A New Life in an Old Cottage in the Country~ Best Advice and Tips!
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2022
- Follow your dream and escape to the country...here's my advice on setting up home on a minimum budget!
Books written by Colette O’Neill include:
"A Cottage and Three Acres"
"Walking Between Worlds"
"In Search of the Goddess Rising"
"A Guide to the Deep Midwinter" (currently in reprint)
"The Magical, Mythical Map"
Bookshop: bealtainecottage.com/bealtain...
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Trees and Woodlands have been a lifelong passion and the reason Colette established the Bealtaine Project in May 2004. 
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I love this video! I read through the comments and lots of people say things like...someday I will have a cottage in the woods, or I can't wait until I can buy a little place in the country. You don't have to move to a special place to create a life like this. I live in suburbia in the states and I live very frugally and in harmony with Mother Earth. I collect rain water, dry my clothes outdoors in the sunshine, grow my own food, etc. You can live a simple life anywhere!
I needed to be reminded of this.. thank you 😊 💓
Agree 100%
I woke this morning with an underlying anxiety connected to all the things going on in the world that I feel I have no control over. I knew I would find comfort here. This wonderful, comforting and uplifting video was perfect. Back to basics. Simplicity. I feel reassured. Thank you Colette 💚
What a fantastic video. It's filled with the wisdom of experience and good common sense! I learned a long time ago to NOT think "What can I afford?" but instead "How small can I live and still be happy and comfortable?" The result was a small rundown cottage in a glorious location. 20 years on and people come to the door to say "If you ever want to sell, call me first." The property is tiny but filled with trees, bushes, flowers, plants, a wildlife pond, diversity everywhere and you can feel how enchanted it is. Almost everything I own was preloved. You'd feel right at home here. Blessings to you dear Colette!
I'm working on my small yard too - I've see new species of birds each year, even if they just pass through because they like something in the habitat. I may be surrounded by people who manicure their yards, but I do get complements on my gardens, which are planted with Colette's principles. My only change is to use rabbit compost for everything :)
I would love to see a video of your home Gail
@@DottyDelightful Hi Dotty - Thanks for asking, but I don't do videos of my home and gardens. I try to live as quietly and small as possible, "flying under the radar" so to speak, while supporting people like Colette. Be well!
Are you describing a little Corner of Heaven?💖🌹💖
So heartwarming to read your comment Gail. We did the same thing around our builder's spec house in dreary suburbia on the east coast of USA. I don't get any compliments for my veggies, native plants and trees haven -- it looks too unkempt and laissez-faire for the kind of neighborhood I'm in. Our neighbors spray, poison their land, and we love that toads, snakes, insects, birds, mammals, have found a home around us. No chance of us moving away from these kind of neighbors to reproduce what we've done over the last 20+ years, so we're stuck amongst those who love their sterile synthetic lawned front and back yards, with the de rigeur sheared-to-death foundation shrubs, and their latest luxury SUVs. Hubby and I share an 18 year old car, that we do all our maintenance for. But there are people like us, and we find them only on youtube, sadly, and not close to home.
"If your home is not a sanctuary for you, then you don't have have a home". I love that. So true. I'll be using it as a quote & giving you the credit, of course. I hope you don't mind.
I agree. My home is my sanctuary
I individualise my space.. Thanks for that reminder.
yes love this saying
my home is my sanctuary
Dear Colette.....................you are great............all the ideas to make your house into a home..............when my husband dies,i have not much money,but i turned my rooms into a home for me too,with sustainabole things..........many people throw away good things............thank you for all your tips and ideas.......Blessings and Greetings from Daggy,Kiel,Germany☘☘☘
You keep a lovely home and garden. At least you are free from a lot of things.
Wow!! I've been a follower and fan of yours for several years and you have outdone yourself on this video!! WOW!! You have packed so much valuable information into this one! Thank you Colette! And if any of you aren't on her Patreon - YOU NEED TO GET ON THERE! I could listen to you read the phone book!! lol Continued Blessings to you!
