After three long months of waiting, waiting, waiting, we can finally call it our new home! Nearly 5 glorious acres with no neighbors, no traffic, 40 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes to school. We’re just really a few miles from our current house, so the kids will go to the same school with same friends — bonus!
Our Urban Farm is a big part of our family’s journey of “going slow” — we love all the outdoor activities that our family can enjoy in. There’s a fishing pond and dock – there’s a couple thousand fish in that pond, including bass!
We also have a private 4-hole golf course that surrounds the property.
The house and land has been vacant for a few years, and needs a little TLC inside and out.
Here’s a sand trap as part of the golf course – and by the looks of the contents in the trash can, it was quite a popular spot to congregate.
Of course, the water hazard is the fishing pond. Another bonus, NO MORE ALLIGATORS in our backyard! (and if we do find them, since we don’t live in a planned community anymore, we can shoot’em and eat’em)
Here the back of the main house.
With a gorgeous swimming pool and a patio big enough for massive parties.
We also have a guest cottage right off the fishing dock with a bedroom, kitchenette and a pretty big bar/entertainment room that the previous owners had called, “19th hole” <– As a non-golfer, I didn’t get that until Scott explained that in golf, there are only 18 holes, and so the 19th hole is where you finish….with a beer in hand.
There’s one more building on the property — this will be my little project — I’m building a studio kitchen in this building, tricked out with perfect lighting for taping television shows or podcasts, mounted video cameras and editing room. I can’t wait to start — I’d love to have bloggers come out and tape some shows with me! Wouldn’t that be fun?
Before we move in, there’s a ton of work we need to do – ripping up all of the carpet and installing new carpet in the bedrooms, digging up all of the tiles and replacing with wood laminate flooring.
And of course painting. Every. Single. Wall.
We have a clear division of labor – I’m the floor and trim (my knee is still on the mend, so no ladder work for me), the kids are — well you can see what they’re doing, and Scott is the roller guy. My friend, Kelly is the ceiling trim gal.
Coco….she supervises.
Apparently for Coco, supervision means taking naps against the wall. She loves leaning against the freshly pained baseboards.
We’re absolutely thrilled for the new home – it will give the space we want to built a little farm for the family. The 5 acres will be put to very good use. I don’t know if we’ll keep the golf course up – it’s quite a lot of work just to keep that special grass. We’re definitely keeping it until Scott’s parents, who are golf fanatics, come and visit. They can at least play a few rounds!
Future plans for our urban farm will include learning how to raise chickens, growing tons of produce, exotic fruit trees, beekeeping, and exploring as many methods of gardening as possible! Once the studio kitchen is built, I’d love to teach cooking classes to the kids in the area. This is the “Go Small, Have Fun” plan that I was talking about!
Our entire family is involved in this mini-farm – the kids are insanely excited about the chickens – we’ll get started with building the coop this summer. I’m also going to remodel the entire kitchen in the main house with my friends from Thermador, so I suspect this summer will be a lot of outdoor grilling.
All of us, including the kids, will be documenting all of the fun projects that we’ll do together on the blog. It’s a dream come true for us. We just wanted to take a moment to THANK YOU. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a friend and reader of Steamy Kitchen.
Lots of hugs ‘n smootches,
Scott, Jaden, Andrew, Nathan and Coco
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It is wonderful new home.
It is wonderful new home. Lovely.
Congratulations!
You will make this your home. Your family will be working together. Enjoy all the hard work and time spent with each other. I admire you for pulling this together and envy what it means for you in memories and teamwork (familywork?). Go forth and conquer!
Congrats! Love that wall color. What brand and name of the color is it?
hi jaden! it’s been a while since i’ve been to the site and what great news to come back to! congratulations! what an amazing home and project. i am in love with the pool and that glass ceiling/enclosure! and your own kitchen studio? i can’t wait to see that. so many great things!
Another new path for more memory making .Enjoy the journey!~
Jaden!! Congratulations on your beautiful new home!!
It looks absolutely wonderful!!
I think I’ve been following your blog for the past 3 years or so and you post such wonderful recipes, cool giveaways and of course many happy memories of your family, it almost feels like that I know you personally – 🙂
I bought one of those escape package thingies to Mt. Dora and can’t wait to use it with my new hubby. Yay!! 🙂
Thanks to you we’ve been to Mt. Dora a few times (just day trips) and loved every minute of it!! (oh..and he proposed there too!!)
All the best wishes go out to you and the family and I’ll be looking forward to those posts on your new adventures in your new home!!
– Jee
Glad to hear you are getting settled in. I know you must be so happy.
