The Reality of Off-Grid Homesteading with a Baby

Hi, we are Harriet and Mauro and in February 2021 we bought an abandoned smallholding in Castellón, Spain. In these videos we shar e 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:
If I Wrote You a Song (Instrumental Version) STEMS INSTRUMENTS - Melanie Bell
Reaching For Infinity - Dawn, Dawn, Dawn
Thoroughfares and Turnpikes - River Foxcroft
Be There Soon (Instrumental Version) - Binkley
There for You - Pearce Roswell
Pride of Pennsylvania - Roy Edwin Williams
Haystack - Biddy Sullivan
From EpidemicSound

[@ginacrusco234]

I have to admit that I feel a touch of sadness over the dismantling of the garden beds. You are much better at rolling with the punches and pivoting when life's demands change than maybe some of your viewers are -- at least this one! Mauro, happy 35!

[@mariaaniceto6719]

Si vivimos en una zona muy complicada por el clima para la vegetación,Harriet es una mujer muy luchadora y muy trabajadora , ahora con un niño es más complicado , pero sigue adelante .

[@slowly_radish8374]

None of your piles or undone projects are embarrassing. You've both had your hands/minds incredibly full AND retained your sanity! So happy to see Sante smiles- they're the sweetener for all that hard work. 👍👍

[@travislohrer2559]

If I were you I wouldn’t be embarrassed by the rubble. You obviously work very hard and there’s only so much time in the day. 🧡

[@birgitriff2010]

The curtain with the Red colours IS very beautiful!

[@birgitriff2010]

Iit makes a warm Atmosphäre.

[@SylviaWhite-w7p]

Sante is a beautiful baby so smiley now

[@zaninovi]

Donkey is crying 😥 he is calling for company. You have a beautiful place. Love watching you.

[@Katy_living_simply]

I am so happy Mauro's eye is looking so much better! Harriet you can always make metal tin labels for the tree❤.

[@almamartinez-quagliata439]

Great job Harriet. So glad Mauro can get to spend some time with Santi in the afternoons so you can get some time to work on your projects!

[@anastasiyamemetova3849]

Harriet is superwoman!

[@kdclothes]

compost pile is looking healthy. Santi is such a beautiful boy. His smile tells us how happy he is.

[@shirleygreaves9650]

You are making great progress, I’m glad Mauro is doing well and Happy Birthday to Mauro. xxx

[@sadjaxx]

You are both making such great changes to your daily routines AND to your overall approach to the farm. The morning/afternoon schedules, the completely finish one project (when possible), the "do things that make your lives easier and more efficient. So smart!

[@lizwilson6633]

Harriet you are such a hard worker, nothing ever phases you, well done. Love seeing Sante's smile. Happy belated birthday Mauro xxxx

[@Beth-kg1lz]

Seriously amazed at how much you get done. I love gardening but for around 5 years while my kids were little all I did was a few pretty summer pots and I mowed the lawn. Looking after babies is a full time job, you should both be extremely proud of all you manage to achieve!!

[@shaunnarochelle]

yay I love that your channel is helping to support you and Mauro and Santi. well done for your all your hard work Harriet !

[@kristinregine4798]

what a lovely smile of that little boy. enjoy your projects and your time together as a family.

[@schweizermadel3810]

Happy birthday Mauro! All the best wishes for you and your family!

[@dominiquebarbieux2859]

Bravo, vous allez y arriver. Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid .

[@marianaleitebraga]

Your positive outlook on life is such a beautiful expression of Spring 🙂

[@maddaslr8827]

happy birthday mauro and congrats on all of the progress! seeing Harriet lift stones while having Santi on her back is soo impressive!

[@gardentours]

You accomplish a lot in your ME-TIME 👍 Happy birthday to Mauro 🎉🎁🎊

[@bluelilly22222]

You no need to apologise nor for to embarrass to show us your unfinished projects....you are one of the hard working person I have come across in you tube videos....love to watch all your videos ❤. ❤💕

[@norweminguerfochnare9921]

Vaya pintaza tienen esas pizzas 😍 Feliz cumpleaños, Mauro 🎉🎉🎉🎉 Qué vídeo tan adorable, cuánta paz transmitís y qué feliz se le ve a Santi

[@sharoncherry]

If the branches break so easy, can you not step on them to break them up? It is always good to keep preparing for winter as the summer will fly by. The baby is growing and has a sweet smile.

