In 2023, at ages 37 and 50 respectively, Sophie Hilaire Goldie and Rocky Goldie had just finished
transforming a buddy’s Home Depot shed into a small dwelling
They were prepared to begin searching for their own space together.
“If it weren’t for crossing paths with her, I likely would have wound up in a small cottage,” Rocky shares with Make It. “I went through quite a journey to arrive where I am now, but at our first encounter, I aspired to become a kind of homesteader. She shared this dream, which isn’t something you come across often.”
Sophie chimes in, ‘He was also keen on living off the land and homesteading.’ She pauses before continuing, ‘However, he didn’t envision grand structures; simplicity was his aim.’
The pair initiated their hunt on Zillow with clear criteria, which entailed having “no less than ten acres” and being situated “far out in the countryside of Kentucky.”
Sophie mentions, “We have a penchant for vintage items and antiques, which led us to seek out a location brimming with character. Our ideal find was a fixer-upper steeped in history, but we weren’t having much luck discovering suitable properties on Zillow.”
A nearby photographer introduced the couple to a real estate agent who helped them find a 37.5-acre homestead priced at approximately $390,000. This land included an old 2,200-square-foot home formed by merging two log cabins dating back to the 1840s; this main dwelling featured four bedrooms and one bath. Additionally, there was another small 200-square-foot cabin along with two barns on the premises.
Sophie reflects, ‘It feels as though I’ve spent my entire life awaiting this moment—to truly feel at home. While certain aspects of the shed resonated with me, nothing compared to how perfectly suited this new location seemed. This will undoubtedly mark the final move; here lies the future residence for the remainder of my days,’ she explains. ‘The prospect of investing significant effort into nurturing these adjacent fields and savoring this breathtaking vista excites me immensely. Discovering solace alongside Rocky within our newly acquired haven has allowed me to finally release the weighty burden long associated with searching ceaselessly for such a perfect spot.’
During their initial visit to the place, the couple found it to be in quite poor condition. The front yard was overrun with poison ivy, the walkway was cracked, and trash littered the area.
However, Sophie remained hopeful. She states, “We were destined to purchase this home even before setting foot inside it. I envisioned all the potential it held. My spouse and I, dedicating ourselves fully to this project, could revamp this place within a few years.”
She mentions that although it appeared awful, she could discern what lay beneath everything.
Rocky was uncertain but admitted that his wife’s excitement convinced him.
He mentions that he initially believed it would require significant effort yet still possess great beauty. Sophie continuously highlighted the advantages, whereas he focused on the disadvantages; however, she managed to persuade him.
“I believe we complement each other this way. I tend to be unhealthily optimistic, whereas Rocky leans towards pessimism, but I always knew there was no chance we wouldn’t want to live here,” Sophie says with a laugh.
In early 2024, Sophie and Rocky finalized their purchase of the property. They obtained a 30-year mortgage requiring at least a $1,790.18 monthly payment, aiming to clear the debt within half a decade.
After relocating a year ago, Sophie and Rocky have dedicated their time to handling home improvement projects both inside and outside the property themselves. They reckon they’ve invested approximately $13,000 thus far: $9,000 on equipment and $4,000 on refurbishing the interiors of the house.
This doesn’t account for the numerous hours they’ve dedicated to tasks such as removing aged trees and shrubs, eliminating all the poison ivy around the land, and tackling a colony of brown recluse spiders—one of only two spider species in North America known for their potent venom, alongside the black widow.
The efforts and their mentality
When reflecting on her initial year at the homestead, Sophie categorizes it into two aspects: the labor involved and their mental approach.
The initial months were all about cleaning up. The area was littered with garbage, leading to numerous visits to the landfill. Before heading to the landfill, we had to sort through everything. Additionally, there was utter pandemonium due to an overwhelming number of animals—it’s entirely my responsibility, which I acknowledged, yet I found it impossible to resist.
The initial year was incredibly challenging, and revisiting those times is tough. However, it was equally incredible and thrilling. With countless activities available, everything felt enjoyable and exhilarating.
Sophie and Rocky have also introduced new elements to the grounds such as a garden, numerous fruit and nut trees, along with more than 30 animals, which include chickens, a goat, guinea fowl, and cats.
In addition to enhancing the outdoor areas, the pair have begun refurbishments indoors as well. This includes updating both the kitchen and bathroom, along with rearranging and optimizing the layout of all the spaces within their home.
They are also striving to become as self-reliant as possible. They consume the eggs laid by the hens in the barn and utilize the goat’s milk to create cheese, creamer, and baked goods. Their aim is to use materials gathered from land clearance to produce their own hay.
Sophie mentions, ‘We have our own eggs and fruits. This year, we’ll start canning for the first time, something I picked up from one of our neighbors.’ She adds, ‘We’re transforming one of the spaces into a dedicated canning area, where enough preserved food could last for an unknown number of months.’
Since the couple has been residing on the land for just over a year now, Sophie mentions that the biggest insight she’s gained is how much influence an individual can exert on a portion of the Earth.
She explains, “When we arrived, we witnessed firsthand how just two individuals consistently dedicating themselves to this space could transform what once seemed utterly overlooked. Now, we’re witnessing an impressive return on our efforts almost immediately. This experience profoundly reflects upon the broader influence humans exert over Earth, particularly when caretaking even a small section of terrain. With great effort comes significant accountability since your actions hold considerable potential for either harm or benefit.”
For Rocky, the biggest lesson he’s learned is who he is outside of his career. He served in the Marines for several years before transitioning to a career in maintenance, which spanned over 20 years.
Sophie explains, “He was deeply attached to that persona, and when I suggested he leave his job to homestead full-time, I could see warning bells ringing in his mind.” She adds, “Ever since he resigned, I check up on him every couple of months to gauge his feelings, but each time, his response remains unchanged—he hasn’t even considered the reality of having left his job.”
Here in our culture, it’s deeply rooted that individuals define themselves through their occupations,” Rocky explains. “Your profession essentially shapes who you are, and despite having some idea of how we wanted to lead our lives—like we had—it was still terrifying to release that safety net.” He continues, “After leaving my job, I expected myself to spend time contemplating what tasks I’d be tackling today at work; however, those thoughts never crossed my mind. All I could ponder then was why I hadn’t made the move earlier.
Sophie and Rocky have no intention of ever parting with their land and look forward to further developing the homestead, expanding Sophie’s skincare business.
Seoul + Soil
and sharing their story throughout
YouTube
.
“Sophie expresses her desire for a time when she won’t be burdened with extensive projects and significant responsibilities every day. Instead, she hopes to have leisurely moments where she can engage in her interests,” he notes. “She aims to continually learn new things and ultimately dedicate half of each day to pursuing a pastime.”
Like Sophie, Rocky eagerly anticipates the moment when he can freely indulge in his interests.
“I enjoy reading and acquiring knowledge, so my aim is to reach a state where I can alternate between days dedicated solely to reading, learning new things, and applying them practically the following day,” remarks Rocky. “While reflecting on my objective, it feels more like an emotional state for me. There’s this sense of tranquility that envelops me when I’m able to relax knowing everything is as it should be, and there isn’t anywhere else in the world I’d prefer to be. In essence, I believe I’ve already arrived at my desired destination.”
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