good luck amy and only two suggestions: wear your bug repellant & long sleeves...and don't pay city prices at a country store...lol
thanks for all your doing and a big thank you to the crew as well!! brenda

Please all the crew at DIY take extra care this time of the year it get real dangerous in the spring in the south little crawly thing. And take a lot of sinus medicine still their a lot of nice thing like trees, birds ,wildflowers the very best of luck.Bennett

"Whoo hoo"! Amy,
I'm so excited to see the progress of the cabin. I bet it will be fun for you. Good luck. Don't lose your cool.

Amy, good luck on braving the wilds of the Smokey Mountains. Bug Dope and sturdy shoes and you should be fine. Thank you for keeping an eye on the crew that built the house. I cannot hurt to ask alot of questions. Building a log cabin is quite different that building a stick built house. It has different challenges too. But with a crew that knows what they doing it should be ok. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Hi Amy, WOW! All the votes are in and everything was voted in the way I liked except the windows. But no biggy. It is going to be beautiful. I have read a lot of the other bloggers ideas and it just sounds so wonderful. This is exciting. I hope that we get to watch as the cabin goes up. I know you guys are going to do just great. The best idea though is the one about the handicap. My husband is handicap, so the stairs would be hard for him to climb. I hope that this is taken in to consideration. Keep up the good work Amy, I know you will make a good supervisor.

Wow-spring in the mountains....crisp mornings with all those beautiful surroundings. Sounds like heaven. Just hope the project goes smoothly and everyone has a chance to appreciate the real serentity that kind of setting has to offer. Well have a safe trip and here's a 'whoo hoo' back at ya for the ground breaking excitement.-Cheryl

Suggestion -- leave as much of the natural vegetation as possible, please.

Whoo hoo,dont forget to take the pictures to hide in the cabin.

Happy Easter Bloggers, Amy, Ron, Watson, and everyone else!

I can't wait along with everyone else to see phase two of the cabin. We all know it will be absolutely flawless except for the natural rustic charms it will have! And Amy you keep on top of everybody and I hope they don't get on your bad side (ya know, half bear, half cat!)

My only suggestion at this time is to make it as naturally rustic as possible by bringing as much of the mountainous outdoors in to the cabin with the modern ammenities of course!

We are planning on heading for the Great Smoky Mountains towards the end of May! Can't wait! We got the cabin/mountain fever again!

Till next time while watching DIY...see ya'll later!!

Hi Amy~
I'll give you a "Whoo-hoo",and a "Yee-Ha"! The internet is a fabulous thing, but I am sure greatful for the expert DIY contruction team. (no offense Amy!)
Every build has to have some tomfoolery--that makes for the good story telling later. It also keeps morale up.

Everything that won out on the voting, was what I picked. I think this will be unbelieveable, when it starts to come together, like a puzzle, can not wait to start seeing some pieces. The finished product is always better than expected :)

It is so exciting can't wait to keep track of the build. God Bless!

Amy, I hope you took some warm clothes too. It has been pretty cold for this time of year in NC. I imagine that TN got mighty cold too, though the coming days are promising, you should always be prepared. I am sure that everyone is anxious to know what is going on at the construction site. Looking forward to what updates you give us.

Whooo-Hooooo! We are moving to the next phase. Wish we all could come for a visit. Would love to meet the other bloggers.

Cant wait to see the wip for the log cabin home have a great time Amy enjoy the silence and serenity . Dont stress enjoy the experience.

the paulson's

Dang it, Amy, hope none of my clients find out that I am playing hooky for a moment to respond to your last message as I am so backed up! Wanted to mention that although I am not in construction, as one of four daughters to a wonderful man who is a carpenter by trade (commercial construction), I am comfortable with power tools as well. My father raised a daughter who also respects hard work and to expect that a tradesperson should deliver quality work with pride. So, I will understand if you find yourself not quite happy with someone’s work, and responding to it! In my opinion, it’s appropriate! When you are hard working, you cannot help but expect the same out of the people who are working for/with you. I admire your backbone. Best wishes! And, thank you for watching out for one lucky winner’s cabin!

Amy, looking at the construction site pictures takes me back to my childhood during summers in Maine. I would walk through the woods and think about life and where it would lead me. Nature is so spiritual for me and what a wonderful place it would be to feel the spirit working. I pray that being there gives you all an experience of camaraderie that only nature and the spirit can bring. I'm sure that this will be an experience that will give you fond memories throughout your life time.

