How exciting! I can't believe you broke ground already. I'm ready to watch Blog Cabin 2!! ~Betty~

Hi Ahmed,
So glad to hear you asked that all the existing plant material be saved. You just never know what you can re-use. I assume these are all native plants and that's what will be the most successful on "our" lot, as you know. I move things around on my property all the time with great success.

I'm sure you learned a lot in your career to date and will represent those of us who are blogging and hoping to win the 2008 cabin as if we were there ourselves. I'll look forward to your keeping us in the loop on progress!

Welcome Ahmed!

Glad to finally hear that we have broken ground for our Lakeside retreat. Spring is breaking already here in NC and will soon be in TN.

I am confident that you can do the job that needs to be done. You'll have a lot of help getting ideas for the cabin. Having seen some of your old shows, you are willing to take a challenge. Be prepared for the heat of summer and what that entails.

Can't wait to get those ground breaking pictures and following updates. Hope you have someone recording the changes for you so you can concentrate on the actual building.

So, again Welcome to the chaos!

Welcome Ahmed!

It is great to hear that you have broken ground! Not to mention the new great choices to choose from! I came back from vacation to find the plans, and quickly after new choices and great news from Ahmed. Back to catching up on the blogs.

OMGSH! That was an ingenious idea to have the cabin cam! To see this gorgeous cabin go up and change day by day, well, it just builds my excitement more and more. I feel like it is my home already (one can pray!) and how amazing would it be if that were true and I got to watch it go up every day! Well, whoever gets this house, I hope they/me enjoy this entire process, as it is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Welcome 'elusive' Ahmed. Great to hear from you and especially good to hear that you will be incorporating pre-existing material from the site where possible. A small plea from me is please keep things as 'natural' and use as many indigenous plants as possible. Sometimes we overlook the really beautiful, and hardy indigenous plants, for the spectacular but sometimes hard to maintain or too invasive exotic species. If you can keep the yard as low water demanding as possible that would be my preference too. No harm is getting my shot in early I hope?

I'm especially interested in your part as I have a 'honey do' list which is headed by 'resurect the back and front yards' for this year. I'm looking for inspiration.

Hi again Ahmed. I was just looking at the cabin cam. It really does help to get a perspective of the size of the property and the house site when seen in relation to the trucks, people and earth moving equipment. I noticed some really nice looking logs, presumably from some necessary tree felling? Any ideas on how you might incorporate them into a feature? Possibly a rustic arbor or a tree fort for the kids and/or the young at heart?

Will the gully in front of the garage lend itself to a dry dreek bed type of landscaping feature? This would be a fun project and also allow a course for any seasonal water runoff from the facing slope.

Hi! Well, I am late getting in on this, but Simon, Please, PLEASE!!! shave off that beard.

You look like a criminal with it. I know why my husband hates to shave and has a closely shaven beard, which by the way looks nice, but goodness that wild and woolly look is just not for you.

I considered a lot of the options in the current vote for my own home remodeling projects. Cork flooring seems to me to be a very green way to go and it looks great.

Thanks for the chance to share my ideas.
Virginia

Yeah!!!!!! Thanks for the update Ahmed! I am so excited that the building is finally starting! The cabin camera was a great idea, and I can't wait to see what neat ideas you have planned for the on-site material. Keep up the great work guys!

Wow Ahmed,
So happy to hear from you and the great news: that ground breaking has occurred. YES!!! You sound as excited as us bloggers. And we know the diy cabin is in great hands! Can't wait to see the daily camera shots! I am so excited & honored to be a part of this Blog cabin. I absolutely can not wait to see the beautiful collaboration between the (real)ity ground workers and house builders etc, and the virtual reality world of the bloggers winning selections combining forces to build the Diy Blog cabin. Which will be another hit season for diy! I'm sure! Can't wait!!!!

Thanks to all at DIY. The Cabin cam is great. But it would be nice if it was a LIVE CAM!! That way we could watch 24/7. See the sun rise and set, watch the weather. And when the crew goes home at nite we can watch the deer come out and play.

Glenn/Stephanie
Las Vegas,NV

Hi guys just trying to veiw the cabin cam. I saw a picture of a backhoe on the lot(really cool) and then it went away. (not cool) What program do we need to run the cabin cam? It is trying to download but it is taking a long long time. Maybe it's me being impatient! Not sure! Can you help?

How exciting!!! Can't wait to watch my...um...I mean the DIY cabin go up. Tee hee.
Thank you for the update. :o)

Wait...There's a cabin cam???? Where?

Nice to finally hear from you! Ground breaking is very exciting. I am going to check out that cam right now! Thanks for the feedback.

Ok I have the cabin cam downloading on another window and it has taken at least a half hour maybe longer. Is it supposed to take this long or have I done something wrong? Do I have the wrong viewer? I don't understand because, I can see the 360 tour and the other little video clips. I'm having a cabin cam melt down! Need your help! Please!!!!!

