strong husband like Mauro. So happy that your pregnancy worked out so well.

[@melsparkles]

Your home is coming along nicely...it is starting to twinkle with all of the hard work you guys are putting in🙂

[@clarainesescovarposada8008]

Hi, I’m so glad you have express 2 decisions in this video: the first one is that you are going to finish each project you start in 2024 and that you will be more focus on aesthetics and order around the house. I think that when you finish a project you receive a self proud sensation that gives you energy to start the next one. And I’m convinced that an organized place will give you peace of mind and clarity to planning better. Happy 2024!

[@maggirae1961]

Happy 2024. I sense this will be a healthy, happy and successful year for you and your sweet family.

[@jldisme]

Great video, Harriet and Mauro! I hope you had a lovely visit to England. I'll bet your Mum was so happy!

[@spieterman3065]

It’s looking so good! I would love to see a updated house tour soon! Don’t worry about finishing all the things, you can walk around & point out all the things that DID happen instead of the things that haven’t jet. ❤ I loved seeing all the animals & the daily work it takes to have them. It looks like a whole lot of work to me 😅

[@kimberlyearly8918]

I'm a new subscriber and would love to see that as well!

[@deborahlee8135]

Its incredible how much you achieved considering all that was going on in your life

[@suenunn9099]

Your home is so beautiful with so much character. I love all the improvements you have been able to accomplish over this last year.

[@user-hd2mt9xh2p]

You are doing an amazing job with all that has been going on. Lovely to see your little one doing so well 😊

[@pammierae7751]

Thank You Both! it has been a real joy to share all of your accomplishments through out the year.. Especially the birth of your beautiful baby boy with all the joy & happiness that he has brought to the both of you.. congratulations you have done a wonderful job in every way.. looking forward to sharing the next year with your special little family..The very best always.🙂

[@ingridcatalano4706]

Dear Harriet and Mauro your living-room floor and kitchen wall turned out really beautiful!!! I wish the three of you a great 2024 with lots of interesting projects!!! See you on the next one!!!!

[@lyndarobinson2853]

What a lovely difference the outside of the kitchen looks compared before you made the wall good. It's amazing you have both achieved anything to your home given the year you have had. All the best for 2024 😊

[@marydingus4360]

You are one very hard working woman!

[@Granca123]

Tenéis un bebé precioso!, y dentro de cuatro días …. Bilingüe !. Un saludo!

[@kdclothes]

The kitchen wall looks amazing. I don't know how you have the energy to do all this with a new baby. But you both have such great attitudes and are very calm. Happy New year to you .Mauro and Santi. 2024 is going to be great. You both have done so much to get your house in order. It's looking really nice. I like the tiles on the living room floor as well. Katie

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

It's because he miracously sleeps like a log at night 😂

[@IRSA1]

Glad you got a chance to go home for a bit, to give s chance to your family to see you and Santi. The lounge tiles are so lovely and welcoming and the new façade could not look any more charming. Wishing your little family the very best for the coming year, which I have no doubt will be filled with lots of interesting projects to share with us ! ❤❤❤

[@dorothyallen3614]

Santi is really growing and he’ll be crawling around the garden helping you and discovering his new world ❤. Your projects to the home are so satisfying and rewarding for you, it’s looking bright and clean, amazing sitting area by spring and summer. Have a great and prosperous New Year 2024, be well and safe, much love to all of you ❤🎉

[@Smallshotty97]

"Everything comes out in the wash" is a great saying for the plaster work! Maybe even a bit of an adaptation of "measure twice, cut once" since you handle the plaster twice in a sense by coming back with a sponge to smooth it out instead of finding perfection during laying it first. Always so nice and refreshing to see your ambition and drive to keep moving forward. Mauro, it's very wonderful to see a father genuinely interacting with their child and learning about them.

[@juliannapasztory3819]

Que lindo verlos prosperar en construir un hogar más acogedor para los tres, adelante!

[@heidihughes8806]

The tiles look lovely Mauro, and I look forward to seeing the finished job. Oh, I can tell you missed Santi so much because you noticed all the little changes in him, so sweet. Harriet you did a lovely job on the outside of the house, it now looks so pretty 👍☺️ A Happy New Year to you all 🎇🎉💗💗💗

[@mariaantoniapereyra8029]

Gracias por comentar algunas partes en castellano !!! Estoy muy contenta 😍💖

[@Jana-wz7dr]

The front wall looks fabulous. What a fun year ahead of you.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Well done. Your home looks far more like a true home with all the changes you two have done, even with taking time to take care of Santi. This year looks very promising. Fire this early in the year is unsettling. Hopefully fire season won't have much of a chance if the rains come.

