A Quiet Season, A Painted Promise

We hope a very merry Christmas and a joy-filled New Year was had by you all — full of good food, slow mornings, and the kind of moments that linger a little longer than the calendar allows.

Seasonal flowers at Sage Hearth

You may have noticed we’ve been a little quiet lately, both here on the blog and across social media. Not gone — just deeply tucked into a season of work that required our full attention, our patience, and a willingness to be guided by the weather rather than the calendar.

Although we’ve only called Sage Hearth home since July, it didn’t take long to understand that some things ask to be done sooner rather than later. When you arrive somewhere new, you listen first — to the land, to the buildings, to the small signs of what needs care. And when the right window finally opens, you step into the work with both hands.

So our days have been shaped by long hours, steady rhythms, and the quiet companionship of the cottage itself. This season wasn’t about rushing or perfection, but about stewardship — responding thoughtfully, working within our limits, and tending what shelters us as we begin to truly settle in.

There is something grounding about doing necessary work early on. It roots you. It turns a house into a responsibility, and then — slowly — into home.

We’re looking forward to sharing more soon. The stories, the lessons, and what this season of hands-on care has taught us as we continue to find our place here.

Location: Taupō, New Zealand

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