“Don’t hoard!” … so true. It is so oppressive. It can feel so hard to trust that you have enough.
I’ve been planting trees around our single wide mobile home and I’m sure glad I did. This summer we have been having days in the 90-80F which is unusual here in Michigan and most of the day I’m completely shaded. It would be unbearable with out trees about me. Thanks for inspiring me Colette.
I remember being bathed in a metal tub as a child. It was supported on two chairs in front of the stove. We also had an outdoor toilet. Good times.
Hello Collette,
Can I just say…
BRAVO!! BRAVO!!!
Just like listing to the most beautiful orchestra, is how I perceive your lifestyle, and your thoughts on resourcefulness and life.
It’s such a pleasure to see and feel your Irish countryside ways. It’s many things.
It’s organic, it’s proactive without ANY invasion to anyone or anything…and I do like your rants about the world situations. Very smart gal.
And most of all really,
The peace of mind.. body and soul is so glorious and here you are 17 years later. I find this whole story … your story delightful.
Thank u for being here where I can personally escape from the city, and the AZ desert, people, politics etc etc,
and share a few like minded POV’s.
This bits and bobs video was wonderful. 🌈🌈
Fabulous advice, you talk common sense which is sadly lacking these days in many people x
Hi Colette, you have a lovely home! I love your thriftyness! Simply marvelously how you have transformed that little run down cottage into what it is today and your eco friendliness is beyond compare! Many blessings to you❤️
I love the simple, unsophisticated country life.
Thanks for sharing this video.
Completely agree - just hearing this advice is wonderful!
Heaven on earth. I'm a elderly lady in New Zealand. Had a tinyhouse on wheels built. Managed to buy half acre in the south island. I'm off grid. Have planted a orchard. This summer I want to get a good vegie garden going. I have always lived in in the past. So I'm in love with yours. Also I'm a painter and spinner.
Envy you…want to be your best friend!
You're amazing Colette. You're as self-sufficient as it's possible to be in this age. You're a clever woman and I admire you greatly. 🙏
You are a great ambassador for frugality & resourcefulness Colette. Wonderful & very helpful video. ❣️
That is a fantastic stove. Just a classic. I have to dig out my well soon.
I love what you have done to your cottage, by your own means. I love how you live.
I loved this video, Colette! So much good advice. I found a small 2-room cottage just over a year ago that has electricity but no plumbing or water. The bedroom is large enough that half of it is a decent sized art studio. I have an outhouse, and learned that a scoopful of sustainably harvested, local sphagnum moss sprinkled over it keeps it odour-free. I do like your idea of collecting dried material from the garden and shredding it to use as well. As I have time, I make improvements to make my living more sustainable. Neighbours invited me to hook up a hose to their outdoor tap so I have access to water just outside my door for about 7 months of the year, and I created an outdoor shower. The hose lying in the sun provides wonderful warm water for showers, but I can also go to the lake 5 minutes up the road for a "bath" and to wash my hair with a little spot of organic shampoo. The rest of the year I use the shower next door (it is just a cottage so is rarely occupied in winter). In winter I can cook on my woodstove, but it is not a cookstove. This year my veggie garden is a bit larger and more productive than last year when I was just starting. Unfortunately my whole front yard is gravel, but raised beds may be in my future. Most of my tiny bit of land (about 1/3 acre) is wooded, on a slope down from my house, and I hope to clean it up a bit to reduce fire hazards and make parts of it walkable, with paths to the marsh below. Unfortunately the bugs are pretty bad in spring and early summer, and it is a minimum 45 minute drive to town for groceries. But as the veggie garden is expanded I cook things and store them in the freezer. So much we can do to live more sustainably. I love living simply, and I need nothing more than this. Thank you so much for your inspiration.
Colette I live for your videos! Thank you for making the world more beautiful ❤
Good morning Colette, thank you for the video,
I always enjoy a look around your house gardens ,woodlands, this video was a grand tour with running commentary superbly done,
Thank you . Hugs and Blessings 🌹💚
This is fantastic advice and, most if all, survivor skills,. Thank you for educating us. Your cottage is beautiful and original. Blessings.