[@sandrabeauchamp4207]

Hello my dear friend blessings to you guys amen 💯♥️♥️♥️💯🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AntonioMillan1964]

❤Feliz entrada en 2024. Encantado que esteis de vuelta con ese muy buen animo

[@-ananda-]

Feliz 2024 y el resto de la vida para tod@s ✨️🎋🌱🌿🌻🍀💚‼️

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Have a Happy New Year, everyone!❤

[@galefrost7404]

You are doing an amazing job with everything. Congratulations..

[@glenyscallaghan1195]

Thewall looks brilliant , well done fo just having had a baby and doing all that as well. ⭐️⭐️

[@pattykelly6621]

I completely sympathize with your forest fire concerns. Living in California, it is an almost constant worry. Can you do some kind of fire break around your property? I know it would be a lot of work. Everything in and around your house is really coming along. All you projects look great. I hope you are extremely proud of the work you've both done. Happy New Year to the whole family - Mauro, Harriet and Santi!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

I think we have a good break around most of the property but one side of the house directly adjoins neighbouring land which we don't have control over.

[@joannecalcutt6724]

Excellent job you too. I am absolutely delighted to see things getting to ‘normal’ for you. So looking forward to following your 2024 journey. Happy Holidays from South Carolina USA 😍😍😍

[@kristinregine4798]

that moment, when your dog pushes the camera and you fix it with a smile. Thank you mauro and Harriet for your good work.

[@angelaprovencher7150]

The outside kitchen wall and window / screens looks awesome. Happy New Year! May more blessings come y'all's way.

[@robynclarke5274]

What a beautiful little cuddle bunny Santi is. I had a premie at 32 weeks who was a cuddle bunny as well, though we called her poss (possums). Mauro you always do a good job tiling especially in a wonky room. I love the colours in your tiles.

[@elizabethb8789]

Happy new year! Wishing you and yours a relaxing, restorative, beautiful 2024 🎉💚

[@dorothysutton5162]

I'll be looking forward to admiring the living room!

[@coby6417]

May all your wishes come true 🌟🌟👏👏👍👍🍀🍀💐💐

[@karenabendshien846]

Happy New Year! Wishing you many blessings in 2024! 🙏🕊️🎉

[@maryannknox7158]

Amazing how much you both have accomplished and also enjoy your new parenthood journey.Happy New Year Blessings to your beautiful Family

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

I love the color and design of the tile.

[@user-el9ik1iv7n]

Happy New Year 2024, wishing you and your family all the best!

[@josefinaherreros6129]

Enhorabuena por vuestro trabajo. Y vuestra forma de vida. Y sobre todo por vuestro hijito Santi. Qué pronto lo veremos correr detrás de las gallinas perros y gatos. Feliz año. Un abrazo

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys, good work 👍😁 looks beautiful the your white Wall and the tiles.

[@censon]

Happy New Year!

[@petro3441]

Happy new year. May we spent alot of time together in 2024. The kitchen wall looks super smart and wow very nice job from Mauron side with the tiles❤🎉🎉

[@mariajosemunoz4963]

Que bonito te a quedado

[@annetjievz]

Wishing your family a happy, healthy prosperous New Year. So cute seeing Mauro gushing over Santi ❤. All your "little" projects add up and is paying off. Glad you are finding a rhythm.

[@magicwendy210]

Happy New Year 2024, thank you for all your videos this past year, l look forward to follow your journey in 2024, hugs x

[@jacquionly]

Feliz An'o Nuevo Harriet and Mauro 😊

[@Jo_Lori]

It looks like a whole new wall. Lovely! I'll bet you edited out a curse or two when you mixed the wrong thing. lol

[@berenice6938]

Q lindos los 3 , y los perritos ,, animo!!!!

[@MnGirl1994]

It would be awesome if the channel could be built up enough that you both could be at home full time and building your dream!

