Building La Finca

We bought land in Andes, New York in the western Catskills about 3 years ago and finally decided it was time to build! 

We parted with the existing structure that had housed so many lovely Thanksgivings and New Year’s gatherings, leaving the “wooden addition” that we would be adding on to the new house. 

Since it was basically just a room , we had to build an outdoor kitchen. Utility sink, table, electric kettle, single burner and my best friend the Instant Pot! I guess that’s all you need! Steve found a giant hose to connect the sink to the waste line. That way, I didn’t have to empty buckets of water after washing dishes! The sink also doubles as a bath for the boys. I warm 2 electric kettles of water and then we go to town! Steve and I let the kids hose us down outside with the freezing well water!

We start our mornings with a breakfast of either steel cut oats, cooked in the instant pot, or yogurt parfaits. 

For a few weeks, the town pool offered free swim classes each morning. Luckily, I obtained the same time slot for both boys and from 10-10:30 got to sit and watch! 

Once we arrived home (if it wasn’t raining), we would set up our blankets on the hill. We took toys and snacks so that we could hang out while Steve worked away, digging and measuring behind us. When Santi napped, I could finally get some things done or spend more time with Kenzo. Sometimes we would go to the pond, then, for a quick swim.

In the evenings, we try to keep our meals simple with pasta, rice, or quinoa and grilled veggies. We’ve had lots of lentils and black beans this summer, along with tons of yummy fresh fruit!

We have enjoyed blueberry picking this summer. Twice a week, we go to the farmers market for peaches, plums, cantaloupe, and blueberries. The tomatoes have been delicious this year, and we also never go wrong with carrots and summer squash!

Nighttime can be a bit funny…I usually take Santi outside in the carrier to get him to sleep while Steve reads Kenzo a story inside. 

We put the baby in the Pack ‘n Play to sleep at night. Since we’re all sleeping in one room, he always wakes up and ends up in our bed, which is 4 people PLUS the cat in a queen-sized bed!! 

Luckily, my aunt’s place is not far away, and we can go there for proper showers/baths and meals. We frequent the library a lot. They have story time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, along with a free lunch on Thursdays! The library even had a day where we painted rocket ships outside. 

Since this is our last week here, we have a list of some places we want to visit before heading home: a campground, maybe a “Thomas the Train” tour, and a few more farmers markets. 

We have enjoyed the library, the pool, and s’mores by the campfire. It’s been a crazy experience to live in the addition with no running water while also going to the barn a good 200 feet away just to use the bathroom!

Steve has made some real progress. Before we leave, the foundation of the house will be finished and ready to build on over the course of the end of the summer and fall.

We’ve gone on a few hikes, met a few goats, made some new friends, built lots of train tracks, read a ton of books, experienced The Muppets Take Manhattan, painted some glitter rocks, and climbed rock mountain (a mountain we made with the rock delivery, LOL). Kenzo was stung by a bee for the first time (that was scary, he did get hives), and I had a crazy, unexplainable rash on my back. We had some delicious local meals, heard some crazy sounds at night, and discovered bear scat about 50 feet from the addition! We have also seen some beautiful sunsets over the mountain.

It’s been real, for sure! 

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