Congratulations! You painted those walls the color I adore. Your home is fabulous. Wishing you many years of happiness there…
You DO realize that last picture would be deemed as Child Labour back here in India! (big grin) Nevertheless, I am so glad to see this beautiful house and the way you guys are making it into a home. I have been following Steamy Kitchen for the last 2 years or so, and for I think the first time, I felt the itch to leave a comment. All the best for your future Jaden, you go girl!
Wow u’r place is beautiful and after that coop is built getting up to the sound of cock’s crowing priceless,stay blessed 🙂
Wow Jaden,
Looks incredible…I am so happy for you and can’t wait to see how all of your new home projects turn out (especially that kitchen studio!!!)
call me crazy that actually sounds like a ton of fun!
Congratulations!
This is magnificent Jaden!!! Congratulations to you and the boys. Looking forward to “Postcards from Paradise”
Congratulations on the house! It looks fantastic and I’m sure it will look even better once you are done with the renovations. I love projects like that – making a house a home! The mini farm sounds awesome. I am so jealous that you’ll have fresh eggs in your backyard. Good luck with everything and I am anticipating great pics along the way.
Terri <3
Wow, Jaden…I am so happy for you and your family! I can just imagine all of the wonderful activities you are your family can do on your farm! I love everything about it, but especially the pool!
Oh- and I almost spit out my water when I read “Another bonus, NO MORE ALLIGATORS in our backyard! (and if we do find them, since we don’t live in a planned community anymore, we can shoot’em and eat’em)”! You are so funny! 🙂
That’s huge. I’ll try not to be jealous! Have fun with your new home.
Congratulations to your and the family! This is awesome-sauce! I can’t wait to see what plans you have for gardening with all those acres of opportunity 😀
Congrats to you and Scott (and A and N, too!)! It looks perfect for you guys! Shane will be jealous of the golf course!
OMG finally have time to catch up on blog reading. Congratulations!!! This is INSANE, it’s like half of Irvine. LOL. Congratulations again, having a dream home is like…well a dream come true!!!
What a beautiful family! Enjoy your new home! It sounds like lots of fun times are in your future. Coco looks like a real sweetie! She would enjoy playing with Buddy, our Chow/Golden Retriever mix. Thanks for a great blog!
Wow so very beautiful, a pool I am jealous and a pond..wow I am surprised at how small the kitchen looks though. Your adorable boys are so cute helping to paint. Pretty color too. sigh!!! Congratulations on your new house!!!
How exciting for you and your family. It sounds as if you’ve got a million projects planned! Wishing you much joy in your new home.
congrats on the new home…and 5 acres wowow but i would have kept the tile flooring….very sturdy unless it was in bad condition….
Congrat’s on your new home — looks like all the Family is pulling together, to get things, the way you want them to be. I love your site — always beautiful ideas — very creative, and interesting — and simple I have 2 kids 12 & almost 14 — both, are insisting to be vegetarians — I’m strugging with the tofu thing — any suggestions???? :0) thnx, and Good Luck with the move!!!! ~Shannon
Congrats! That looks like the perfect spot for you & your family & your plans! Chickens! Bees! I’m jealous!
Congrats!! Lotta work but a lot of reward. A one stop shop for all your family’s needs and close to where you used to live. Priceless!!
I am so envious that your going to have chickens! I love fresh eggs. We used to have a little coup on our dairy ranch in California when I was little. Have a great time getting everything together. I love re-do’s. I love to see the changes made. It can be tough living through them but they make for good stories later. Have FUN! Love your site.
Congratulations, Jaden! It sounds and looks like an idyllic spot. It sounds like you have some work ahead of you, but it’s always fun to really make a house into YOUR home.
Congrats, Jaden, to you and your family. It’s so exciting to have a place that can be customized to your needs. Maybe one day, I’ll get to have that. Your place is gorgeous!
Congrats love!! It looks and sounds fantastic 🙂 Slowing down and having fun is always the best choice. PS: Glad to hear that you’re staying off the ladder…right.
Congrats on move for your family! Just found your blog through the lovely Ms. Adventures in Italy.
Sounds like you and your family are on your way to more balance and fun in the years ahead. Enjoy all the adventures coming your way.
The house looks great! Congrats on the move. I am an avid golfer, so I envy you for having a golf course, but it will be a lot of work for you to keep up. Maybe you can just keep the greens in good shape? Can’t wait to see pictures of your kitchen studio.
Jaden – congratulations! What a wonderful and spacious setting to raise your family and build special memories with your two boys. Looks like more than enough room for everyone to enjoy, and can’t wait to see those chickens and your studio kitchen!
