Shawn, I apologize for the length of this comment in advance. Two weeks ago I was reading the comments and many talked about how happy you seem now. I've been following you since the beginning. There were glimpses of happiness from you. I remember one time with you and Cali on the side porch and your visit to Dick Proenneke's cabin. You had a smile and gleam in your eyes. I didn't see that again until your girls came to the cabin for Christmas and when you tasted your wife's pizza. I'm so happy for you that you have found your true happiness with your wife joining you at the cabin. Thanks again for sharing your journey with us! You make my day brighter! God Bless!!

Am I weird, I just love watching and listening to you crunch in the snow, and the food sizzling, and the pans clanking and the fire popping..you don't even have to say a word. LOL

A new table, a slow cooked meal and a romantic scene at a bonfire. It cant get any better than this.

Nice to see you n your wife there at you folks cabin 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

"Are you hungry?", "What are you offering"? I'm still chuckling.

This is my dream life

The sound of crunching snow and a crackling fire!!! SO PEACEFUL

Callie obviously thinks she is a lap dog. Thanks for the beautiful relaxing time.

Some little furry girl looked a little jealous of another lady sitting with her man....haha. The fire at the end looked so cozy and the laughter and love at the end of the day is what it’s all about....no matter where you abide

It's always good to have a visit with Shawn and Cali on a Friday afternoon.

🐕 Cali is such a sweet little friend.

Love that there is no blab or obnoxious music. Just peaceful and pleasant to watch!

29:54... That dog... Cali is amazing. Hugging and loving. WOW!

Your wife should start a series documenting the transition to this lifestyle and how she fills her days. Would be interesting to see her perspective and experiences.

Build u guys a porch swing!!! Am 70 and can't do stuff like I used to, but still love watching others bust their tushes, lol. Your wife has no worries of her man straying. A busy, good man u r!

I get sentimental Shawn about your old place but your new one will be such a blessing for you and your family

That dog just loves his cuddles with mum☺️

Isn't it lovely when the simple things in life are so enjoyable.

LOL ~ Cali stole the video ~ Awwww so sweet She says make room for me as she climbs up and over to snuggle between Mom & Dad. What a Peaceful, Beautiful Night cuddled by the fire. Dinner looked Delicious too! May the Joy you felt tonight be with you ~ forever

Thumbs up for including the laughter you and your wife shared, with Cali trying to snuggle between you while the fire burned away.

I love Cali

My favorite part was the fire at the end with the laughing, snuggles, and joy.

why is anyone giving the vids a thumps down? this is the stuff od life. we should ALL be living like this. It looks absolutely lovely!

Best part for me is watching the pup live such an amazing and happy life. Thank you

Imagine Cali's life, it's play day all day everyday, and when its not playtime, its nap or snuggle time. What a dog's life indeed :D

I think your fur baby is ready for a playmate. She is gorgeous

Why in Gods name would someone watch this and then put a thumbs down? If you don’t like it just don’t watch it! The work that goes into making these and the joy it gives us is priceless, take yourselves and your bad thoughts elsewhere.

Cali is so lucky to be part of your family! May God continue to bless your family!

Livin the life!! 💜 Thank you for sharing 💜

Pretty incredible life, I'm glad your wife enjoys it as well as you.

If you close your eyes and listen it’s so calming

Sweet, sweet, Cali!

I love Cali :-) A really smart dog, never barks. almost human like! An amazing girl that Cali truly is!!

Shawn has changed my life in so many (good) ways recently. Today I finally went for my first trip in my new Kajak. Long story short... had a great swim!

Every man should have a little slice of paradise on Earth...nature, wife, dog and peace...Doesn't get much better, and they eat really good too!

I think Cali is just so happy you are all there together. So am I.😍

What a life,man woman and the fur-child.

The best moment of this weekend. We settle down and have fun. Thank you!

last part of this is so awesome what a spot snow, camp fire enjoy !!!

Loads of love to Cali.. she is such a sweetheart

Such a gorgeous video, so many sounds and the beauty of the surroundings. That chicken looked soooo goood, I am now officially starving. But best of all was Shawnn and Mrs. Shawn enjoying some romantic time together. That's what it's all about, two people on a journey together through life, with Cali trying to claim Shawn's lap :D That was sooo cute!!! God bless you all, and thank you for sharing your journey with us. I like the simple life.

