Winter Days Alone on our Off-Grid Homestead

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:
The Winter - Sebastian Winskog
Bright Up My Day - View Points
Down the Garden Path - View Points
Even If the Sky Is Falling Down (Instrumental Version) - Candelion
Nainsook - Peter Sandberg
Big Sur - Roy Edwin Williams
The River's Gonna Cry When You're Gone - Loving Caliber
Octagon - Christophe Gorman
All from Epidemic Sound

[@maryegerton6848]

This was so good! I love how the cat’s took to the cat house 😃 Cats aren’t the most cooperative of creatures! Well done. Merry Christmas to all of you 🎄

[@bassoonrckr]

I loved seeing both cats cuddled together in the cat house. And Tofu is so cute in his knitted vests! Also a good reminder for me to plant spring bulbs as well. 😊

[@pessimistpojken]

What a gift to get this video for christmas. You two are a beacon of positivity! Thanks for letting us live our countryside dreams vicariously through you. ¡Feliz navidad, y os agradezco mucho!

[@jarilyden]

Advice for making a door next time: the support is best done in the form of a Z where the hinges are on the left side. So the bottom of the diagonal is resting near the solid side and supports the weight on the loose side. We just finished watching the cat house build and just loved it, especially the frustration of not being able to fill that one hole. Luckily Mauro gave all the good, positive comments on it, too. All the best, please send some warm weather to us here in Finland. We got a nasty surprise of 25 cm fresh snow just when the ground had cleared and the first swans and geese returned.

[@ginacrusco234]

Dear Harriet, I hope we keep you company the way you keep us company. I love being party to your thoughtful, productive, conscious way of living. That gift basket for your friends tells the story. Happy Holidays!

[@kristinregine4798]

these two cats are loving their lives your are providing them. nice!!🥰

[@victoriamafrank4600]

I love watching your videos. This one was so heart warming, the cat house, your hard work and your cold immersion. You are so strong and such an inspiration 😻😘

[@margaritamanresacapo2540]

Que bonita casita , los gatos están felices , espero que disfrutes de unas bonitas fiesta con tus seres queridos 💕 😊 ♥️

[@gleff3345]

Wanted to leave a comment: use a another pallet as a platform for the cat's house, but kept watching and saw the great result. Always nice to see your posts.

[@Bellavita60]

You are an inspiration! It’s like watching a natural phenomenon. I feel quite emotional 🥹. Real live girl power❤

[@cathybassett6432]

Watching your videos is always a pleasure. I look forward to each one. Thanks.

[@tong8619]

Argentina y británica, ojalá yo. Soy argentino viviendo en España con ciudadanía italiana jaja Pero recién descubrí tus videos y los amé instantaneamente

[@NYKIRA]

I think the cat house is such a good idea, it's nice seeing how you're reusing materials and being resourceful, these skills are so necessary

[@Onubense-zu4ei]

Hola, a los gatos les has construido un verdadero hotel, a quedado perfecto, realizáis un enorme trabajo, solo daros mi enhorabuena y desearos unas felices fiestas.

[@davidfellowes1628]

Merry Christmas - in less than two years you have blossomed into a self-sufficient person.

[@mompuff]

You truly amaze me!! The cat house is beautiful!! I’m sure they are going to be so happy there!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@amparoalvarez9001]

How lovely that you made a house for the cats...They sure appreciate it ...They look so happy....You are amazing...

[@werbnaright5012]

Whoever edited this one should be hired fulltime

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

haha thanks... It was just me!

[@danyoutube7491]

Ah, a cold water dip. I occasionally do that when I go to the seaside. When you've put your legs in, there's always that bit when your skin is saying "No further!", but once you've got your shoulders under, you soon feel comfortable :) The irrigation canal does seem to be working well, doesn't it. Nice to see how keen the cats were on their new house, I expected more reticence but they obviously love it.

[@ellielizhavenofbless945]

Good job with the cat house! I could tell the one kitty was purring, they really look happy and cozy in there 😊💗

[@hungariancottageadventure77]

love the cat house and the beautiful flower beds

[@ananasachterbahn376]

I’m always so happy when a new video comes out 😊

[@christiannemayer6062]

What a treasure to find a video...for my Christmas.🤶🐱🏠🙏

[@virginia8084]

Qué bien ha quedado la casa para gatos!!!! Excelente idea !!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BakerWild]

After lots of crap weather we finally have gorgeous weather for chistmas! Feliz navidad

[@juanitakauffman6336]

You are a very hard worker. Also you tackle every thing. Nice cat house.

