When NOTHING Goes to Plan... Self Building a Tiny Stone Cabin

The week where nothing goes to plan on our self build tiny stone cabin. Head to squarespace.co... to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code LIFEBYLIVING
People always ask us why we choose to work alone DIY style whilst renovating our little stone house? Well, the number one reason is because we can always rely on ourselves... unfortunately, the same can't be said for others. This week proved that as a supplier brazenly lied to us & failed to deliver our goods needed to complete the French drain around the stone cottage, completely messing up our plans for the week at the last minute! 😤
Anyways, negative rant over 😁
In spite of this, we still had a productive few days getting the tiny house floor prepped ready to pour the new concrete slab, trouble shooting & fixing our much needed worksite generator, as well as a few Christmassy & doggy activities!
LIKE THIS VIDEO if you enjoyed it & SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey as we document our life here in Portugal & the many DIY projects that we'll be tackling including renovating a tiny stone home, setting up systems to grow some of our own food & finally restoring the 100+ year old farm house.
Also say hi in the comments! We'd love to hear from you 😊
Ricky & Victoria x
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We're Ricky & Victoria 👋 We're slowly bringing an abandoned off grid Portuguese farm back to life & transforming it into a beautiful homestead for us & our two rescue dogs Teddy & Poppy.
We both agree that we’re not experts in anything that we do here, however we don’t let that stop us from giving it a try. We live our life by trying. We live our life by doing. We live our LIFE BY LIVING.
#stonecabin #homesteadlife #renovation

[@klazyy641]

Three great scenes that stuck with me even after watching for a time: the love and trust of your two canine family members, the teamwork and affection you two show each other, and the perseverance of solving problems (such as the voltage regulator and the beautification of the doorway). Thank you for yet another bit of happiness for this Sunday morning.

[@margaretlehmann-berry263]

Well said!

[@rogerjohnson9103]

“waste not, want not” was one of my grandmother’s favorite sayings. She was born in England in the 1890’s. Lovely channel you have. ❤

[@cajsheen2594]

Yep! I must not throw upon the floor the crust I cannot eat, for many a hungry little one would think it quite a treat, and wilful waste makes woeful want and I may live to say, Oh, how I wish I had the crust that once I threw away! ❤ XXX

[@colinbrooker4951]

Looking forward too more of your videos in 2025. Merry Xmas 🌲

[@tommyc7306]

Can I offer a little tip? When compacting sand, as your tamp has a relatively small plate, try putting a scaffold board over the sand and tamp along that, you might find it quicker and less effort. Worth a try maybe. have a fantastic Christmas .

[@PaulRansonArt]

I second that tip. 😁😁

[@wolffhenry5751]

Was thinking that as well

[@AnnSarasvati]

Happy Christmas!

[@robbyrobyn1963]

Even though I will never need to tamp, I love this tip😊

[@LifebyLiving]

We did try this originally but we didn't have a thick enough board & it just split from the impact of the jackhammer. Scaffold boards aren't common here like they are in the UK as most people use metal platforms so then it becomes a big ordeal of a trip to the wood yard & getting them to rip something for me. Was just easier to tamp with the small jackhammer plate...even if it did bust my back in the process!😁

[@karinedaly2590]

I've waited and waited for your latest video.....miss you guys.

[@nancycouch357]

Some weeks can be frustrating and full of setbacks, but when you take a deep breath and look how far you've come, it's pretty impressive (and keeping two sweet dogs so happy is a bonus !)

[@lindaparkin61]

Life is full of ups and downs, you are both positive people. And you WILL reach your goal. I love watching you both, and the dogs.❤❤❤

[@michaeldean-jackson8242]

Here in South Africa, I place some copper coins inside my water reservoir and that helps keep the algae at bay.

[@bonniefrench9884]

Or copper tubing.

[@sharonbaptista1122]

I love watching your videos. My husband and i use to do so many projects together because like you said you can only count on each other. My husband passed last year and now when I need anything done I rely on other relatives. Unfortunately everyone works at others jobs and I have to wait til they are available. I'm very appreciative.

[@HT-io1eg]

Losing your life-mate is so very tough. Remember the lovely times together, wishing you a happy peaceful holiday time

[@LifebyLiving]

Sorry to hear about your husband Sharon. It sounds like you made a lot of good memories together ❤️ Hope you have a wonderful Christmas

[@adamstimson5430]

Just you wish you both a happy new year

[@lutgarthanssens3659]

Were are you dear people, missing your Adventures. Love you 😊

[@jwtfpv8957]

One of my favourite channels. Great stuff!

