I’ve loved small spaces for as long as I can remember.
The secluded corner in my backyard where wild violets grew, my aunt’s 16′ Bambi Airstream, the treehouse coop by the lake, and the edge of my grandmother’s concrete back steps where I baked magnificent mud pies if I do say so myself.
As an adult, I designed tiny spaces in my backyard framing them with picket fences and fragrant shrubs. And then there was Buttercup, the 62 Shasta that Brian surprised me with upon returning from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christians Writers Conference in 2015. It was downright dreamy!
That is until we tried spending the night in it for the first time. Let’s just say my asthma kicked into high gear and we were forced to sell it. Sigh. But the dream continued!
When we moved to the country in 2016 I scouted for spots on our 3-1/2 acres where a tiny house could perch just so⏤you know, with a full-on view of the mountains. Recently, while perusing tiny houses on the Internet {because that’s what I do *wink*}, I came across my dream tiny house. Here’s Brian’s doodle of the dream:
On the fly, I showed it to Brian at the risk of having the white from his eyes blind me as they rolled back in his head.
But without hesitation, he said, “I could build that for you.”
I can’t say for sure, but I think I heard the hallelujah chorus play in the background. And just when I thought the dream-come-true couldn’t get any dreamier, my dad offered to lend a hand when we begin building this spring. Family time, fresh air, and the scent of lumber. What more could a girl ask for?
It turns out, I’m not alone in the desire to step away from the distractions.
Most of us think of a tiny house as a place to free ourselves from debt, from want, and from material burdens. Perhaps just as important is their ability to free the mind. You’re probably familiar with Thoreau, who sought refuge in a tiny wooded sanctuary to reflect on the nature of simple living. He wasn’t alone in his approach, and in fact, plenty of famous writers built tiny secluded structures to escape distraction and let their creative juices flow. – Tinyhousefor.us
I’m excited to see what the Lord will create during my time in the tiny house, as well as other writers who will join me!
Unlike the brave, beautiful {and debt-free} souls who live in their tiny homes full-time, I will use our tiny house as an office. Stay tuned as I plan to share more about that, along with its unique features, in future posts called Tiny Tuesdays {every second Tuesday of the month.}
In addition, I hope you’ll enjoy a new column, Tiny Tidbits, in our monthly newsletter. Not a subscriber? No problem! It’s easy. Simply add your email to the sidebar and voila! {You can unsubscribe at any time.} The Monthly Letter is the go-to place for behind-the-scenes on my books in progress, relevant links, and a monthly giveaway that always adds a spark of fun! As a new subscriber, you’ll also receive my e-book, “10 {Tiny} Prayers That Offer Great Hope” as my gift to you. Thank you!
Mostly though, you’ll find our new Tiny House journey on Instagram. If you’re not already following me there, please do @cathysbaker. The Tiny House on the Hill will host an 8′ desk with an expansive window facing the mountains, along with a couple of other unique features.
So, what one thing would you be sure to include in your tiny house?
To see famous writer’s retreats, check out this post @ tinyhousefor.us.
What a wonderful idea and dream come true for you, Cathy! So exciting! Yay for you!
Thanks, Karen! You’ll have to join me in the tiny house sometime. 🙂
I CANNOT wait to see this dream come true for you!! And even better, I can’t wait to step inside it in person! Did someone say Partay at the #lilredhouse?!?!?
Oh yes, someone did indeed say partay at the #lilredwritinghouse 🙂 Thanks, Tammy!!!
Sounds fun. Enjoy
Thanks, Jann! 🙂 Blessings!
This all sounds very exciting Cathy! I’ll be following the progress.
I love {and appreciate!} having you on this journey with me, Maureen!
how fun! and i love the fact that you can use it as an office!!
You’ll have to stop by for a visit, Robyn! My coffee won’t be as fancy as the double-decker bus in Asheville but I can whip up a mean k-cuppa. 🙂
hahaha!!! sounds good to me!!
🙂
I’m coming!! Save room for a desk for me!! 🙂
Consider it saved! 🙂 Look forward to it!
I’ve seen this tiny house on Pinterest and always thought it looked one I used to see on the way to my Grandmother’s house in Tarboro, NC. I’ll be following your journey!
Yes! It was one of the first tiny houses to catch my eye. I emailed Sandy, the owner, to see if I could use the picture. She was very nice. 🙂 Hers was an old hunting cabin so ours won’t look exactly like it but I hope it will reflect it well. 🙂 I’m delighted you’re going to join me on the journey. When it’s finished you’ll have to come down for a visit. I’d love to see you!
If you’re going to have electricity, maybe one of those electric tea kettles with a couple of cute tea cups
I’ll have electricity. Hope to also have a small fridge (for my coffee creamer! ha!). I have one of those kettles…love that idea! I just bought a new tea from Harney & Brothers….Victorian London Fog. You’ll have to join me for a cup! 🙂
What a fabulous dream! I’m thrilled your tiny house will take shape soon. I love the image of the one Brian is building for you–and a view of the mountains?! So beautiful! Love to you in Christ
Thank you, Emily! I hope to see you at Blue Ridge. Love to you too, my friend. 🙂
Hi Cathy.
I’d love to come visit you sometime in your tiny house. It just screams for tea…. Perhaps, I could feature you on my blog when I launch an “in her shoes” kind of column this summer. Miss you!
Blessings,
Laurie
Oh, how sweet, Laurie. Thank you! I’d love for you to visit. 🙂 Miss you too!
Oh such fun . . . and not of only the tiny variety. 😉
I think it will be lots of fun too, Sandra. 🙂 Of course, it will be my office so there will be a lot of hard work going on as well — but when we enjoy what we do it feels like play. Blessings, friend!
This is going to be so much fun!!!!! Can’t wait to follow you in this journey ❤️
Thanks for joining me on the journey, Beth! We’ll have a writing day in the future. 🙂
I love this! We have a little cabin in our woods that I call my tiny house. The exterior is finished, but the interior still needs work. Right now it gets used most often as my 10-year-old ‘base’ when he’s out in the trees catching bad guys 🙂
I love that, Kim. 🙂 Oh, to have the imagination of a 10-year-old! I think having your tiny house in the woods makes it extra special. Thanks for sharing!
Cathy, that looks so fun. I wanna come play at your house! 😉
Come on! 🙂 No secret code required. #girlsonly