Hey Reader,

It’s been a while.

Back in January I decided to take a winter rest and step back for a one-month pause from content creation and social media. Somehow this turned into a four-month period of deep focus and transformation.

During that time, I poured my energy into completing the little earthen studio Gilberto and I began back in 2021 — made of pallets, clay, straw, sand, and, as it turns out… toilet paper (more on that in a second).

Over the years, we’d had bursts of progress. Then long stretches of nothing.

And by December, the studio sat half-finished at the edge of the food forest — staring at me like a monument to my unfinished dreams of learning how to create shelter with my own two hands.

So at the start of 2025, I said to myself:
​One month. Just focus on this. No other projects. No distractions.

That one month became four — not because I wasn't trying hard, but because I had no idea what I was doing and this terrible voice inside my head kept saying: “You can’t.”

I heard it every time I faced something new:

Crown molding? I can’t — my arms get too tired.

Final plaster coat? I can’t — too hard, too fussy.

Steps to the loft? I definitely can’t — too dangerous, too much math.

But I went for it anyway. I failed a few times. Cut a few pieces of wood too short. I watched more videos. I cried (more than once). I experimented. I kept going.

And somewhere along the way…
​I stopped believing that voice.

Because I was slowly gathering evidence to the contrary:

I did hang the last ceiling panels — by myself (which the voice said was impossible).

I did figure out the perfect final plaster — with toilet paper, believe it or not, for the creamiest finish.

And now? The mud studio is finished (ok, well not quite finished, there's still some final touches and decorating, but it's finished enough to use as a work space to create videos and art projects).

It smells like earthen magic. It stays cooler than our air-conditioned house, even in 90-degree heat — a living testament to traditional building wisdom.

Every day when I step out of that little studio into the food forest, I pause and give thanks.

Because both of these dreams — growing food in harmony with nature, and building a studio with my own hands — once felt impossible.

Now I know:

Now that I’ve resurfaced, I’ve got some beautiful things to share with you:

1. A few new Goldifarms YouTube videos — this one includes a food forest tour​
2. A free mini-course: Essential Strategies for a Flourishing Food Forest​
3. And for those ready to go deeper: my 4-week guided course where you'll map your vision, design your food forest, and get your first guild in the ground.

And from now through the end of June, we’re offering 15% off anything in our Etsy shop with the code: DREAMS​
🌼 goldifarms.etsy.com?coupon=DREAMS​

Because maybe your “I can’t” voice just needs a little nudge.
And maybe your impossible dream… isn’t so impossible after all.

With plaster still under my nails and so much gratitude,
Erin (and Gilberto)
​Goldifarms.com​

P.S. I’ll be sending more frequent notes now — but only when there’s something worth saying: a story, insight, or an offering from the heart. Have a fabulous weekend 🧡