Simple things are what makes us happy in life👍👏

Beautiful. Thank you for inviting us into your home once again. You and your Mrs. are living a very fulfilling life. Enjoy!

In some footage I watched late last night, you were gathering birch bark to start a fire, and at the same time the sun broke through the clouds and lit up the entire tree and it looked like it turned the tree into solid gold. it was truly magical looking and unreal. I loved it. Did you see that? Truly awesome Shawn!

Husband and Wife sitting by the fire at the end of a hard day, having a laugh. Good ending!

I love that your wife is finally comfortable in front of the camera! Kudos to her!

Perfect ending to a perfect day. You can just do a film on your fire and I would enjoy watching it. Your dinner looks delicious. Callie seems happier since your wife came to join you!

I love that I get to see Cali getting extra loves and hugs from mom. It just rounds out the day perfectly.

my self reliance STARING Cali with special guest Shawn James love the show and how much your dog loves her daddie

Great way to relax on a Friday evening. ❄️🐕🏞️

One of your best videos with you and your wife doing things together. Excellent!

What a wonderful way to live , away from all the hustle and bustle 👍🏻

Once again Cali steals the show. Thanks Shawn. Cheers, Steve

Who would have thought sitting on a snow shelf could be so romantic. Beautiful setting with the candles and fire and moon and Cali nudging her way in!

I will NEVER understand how anyone could give these videos a thumbs down. I’m assuming seething jealousy 😅

Its nice to see ur more at peace as ur wife is with u pls make her comfortable too she deserve it get d solar up so she can watch a little bit of something news or entertain herself while u r outside or listen to some music while she is doing d cooking make smile each day Shawn she deserve it.

I had a thought about what I was going to comment on. I read some of the other comments and said I guess this is what it's all about. Happiness is not a destination its the journey. Your journey with your wife and yes don't forget Callie. I have a dog that equally brings joy and a burst of constant laughter. What a blessing. I loved the scene at the fire at night . Good night sleep tight. RC

Congrats! I am glad you have a fuller cabin today! Tis' a good thing. May peace reside and comfort abound' Amen.

Misses trying to outsmart Cali with hidden treat. Epic 😇

Loved the end, sitting by the fire ... laughing ... sharing life with someone you love !

What a fabulous video. Thanks D & Shawn & Cali climbing on both of you, she wants in on all that love too ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙌🏻

In such a crazy and Godless World, your channel brings me so much happiness and peace, Thank You! God Bless! Jeff

cali rocks! glad to see your wife a little more. she's an integral part of your "mutual reliance" now

Yip, there I am again, sipping my morning coffee in The Netherlands, Europe, looking at Shawn and his lovely wife living in the Canadese wilderness. Call me crazy, but I'm enjoying it a lot. Good luck from NL.

Good times & memories

Hi there folks. Cali, is increadable! You two are a beauitful couple!!!! Take care!

What a fantastic start and finish to a day. Must feel good to have two ladies after your full attention.

My routine is so much like yours in so many ways with regard to tending the stove and bringing in the wood. I have been the one in the house to stoke the fire every day. My father always had fires going, in the house and garage and fireplace in the backyard. Yes, lots to do but tread softly, slowly, and most of all safely dear Shawn. We all care a great deal about you and yours and would be so sorrowful without you in our lives.

Very nice ! Glad your wife is getting used to being in the vids. This was really nice.

The coziness of you two sitting, surrounded by a wall of snow centered with a roaring fire. Your heads touching...that moment...will stay in my memory as what is most beautiful about your life....

My friend you are a very fortunate man having two lovely ladies to share your dream life with great video thanks.

A beautiful, perfect day........Thank you for sharing!

A million thanks for this one! Blessings to both and Cali too.

Great video. Cali climbing the snow bench to join "the pack" by the fire was priceless. Keep up the good work!

The noodles in your wife's first dish, look homemade, good looking meals. I like cooking & baking, can certainly keep a person busy. Beautiful video & folks!

Nice to see Sean and the Mrs getting some q time, surely that's what its all about.

I'm so glad to see you're back. You had an old Southern lady worried!

Friday night..drinking cold wine and snacks. And off course watching My self reliance. AMAZING !!!!!!!