Awww Amy - How long r all y'all goin' to keep us in suspenders??? Cain't wait to see some activity!
Bill (adopted Taxen)

Greetings Bloggers,Amy,Ron,and Watson!
I went to read the latest on Blog Cabin and got a big SUPRISE!! The slideshow is awesome!! It makes us more feverish! Looking forward to more pictures and a video too. Also, the live DIY Blog Cabin Show! Hope the weather is much better there today!! Unspeakably beautiful...!

PS Would love to read your thoughts on the slideshow and cabin suggestions bloggers!! What happened to Hilary and Victoria?

Amy, Watson, & Ron……..

I admire DIY and have the utmost respect for everyone that is involved in the process behind ‘Blog Cabin‘. I love the slide show that has been recently introduced. It expresses yet another brilliant component of Blog Cabin. I'm very excited to be participating in Blog Cabin and watching the development of the cabin unfold.

Amy……Don’t forget to pack your Rhinestone Safety Glasses! :)

ANXIOUS, ANXIOUS, A-N-X-I-O-U-S for this to start up with the contest sign-ups. How long do you think it'll be before we start scurrying around to enter THIS contest?

Know it'll be a WINNER!!

Hi There Amy, Ron, Watson and The Cast Of Thousands !!

I hope that Tom Foolery and High Jinx are not dropping spanners and wrenches in the works :o)
Keep those guys occupied and out of mischief !

I remember helping my Dad with home repairs and gardening when I was a little kid ~ he would send me to the local hardware store for a " left-handed watering can" and a
" Giggling Pin for a Laughter Shaft" !

I think Tom Foolery was involved there somewhere :o)

I wonder...
Does the Blog Cabin Team have a special Local Custom or ceremony when the main roof beam goes up ?
I have seen construction crews have a " Blessing of The Roof Beam Ceremony" to bring Good Luck and Happiness to the house and future inhabitants, and they fasten a small Fir tree to the end of the beam that juts out from the roof.

Happy Log Setting !

Goldilocks and The Three Blogging Bears :o)

Amy,you ask the plumbing contractor to use instant hot water heaters. They take up very little space and are economical to use. No waiting for the water to warm up.
The floor plan and all the features selected were my choice also. Looks like everone has similar taste.

Amy & gang, remember not to pet the black kitty with the long white stripe running up the back !
Lots of luck with the building, it sounds like great fun.

Hi diy folks-Hope you are surviving Dogwood winter in ET. Looking forward to following the cabin's progress. Kinzel springs is beautiful--I have spent summer weekends near there all my life--it's a great place to be! The bug repellent advice is good--here's a tip for beating the gnats (not here yet, but will drive you insane when the weather warms up), spray the outside of a baseball cap with repellent to keep them away from your eyes. Later in the summer, be sure to cool off after a long hot day by "tubing" down Little River. Hope you enjoy the project! PS I would love to see the inclusion of "green" technologies and materials in the building of the cabin. The soil in the mountains here is so thin, erosion is a real problem. Right now, the danger of fire is also high. It would be a great side (gardening?) show to show folks how to deal with those issues and build a mountain retreat without leaving lasting wounds in the land. I'm sure you've seen the gouges in the mountainsides nearby where developers have scraped off every green thing to plop down generic rental cabins. Best wishes for a DIY log cabin that will inspire everyone who appreciates the natural beauty of the Smokies.

hey amy, ron and diy and bloggers,

i think that the blessing for the main beam would be a great idea. i had not heard of that before. but i thoroughly agree.

the final choices for the cabin will be great. i am sure that we all have the whole cabin pictured in our minds even now.(my picture has my husband and i sitting on a swing that hangs from the ceiling of the porch looking at the most awesome view....) :)

as the log stack emerges... what are they using in between the logs to keep them in place and as a moisture barrier?
is it chinking? or butylene tape? please tell us more...

does the community that the cabin is being built have any restrictions as to what landscaping can be done?

will wait for more discussion on these subjects.
keep us informed of the fun that you all will be having. for you know the old saying...all work and no play will make for a boring blog cabin.
and i doubt that there has ever been a boring day since the conception of this idea.

Amy
I can only offer you advice on a couple o' things.
1. Skin So Soft for "skeeters"
2. Fast (REALLY FAST!) running shoes for the yellow jackets. They have attitude.
3. Patience, patience, patience. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "we'll get someone out there first thing in the morning". First thing in the morning is often a week or so away!