Clicked on this so fast when I saw you'd posted! One of your best Colette. Informative and incredibly inspiring. A beautiful life in a beautiful home and woodland... and all created by you!
Hi Colette , In Brisbane , Australia ,we have solar panels on our roof which we feed into the main grid and receive credits for , our electric bill is usually in credit , most people mulch their gardens , and use compost on their gardens conserving water is a big problem , most people take showers here having a bath is seen as being decadent even in the suburbs people collect water from their roof into large tanks to supplement their water supply . Also insulating the house helps in keeping heating and cooling costs down .. Yes it's all about being mindful of energy .
I've dreamed of a gravity-fed water spring or well for my own homestead. Love your self-reliance! We haven't the option of Pay-As-You-Go in Oklahoma, but that's a terrific idea. I'm going to inquire on that. My granny cooked, heated, kettle - all on a woodstove. An 'AHA' moment with this post.. Thanks!
Your common sense and practical advice burst through this video like a fresh breeze. Amazing! And thank you!
I really enjoyed this vlog, I'm too old now to start afresh but my 70's home is my sanctuary, although I have no chimney, small garden and close neighbours ( they are no bother) I do what I can. I have an allotment to grow some veggies, I try to shop wisely and I haven't much 'stuff'!! And that's how I like it just living as simply and happy as I can be. Mind you with today's shenanigans it's not always possible but I do try. Thanks again.
Many people have looked at the cottages available in Ireland and thought they could never make one livable. What you have achieved is amazing!
Beautiful, Colette. If it all goes off in the hand basket you'll be okay in a stunningly beautiful place. We supply our water, and nothing makes me think about the value of water like having responsibility for it. Thanks for sharing your wisdom so generously.
I loved this video. I'm moving to Ireland with my husband next year and we can't wait to find our home and land. thank you for your home video, loved it
Thank you Collette for your straightforward talk set against how beautifully you have put your own place together. I get loads of ideas from your talks but more importantly I get the spirit of co-operation that you seem to carry in the Bealtaine Project. I 'own' a smaller old house and reasonable yard in a small British Columbia, Canada city and find myself observing more and cooperating more with the trees and wild plants and leaving them be...the energy seems better that way. Your work inspires me to this.
Agreeing with all you've said except about the wasps. I once had a huge nest on the front of my barn. I didn't bother them and they didn't bother me, until they did. I don't know what set them off. I was just opening the door as I'd done every day, but the attack commenced and I ran. The wasp spray came out quickly, because I had to get into the barn to take care of my animals. I don't like needlessly killing wasps, but they made it necessary. They have their purpose in the environment, as long as they're not attacking me, I'll leave them alone. The key words are if you live a simple life. My family does, but so many don't have a clue as to how to do that. For so many, it's go, go go. from one thing to another. Admittedly, a simple life is a busy life. But not one where a person is constantly looking for the next distraction. It can be very fulfilling.
Such good advice for beginners and us oldies. Home is the happiness you created. Even in a shoe box.
OH Colette I adore that basket and Your Divine Cottage ... fabulous! Thank You so much for sharing Your tips . We live and love Our Wee Cottage in the woods and You inspire us to BE(e) better each day ...Blessings to You !
Yes build around the window! I learned that the hard way haha. I've used your simple yet priceless advice even in the city. Rain barrels, planting out invasive plants, leaf drop and chop and drop to build up soil, second hand and repurposed, letting the lawn grow and seeing that really its a food lawn! knowing when I have enough, Etc etc the list would be too long.
I came upon Bealtaine Cottage this past year and have enjoyed past and current posts. This I have watched twice. Much thanks and Gratitude for continuing to take the time to share your insights and experience. Carol from Nova Scotia
I love your positive energy. Good positive energy takes you long and far Keep going sister
Agree 100% with your tip on a range, Colette. I've one in my kitchen which is the heart of the home. Cooking, heating, hot water and total comfort.