Smiling at the dog. He's having a ball! My dogs are such pampered poopies they'd have a cadenza if their paws touched snow. Love watching these videos. Makes me appreciate the electric blanket.

Hey there folks. Very good show today. Hard work during the day ending in a good evening meal. Roaring fire with lots of merriment. Even the family pooch got involved. Thanks for sharing your day with us. Vaughn

OMG, I so loved this episode. Howdy, wife D. It is so wonderful to actually see you & Shawn interact. It is entirely to cute.....from obscene to right down just enjoyment. My girl Cali was not to be left out. I cracked up laughing at her climbing all over you two. She's our girl. LOL.......I am so happy to see you enjoying all the benefits of living off grid. Something so many of us wish we could do, but we live it thru the two of you. Thank you so much for continuing to share it with us. BIG hugs from Jamie & Paddy in Tennessee........

"Are you hungry?" "What are you offering?" LMAO Shawn!

My wife and I are in our 70s and we are building a cabin up in the mountains in southern Utah. Been a hard winter down there. -22 and 3 -4 feet of accumulated snow this winter. Been chomping at the bit to get back down there to finish up this spring through fall. Your site has kept me going. First on the agenda is to do the backing for the stove and get it hooked up. Finish the siding and start the interior finishes. I am fortunate as well because my wife has always loved the outdoors and pushes me to get out as often as we can. We have a tent on top of an Xterra and have done thousands of miles of overlanding. She is beginning to struggle with arthritis in her feet so she won't be able to help like she has the past summers. Looking to push through so we can just sit back and enjoy it. I have built or supervised the building of over 4000 homes in my career and am still active running a residential home building company now. The journey has been great. Love when the kids and grandkids come down to help

What a life you both and the fur baby have all together now so beautiful, love the ending at the fire Cali i think wanted to be in the middle where she had the each of you a part and on each of her sides, Yall are the greatest

The scene at the beginning of the video brought up so many memories of my father. It was when life was less complicated, more peaceful and meaningful. I miss him.

In Italy it is very late, but it doesn't matter, I prefer to see your video rather than sleep. Thanks Shawn and good weekend

Wow how beautiful it must be to live the way our ancestors did before all this technology took over our world as we know it. That’s when families were more united, social with one another. I remember growing up I used to love watching little house in the prairie, just the way that they lived was so beautiful. I’m glad to see that your wife is enjoying it, may God richly bless your marriage and your lifestyle.🙏🏽🤗👍🏼

I watch these videos only to see the sweetest dog (next to mine, of course) in the world. I am in love with your dog. Dogs make life joyful, don't they?

Beautiful sounds and nuances in these videos. The crackling fire, crunch of the snow, the sound of food cooking. I can feel the warmth of the fire, the snow underfoot, and taste the mouthwatering home cooked meals! And your dog is a treasure!

Yayyyy ! Happy Friday to all Shawn’s followers. What better way to start the weekend. Special hay to Mrs. James.

Beautiful video....love the relationship...love your pup! Inspiring...

I’m from Minnesota, USA, but left 30 years ago for a warmer climate, so when Shawn works in the snow and cold I admire his grit.

I started to watch and my husband says, you’re watching without me? Now I’m waiting for him. Lol. 😳

love it, no human bullshit, just nature, like the line are you hungry, what are you offering, nice scene, nice sound, just nice.

I am again fascinated with the wood chips swirling away from the drill bit. So beautiful to see.

If only more people appreciated the simpler things in life.....its not that its simple, it is clean living in a healthy environment. Now Calli, well she wants love too! She has to share after a couple of years of being Mr. Shawns best friend. The saw horses look great!!! Keep posting please, it is so relaxing!

Ah, Tis the life! Thanks Shawn, for being both fun and educational. I am very impressed of all your hard labour. Thank You!

I so enjoy watching you work. I am watching tonight after the closing on my house. Tomorrow I will sort through my odds and ends I packed in my car, pay bills and plan my next move to my camp. Thank you for your inspiration.

🌻Cali is such a sweetheart! Happiness by a bonfire in a cabin in the woods..the last scene was tops.

I can' t stop seeing everything he realizes.....how wonderful to have such experiences .....in a beautiful place, with that meals.......