Helpful hints:
Poison Ivy

"Leaves of three, let them be.",
"Berries white, take flight!", and
"Hairy Rope, Don't be a Dope!"

Be careful

Problem with roof-beam setting: In this modern age there are so many roof trusses that do not require a roof beam. Hope you are enjoying all the lore and traditions of the Appalachians. Sure wish you'd have that walk-out (drive out?) basement.....

Greetings all!
I will wish right along with you Connie, having a walk-out/drive out basement would be such a plus to the cabin.
A mud room/utilty room with a utiltiy sink and a full size washer dryer would be great. Plenty of workspace for all the DIY projects.

The space under the stairs where the stackable washer/dryer are supossed to be, could be made into a small half bath for company.

I read on HGTV MB where a professional home builder pre-wired electricity and telephone inside closets that were on each floor and large enough to fit a wheelchair. Extra reinforcement was built into the walls. This way if/when the homeowner decided to put the elevater in, removal of the closet floors and installation would be ready to go. Talk about thinking ahead and a good selling feature for the houses he has built. It is amazing how creative people are.

If you wanted to surprise the winner with an added bonus, the outdoor water feature would knock their socks off!) (Doesn't hurt to drop a hint now and then :) ) Have a great day!

Measure twice, cut once.

Tell me that's not a dark stain on this cabin?!!
Logs (like my pine log cabin) deserve to be left natural in color. If you haven't put anything on the logs yet please use CWF-UV from Flood on MY CABIN!!!

"Hot Diggity" Amy, I couldn't believe my eyes. You look like you have everything under control and everything is going smoothly. I my heart just got warm all over to see this little girl out there working hard just like the fellers. Good going girl. But please be careful little one. Love the pictures. You just don't know how much it means to be able to watch. It is like we are right there with you.

Hi, Ya'all!

Great to see gallery of pics for breaking ground. Blessing ceremonies, what a tradition! Would love to see a blessing ceremony. Will the cabin have a basement? Wow to have a basement again. In NC you only get a basement if the house is built on a hill, but most times there are just crawlspaces. Sometimes you can actually crawl into them.

Love the idea of instant hot water. Have been checking out that possibility for our house. With 2.5 baths, dishwasher and clothes washer hot water can get to be a premium with several people living under the same roof, all on different schedules. Was reading about instant heaters the other day and did not know they also make models to work as a booster,too. Will there be well water too? Is this cabin to be a permanent home or just a place to light when the stress gets to us all?

If it's to be a permanent home, a built in generator sure sounds like a good idea. Along with the handicap accessibility.

Pictures make me think about the deer roaming the hills and meadows, and the birds singing in the trees. At night the peepers and crickets singing their melodies, will lull you to sleep.

Love it! Love it! Love it!!!!!!!

Amy, you could not have picked a nicer, enviromentally subdivision then Kinzel Springs! I can honestly say that since I am the chairman of the Blount County Planning Commission. This will be truly a great experience for all that has any interests in mountainous living. Just make sure that Richard Maples and his crew take good care of you. Thank you for choosing this area for one of your shows and I plan on stopping by and seeing the project. Best of wishes. Jim Scully

Hi Amy ! and the Blog Cabiners !

This works for us, thought we'd share it with the whole team !

A good method to keep bugs at bay ~ use a little of that mentholatum rub: " Vicks Vapo Rub" on your ear rims, hat, back of your neck, ankles...
it really does keep those biting insects away.

( You will smell like a eucapyptus-eating Koala Bear, but since you're not building the blog cabin in the Australian outback, you should be safe from attack by hordes of maurauding koalas !!)

Love from Goldilocks and the-bite-free-mentholatum-Three-Bears. :o)

Hi Amy,

You really looked like you are ready to go to work in that slide show. Nothing like pretty girls and power tools. And from the tone of your blog one who really knows how to get things done. It looks so wonderful to see the green sprouting these winter woods in to spring. The cabin comming up from the forest floor is like a metaphor for spring itself. I know that is corny as hell but there it is.

Greetings Bloggers! To Kathy S., just wanted to mention there is an outdoor water feature! There is a natural flowing mountain stream on this property where the cabin is going to be placed! In my opinion, the best water feature is a natural flowing water feature; in addition, it's the greenest too!