[@josernegre9499]

Hola Harriet. Eres una mujer muy hábil encontrando soluciones, enhorabuena. Que paséis una Feliz Navidad. Merry Christmas.

[@TexasBeliever57]

Y'all have done so much to your place & it is just beautiful. Well done! Wishing you & your families a very Merry Christmas from Texas!

[@jacquionly]

Great video, the little cat house is brilliant Harriet. Merry Christmas to you both 😊

[@trindal359]

Your next new cordless tool should be a brad nailer. Same tool runs high crown staples. Just like the cordless drill, but no need compressor! You just swap out the battery .There is cordless circular saws too. And the cordless sawzall is a lightwieght but amazing tree trimmer.

[@jacquelinesilvabravolatam9952]

I love the cathouse but without insolation 🤣🙂😂 and your garden is wonderful. congrats

[@monicacruz4407]

Felices fiestas Harriet y Mauro, me encantó la gatocasa 😻👍🙏

[@infopubs]

What a lovely, peaceful video to start my day with! Thank you for sharing your life and projects with us. Happy holidays, however you celebrate!

[@kitwhite9372]

Your cat house just kept getter more and more special! I am so impressed that they took to it immediately! They look so comfy! Thanks for the early Christmas present of your video. Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Merry Christmas to you too! Haha I am also amazed they took to it. I guess the chairs they slept on in the kitchen weren't that comfy after all!

[@davidwilson2661]

Feliz navidad is a very popular Pop song in UK by Jose felisina.a very happy Christmas and New year keep growing

[@veronicaschilling7924]

Hola mi bella amiga😊 mando cariños y bendiciones y gratitud

[@emydiez2068]

Hola guapa la casita de los gatos te quedó preciosa😘

[@Jana-wz7dr]

I am so glad I came across your videos. Love the life you have chosen to live. The cat house is adorable and really well thought out as they obviously agree. Having experienced fickle kitties over the years myself I know it can be a challenge to figure out what they will like. Their bedding being textile I think, my only worry would be mold with moist air seeping in on rainy days. Not criticism, just me being a worrier. Thank you for taking us on your journey.

[@eugeniosalessr.9351]

FELIZ NAVIDAD y FELICES FIESTAS, Mauro y Harried. Gracias por todo el trabajo y los videos que habéis subido éste año. Que el próximo, sigáis con vuestra labor encomiable. Salu2

[@mbabarovic]

Eres increíble! Trabajas mucho y haces cosas impresionantes!

[@Katy_living_simply]

If you want an easy way to clean the fleece just dig a hole and bury it covers in dry dirt and the dirt will absorb alot of the moisture and grease and you can just shake out the fleece and it comes out softer and cleaner. Then proceed to a washing. I learned it from a Native American weaver here in New Mexico.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

No way, never heard of that, that's so cool! Very keen to try that now, thank you for sharing!

[@carolmcmillan1108]

Harriet our chickens love the New Zealand spinach so I throw some in their pen for a treat 👌

[@christinechapman9764]

The Garden just looks so beautiful.

[@joaoboscoferreira7017]

Maya, que lugar lindo e com bastante água. Não tenha pressa, vá fazendo o seu trabalho com calma e segurança. Procure fazer a compostagem das folhas e galhos secos. Faça a poda para o sol entrar nas plantas e limpe os pés das árvores. Parabéns e muitas felicidades no seu trabalho no campo. 💥🌻🍀🌷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@magicwendy210]

Great cat house and they love it 😁 Merry Christmas to you both and your pets, thank you for sharing your journey this past year, l look forward to follow your projects in 2023 ❤

[@javiermunozdemorales3984]

Qué positiva 👌 eres sigue así conseguirás lo qué té propongas y cuidado con lo baños en estos meses,cuidate

[@3ehahn]

Impressive. You are quite the hard worker & builder. Your place looks great too.✌️🌲🌞

[@kingdomfcb11]

Felices fiestas!! Que casa tan chula te ha quedado para los gatitos

[@meeshelle1397]

Wishing you & Mauro a very happy festive period, however you celebrate 🎉🎄 ❤

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you Meesh, happy holidays to you too! 💚🎄

[@titoteoescri4131]

Me encanta vuestro proyecto. Sigo vuestros videos todas las semanas. Felices fiestas. Saludos desde Valencia. Me gustaría conoceros algún día.