Greetings Ahmed!
Love the Cabin Cam.
I'm curious, did Chris grow a beard also? :)

Last years Blog Cabin Prize was apx. $350,000.00
would you be kind enough to give us a ball park figure for The 2008 Green Blog Cabin Prize?
Thanks

Hi Carie Miracle.
Not sure what your internet connection is but it would seem it's either dial-up or a slower DSL system. The images load really quickly with a good broadband or cable connection which I am fortunate enough to have. Check your computer speed also. Maybe it's time for a little more RAM or a faster processor. That's the trouble with new technology, it become old almost as soon as it hits the shelves in the stores.
You may want to check your security and pop-up blockers too in case they are slowing things down?
I hope things speed-up soon. It really is a cool site. It certainly shows how big the cabin will be.

Is the progress of the cabin going to be shown on the DIY channel? When will you start showing it on TV? Also, I'm wanting the cabin to be Handicapped Accessible. You have not said whether you are going to do this or not.

Welcome Ahmed!

We have all been waiting for your first post. What a glorious way to begin the journey with you, today!

Glad tidings and best wishes ...
A Muse

WTG Ahmed and Blog Cabin Team. Now the fun
begins, no pun intended. I wish you good
weather and no problems. Have one question
about the small master bedroom with 3 entry doors?? Where is the bed going? Your not
leaving much wall space, where is the bed
going in the middle of the room?? If so,
can there be a 1/2 wall partian to put the bed against facing the fence doors? Does there
have to be a side door when you already have french doors? Please think about intrusions and
security in an area supposedly for sleeping and privacy. Overall the house plan looks wonderful and anyone would be proud to live there. Thanks to DIY and Blog Cabineers.

I watched the video about details.I hope we use some of those things in our cabin.What really makes a cabin feel homey is racks[Deer or moouse] by stair cases and in living rooms!When does the entry for the cabin winning start????HOPE I WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello CabinHuggers!

VERACITY CHECK: Important note to BlognBob …. After completing 12 hours in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) because an RN must always be on duty, and my dear counterpart, Claire called in sick and in no condition to be around the precious babes, I looked forward to catching up on the Cabin Blog. I took a minute to catch up on the comments posted, even though there were already two additional places to post at during my absence. But, when I read your comment –Feb 21-, I just had to read through the entire 460 (!) comments posted to that window. BlognBob, I found nothing of the sort in your posts that sounded the least bit “critical” towards my posts, me, or anyone else for that matter. Please don’t worry! In my opinion, 2008 CabinHuggers are extraordinary.... a robust, often feisty, off-site 'building team' who seek to be better prepared to be a contributing force in this awesome DIY experience. So whether one chooses to stand on a soapbox, shout their thoughts on high, or offer just a little whisper of their dreams for the cabin’s future or their own, I find each and every entry a gift. (And, may I add Kudos to your wife for her work with the deaf (does she use ASL or one of the newer methods like the TYPEWELL program? )

Even Joe’s Skeeter Bites post of Feb 23rd, had a nugget of wisdom in it and I found an inkling that even Joe thinks many of us are destined to be a part of an extraordinary experience at the end of the rainbow build! So, in proper Muse fashion, I added Citronella candles (bunches of them) to the ever growing Housewarming shopping list, reminding myself that we may need them as Cabincraver had also invited everyone (all of us) to the place if she wins!

Also, just to let you know, my campaign for the dumbwaiter, laundry chute and elevator does not spring forth from my own needs, but, simply because, I have seen that so often, it is NOT lack of compassion that causes people to avoid mobility issues, but, rather, it is a fear for what their own future status may hold. So, like the sentiments of so many others, I too, joined in and would like to encourage the build to include some features that can adapt to the changing circumstances of the occupants. It still rings true, as my charming Gran-Mama often offered: “nobody ever really plans for getting hit by a bus, but maybe they should.”

Now that the ground breaking has occurred, many decisions have already been made. I am ever hopeful that the powers that be, in their wisdom, were able to find ways to incorporate some of the brilliant suggestions offered by the CabinHuggers.

The next few months will be a revelation as the cabin goes from head and heart to wood and substance.

And as the future unfolds I hope we will all continue to contribute to this grand adventure. It may be easy for some to become disheartened, if they believe that there is only one winner in this experience. But, for me, (and I believe for many of us), even if we never get to turn the key in the door lock, we ARE the winners.... for focusing on the sheer pleasure of breathing life and soul into this dwelling is a life lesson and a prize we all can savor.

Glad Tidings to one and all...
a muse

fun to have the cabin cam, but WOW! unless there are designated greenbelts between properties, this cabin will be pretty closely wedged between naighbors. And I guess I can kiss my children's log fort idea goodbye. Whine, whine, whine:

Wow. This is going to be so exciting, just like building my own house.

Thanks for saving the native growth. Now to go find the "cam"

Janet

Hey Ahmed, its cool that you are doing this. I can't wait to see blog cabin two... its exciting... i love seeing new ideas and ideas that america chose being brought to life. It should be a great experience and you should enjoy it.