When I seen the video and pictures...I was suprised and it knocked my socks off too! Whew! I had to catch my breath and put my socks back on my feet! This is truely an added bonus for the winner!

It's raining all down the east and east coast today. Sounds like a huge waterfall out here!!!

Till next time-Happy Blogging!!

Amy, Ron...
Have mercy on us BlogCabiners. Patiently waiting for any bit of news. Missing you guys. Checking daily for new blogs or pictures. Hungry for details. (A live webcam at the site?) Hmm that sounds tasty. That would free your time up:)

Here's a Tennessee fact: It is illegal to harm or kill a snake in the state of Tennessee.

Life is Sweet! Until next time....

I love Kathy’s idea to have plenty of space for DIY projects. My husband and I are firm believers of DIY. I'd like to see some directions on "HOW TO USE POWER TOOLS” or a warning sign “BEWARE OF POWER TOOLS” added as my husband is accident prone. I grimace a bit when my husband gets out table saws, electric screwdrivers, ladders and power tools. In the past few years he has had project related injuries. He has jumped off a roof and landed his foot into a roofing nail. It went directly into his shoe and into the center of his foot. He also has cut off the tip of his thumb with a table saw. Then there was the time when he screwed himself to his fishing shanty and I found him in a small pool of blood in the middle of winter. Luckily he was able to unscrew himself. The screw went directly into his thumb nail and out the other side. We know the ambulance driver by his first name now!

Hey Amy!
We seen you working hard along with the other builders! Just want to give you heads up on a spa resort located in Seiverville, Tennessee called Oak Haven Spa for those tired muscles and it's a great stress reliever! Try the ice-cream pedicure too and take the crew along with you (if it won't stress you out more!) Go to www.oakhavenspa.com for more information.

Thank you sooooooo much for the pictures! Another SUPRISE!! The cabin has started and send some more pictures!! How about a live web cam of the cabin going up in Kinzel Springs? That way we can all supervise! What do ya'll think about a Web Cam? DIY Network Director, Ron, can we get a LIVE WEB CAM on the site? DIY Administator, Watson, how about a LIVE WEB CAM? Another great idea!! I'll blog for it and how about each of you bloggers? Just a another suggestion!

Thanks for the slide show pics,the cabin looks bigger than I thought. Such a beautiful location and you looked beautiful too!

Hi Amy and DIY Gang!~
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful weather in Kinzel Springs...I'm doing 'swimingly' here at the Jersey Shore where the Nor'Eastern has hit and brought record rains to the tri-state areas.
I'm glad it isn't affecting the cabin construction. I hope you are all using your Deet spray. With the warm winter that we had I'm sure the biting critters are out. Wear socks over long pants and a hat on your head to prevent deer tick bites. (lymes disease)

Amy & DIY Crew:
Congratulations on the ground breaking. I enjoy looking at the progress pictures. After reading the other blogger comments, it looks like you've received plenty of great advise. I would like to second the suggestion of the instant hot water heater, if it's available in the budget. I expect that would be a much appriciated feature even if it was overlooked by most people.
We wish you good luck with the construction and hope your tribulations are many and your trials few.

Thank You!!! Thank You! For the wonderful pictures! It looks so beautiful. You guys are so hard at work. It is interesting to watch the Blog Cabin come together. Thank you all for your time and skills you are dedicating toward this project. The winners will be blessed to win this home that has been built the best.

Life is sweet!! Have a great day!
Until next time...

Wow! Yeah!!!! We have walls.... Lookin' Gooooood!

Looks like we have crawl space underneath. Will that space get closed in and what materials get used for that? Hope my comments get into the system this time.... Seems that it says is accepted my post, but don't always see it after the [post. Oh, well. This is fairly new to me.

Looks like things are movin' along. Can't wait to the interior stuff.. That will be the real challenge. Hope you are staying warm. Last nights weather was not great for building projects. Windy, windy, windy. Keep up the good work.

I like how you "accidentally" matched the picture of the plant up with this comment...........

Just Gettin' Started
Amy is working hard building the cabin that you could win.

AND

The picture of the building site is matched up with the plant comment. :)

FUNNY!

Hi Amy,
I'll second all the "Whoo Hoo's"! You claim to not be a pro a log cabins but I have the feeling that you'll be right on top of things from start to finish. By the way, I still offer you that drink of your choice while we hopefully sit together on that screened in porch. God bless and good luck.

