Pondside Retreat at Flitterbug Farm

Imagine your morning: coffee in hand, sitting on a porch swing hung from an oak tree, watching turtles surface on the pond below. A rooster crows. A dragonfly hovers. You're on nine acres in South Florida, and there's nowhere you need to be.

Flitterbug Farm is a three-bedroom farmhouse retreat. It's a lush, wildlife-rich sanctuary with chickens, fruit trees, and more stars than you'll know what to do with. If you're looking to genuinely unplug, you've found the right place.

THE SPACE

All three bedrooms have a queen bed, a desk and chair, blackout curtains, and space to hang and store your things. The primary bedroom has its own private bathroom and a small couch, which is nice if you need a quiet corner to read or work.

The heart of the house is a large open living room and kitchen. A big, comfortable couch anchors the living room, and a projector with a large screen makes movie nights feel like an event. The couch doubles as an extra sleeping zone in a pinch, and there's a queen-sized air mattress in the closet for larger groups.

The kitchen is well-equipped and genuinely enjoyable to cook in: ample counter space, good pots and pans, solid cutlery, colorful stoneware plates, ceramic bowls, and the basics (oils, spices, condiments) already on hand.

Our coffee and tea station deserves its own mention. We keep locally- and ethically-sourced beans for drip coffee and espresso (including decaf) plus a curated selection of premium loose-leaf teas and local honey. Guests consistently tell us it's one of their favorite things about staying here.

OUTSIDE

The screened-in porch overlooks the pond and a butterfly flower bed, shaded by a sprawling oak. It's the best seat in the house for morning coffee. The porch swing over the pond is a close second—it's a great place to spot turtles, fish, herons, and dragonflies.

The large fenced backyard has outdoor furniture and a fire pit. South Florida sunsets are extraordinary, and the stars that follow are breathtaking. Keep an eye out for veiled chameleons, too: our road is known for them, and guests love the surprise of spotting one in the trees.

We also have outdoor toys for humans and pups alike.

RAINY DAY

When the afternoon storms roll in (this is Florida, after all), the book and game shelf has you covered. We have a solid selection of board games, cards, and paperbacks for a comfortable, air-conditioned afternoon indoors.