[@juliabyrne11]

You are making great progress Harriet

[@maryannknox7158]

Happy Birthday 🎂 Mauro and many more

[@jldisme]

That tortilla looked so yummy! Happy birthday, Mauro! Whoah. That is some very dry wood. It must burn so quickly, but I'll bet it's great kindling. Santi has a million-dollar smile. My heart melted. ❤ Thank you for the great video!

[@lidijabirsa7768]

Happy belated birthday Mauro, wish you all the best!💙 I'm in awe how much hard work you've done Harriet 💪💗 Awww Santi has adorable smile. ❣️

[@elisabethbenders-hyde5286]

Juggling baby and chores. Life keeps changing. I didn’t know those are called contact naps. My kids had contact naps because it felt so good to just hold them. Glad our support he’s been helping you out.

[@sarahhansen762]

Try not to be embarrassed. You are amazing. I can’t believe what you are able to accomplish with a new baby. I love the reframing you have done in terms of making it “me time”. Brilliant.

[@jldisme]

How is the drip irrigation on the trees doing? Since water scarcity is an issue, are you considering drip irrigation for your raised beds? Do you do passive aeration in your compost bins? Take a PVC pipe (1" or larger), drill holes along the length, and insert it into your compost pile. The pipe acts like a straw, letting air move down and into the compost pile. Use multiple pipes inserted in different spots to increase airflow even more.

[@sandrabeauchamp4207]

Blessings beautiful family ❤💯♥️🙏🙏🙏

[@deehalpern8988]

Before you know it, little Santi will be running along behind you in the garden.

[@louisaholman3838]

The food looks delightful

[@dorothyallen3614]

Rubble is richness and prosperity because it is visible and keeps you creating to make something out of your rich rubble, maybe when you see it now you’ll get a creative vibe going to make it into something useful, but always remember it’s free and your riches! Great job creative one. Happy Birthday Maurio, daddy time is so precious for bonding, you’re very fortunate as is your son 😂❤!

[@kristengumm4045]

Love, love your channel. You two are so real and inspiring. Homesteaders around the world learn so much from each other from channels like your's. Allow me to share something that saved my back... Gorilla carts/wagons, whatever they're called. Heavy duty (not the metal ones)practically zero turn, you pull instead of bend and push, and when baby is a bit older he can ride in it😊. Many blessings.

[@ninemoonplanet]

Yes, having a child takes up your strength, sleep and attention so it pays to share that load, which you both do. As for the garden, grow only what you really enjoy, don't worry about this year but use some time to enrich the soils, plan and relax this year. Last year wasn't exactly relaxing with two surgeries, hospital times. This year is where recovery will be the most important. Things will get done. You both are willing to do that.

[@roo9565]

When I put my compost bins together I tie the corners with washing line and nothing else. Don't ask me what prompted this, but the washing line outlives the pallets and you can make rudimentary hinges and all sorts!

[@davidmiller-br4bu]

Happy birthday Mauro..you are both doing an amazing job … it’s not rubbish or rubble it’s art ok 😊

[@annetjievz]

Happy Birthday, Mauro! If you like car detailing, The Detail Geek is a great one to watch. Canadian guy with some great results on sometimes really nasty car interiors. Great Job shoveling Sh... uhhmm, manure, Harriet! 🤪 Will you be planting stuff around the bases of the trees, or is that defying the object of puting the stones there in the first place?

[@inabates8919]

Happy Birthday Mauro, hope you had an awesome day. ❤🎉🎂

[@user-ey9bt7fs6n]

The 4 F’s Family, Friends, Food and Fun. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to new videos and projects

[@karenabendshien846]

Happy Birthday Mauro! Great job of resourcing the stones and changing the compost site. There's a saying that " Rome wasn't built in a day", so give yourselves grace. Enjoy the process and the journey! Oh Sante is just adorable, he has a sweet little smile 😊.

[@lisakilmer2667]

You're very strong if you can carry a baby and do physical work at the same time. Not only was I never strong enough to do that, but our first child absolutely hated being in a backpack. She needed to see out! Therefore, I was wondering if Santi would like to sit in some kind of wheelbarrow and watch you? There are fancy/expensive prams which are really just a garden cart with a sunshade, which you could easily copy with existing garden equipment plus an umbrella.

[@normamurray4450]

Your work ethics are top notch! I love your farm and all that you do, sometimes with that sweet boy of yours on your back...love it!!! To be self sustained for the most part, wow! Happy Birthday Mauro! Your food looks mouth watering. Sante's sweet smile warms my heart. Never be embarrassed about anything on your property, my gosh, you are performing some miracles!

