We made it!
hej hej Happy New Year!
Thanks for sticking around for äventyr 2.0! Since we last communed…
I have learned that closing a business was a bit more of an emotional journey than I was expecting. Shutting down everything I worked so hard to figure out in the early days of äventyr as a new small business owner was full of mixed feelings; it reminded me of the hope and excitement we both had at the start, how hard it was to figure everything out, and sadly how quickly you can tear it all down and move on. But it also felt like a release so I could move forward.
Transition is never easy, but it does feel like the right decision.
One of those loose ends to close was supposed to be selling my big industrial sewing machine. The first week of January I had an interested buyer, but at the last minute I just couldn’t part with it. I guess it meant more to me than I thought. I guess it was another one of those things I worked so hard to figure out that I was closing the book on, but not emotionally ready for. When I realized it could be gone forever, I also realized I was never really able to sew anything for myself, so I am taking some time to do a few last projects (hello extra special Gräventyr’s) before saying goodbye (I think I will still be able to do that…). I also thought about all the new design ideas in my head; it is hard to acknowledge that they may never be realized. But perhaps I will find a way, Juki or not.
On the upside of January, äventyr 2.0 has been working out exactly how I had hoped. My new creative journey of making stories has kept me busy when I am not working, and distracted during one of the hardest months of the year. I have loved being in ‘flow’ while working on our first story, and I am excited to share it with you →
The first story explains Our Why of building a cabin/part-time home in the woods through my writing accompanied by my first video.
In February I will be working on the second story - The Plan. This will take you behind the scenes of what buying property and getting ready for a build is like. I will also share more about our design process.
So what’s going on now with the Cabin you might ask. Because our videos are well behind where we are actually at, here is a sneak peak and update
This is what the cabin looks like right now. Now imagine working in a cold parking ramp for a day! Not quite the hygge you think about when you head ‘up to the cabin’, but we’ll get there. On that note…
We have been designing and laying out the kitchen, building walls, marking electrical spots for the electrician, and shoveling (a LOT of shoveling!).
Our electrician is supposed to be on-site in January (fingers crossed that is happening this week)!
We laid out our 2023 budget and schedule of work to be done and are lining up our trades. We are learning that both budget and schedule can be limiting and require some creativity in decision making. Ah…. so fun being our own GC’s.
In March the siding will go up.
Once the snow melts our wood stove will go in, and then our roof will be completed.
We are ready for Spring, and soon thereafter not only heat in the cabin, but to start spending more time there and get to some serious gravel biking finally! Meanwhile, cold cabin days, and sweaty indoor training classes will have to do ~ putting in the work always pays off!
Wishing you a great end to January and an even better February!
Thanks for reading and watching!
~DeAnn