[@timdunn2387]

love the fact that you used your dressmaker's tape to measure the dampcourse, in lieu of the more traditional builder's tape. 😃

[@auntytutu]

Oh the memories...I feel your pain...you are not alone...but when you are done...the satisfaction is very rewarding. As the saying goes "no pain no gain" - also it may be bit like child birth...you end up only vaguely remembering the pain while living the joy everyday. 😊

[@TomWilson-ir6uq]

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas and a great New Year 😊

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Tom! Have a fantastic Christmas!

[@bobhale8325]

Loving the Ricky & Victoria team taking care of business. Glad you found a part that fits and found a generous shop keeper to help you get it.

[@7WordsWorth]

Never thought I’d be excited about concrete, but I will drink a New year’s toast to you both when you’ve got that next victory under your belt. My favorite pioneers. 😊

[@kdclothes]

I always feel you have accomplished so much at the end of an episode with you two. Bravo.

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

Everyone is having trouble with generators. I am currently watching four other couples doing renovations, and every one of them has a generator that has packed up and stopped working. Generators don't seem to be the most reliable forms of power. When five couples in four different countries are having the same problem, something is not right. May you both have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎄🎁🎄🎁🎄

[@denisefassbender4331]

I just purchased a magnetic plug for my generator. It will catch any metal filings that may occur and can be cleaned off regularly. It will also extend the life of the generator. I would have added this to the comments but it must have been full.

[@LifebyLiving]

Ours isn’t the most reliable brand either so we fully expected problems at some point. It’s gone nearly 3 years so far without any issues which isn’t too bad…plus we don’t really take great care of it so we’re partly to blame!😁 Merry Christmas Abigail 😊

[@lisaperry9432]

Hello again 🤗 my grandparents were from Portugal on both sides of my parents and for some reason My grandfather didn't pick up on English 😅, but I must say the most hardworking grandparents ever 😊 so see you next week 😊❤

[@kdclothes]

Merry Christmas to all four of you.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too!😊

[@petro3441]

Although there was a set back at least you did a few nice things. The stone layer is on the floor and a bit of sand and the lemon trees look awesome. Take a break. Its christmas and you deserve a bit of time off.Merry Christmas God bless

[@LifebyLiving]

We’re working right up until Christmas Day & then we’ve got a week off!🥳 Merry Christmas!😊

[@marius-z3z]

Hi Ricky, I have noticed that when you are using the jackhammer, you use a rolled up extension reel. This is not good as the rolled up electric wire makes a magnetic coil the may heat up the wire and reduce the voltage that goes to the appliance. It may also have been the reason for the regulator to fail. Best is to unroll the reel fully. Regards, Marius

[@avivat3010]

I, for one had no idea that a coated wired would do this! Thank you for the tip!

[@1MartinWaite]

@@avivat3010 it can also act like an element bar of an electric fire and heat up until it catches on fire so please be careful my parents in law lost the upstairs of their house due to them running their electric immersion heater via an extension while their gas heater was broken and as they only planned on running their electric immersion heater for a short while they left about a quarter of the electric extension wound up and yes it caught fire they ended up with fire damage in all 3bedrooms the bedroom and the attic which was almost full of stuff,. All the clothes of a family of four were ruined along with bedding, towels were also ruined needless to say but the extension cable was also ruined. Tyne house needed a new roof and ceilings to the three bedrooms the bathroom and the landing ceilings , then there was new upvc windows int the 3 bedrooms the bathroom and the landing. All I can say is it’s a good job they were well insured.

[@avivat3010]

@@1MartinWaite Thank you for reiterating. Such a simple thing, and I've never heard of it! Just last year I found out that electric heaters should never be run on an extension cord. Where was I when these lessons were being taught??

[@jeffreylocke8808]

I would establish the plumbing under the floor before you cover it. You will be glad you did.

[@danmcgraw5179]

You're spot on with the 'quick wins'. They're great for maintaining morale during a big project.

[@DebbieHollandNZ]

Yay !!!! new floor in sight. Well done on all the frustrating problem solving. Your dogs are delightful. They live the best dog life and are clearly very happy. Lovely to watch

[@sherry2836]

Despite the generator issue, you got some hard work finished! You could spray paint the outside top and sides of the IBC tote black. On one side, leave a 2" wide vertical stripe unpainted all the way down so you can see the water level. Along with your UV cover, it should really help with the algae. Have a wonderful holiday!

[@Eddi.M.]

Merry Christmas from the Swiss-German border. Keep up the good work! I'm not really that much interested in the building work, but I enjoy watching how you work together as a team, your characters, your humour, your Britishness, in behaviour, style and use of language, the odd word or two that I'm not used to. The struggle you have in beautiful Portugal are also interesting to me, although I have decided against it and will eventually emigrate from Europe.

