Moving to the Land

Moving to the Land

A Year of Change, Roots, and New Rhythms


In 2024, we officially left behind the busy pace of Portland, Maine and made the move to our land full-time. What we now call Florence Farmstead began as a dream—and this past year, that dream started to take shape in real and tangible ways.

A U-Haul truck parked outside our Portland, Maine home on the day we moved to the land

We packed everything into a rented truck, said goodbye to our old home, and made the drive to the woods—ready to begin a slower, more intentional way of living.


One of our first memories at camp? Finding this bear footprint coming and going.

My hand next to a large bear track in the mud, one of the first signs of wildlife we encountered after arriving at camp


It was a humbling reminder that we were stepping into a shared space, one full of life, mystery, and deep-rooted systems far older than our plans.


Our days were spent building, planting, and learning—bit by bit. We lived in our camper that first summer while we cleared space and laid the groundwork for our future home.

A stone garden bench (with a plaque that reads: Family like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions. But our roots stay as one) looking out over the developing homestead, with a camper and vehicles tucked among the trees.

We poured the foundation for small structures ourselves—literally by hand.

Fresh concrete with “N+B = ♥” etched into it, symbolizing the foundation of the couple’s work together.

There were quiet moments, too—the ones that make this life feel whole.

Our dog Tyson standing at the edge of the stream, taking in the view during our first season on the land.
Nick walking alongside our dog Mya on the river rocks, heading back to camp through the woods.

This land has changed us. The way we walk. The way we cook. The way we look at the passing seasons. It’s also reignited creativity—time in the woods has slowly been finding its way into Brandy’s paintings, too, with scenes that reflect this rhythm of life surrounded by water, rock, and light.

 

Take a peek at the artwork inspired by our first year if you’re curious how it’s showing up on canvas.

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