BIG CONGRATS!!! gorgeous home! good luck and have fun painting.
Congratulations! It is a lovely and sweet home. It seem a dream home for me. Lots of grass and open air, pond with fishes. 🙂
Congrats! LOVE the new home! And as a designer/architect, so envious of the project(s) you have! Looking forward to the progress reports!
Maybe we can make vats of kimchi together once you get that studio kitchen up and running! 😉
Congrats again!
Hey Jaden, I’m so happy for you… and a little jealous of that pool! 😉
nice…nice…nice!!! especially to see a dream come true! congratulations to your happy family! looking forward to seeing the urban family farm g-r-o-w 🙂 and blessings to you as you make many happy memories in your new home!
Welcome to Paradise. You will love it. I’ve lived on the beach in southwest Florida for almost 11 years and never knew I could be so happy and content. Enjoy!
Jaden, wishing many years of good health, happiness and joy for you and your family in your new home!
What a gorgeous estate! Best wishes to you and your family!
I’m so tickled I just signed up for your website. I absolutely love your new home. I can’t wait for more progress reports. We all want to see more pictures. It looks so open and inviting. I’m sure you will have many memorable years here. Take it slow; don’t try to do it all at once; and, above all, savor every moment. Keep a little camera in your pocket everywhere you go and record absolutely everything. We just built a sunroom and the construction crew were tickled at me because I took pictures all the time. But now I’ve got it all in my computer and I’m glad I did it. If and whenever we move, I’ll leave a copy of these pictures along with the notebook containing the instructions of everything in the house. The new people always appreciate it.
Oh wow, what a fabulous home! Congratulations!! 😀
Girl, you need to buy or rent a nice big sprayer for that house! We just moved into a big house too, and the sprayer is by far the best purchase I’ve made so far.
Love the turquoise, btw!
You can see what we’ve done with our sprayer, here:
http://firewifekatie.blogspot.com/2011/06/lets-see-what-some-paint-can-do-kitchen.html
Congrats, Jaden & co.!! Can’t wait to come visit ; )
How lucky to have so much privacy, nature and your own studio on the property! Such a bonus to be near the Urban Farm project, too. Enjoy! xoxo
It’s beautiful – Enjoy!
Oh I’m thrilled for you! I fell in love with the pool but then saw the rest of the house and it’s just all so great. I wish you nothing but happy times in your new home and can’t wait to see the new video’s in your “studio”.
Jaden.it looks like a great place. What color/brand is the paint that you used in the photo of the boys painting the walls?
Wishing you much happiness in your new home. The land looks fabulous! What a find. I think you are right about the fire place needing to go.
Now if you start having recipes on the blog that have alligator in them, like,let’s see…Alligator Spam, I will not be pleased about it! There aren’t many alligators in these parts of deepest darkest Oxfordshire. Hoping for many stories of good times and wicked food coming from your new kitchen. X
Congrats Jaden! It looks like a great piece of property, and the custom kitchen and farm sound awesome. As an HGTV junkie, I can’t wait to see how this project progresses.
Sounds like every day will be a vacation! How nice, congratulations!
I can’t wait for more updates in the coming weeks. I’ve also just moved to Thailand, closed my kitchen and will transfer to a house next month. It’s a house with a big yard and once I’m settled, I’m getting my dog, Pasta, in the Philippines and bring her here. I can feel the excitement. Congratulations!
Congratulations! I wish you and your family many years of joy in your new home.
Marvelous location! Don’t forget the ducks. 🙂 I can hardly wait to see how this little farm develops. You are so smart to do this – there is no security like food security.
Congratulations! Great house/property. Did you get the special mowers for the greens/fairways along with the house? Now that would be a bonus. Enjoy everything, can’t wait to see more from the farm.
Congratulations 🙂 It’s absoluetly breath-taking and I know you will have a blast living there!
What an amazing place! How blessed you are to have such a home, and such wonderful plans for it. Enjoy!
I went through this once, and I hope to do it soon, so I truly wish you to enjoy every laborious day! I am vicariously living through you and every new project will be as if I were participating.
The house and the property look wonderful, and your plans could be my plans, chickens and garden (minus the bees – I’d love to do it, but I have a bee phobia:)
And yes, for you it was alligators, for us it was Canadian geese, the biggest nuisance for yard and garden. No more HOA!
Congratulations! Can’t wait for step-by-step posts:) And I know that project like this is never really finished, as you’ll always have new dreams and ideas:)
OMG. this is amazing! congrats on this beautiful home! i can’t wait to see how you guys fix it up!