[@randybarnes6087]

Most of the time nothing goes to plan, but you roll with the punches. Nice job repairing the generator. Have a very Merry Christmas!

[@gaynor3976]

Merry Christmas Victoria and Ricky. Have a relaxing time. All the best for 2025. Thanks for all your videos xxx

[@LifebyLiving]

Merry Christmas Gaynor! Thanks for being here watching us every week 🥰

[@JulieTremblay-mj9np]

great team work as usual, I really enjoy your editing and how the music blends in, thanks for the ray of sunshine

[@LifebyLiving]

Awww thank you Julie 🥰

[@philmccole2634]

Great job guys, love watching you two 👍👍👍👍

[@lisaperry9432]

Morning Family and I truly enjoyed watching how you get the babies to allow their grooming 😂 I can't say enough how beautiful this land is, and I'm glad you got that generator working 😅, Happy Holidays ❤🎉

[@ginacrusco234]

A floor of many layers! Victoria has memorized them all; Ricky pounds away with the compressor to get them in. I hope you feel your 2024 was satisfying; Happy festivities and new year!

[@judithmoyle9101]

Ohhh! Sore back days! I hope you guys have got a decent sized hot bath to go home to at the end of the day! You will surely be in need of that mulled wine to relax the back spasms! Look after yourselves! ❤❤

[@eldrinod]

I hope you are both ok❤️🌟

[@dianemosher3213]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people work so incredibly hard on a job like you’ve done congratulations. Keep up the good work and merry Christmas.

[@paulchadwick4907]

Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2025 🎉🎉🎉 The transformation of the tiny home is absolutely brilliant ❤

[@peterlindsay8235]

Wow, Santa was listening and bought you an early Christmas present👍 You must have been amazingly good to get a long handled shovel 🤣😂

[@avivat3010]

It's tough when things don't come together. The work itself is hard enough. Keep up the great work Ricky and Victoria! As you said Victoria, you never appreciate quite how much work goes into anything until you've done it. As you go along you'll learn so much and each time the job is repeated it will get easier and faster. By the time you start the big house you'll be professionals. When you've finished everything you'll be able to sit back and commiserate over the remember whens...Thank you so much for all the work you do to share your lives. I really appreciate it. Merry Christmas!

[@MickeysMice]

For future reference: use a whacker plate for large areas and the tamper for areas that the whacker plate can't reach. Also: for spreading grit or sand, use the rake upside down.

[@elizabethfleck6536]

Merry Christmas from Minnesota, USA. 🎄❄️🎄❄️🎄 Me and my 7 kids (dogs) are enjoying your video tonight (5:47 pm central time). Your idea, to make a list of little jobs that take 20 minutes or so, is very effective! I have been decluttering my home since retiring. I take breaks just to fit those little jobs into my schedule. In the beginning progress was so slow. . . but now, with over half of the main floor done, I know I will make it!! (Poppy has won the hearts of all in the house.) I actually watched you on my BIG TV SCREEN! I am slowly catching up with technology!! 🎉🎊🎄⛄️🎁✝️🇬🇧🇺🇸🍾

[@fromSpringfield]

LOVE THE GREEN. Nice progress. Thanks for the video.

[@joanponton3316]

Love your videos! Happy holidays to you and your fur babies ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you Joan! Have a wonderful Christmas 😊

[@lindabowers-k2k]

I had to watch every show from the very beginning when y’all first arrived at your tiny houses. I started around 8:00am USA Texas Gulf of Mexico it is now 5:00 pm. It was great. For some unknown reason I haven’t been able to find y’all. It was totally worth it. I love watching y’all because you both have a great way of making me and I’m sure others fill as if we are there visiting. You’re both precious. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year🎉 God’s abundant blessing on everything you put your hands to do.. lbowers

[@richardmarino5658]

It certainly has been one heck of a year for you and your family. Many of us go through similar situations. It was great to see you smiling/crying and holding hands.

[@deborahpalm7657]

It is always a pleasure to watch you work together and to solve problems. Your floor is looking great. Victoria, I am impressed how you and your pooches cooperate with nail filing. Ricky, I think you should wear a back brace, or wide elastic belt to keep your back from wearing out. All the best to both of you and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

[@turawolfe2841]

Your place is looking really good!!! It will be so exciting to see you move into the tiny house in 2025 and start working on the bigger house. to become your home. It's a lovely place to call home. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours from Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

[@LifebyLiving]

We’re so excited about moving in but it seems SO far away right now!😂

[@LifebyLiving]

Oh & merry Christmas to you too Tura 🥰

[@Mike-z3z]

When you change oil in any motor, you have to change oil filter too.