Just saw the site pictures for the first time! What a great location! I can't wait to see the finished cabin and, to be able to get my entry/entries in for it!

Best wishes to all who are working on it!

Just wondering... when can we start entering to win the house?

Hello overthere somewhere on the top of a Tennessee mountain in Kinzel Springs! Are we still blogging? Is everyone doing well over there? Got anymore pictures? What about a video? Would a live web cam be appropriate in times like this...no blogging new news?

Amy have ya had a chance to visit the oak haven spa? How is the cabin coming along? I've been checking everyday for new news and would love to hear from you!

The slide show is awesome!
The picture of Amy standing with the drill looks like she has definetly got things under control.
When I saw the picture of Paul, Ron and Watson following Matt Maples down the dirt road surrounded by those huge trees, I couldn't help but sing; "hi,ho, hi,ho, it's off to work we go...".
Keep those pictures coming they are great.

Dear Amy,Ron,Watson and crew,
It is understandable with all the work involved in building the Blog Cabin there is not much time left in the day for blogging or picutres. Everyone must be exhausted and all they want is to pull their boots off and rest. Not sure if this would work, but what about having a Blog Cabin Topic under Home Building on the Message Board? Surely I am not the only one having serious Blog Cabin withdrawal symptoms and will graciously accept anything Blog Cabin you send our way.
P.S. But please hurry.
Thanks, Kathy S.

hey amy...did you forget about us??? that day or two has been almost 3 weeks now...and i was just getting the hang of checking in! write soon and keep us updated, please??
brenda

Hi Amy!
This is a very exciting concept. Good luck with the project!

One other caution...can you say CHIGGERS??! Not sure about that part of the mountain but these little bitty red critters are smaller than you can see, burrow under your skin and have a feast. Then they move and do it again. Some say to put flea and tick collars on your ankles. Research it on the internet an you can find some serious stuff for it. However, if you every tangle with them, you'll never forget it!

Good luck!

Jack

Hi Amy,
My family loves the Great Smoky Mountains, especially Townsend,TN so we were very excited when we heard about the blog cabin being built there on our last visit. We were told about it just a few weeks ago when we visited Townsend. I can't wait for the chance to enter to win. Townsend is full of very helpful, friendly people and we end up staying there everytime we vacation there. I loved all the choices that were voted on and can't wait to watch the progress of this cabin. Enjoy spring in the Smokies. It's one of the most beautiful times of year there!
God Bless,
Melissa
p.s. I think the hot tub idea is a great one as well as the outdoor water feature. I know voting is over but agree with the blogger that said the outdoor water feature would be an incredible suprise to the winner. WHo wouldn't want their own personal waterfall in the Smokies and we always try to get a rental cabin that has a hottub.

Just took a look at the slide show. How amazing to watch this project. Can't wait to see more pics.

Jack mentioned those nasty chiggers. Once, when visiting my sister in Atlanta, I encountered those nasty beasts. My sister suggested that I paint nail polish over the "bite" (we'll call it a bite so as not to make those unfamiliar squeamish). I don't know if it actually did any good; however, it was less itchy. Say Southern Bloggers, just in case the winner is unfamiliar with these critters, was my sister right?

To Jan: April 23, 5:13, yes your sister is right, clear nail polish will smother the chiggers, u can also use rubbing alcohol to relieve the itch. at least for a while. the best thing though, is don't go into high weeds and always wear long pants, and a long sleeved shirt if u do go.

also, to amy, I thought that u were coming to leave some more comments in a few days? That was 2 weeks ago. Waiting for some new info. anxiously waiting. lol. Hope all is well in TN. good ole southern spring and all.

Best wishes to all fellow bloggers and DIY staffers.

I've always loved the exterior and interior of a log cabin home...from the troop houses of a boy scout camp to the ultimate estate located in the northern woods of Michigan. Small or large, they each have their own charm. I voted many times on selections for the log home interior. A vast majority of them were selected. Can't wait for the segments to begin being televised! Any idea on what flowers/shrubs will be used in the landscaping? Could we vote on that as well? Amy, you're such a delight.

This wonderful home is taking shape nicely, hope this weeks weather doesn't bring you to a halt.
Keep up the good works.

I don’t want to wait till the end of Summer :( , I want it now. Who with me?
save your time and join me. ;)

How do I find out the winner of the DIY Log cabin?