I’m so happy for you. Really looking forward to followup posts of the progress you make with your remodeling. Love that color of paint!
Congratulations to you all. What a labor of love this will be! I’m looking forward to the chronicles. Love that blue, btw!
I can’t wait to see all the developments you’ll put into place on your new property!!! congratulations, that is FANTASTIC!
Are we now going to see alligator recipes in Steamy kitchen? Hope you take the hides to your friendly local tannery! ($$$$$)
Congratulations! I am insanely jealous! Especially of that little cottage that you’re going to make into a studio kitchen.
Jaden,
I am so happy for you. What an incredible place and opportunity for your entire family. It looks like your own personal slice of Eden.
As I am sure you know, nothing is better than fresh eggs and the chickens will be a blast for the kids!
Looking forward to seeing your progress and hearing about both the fun and challenges you face along the way.
Nancy G.
Seriously, that’s pretty much the coolest thing ever. I want it! Good luck!
Congrats on the new place, it looks wonderful. Looking forward to seeing the farm take shape!
I’m on my way!
(Well, once all the work is done…)
What a fantastic journey for all of you. I’m thrilled for you that you’ve found the perfect spot for everything you enjoy.
I’ll admit I’m a bit jealous over the gardening and the chickens. 🙂
Best of luck!
Just awesome! I am SO happy for you, yay!! What a great piece of real estate.
Wow! Thanks for sharing the happiness and joy! I love to see people’s goals being realized and families working together. It brings peace and beauty to everyone, really. Your ideas about your urban stead sound great. I especially like the concept of your studio. L.O.V.E. that color the boys are using. What is it?
Warmly,
Jen
What a wonderful adventure to take on with your family!
Wish you luck and thanks for sharing.
Gorgeous! You’ve got your work cut out for you, but it will be worth it!
How exciting! happy, happy, joy, joy, indeed! Lots of wonderful space and besides painting and flooring, it looks like the house is fairly new with great architecture. All good luck to the family!
WOWZA that house is amazing! How exciting =) Lots of luck to you and your family on this little adventure. Can’t wait to see the progress you make.
Jaden, This is so exciting! This is pretty much what my dream house would be – pretty and functional, away from busy neighborhoods, and lots and lots of land. Enjoy your new home!
Big congrats to you and your family. Lots of happiness there. Can’t wait to see all your updates.
Congratulations on the new property! There may be a lot of work but at the end of the day it’s your special home =)
Best wishes!
Gorgeous!!!! Congratulations Jaden! It’s just beautiful. 🙂
wow! congratulations! Looks like a a busy summer ahead – but lots of fun! 🙂
Congratulations! It’s gorgeous! I’m thinking you need a serious orchard there, too.
Congratulations to you Jaden and your Family. How amazing and what a change life in the country is going to be for you all! Live life to its fullest!!
Congrats to you and your family! What a wonderful journey – so glad you’ll be sharing it with your readers. Is that paint color, by any chance, ‘smoked turquoise’? I love it!
This is so exciting! Congrats to you and your beautiful family. I can’t wait to live vicariously through you as you start out on this adventure!
How exciting!!! I love the property and the house with its huge ceilings. I sooo want to raise chickens but can’t where I live. Beekeeping is another interest so you will have to share your experience if you decide to do it.
Love, love, it’s beautiful, Jaden! I’m so happy for you! Coco loves her new digs and I love the pictures of the boys painting. 🙂 Umm, can I come over?
PS What Lindsay said. 😀
That’s awesome! I’m so glad that you found a balance. So many bloggers end up feeling overwhelmed and abandoning their blog. I’m so happy that you’ve found a balance and a lot of fun for your family! Congrats on the house and good luck. 🙂
Nice! What a wonderful life adventure you have 🙂
Amazing. Congratulations!! You’ve earned it.
Congratulations on your new home. What a beautiful piece of property, and I’m sure the house will be fabulous when you are done with the painting and remodeling.
Whoa, it looks fab! Taking things slow sounds wonderful. Congrats and here’s to many happy decades at the new digs.
aaaaahhhhh!! Beautiful Jaden! I’m just taking in all that fresh air just through the pictures! how exciting! Congratulations to you and your family, there’s going to be a lot of love in that house!!
Congrats on the new digs, Jaden! The projects sound like so much fun – can’t wait to see what you do with your studio kitchen!
wow that is amazing … You have been truly blessed, good luck with all your future plans and dreams
Congrats, Jaden!!! To you and your family. This looks like quite an exciting new adventure for you all. Many happy wishes for you. Oh, and sign me up as a weekend lodger for one of your cooking classes! ;p
everything looks amazing…can’t wait to see the farm develop. congratulations!!
