@Car, you asked about how will look like that small house.
Here is "my vision", something like a hobbit house, cozy and warm:
https://m.stacker.news/49588
https://m.stacker.news/49589
I've explain it in the introduction of the blog I started about this project: https://darthcoincitadel.substack.com/

As about what you said "I will never start a project like this"... I was an IT guy all my life, all tech life, gadgets, servers and stuff like that. Never worked in construction or have any idea about this. But I never was afraid of doing hard work.
So, one day I decided to leave entirely the IT work behind and start this project as a hobby, but now is getting a very serious project and I learn every day something new.

You will see that in the end will be a very nice house, in the middle of a nice mountain valley, surrounded by deep forest, with a nice garden and homestead.
I will do it ! Never give up.

And yes, I would love to have some beers with you there... no need to help me digging, just company and laughs.