When I watch this video. I feel like I am at home. My ancestors originally came from Ireland and Scotland to America hundreds of years ago.
You give such good advice for easy living.
How wonderful that you are so happy with your home, your work and your life…You are truly following your bliss.
I recently took a basket making class, brilliant skill and craft. We are growing our own basketry willow on our three acres now too. On our way to being more self-sufficient in lots of ways!
Me too🥰on only 2 acres though. Best of luck in your endeavors!❤️from NC
Thank you Colette ! You are one strong and inspiring woman ! 💕🌷
always delighted to see a post from you!! We have wasps called Yellow Jackets. they decided to build a home at the far end of my front porch. We coexisted peacefully until an unprovoked attack brought down their house. there is another nest around back. I will leave them alone as long as they can keep their stingers to themselves. The venom is painful! they really are cool looking and are known for being aggressive. this is the second season and so far so good. There is no telling how much they have contributed to the pollination in the area!
Wonderful advice, thank you so much, Colette.
19:24 ... if your home is not a sanctuary for you, then you don't have a home .. you have to make a home. Well said. 🌷
I can’t wait until I can live in a shack in the woods 😊
Such a lovely home and gardens- a true sanctuary and sacred space. 🌷🌺🥀🌹🍀🌳
Absolutely beautiful garden.
I love all of your bits and bobs of furniture. Way back in the 1990's my mother-in-law was a partner in an antique shop. My husband and I had a great time traveling to auctions and flea markets with her to find treasures. My house is very cluttered now from living here since 1985 and through 2 marriages. But slowly, I'm clearing out what I don't want or need and it's becoming MY house. I'm eclectic like you and I find joy in various textures and colors. I too live in a rural area and enjoy watching the seasons change. I refer to my kitchen window as my solar calendar. It faces east and as the land slopes away, I can watch the sunrise move back and forth across the horizon to mark the seasons.
Loved this video, short, sharp and to the point. Beautiful calming relaxing cosy home.
It’s so true that ‘stuff’ blocks the flow of energy, especially if it physically blocks pathways and doors in your home, so impacting on your ability to move around freely and to know where to start to clear the pathways, both physically and mentally. Depression can so easily become a self feeding phenomenon.
Wonderful. Absolutely love the tranquil life hoping for my ship to come in soon.
I made a mistake giving up my humble cottage for a partner and now live in an apartment on my own. Yes, it has a small courtyard which I have filled with trees and river rocks, but I long for a 'cottage' like yours Collette!
I absolutely LOVE this video. Thank you.
Wonderful video Colette! Full of fantastic advice for sustainable living from someone walking the walk, not just talking the talk! I have so much respect for you. Many blessings 💚
My great grandmother came from west of Belfast. She was a healer, married a Scotsman and settled in a place called Troy on Cape Breton Island. I think I have a lot of her in my genes. It’s lovely what you’ve done to your cottage. So very practical. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I agree so much with hoarding , no hoarding it takes away from you for sure. Great video and beautiful home and paradise. Part of the reason I love your video's is I feel like I know you , your a pretty happy peaceful person.
Thank you for your time today Colette and for sharing your knowledge. Many, many wonderful and resourceful ideas. You are quite a remarkable Lady. Hope you have a splendid day.
Brilliant video, Colette! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Your place is gorgeous. I LOVE it. From a French Canadian lady a 78years old 🇨🇦❤
Your house is so cosy and it feels so warmed, an when you walked in your garden i can feel the birds and also hear thous in mine mind.
So lovely your so blessed.
Great advice Colette. A simple life is a good mantra and as I get older in years, is one I know to be the best. As a society peeps appear to have become obsessed with consumerism, it's almost like an addiction, sad to say 😥. Keep the flag flying Colette and the reminders constant 💚🌱🐝😊
Thank-you so much for letting me into your beautiful home.I would dearly love to live the life you have.I came across you not long ago .I love your accent ,you have a calm relaxing voice. Your floor is amazing xx
You have done such a great job on your cottage. You have made yourself a great home!
Thank you for your video.