Jaden,
How AWESOME for you guys!!! Thanks for taking us all on a tour of your new place. It looks amazing! I’m exhausted reading your to do list, but I got the feeling when I met you that you aren’t one to sit still much. 🙂 Congrats!! Looking forward to all the future fun project posts!
Denise @ Creative Kitchen (& fellow Florida food blogger)
Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful! Sooo jealous!
Did I see the words “guest house”? In all seriousness, I am thrilled for you all. Good for you.
wow congratulations Jaden… you are truly an inspiration… everytime I am having a “dead-end” feeling about blogging I come here to perk myself up… It’s one of those days again, I come here and wow I see you are living the dream… I’m here on my chair trying to write again. Thank you for sharing your life’s journey!
xo,
Malou
Thank you, Jaden, for sharing this with us, and congratulations. Good luck with all the work you have ahead of you!
I’m sure you have TONS of resources, but my neighbor(who is currently living in France!) is a bit of an Urban Farm/natural living expert! She raises chickens, gardens and focuses on local and natural resources. She also hosts France tours focusing on local/organic (non-touristy) areas of France! http://www.sustainablebudget.com/
Awwww…congrats! You are living the dream then!
Congratulations on your beautiful new home, Jaden! I love love your plans you have with the garden, studio kitchen and the chickens… Wonderful! I can’t wait to see some pictures of your new kitchen and the garden with exotic fruit trees and all of that. 🙂
What an awesome place to raise your family! Will you adopt me? I can live at the “19th hole”!
Congratulations! What a wonderful looking home. Lots of love and luck to your new digs. you deserve it.
How wonderful!!! Congratulations!!
Can’t wait to see the progression …
=)
What fun ~
Congratulations, it is beautiful and so exciting – no more HOA!
How EXCITING! Look forward to seeing your renovations, especially the new Thermador kitchen and your workshop. Oh and keep the golf course. Looks like so much fun. I could never leave the grill under the covered portion of the patio. My husband would have the ceiling black from smoke in no time! LOL
That is a beautiful home and what a bonus that your kids go to the same school!
Congrats on your new home! The things I could do with all that space! Room for plenty more dogs! Haha
What an exciting time for your family! I’ve been out of pocket for a bit, is this in Florida or did you move up to the Carolinas?
Congrats! The house and land look beautiful…. looks like a perfect location for a little blogger retreat… hehe! 🙂
Hurray! A dream come true. I love your kitchen studio idea – and the backyard chickens, of course. Feel free to check out all of my chicken posts 🙂 We LOVE our girls! xo
Jaden, this is incredible!!! I am so happy for all of you. Congratulations!
That pool and the open floor plan is FABULOUS!! Congrats on your new home : )
What an incredible find! All that room for your boys. Your plans sound so exciting, too — especially the chickens & kitchen studio. At this point in my life, I’ll take living without an HOA, but just want a backyard big enough to have a decent veggie garden.
Jaden, you are living the dream — Congratulations to you and your family! I’m half hoping you are visited by an alligator… would love to see how you prepare that 🙂
Looks amazing! Congrats!!!
Congrats on the new place! Envious of all the outdoor space and the studio kitchen. Can’t wait to see the renovation updates.
Congratulations Jaden. So happy for you and your family! xx
Congrats on the new home, Jaden!
How wonderful! Congratulations on your new home. Can’t wait to see how everything develops! xo
Girrrrl! This place is AMAZING! CONGRATS YOU YOU & YOUR FAMILY!!!
Congratulations!!
You are living my dream. It may be a few more years for us, and in the midwest, but I want five acres to play!
Biggest congratulations on your new home and property! Hope you’ll keep us all informed as your renovations and improvements proceed. Can’t wait to see what you do in your studio. Such fun!
Gorgeous! Congrats!! We are coming for a visit 🙂
Oh. My. Goodness. I’m equal parts jealous, so happy for you, and laughing. This is like PW, Florida style!!
Seriously, so happy for your family. How awesome to be able to take on this new challenge, together! Can’t wait to see what you do!
Congratulations, Jaden! Your new home is beautiful.
That is such an amazing home! I love that you will all be working together on this project. The property is beautiful 🙂 Congratulations!
How awesome for you guys!!!! Once you get your chickens going I am going to steal all of the knowledge you have!! Love the new place and all the land. Congrats to you all!
I am so happy for you guys! Dream come true! Please keep us up to date with all the remodeling! I am in the same boat and need all the inspiration i can get!
Congratulations, Jaden! What a beautiful home! I’m so happy for you guys!