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Another great video, you certainly pack plenty into your day! Great idea to think of the tasks more as “ me” time, rather just a list of jobs that need doing. Can’t believe just how quickly Santa is growing, he has a most beautiful smile. ❤

[@deborahlee8135]

Happy birthday, Mauro 🎉 I love watching you both prioritise what you need, whether it's constructing something new, planting new plants, moving compost heaps, walking in the sun, spending time snuggling with Santi, or just having a laugh together. Collapsed bell tents can wait. You're getting the important stuff right ❤❤❤

[@aromany]

Happy Birthday Mauro, I wish you all the very best❤

[@shannonlynne1558]

For some reason this video brought me back to some of your earliest when you were there working alone. (Even though it’s obvious Mauro does his fair share; most of it off camera😊) It gave me a nice nostalgic feeling thinking how far you have come. You are both doing a great job.

[@maryannknox7158]

Harriet you’re such a hard worker!Great job on the new compost bins

[@elainekaufman2264]

Your house is turning out so lovely

[@nixbradley]

Belated 35th feliz cumpleaños Mauro from Australia 🍕🥂🌻🌅🌄

[@paulroberts5695]

My Sunday afternoon treat😊

[@rosamarialobatogomez7273]

Me alegra veros felices haciendo lo que os gusta y ver feliz a Santi ❤

[@rominademattei1266]

Buen trabajo Harriet, Santi estpa precioso y me encanta como te queda el cabello trenzado.

[@lynnechilton5794]

Tip for you.Take the label and ties off when planting and store separately. The ties will grow into the trunk and prevent growth .❤🌺🌼

[@solangebunster4263]

Feliz cumpleaños mauro 🎈🎈🎈,q seas muy feliz junto a tu linda familia ,harriet y santi ,tb tus peritos lindos y gatitos 🎂🥤🥤🍼. Y mis aplausos por lo trabajadores q son 🤗🇨🇱,Chile

[@summertyme9046]

You are truly amazing.

[@zuziabuchnajzer579]

Great to see you smiling and great work!

[@LLopez-qb6gz]

Eres extraordinaria. Que orgulloso va a estar tu hijo de sus padres pero especialmente de mamá.

[@petro3441]

Harriet i think you did more than enough. It does look great. How is your plants getting on in the new beds by the house

[@ruthbowery8325]

Happy birthday Mauro 🎉🎂 xx.

[@spieterman3065]

Happy birthday & you know I’m so here for tofu he’s the bestest boy ❤ also I’d love to know how things are with the donkey & the plans involving him.

[@jpennturner]

Your home looks wonderful, I have a small chain saw like that be very careful, I was chopping sticks and it bounced up and got the end of my thumb. Ripped it up a bit and was very sore. I use the saw very carefully now. Your videos are great thank you so much.

[@teedub1990]

Your brief mention of water and rains reminded me of ollas for some reason. Have you considered those for your garden instead of irrigation with plastic tubing? I seem to remember something about mineral deposits building up in the tubing eventually, necessitating replacing the entire system every few years. I don't know if ollas have the same issue. The birthday dinner looked delicious. Especially the cakes.

[@robynclarke5274]

Your doing so well with the time you have.

[@mary4482]

Hermoso e inspirador trabajo!!!. Felicitaciones!!!. 🌱💚🇨🇱

[@AraceliFyfe]

It’s amazing how much progress you are achieving ! Poco a poco …Santi está cada día más precioso.❤❤❤

[@SheriLynNut]

Feliz, Cumpleaños, Mauro! Smack in the middle of your 30’s is a wonderful age! Many happy returns 🎉

[@user-45xxr57htr]

Ваше целеустремленность просто потрясающа! Вы молодцы! В поддержку вашего канала….. вам надо брать рекламу.❤😊

[@mariafloresvillegas3279]

Felicidades Mauro!! Me alegro que paso a paso vaya todo bien,eres muy trabajadora Harriet aunque también tienes que descansar tómatelo con calma , saludos ❤

[@coletteware1853]

Wow, what a lovely feast!!

[@kaz3bears]

Well done guys ❤ You got this 👍 (perfect balance family & work )

[@PM-dl4fn]

You (well actually Mauro) really made my laugh at the end of the video 🤣. Thanks for all the video's - I really enjoy them and it makes me starting all kind of projects as well. You are an inspiration. Greeting from the Netherlands - Petra.