[@christinechapman9764]

Watch out for the Warrigal (New Zealand Spinach), great ground cover and so resilient but it can take over. You'll get little baby Warrigals coming up everywhere so just cull them and all good.

[@sadjaxx]

You are so hard working AND clever! Salud!

[@terrif.3126]

I just love watching you work. You've come so far since you started. Wishing you both a Merry Christmas.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you - Merry Christmas to you too 💚

[@robynclarke5274]

Hi, we have NZ spinach (known as warrigal greens by Australia's indegineous nations). Its is full of oxalis (probably not spelt correctly) which needs to be blanched before cooking. If you google Warrigal greens they give receipes and growing methods and uses. I love watching your solutions and problem solving with your gardening.

[@bfs1209]

I applaud all the work that you do...from that cute little home for the cats to the composting and putting in the fence pegs. My back was hurting just watching you lol !

[@nataliagonzalez3396]

Una vez el fuego este bien encendido debes mezclar leña verde con seca y dura más el fuego incluso. Saludos desde Argentina😘

[@sarahbennett9820]

You are a machine! i wish i had the energy you have!

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

Good Sunday morning Harriet and Happy New Year. Excellent video with superb production values. Thanks so much for sharing a look at your nomadic life hiking and camping and swiming in the Great Outdoors. - you lovely and talented offgrid woman. That lake water looks cold and refreshing. - and it's so nice to see your lovely cats cuddled together. 😎😎😍😍

[@joywilson3507]

I am excited about seeing the improvements to the office! Well done on the cat house😻

[@annneusidl5794]

Feliz Navidad to both of you. 🥰May your hard work bring you plentiful harvest next year. Enjoying your journey. 🤙🏼

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you too 💚

[@roydavies7322]

Thanks for a year of wonderful videos, we never miss one and always look forward to the new ones. You have both done a fantastic job and we wish you all the best for the new year.

[@Juanfernandez-sm8jl]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 I´m so proud of you!! ,, the Best for the year 2023

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

And to you too! 💚

[@beniymireia1588]

Que casita mas mona le has hecho a los gatitos😍 !!!!!FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!

[@n1tel1ght]

So nice to see the greenery while I am battling snow!

[@deltorres2100]

I love your engineering of a mind ..👍🌱

[@veronicaschilling7924]

Hermosa te quedo la casita de gatos, y ellos valorizan cada esfuerzo, cada tabla y clavo, el tiempo dedicado, cada detalle. Gracias en nombre de los felinos y gracias en nombre de cada vida animal y vegetal. Gracias en nombre de tu casa y ada cosa construida. El Universo y la tierra te dicen: GRACIAS BELLO SER HUMANO, TE AMAMOS

[@verdeyenbart]

It was minus 9 around here last week and we’re mostly down to harvesting brassicas really. Watching this makes me long for spring and to get stuck in again. ❤

[@dorothyallen3614]

I love the cat’s new home, and they have really taken to it. Your trail border is going to be beautiful in the spring, such a great choice for their placement. Wow the improvements y’all have made since last winter I’m sure amazes even you and it’s all coming along so beautifully with your plans implemented. Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years ever. Be well and safe and know that you’re loved by our most high God, source and creator. ❤🎄🎉🙏👏

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you Dorothy, thank you for all your lovely comments this year and I hope you had a lovely Christmas and have a happy new year! 💚🎄

[@maitemaitechu1685]

Gracias ,muy bonita la casita de los gatos, Enhorabuena,😘🙏🙋🐕🐱🐓🐔🐈🐈🐈🐐🐴🐴🐴

[@monalingan9523]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video. It’s the first time I have watched you. Happy new year!

[@mleciwa14]

Merry Christmas, with well deserved rest.🎄

[@shirleygreaves9650]

Another lovely video. The cat house turned and great and the cats loved it too! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both. X

[@nestahumphries5496]

I just love watching your videos. So peaceful and relaxing. You are doing such a good job!

[@franciscopandohidalgo8205]

Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo 👋👋chicos gracias por vuestros vídeos.

[@gurkannlable]

The cat house looks amazing! And maybe dahlia’s would be great at that section because they give so beautifull flowers for so long and they can survive the winter if you plant them deep.