[@mariaoltra8367]

Feliz Año Nuevo 2024 🥂❤️‍🩹🍀🙏gracias por regalarlos un poquito de voz en español...yo no entiendo nada en inglés y poder seguir los vídeos mientras cocino es un placer...los sigo desde hace mucho pero es un esfuerzo al mismo tiempo que un placer veros crecer ❤❤❤

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Agreed ,you'll never get this precious time back. It really does fly. We'll be here when you get back. Santi is so beautiful. Time with hubby and baby is priceless 💙

[@matthewgordon-clark2392]

Dear Harriet and Mauro, you arecoping with a newborn and house renovations. Do not worry, you have done so very well. The wall looks amazing. Matthew

[@flowerphotos6440]

Awesome progress. I love the tiles and the front of the house looks amazing. Happy new year to you both and baby Santi.

[@madhatter909]

lovely video Harriet and Mauro and Santi! the cottage is looking beautiful inside and out. The tile is beautiful!!! I'm glad you are all well. Happy New Year!

[@barbaranielsen2888]

My 1st video of yours! I subscribed! Thank you

[@tinatippin5705]

Happy New Year to you and your family. 2023 was a pretty big deal for you and this year you can enjoy all the fruits of your labor. Literally. He will be helping you in the garden before you know it. Happy New Year..

[@annieh6021]

We’re so happy for you, you look like you’re beginning to get the hang of being a family - it’s obviously been really hard for you in the last year. Every time I see your videos, I get a little teary - you’re such grafters and you deserve all the happiness and success you can get (and more!) ❤❤❤

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aww you're too kind!

[@maitemaitechu1685]

Ha quedado muy bien, familia,feliz Año nuevo,y muchas gracias ❤😘😘😘🐶🐱🐴👪💫🫶👍😘😘😘

[@moniquevelasco20]

Love how the kitchen wall looks so fresh and clean. It looks beautiful. I wish you all a Happy New Year and best wishes!🎆🥂 Love and be safe!🤗😘🎄🇻🇪

[@Daytona2]

Hope you all had pleasant breaks/holidays Lovely that you were able to do a whole job, Harriet. ikwym about sticking to a job rather than switching to a new, higher priority, task 👍 Your donkeys toilet habits ...are called civilised 😉

[@carolhernandezfructuoso4446]

Feliz Año nuevo familia... ❤❤😊

[@christiannemayer6062]

My wish for 2024...is allowing Better in to our lives, health,hearts,growth, parenthood and better childhood. 🙏⭐🎉Better 2024✨❄️🎇🎑🇨🇦

[@stefankatomova-nikolova213]

Have a peaceful happy and blessed new year!

[@gardentours]

Happy New Year to all of you 🎆🎊

[@BeccaAl]

Feliz año nuevo 🎊 Really lovely to see you reunited. Yes, quick quick get stuff done before Santi starts crawling and walking and grabbing at things!! Time flies whilst you’re being mum. It’s all looking great so far 👍🏼

[@amaiabecerrilestrada7313]

Enhorabuena, os está quedando preciosa la casita. Happy New Year! Se ve a Santi muy bonito y cambiado. Cheers. Amaia

[@normamurray4450]

Wonderful family video!

[@helenvwalker7919]

La pared parece genial Harriet. Y el piso de la sala también. Feliz año🎉

[@phillipa645]

Happy New Year to you all. You both work very hard to achieve your renovations and your dreams. I am sure 2024 will be a year of much progress X😘😘🎉🎊

[@lolimontes5904]

I liked Mauro's content in argentino, vieja!

[@juanitakauffman6336]

I enjoy your videos. The house looks nice with the paint. Happy new year to your family.

[@makoke1matsuri]

Que bello está el niño!!! 😍😍😍 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 🙏 Feliz año familia 🙋‍♀️

[@letibasgall9382]

Feliz año nuevo! Que alegría volver a verlos. Besote gigante para Santi, está tan hermoso! Y como siempre, unos genios en sus proyectos.

[@margotgarrett2792]

A very Happy new year to you. Thanks for all the lovely videos.

[@tildars]

Happy New year! All the best in 2024 ❤

[@jaykey8092]

It made me emotional to see Mauro meeting you after the UK trip. The net will do big difference. Will you have also something for protecting door? For example in summer if you will want to have open doors during the day?

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

The kitchen door is protected with a fly curtain and we'll install one for the living room door too before mozzie season!

[@akindofmagick1]

Happy 2024!

[@brigid6609]

The front of the house looks so cute. How only 2 days work can change so much! ❤

[@gerryryan1372]

I love seeing the house coming together. How ye all doing. Happy New Year to you all. Lots of love ❤️ 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@lindagibson6088]

Just found your flog and am really enjoying it Happy New Year to you all x