Building a Family Refuge, One Gnome-Home at a Time

Hey friends! With the Fourth of July weekend just two days away, I’m already dreaming of family time here at Gnomestead Farms. Growing up in the country, I had wide-open fields, the scent of fresh grass, and woods to explore for hours. My kids, though, grew up with city skylines—St. Louis, Joplin, Cleveland. Those places shaped them, but I’ve always wanted to give them something different: a refuge. A place where they, and someday their kids, can escape, build memories, and feel rooted, no matter where life takes them. That’s the heart of this farm—a safe haven for my family, now and long after I’m gone.

This holiday weekend, we’re kicking things off by joining a family gathering by the river—our little Fourth of July tradition. We’ll be enjoying family, soaking up the sun, and laughing together as we enjoy good company and conversation. Then, we’ll head back to the gnomestead to soak in the quiet and tinker on our refuge. Picture this: burgers sizzling on the grill, ice-cold beer and homemade lemonade sweating in our hands, and fireworks bursting in the sky as the sun melts over the pasture. It’s these moments that turn this place into a true retreat.

I’ll never forget my daughter’s first night here. Missy and I were still in St. Louis when she texted, “You guys are gonna love it here! No lights, no noise—just pure quiet. Even the dogs are calmer, and I slept like a baby without sirens or gunshots waking me up.” That hit me hard. The contrast between the city’s chaos and the farm’s peace sealed it for me: this was the right move. This is what I want for them—a spot to unplug, dig in the dirt, and always call home.

And speaking of home, the gnome-home—Josh’s tiny house project—is coming along! It’s more than a quirky build; it’s part of the legacy we’re crafting. One day, this little spot will host family sleepovers, late-night stories, and maybe a grandkid claiming it as their hideout. Who knows, maybe next Fourth of July, we’ll all be crammed in there, roasting marshmallows in its tiny kitchen!

Gnome-Home Progress

Here’s the latest:

• Framing Nearing Completion: The inside of the Gnome-Home is almost fully framed.
• Electrical and Plumbing Rough-Ins Underway: We’ve moved on to a crucial next step—installing the electrical wiring and plumbing pipes. 
• More Photos Coming Soon: We know you’re eager to see the progress, and we promise to share more pictures as we go. Keep an eye out for those!

This gnome-home is as much about the journey as the destination. It’s slow going, but every nail brings us closer to that refuge I see in my mind. This weekend, though, we might just pause the hammers to enjoy the farm and each other.

The air smells like sawdust and possibility these days. Every hammer strike echoes with the laughter I imagine filling this place someday—a promise to my family taking shape one board at a time.

The pastures are still wild—overgrown, waiting for goat fencing—but that’s fine. Big dreams start small, right? Every piece of this homestead, from the gnome-home to the land, is a step toward that safe, welcoming retreat.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What’s your dream for a family refuge—maybe a cabin, a yearly camping trip, or a backyard fort? And with the Fourth of July coming up, what are your weekend plans or traditions? Drop your stories (and any tiny house tips!) in the comments—I’m all ears and might steal an idea or two for our next project!

Here’s to building refuges—whether it’s a gnome-home, a holiday gathering, or a quiet corner where love grows. One step, one board, one memory at a time.