Rainy Days, Baby Goats, and Homestead Dreams

We've been filming all morning, and let me just say, there are lots of baby goats on the way. I'm not spilling the exact number, but let's just say you'll want to stay tuned. It's going to be goat overload in the best possible way.

Meanwhile, we're making big progress on the studio. The white walls? Not for long. We're finally putting the room together, and once it's done, we'll be shifting into real podcast territory. Katching Up With Katie has always been a casual little catch-up, but now we're building out a formal podcast setup, complete with barnwood herringbone walls, turquoise signs, and (finally) chairs instead of that old couch. The plan? Add a little table, some cozy white or leather chairs, and start bringing in more guests to talk all things life, farm, and everything in between.

We're getting serious about the vision. I've picked out two framed photos of my stallions for the walls, each with their own little spotlight. The wall's going dark with wood tones, so I'm keeping the furniture lighter, pops of turquoise here and there, and swappable pillows to mix it up when I get the itch to redecorate. We're definitely learning as we go, but that's part of the fun on the homestead.

Speaking of changes... Abigail's moving! But not far. Like, literally 30 seconds down the road. Okay, maybe a minute if you're walking slow. She's moving into a house Jonathan and I own on a 30-acre property nearby. We've used the land for hay and hunting, but now it's about to become its own little homestead haven.

The house was full of black mold when we found it, definitely not livable, but it had great bones. We gutted it and started from scratch. What started as a simple remodel has turned into a full-blown cottagecore dream project. Abigail's getting to make her own design decisions, and I love seeing her vision come to life. She picked the floors and the shower tile, a cool white-gray with a funky shape, and we're talking about yellow walls, maybe even a yellow kitchen. (Okay, maybe not yellow cabinets, but there will be some yellow, somewhere.)

It's a cute little brick house, about 1,200 square feet, and the layout is totally opened up. There are now two living spaces, huge windows, and so much potential to make it cozy and uniquely Abigail. She's excited to thrift, hit up Buy-Sell-Trade groups (AKA Facebook Marketplace), and slowly furnish the space with pieces that have character and charm. That's the cottagecore way, after all.

If you've followed me for a while, you know I'm all about making a space feel homey, not just styled like everyone else's Pinterest board. Even in our shop-turned-studio, I'm still using old furniture, but I'm starting to decorate with intention. That's what makes a homestead feel like home.

We got to talking about kitchen dreams (because who doesn't dream about their future kitchen?), and Abigail's planning to cook more once she's settled. She's a pasta girl through and through, and I have a feeling her cozy little kitchen is going to be filled with good smells and even better memories.

And y'all, this is going to be Abigail's first time living alone. I remember that feeling. The quiet, the freedom, the realization that you just made way too many brownies and there's no one there to help eat them. But hey, that's what friends and neighbors are for. And when your best friend lives 30 seconds away, it's easy to swing by and share.

As for the animals? Abigail's adding chickens, and maybe ducks. Moo (her puppy) will take on the role of chicken supervisor. There's even a little pond fed by a creek on the property, it needs some cleanup, but it's going to be the perfect feature for this peaceful little corner of the world.

This kind of setup is what a homestead is all about, space to breathe, animals to raise, and a community of people nearby. Whether it's raising goats, remodeling a house, or just figuring out what color the kitchen should be, every step brings us closer to creating a life that feels full and rooted.

So that's your weekly update from me, Katie Van Slyke. Rainy weather, baby goats, big changes, and cozy dreams. Catch y'all next time.