[@Mandysfarm]

Grow your potatoes in the straw the manure will be beneficial for the potatoes x

[@Ken-dr9gu]

Lucky Cats. you both take care and have a , Happy Christmas Holidays😃👍👍

[@YTC9]

Wonderful vibe showing you at one with nature and at peace with the many jobs to do, well done to the both of you 🙏

[@ranimugdhatalks]

Wish you happy Christmas. God bless you🎉

[@igo9481]

you didnt show us the finished office aaaaaaaaaaahhh. love the cat house. and how much this project is coming alive. this channel is amazing

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

I'm gonna show the office when it's finished! I don't know why I'm keeping it so secret haha, it's not that impressive, I just wanted to put everything in one video! 😂

[@igo9481]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead hahah okay great. I thought you forgot to show us =D

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love you guys.

[@itzbreanna1153]

i love the cat house so much, it’s so cute and very enriching for them!! great video :)

[@privato9238]

Thank You for sharing your life! ☀️ Found your channel today and been binging for a few hours now. You both are inspiring me to follow my dreams. I'm subscribed and happy to follow your journey now! Have a nice Day :)

[@saramariasilvamarcialdegom4977]

Hola. Harriet y Mauro sigan así con estos lindos videos. Felices fiestas. Saludos desde Córdoba Argentina.

[@wendygillard2133]

You work so hard! Well done on your cat house. Wishing you both a very Happy New Year.

[@santiagomartinez5607]

your work is amazing. Thank you for share

[@partidaportet27]

The natural herbas here in Valencia are awesome. Camarojas we love. It's the red veined dandelion looking plant. Also a wild rocket, loads of narrow lead ribbed plantain, the wild asparagus, the root of the male is very valuable as a body and lung tonic. I am happy to hear about this Spinach, we usually go for Lambsquater here n early summer, then we use the leaves from Boniato when growing spinach becomes a high rent operation as it's too hot. We haven't had much rain, a few storms and it is hot really for this time of year. We were saying that the Valencia region should move Christmas to winter.. lol. Anyway awesome as ever and happy Xmas to you all and all those watching the evolution

[@cawfeedawg]

almond shells are great cooking fuel.

[@jenniferstone2975]

This was a lovely peek into your winter paradise. The scenery reminds me very much of where I grew up in Southern California, the way it once was. Watching your videos has made me so nostalgic for the beauty of the high desert landscape. Best wishes to you on your farmstead journey.

[@mrs.jillaroo6907]

Merry Christmas Mauro & Harriett!!! What a lovely cat house you made. High enough for them to feel safe, and with a view :). If rain gets in, you could always put a row of hanging transparent plastic strips. It also helps to keep the wind out. But it looks absolutely lovely. Can't wait to see what you've done with Mauro's office. I'm sure it will be beautiful. Hard work transporting all that manure! Not sure if you have them in Spain, but here we get 4-wheeled gorilla cart which can take heavy load. It is a lot easier to use than a wheelbarrow, and you can tip them too. It may be helpful. I gave up on the wheelbarrow since getting me one. Much easier to cart things around. Well, again an amazing video of you hardworking and creating magic on your farm. It is all looking amazing. I'm honestly flabbergasted by all you have accomplished in just under a year. You much deserve a break. Best wishes to you both for the New Year. May you keep healthy, happy, joyful and always look and find for the brighter side of any challenge you may face in the coming year!

[@lisabarajas1654]

Such a great idea for the cat house, I love it!

[@keithtoy6298]

Feliz Navidad 🥰🥰🥰

[@susanyates4233]

Lovely video, Harriet, You work so very hard.

[@gardentours]

Great that the cats accepted their house 🏡 Feliz Navidad 🤶🏼🎄🎅🏼☃️

[@deehalpern8988]

Love the cat house 😻

[@pattykelly6621]

Your cat house is perfect! Merry Christmas to you both and all the furries- Tofu, Oona, kitties and goats.

[@juanitatudoi3849]

I would love t see your cycle trip

[@karryhoward3946]

Great content, your skill level is really amazing you guys have a beautiful homestead.

[@teresaedwards3659]

I love how you take such good care of your animals and also that you re-use material. You must have some good calluses built up on your palms!!! I'm just now realizing that I don't, anymore. I'll have to get back to it as soon as possible. Waiting for the ice to melt from the storm. It was so intense it was named (Elliot) Thanks for the video, from Seattle

[@lollygee172]

Merry navidad y happy new year!