💕🦋💕 I built my own little hut out in the orchard, the windows were given to me from a friend, off an old 120year old house.. I made it up as I went along... My hubby would inspect with criticism, which would make me even more determined to carry on... It sits beside an old apple tree.. Has a little decking.. The floor is made of pellets... My biggest problem was squaring off the base, lol. Simple for some... I was 64 years young, so if I could do it, anyone can.. I've also built an art studio, with the help of my hubby,. I give all my art to friends, my brother says I should take it to the markets, but it's not quite good enough, although I find paintings and craft very relaxing, gardening, too... You're a good hard worker, very inspiring and encouraging... Thank you... Truly, thank you.
You have a beautiful cottage.
Everything is in exactly the right place. It takes many years to build a place up, to call it home. What you have created here, is something to be really proud of. I just love your Stanley, it's a classic piece of kitchen equipment. I cannot have one where I live, but if I could, I most certainly would... 🙂👍🏻👍🏻
WOW!
It was as if you were speaking to me. Going through a lot right now and I definitely needed this video. You shared such useful information and made me feel at peace. Thank you for just being you and being completely honest. I am so incredibly thankful for everything you shared. I will be watching it again while making my house a home again. Sending many blessings your way🌻
Stay Safe❤️
I hope you get through whatever it is you’re going through and THRIVE on the other side of it. ❤️
I'd love to find a quaint, beautiful cottage to make a home. My house is not a home ... I need to make it so! I have very little energy (a bit down at the moment!) . So, I appreciate your statement that energy makes more energy. I better get off my bum!!!
Your cottage in the country is absolute perfection! It would be a dream to live in one just like yours. I love the grounds too.
Wow! “Rapid fire” practical common sense!!! I love it! I’ve added/collected/encouraged perennial edibles like Arugula, Broccoli, Kale, Dandelion, Blackberries, Currants, Daisies…..on and on…thank you …Blessings🙏🌸
Colette, I very much enjoyed this video. I love your down to earth viewpoint.
Great advice, the simple life is so fulfilling. Start a garden and learn to feed yourself and your family, if you can.
I loved the tour of your cozy home. Enjoyed seeing the way you have decorated it. You are an inspiration.
Love your house, garden and positive attitude Collette. Well done!
Thank you for another great video. I absolutely love your cozy cottage and beautiful property. Your simple lifestyle in harmony with nature is very inspiring. Blessings to you.
You always inspire me during lockdown you taught me to watch the bees and enjoy nature not to over spend and enjoy life. Some friends have spent a fortune on their bits in their homes not me it gives you peace of mind. Many thanks
You are so inspiring. I love watching your videos.❤️
Great video! Loads of good, solid information, thank you, and thank you for the encouragement!! Blessings to you!
Your cottage is so charming and unique, like
a work of art. So beautiful.
Informed by experience blessings to you Colette..... .im the one who has to keep the hoarding instinct under control:)
Just want to let you Know I am a New subscriber here and feel the need to Let you know ,
You brought me Peace Serenity ,Comfort In a Chaotic World .
Thank You Dear so Much you Have No Idea how I needed to Have found you.
I Love the Sign Hanging On the Stove ,I also Am Vegan ❤
P.S. I Love your Unapologetic Straight to the Point Blunt Realistic Mannerism In the Upmost Complimentary Way !!
Bravo !! You are truly A Gift I found and didn't know I was Looking for 😊💝
Hello Colette- Well said and thank you for taking us around to see how your dreams become a reality and how you made it happen. We designed our 2016 cottage around the 1930 Home Comfort kitchen wood stove. Because she is not air tight, we had to allow a lot of space on all sides. Like your Stanley, our stove will heat 800 square feet ,as well as water, if we hooked it up.
I'm at that point of having to let go of "stuff". I'm grateful to have it, but need to be realistic as to what should stay. Its a process that will benefit me and hopefully others. Your cottage is so homey and functional.
We opted to bring in electricity and will enjoy it as long as its affordble. I remember those pay as you go in England. Good way to keep on track with your budget. You have created a wonderful sanctuary Colette.
