Getting Cozy with 'Cozy in Canvas'

Written by Lily Arseneau

Listen to podcast episode here

Firefly Tent Cozy in Canvas Instagram

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The wind whipped around the metal container, howling outside of the four walls of the tiny home. I sat in the Luna Container home with owners, Abby Weiderhold and Nick Pomicter. As we got cozy on the day bed, looking out the rest of the farm. They explained to me how building vacation rentals became their niche, over the past couple years.

In May of 2021, Abby and Nick started their business when they decided to fix up the back room to Nick’s grandmother's 1800’s style farmhouse. They started to rent it out and realized this could be a bigger project. That’s when the work for the Firefly Tent rental started.

The idea was for the rental to be a huge glamping site. They started the project by hand, Chopping down the trees and clearing the land. They ordered an enormous canvas tent to lay over the structure they would build. Typically, a metal bone structure would be used for a tent like this. However, Nick used the wood they cleared from the land to build the structure underneath the tent.

They told me the process for Firefly took about four months. “It was definitely a labor of love,” Abby says.

The tent is completely functional for the perfect glamping getaway. Equipped with battery packs for electricity and a gravity fed water system. Although the tent is considered an off-grid site, everything you could possibly need is provided.

The farm Lily Arseneau

Abby and Nick reside on Nick's parents' farm, where pigs, goats and chickens roam. All of their businesses are thought of and created here, including a pastured meat business. Raising free range hogs and cattle to produce a fine selection of meats for locals to purchase.

Nick laughs when he explains that it started when he brought home three piglets and didn't tell his parents. From there on out, the farm grew to have a ensemble of animals poking around.

However, the farm and rentals biggest attraction is the Highland cows grazing about. Nick got Abby her first Highland cow for one of their anniversaries. The cow, Olaf, was the first of their tiny herd.

As I watch them roam outside the sliding doors, Abby tells me of how the Highland program is a passion of hers and something she is dreaming of expanding. Highland cows are a very peculiar market, where they are in high demand. However, these cows are not being used for meat or dairy. This growing herd are simply Abby's pets.

Olaf in hay and snow Cozy in Canvas

The couple revealed to me that handling all these businesses isn't a piece of cake. Although, they adore all that they do. They've had to put their personal lives on hold to keep everything running and in order. Especially because it is only the two of them at work.

With the exception of hoping for the growth of the rentals, the Highland program and their seasonal market (where local vendors come to sell their goods). They hope to be able to step back a little and delegate some responsibility to other entities.

On top of all this, they are currently in the works of launching a coffee roasting business. They have already tested some small batches. However, Nick has become immersed in the process and has done loads of personal research to get this idea off the ground.

Abby & Nick; pictured with little Highland, Poppy and their dog Lily

Although, Abby and Nick have to run the collection of businesses they started - they continue to pour more dedication and passion into previous and new projects. The wheels are always turning with these two and they fear nothing when it comes to taking the leap to get something special started.

If you're interested in learning more, check out the Dialed in podcast epsiode and the Cozy in Canvas Instagram.