[@marciaward3045]

Happy birthday to Mauro

[@angelagarciacamps6406]

Harriet, es de admirar todo lo que haces en tu situación y con la atención que demanda un bebé como Santi. Yo recuerdo cuando pasé por ello y te puedes sentir muy orgullosa y satisfecha de tu dedicación, perseverancia y fuerza de voluntad que tienes. Mucho ánimo y fuerza para que sigáis con vuestros proyectos de vida. Santi es precioso y me alegro que se le vea tan bien y feliz. Un abrazo.

[@helenrider8781]

Loved the last bit 😂😂😂

[@lisabarajas1654]

Excellent work!

[@TatianaSukhareva-b8s]

Keep hanging on! Love your videos!

[@franciscolayuntayuste3953]

Hola. Veros es siempre una inspiración. Por cierto donde habéis comprado ese horno? Estoy tratando de localizar algo similar y no lo encuentro. Podríais poner un enlace?? Muchas gracias!!!!

[@Astrid-u1m]

Really enjoyable video as always! One way to keep using the wheelbarrow when the compost piles higher up, is to take a wooden plank and lay it on top to roll the wheelbarrow up. It is not always super stable and requires some balancing, but it's always worked pretty well for us when wheeling horse manure up large piles of compost :) Maybe worth a try!

[@jeanettefrancis6473]

I feel sorry for the donkey as well. They are not supposed to be alone. I have horses and know how much they love company. You are looking after him well otherwise. Love watching your videos from New Zealand.

[@deltorres2100]

Have you ever seen that guy, Al blaze that Cut Grass something about his videos just make you mesmerize and just watch him

[@estelasantillan787]

Hola buenos días 🙋🏻‍♀️ mujer trabajadora eres pura inspiración, hola Mauro me alegro mucho que estés bien que Dios siga bendiciendote en salud , 🎉🎉 felicidades 🎂 🎉🎉🙏 Santi que bonito eres 😍 cuánto trabajo tienes ahí Harriet vamos tu puedes 🌱💚 saludos desde Argentina 🇦🇷 muchas bendiciones, por aquí no se puede trabajar en la huerta invasión de mosquitos 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@sumija52118]

You are such a hard worker Harriet. Sante is a beautiful smiley baby.

[@charola41]

I end up sooo tired from watching you work so hard!

[@lunadecristal3259]

Que grande y precioso está Santi 😊

[@kirstypollock6811]

Gosh Harriet, to me it seems you get so much done! I would love to learn from your way of finding tasks to fit those 2-3 hours windows of opportunity! Just keep on keeping on, that's what i would say!

[@a_highland_life]

I really admire your work ethic Harriet, you work so hard and will have a go at anything. Santi did a gorgeous smile in the shop and is looking very like you, especially round the eyes.

[@ElOroDelTigre]

Feliz cumpleaños, Mauro!

[@janohdegroot989]

Ash from a pot is rich in potassium. Urine is rich in nitrogen and phosphate. Combined a rich fertilizer. In Holland not allowed for vegies. Trees no problem..

[@catherinecarreiro3955]

Each project is coming along and you are accomplishing a lot. Better to do it right like you want than rushing and redoing. You guys are wonderful and inspiring.

[@veraoliveira5059]

Harriet, you are the best! Mauro and you make a beautifull couple and, with Santi, a lovely litle family, but you are amazing. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

[@eduardoHMYT]

Remote, part time job is a great choice!

[@mariaaniceto6719]

Hola hariet ,da gusto ver lo bien que estáis,Santi está creciendo mucho .yo vivo aqui al lado vuestro en Murcia límite con Almeria y aquí no llueve absolutamente nada.Me he alegrado que por fin habeis tenido lluvia,tu propiedad está muy bonita.Desde ahora en adelante viene un clima muy bueno para el niño y la naturaleza .

[@arjanvogel6444]

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

[@harrym2523]

You're brave carrying him in your back! I'm building my confidence with that slowly with our little one. Please can I have your g and d free moussaka recipe?

[@earthangel8730]

Well done!

[@patriciapoyanestebanez408]

Que mayor he visto a Santi …está precioso 😍 de todo mi

[@Celtickok1]

Keep up the good work. Your very hard work is going to pay off. Lovely lady and gentleman.

[@auroraalonso1125]

me gusta como va quedando todo, pequeños proyectos que van adecuando el espacio. gran trabajo.