[@anthonystevens749]

22:30 Well done for taking the trouble & expense to source a sensible shovel! As an old dude approaching 70 who's shovelled more concrete and aggregates than is fair, I know your older self will praise your sense when younger! You two are lovely people and seem to have a great and lively relationship - thanks for sharing all the experiences over the past year, and here's wishing you a very happy Christmas and a successful New Year. 🤗

[@donaldauguston9740]

Merry Christmas to you both. I really like your resolution of getting 20 minute projects out of the way to show your progress so things don't always feel so overwhelming. I plan to incorporate this into my line of thinking in 2025. Outstanding advice!!! Happy New Year from Vancouver, WA - USA. DA

[@petegilbert6886]

Send me that mulled wine recipe 😵😂😂 Doing a great job guys. Have a great Xmas!! 🎅🎄

[@celiapereira5223]

A very Merry Christmas to you both and your fur babies 🎄🧑‍🎄🎉🎊🥂🍾

[@marjanvanpelt8283]

Have a lovely time together😊❤

[@dawnfitzgerald2951]

Busy beavers you are. What a difference a floor will make. Happy holidays to you and the dogs.❤️🇨🇦🎄🍷

[@Diwondermum]

May l suggest that as you are not near to the city and when you are buying new parts for your machinery like the part you just bought for the generator, buy two not one! This way you will always have a spare part for an emergency situation. No more waste of time having to go find a part at the most inconvenient time.

[@clemerz361]

Happy Christmas and all the best for health and happiness in the New Year! Cheers from the snowy Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, 🇨🇦

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

Victoria, Ricky and pooches - have yourselves a marvellous Christmas and Victoria easy on the Mulled Wine (Hick)!!

[@LifebyLiving]

Merry Christmas Atholl!

[@judithierino1377]

Have a wonderful christmas 🎄 😊 ❤️

[@LifebyLiving]

Thank you Judith, you too!😊

[@aok2727]

So glad you decided to go with underfloor heating. You won’t regret that

[@andymccabe6712]

Maybe in August......!?!!

[@bonniefrench9884]

Reminds me of John Denver's song, " Some days are diamonds, some days a stone" !👍💗

[@lindabrooks8242]

Happy holidays, if you celebrate. And, if you don't, then celebrate anyway! You've come a long way this year, and its looking pretty awesome!❤️

[@janhodgson1740]

Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄🎁

[@LifebyLiving]

You too Jan!😊

[@BillHunstone]

I know you said when nothing goes to plan … but the progress has been great this week folks so well done. Have a lovely Christmas in case you don’t post next week and a healthy Happy and enjoyable New Year to you both and of course the two dogs.

[@bobjones-xc9fp]

Roll up a piece of paper into a cone for an oil funnel. Two if you need it longer.

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

You have your good days and bad one. That's the way goes sometimes. 👍👍In the end, it all works out. Harriet and I want to take this time to wish you guys Happy Holidays !🎄 to you and yours. Heres's hoping that the New Year will bring light at the end of the tunnel .It's been quite a year. We love you guys❤ from Jim, Harriet and Yuki Richmond, VA.

[@dweamy1]

Re overflowing IBC tank, I've seen others who link up several IBC tanks so that if one is full it flows into other tanks.

[@kellyh8347]

Looked a lot like John Newby stomping the grass a few years ago! Love you guys!!!

[@ruthnoronha8206]

Your land is really beautiful. You can do so much with it later in the future.

[@ellenpearce6885]

So nice that people are kind and helpful. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!🎄

[@Chestnut442]

Great work on the base for the floor - that was a lot of work! And don't you love your new shovel?! (It looks perhaps too late now, and you may have looked for one, but a gas vibratory plate compactor with a 36cm x 51cm base is commonly used on jobs like your floor. They are VERY heavy, but once going they 'walk' themselves over the material; all you need do is steer it. They are usually rented by the day, but I have no idea whether you are anywhere near a tool/machine rental service that would have one. On average that size provides 3000-5000 lb centrifugal force, and weigh 90-110 kg). And you may have looked after this already on the generator, but that is to clean or exchange its air filter.

[@JannekeMeijer]

Fijne Kerstdagen en een Gelukkig nieuwjaar. Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year. Greetings from the Netherlands ❤

[@claymccleery9451]

The mulled wine segment was a good chuckle!