This was great!! We don't have the option of pay as u go but it's really then just as simple as paying attention and only using what u need and keeping it as minimal as possible. In my way of thinking it is possible to use some modern convenience in a responsible and thoughtful way.
such abundance! so much respect for you because you're steady and visionary and look at Bealtaine cottage
This is one of my favorite videos! I moved to the country about 16 years ago with my husband. We were off grid for 6 months. Yes, the generators are completely disruptive and noisy, although with time you do get used to them and are able to sleep. Then we got electricity and a wood stove, which we use for heating and rarely use electric heat ,although we could. We have an old gas stove which cooks very nicely and is cheaper than electric. It's quite common for the electricity to go out here in the driftless area of Wisconsin. So we always have a way to keep warm, and a way to prepare food. I love your Stanley stove, if I could find, one I would buy one in a heartbeat.
Your cottage is beautiful.I love it.
That was really interesting, thank you. I live in a small house on the edge of the countryside but still found this very helpful for trying to live a simple sustainable and frugal life. I came off my pay as you go meter a few months ago and regret it now as I felt much more in control before.
Your video showed up on my feed, and I’m so glad I did.
This being my first video of yours, I will be watching past videos.
Your advice is sage and wise, something much needed today.
I look forward too getting to know you and your beautiful cottage life.
Thank you for being a bright spot to my day.
Donna from Philadelphia Pennsylvania
A helpful, practical video. One additional thing I would suggest to anyone contemplating this lifestyle is to also have a disability/early retirement plan. Make some disabled nature-loving friends and find out how they make a living and keep sane :)
That basket is gorgeous! I would buy one of those in a New York minute!
I just love looking round your beautiful home and grounds, I really love your simplistic approach to life, I’ve had times when I been able to be mor3 creative ,but now in my 70’s I live in a Park bungalow which my husband and I own but the land has to be rented, and rules are strict, the one thing I miss the most is a log burning stove , but that’s not allowed, years ago I had a Stanley in a cottage I shared with my children and my ex husband so watching your videos takes me back to those days. I still grow as much of our food as I can as I have a reasonable sized garden and I am surrounded by trees and we are quite private. So although I still have the dreams I immerse myself in your videos and share in your life. I also light candles now it’s Autumn that give the cosy feel of a flickering fire. So Blessings to you too.
Gorgeous tour!!! I imagine my own cottage and having you as a friend and neighbor💚💚💚
You have created such a beautiful home and life. I won’t be disappearing to the country, but I do enjoy using my creativity to create a frugal home and have already eschewed the 9-5 to make money here and there doing things I actually enjoy. More people should live like this. ❤
I subscribed many years ago, adore your garden.What a lovely cottage, you have so inspired me! I love your style & outlook doll. Bright blessings. )O(
Hello, haven't visited in a while, bought 80 acres as far away from people as I can go.. nice to see the changes you have made, its beautiful as always. Looking forward to starting my garden all over again. I dug up, took cuttings, collected seeds of my favorite plants. I started this garden 35 years ago. Going to miss the massive roses but oh well. I might live long enough to see them big again. At least I will have peace and quiet.
Great advice Colette! I love the fact that you have a Georgian London window in your home and the beautiful art nouveau repurposed windows! Your woven basket is beautifully made. Have a wonderful weekend. x
Resourcefulness !! You have a lovely sanctuary - everyone needs one.
Bless you, Colette! Love these how-I-did-it videos. You are just so common sense! I've admired your lifestyle for years, and when possible, done similar things.
Hello, Colette. Excellent advice for our future and for everyday living. Broadening our vision on how to create a home that we love and how to put it together and how important that is and how crucial Mother Nature is right outside our doors. Really enjoyed this one as I do all of them. Blessings to you. Sincerely, Susie
Dear Colette, over the years, through your RUclips channel, you have given me so much hope ... Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your light 🌞🌳
Fantastic video, your cottage is gorgeous. You gave some excellent advice out to us.