[@pjrudolph8525]

Love your interactions, dogs, and ambition! I’ve been binge watching all your videos since Christmas and I just love your channel😊

[@davidbiddle3257]

Wow, wow, wow, then bow wow wow, enjoyed the clipping tutorial, my dog won’t stand a dremmel getting near her, scared to death of the noise.

[@jimpayne6798]

yep, things 'not' going to plan is regular when your converting farm buildings. Plod on is the motto. My digger driver (Pat Kelly) told me to get an"Irish Shovel" like yours when we were converting out Barn. Best bit of shovelling kit ever. Sadly, my one has worn out the pointed bit, but still serves me well. Have a great Christmas and looking forward to seeing you in the New Year.

[@dotbaenziger1392]

Happy holidays to all b blessed ❤

[@cherroxanne1339]

I popped a huge smile when I realized you two had posted a new video. Love how you feed off each other with your dry wit😀😀. 👏🏽👏🏽 ❤❤❤❤❤

[@birgitriff2010]

Step by step Forward!❤

[@DM-eg3os]

Great job, your are working together so nice.

[@ps6860]

Guys I'm so happy you chose Portugal and a place needing TLC ,you are very energetic and persistent. Keep the top work

[@elizabeththomas8746]

Yes, please!🍷🍾 Will have to get mine out and ready to celebrate for your concrete slab! Lol. Can't wait to see that video. Merry Christmas! See you soon.

[@LifebyLiving]

Merry Christmas Elizabeth! Hopefully yours will taste a bit better than ours did!😂

[@stuartjgarland]

Well done folks, really taking shape have a lovely Christmas

[@MickeysMice]

Re. the algae: try keep the covered from light. Also, if you happen to bump into a camper/caravan supplier ask for the silver based water purification tablets. Sounds expensive but they're not.

[@Beejayize]

A very merry Christmas to you guys. Hopefully you will have a fruitful New Year.

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks Bernard. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas!

[@jean-robertdallinges]

Vous pouvez faire 4 trous sous votre compacteur, les fileter avec un taraud et ensuite fixer avec des vis une pièce de bois 30x 30 cm et 5 cm d’épaisseur. Vous pourrez compacter une plus grande surface et en plus cela va surélever votre machine ce qui soulagera votre dos. C‘est juste une idée.

[@carolwoodward6141]

💕 “we can grow weeds anywhere we don’t want them,” 😂

[@LifebyLiving]

Unfortunately it’s true!😂

[@НинаАгрофеня]

Equipment breakdown at the most inopportune time and an unreliable supplier is a classic of the genre, I started feeling nostalgic... The following question arose: will there be a septic tank in this house? Where are the holes for water inlet and outlet? Will you pour the slab first and then chisel it to lay the pipes?

[@HaroldMalaby]

From across the pond Happy Holidays. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@LifebyLiving]

Thanks for watching Harold. Have a fantastic Christmas!😊

[@anadorsamp3560]

Magnífico trabajo aún con contratiempos. Vuestros perritos son adorables❤❤. Feliz Navidad! Que el Señor os bendiga grandemente ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Muchas gracias. Que paséis unas Navidades fantásticas.

[@markstokes2809]

Happy Christmas you Guys, have a great REST over the Christmas time

[@lia12345Abc]

Merry Christmas from California ❤

[@Yaketyyak21]

Take a well earned break,it will all still be there after Christmas..🤗

[@DJ-6972]

Terrific resourcefulness around the generator and the difficulty with Portugal. As for the multiple failed deliveries (no warning of course) and lying, I’m so impressed with your equanimity. I live here too and the lying (is it apathy?) about goods and services is just so maddening. It just breaks me some days. Well done!

[@ZeeCeeCreations]

So proud of both of you! Your perseverance and positivity are truly inspiring! Can’t wait to see your lovely new concrete floor!! Well done!!! ❤

[@deirdrecerasa3932]

Merry Christmas! Take some time to recharge! I enjoy your videos very much!❤🎄❤️

[@catarinacarrasco5938]

Have a Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🥰

[@lesbendo6363]

Merry Christmas you two! And the dogs! 👍👍💕🇨🇦

[@R1chiesART]

Some graft there guys but you still smile, laugh it off and put your positive touch to good use.

[@wolffhenry5751]

Good luck with the pour! Have a wonderful festive season and a happy new year!!! 🥰

[@jamesdunican1750]

Fantastic work all looking great Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄 See you next week ❤

[@LifebyLiving]

Merry Christmas James!

[@eleviskus2014]

Just wanted to say how excited I am whenever you guys post a new video! I wish you all the best adventures and do take care of yourselves (and eachother, as you do). Happy holidays! You are a great example. Hugs to your pets as well!