This is so exciting. It was so hard to choose from all the wonderful products. I will never get a chance to build a new home but through this network I can feel like I am building my own new home. So cool!! By the way, be sure to SHAVE!! scary, very scary! :)

Ahmed, Wow ! The lot looks great. . Good placement on the cam. It is so nice to get some real perspective for the lay of the land.
Thank You again for preserving what you could from the area for re-use. I am certain this means a great deal to many! Including myself.
I know this landscape project is in the best of hands.
A 24 hour cam would be cool. It is also really nice to view the sequential process too though.
I wonder if they would allow a tiny fish pond to keep your own private stock for the kids . I know that's a stretch but some friends of mine had one, Greatest fun to see the little ones fishing it.
It would also be really nice if some promoter might offer a special tax cutting cash bonus prize to the winner that really wants to keep this cabin as a home. It would be really a shame to have to sell such a beautiful place if it was just for taxes.

Thanks for keeping, to reuse, as much from the site as possible.

The man cave should not have a vote from family members other that the MAN!!!!!! :) therefore, he voted rec room!!!

Ok I must be officially crazy! When I went back to the cabin cam section: it said a new picture would be added each day. I made the excited mistake it would be live cam from the cabin site.

WOW! WOW! WOW!
Who would have guess that you have already broke ground! Thanks so much for the cabin cam. I just could not believe that the site was being prepared in early Feb.
I love everything about the 2008 log cabin the location being able to vote (which I have from the beginning), blog and now watch it each day is just more than we could ask for.
Thanks Ahmed, Chris, Darlene, Watson and the rest of the crew.
Tell Chris to shave the beard!
I am just dreaming of me and my husband retiring in the beautiful log cabin. That would be the life!
Dreaming and Blogging
Joyce

have officially broken ground...

Yea, a cabin cam. Now we truly know what the lot looks like in proportion to people and vehicles. By the way, it looks simply wonderful. Can't wait to watch the cabin go up, this is so much fun!!!! Thank you, Thank you.

Ok Ok I found the cabin cam! Duh...
OMGOSH! It is so amazing to watch it starting to take shape! It makes me hunger for it all the more. This is going to be soooo much fun and TORTUROUS!(sp?) I wanna win I wanna win I wanna win!!! As all of you do too. :o)

Hi,
As always, it's fun to pick the parts wanted in the 2008 "cabin."

Liked the nickel bathroom fixtures, instead of routine chrome. Tile rear foyer floor; it's pretty and looks like it can take a lot of traffic. Kitchen backsplash tile was unlike anything I expected...so I picked it.

And the man cave...uhm...hard choices...if one room encompassed all three (exercise equipment, area for theater, computer area, and a smaller poker table)it would be perfect!

Finally, the young man has a very nice chiseled, youthful, handsome face...why cover it with a beard?
Roberta

i understand that most people have ideas on how to design the overall look of a 'dreamhome'
i also understand that most people want experience (either pro or semi-pro) when it comes to the outward design of their home.
I'm here to say that, while I'm only amateur and they are only ideas right now that are yet to be realized.
I'm looking into becoming a pro home designer, a pro home designer that thinks "outside the box", a pro home designer that has "tomorrow's" ideas, a pro home designer that wants to be a 'trend-setter' not a "trend-follower".
i think just because they built homes in one shape back in the 20s doesn't mean that todays homes should also be that way.
i design dreams and far out ideas.
==================================================
when i say 'dreamhome' i don't mean HGTV dreamhome per-se I'm not so bold as to think i could do a better job in designing THE home then any of the past ones(which where all great in their own right)
==================================================
I'm just putting the word out so as to break-in to peoples thoughts..

HI All,
This is so exciting!Ground Breaking!
I do hope you will be able to recycle the trees back into the cabin and-or the land. I can't tell what type of trees are on the land but if any are hard wood (oak,or walnut)maybe they could be used for shelves in closets or doors.I would hate for them to be fire wood if they could be milled and used in the cabin.
The cabin cam will be great tool for us bloggers. I see some of us are having trouble with loading. Im not very knowledgeable with such things, hope I don't.
Ahmed, thanks for the info. Blessing to Erica and her Mom.
Sammie

Welcome Ahmed!!

Glad to see you've finally made it to the site! We love the idea of the cabin cam, but as others have mentioned, would really love to see it go up as a live cam rather than still shots. Any chance that might change in the future? Really enjoyed watching that shots of the ground breaking so far.

We really like the idea of you holding on to all native materials from the site for use later in either construction, landscaping or any other uses that might arise.

Anyway, we look forward to watching as the cabin goes up and the real work starts on both the interior and exterior. Glad to see the voting is overwhelmingly in favor of Symon shaving his beard. As far as we are concerned, it doesn't have to come completely off, but at least trim it a lot closer. I let mine grom out for the winter myself, but it's almost time for me to shave also. Most will come off and the rest will be trimmed to a "5" length with my trimmer.

Thanks for listening and for jumping in on this project Ahmed, good luck... you'll need it. You have a LOT of work and headaches ahead of you.

Rob & Tracey

There seems to be much ado about Man Caves these days as evidenced by the inclusion on a Man Cave in this cabin. I am happy to see a space/room created especially for the man of the house. So, I'm wondering what you have in mind for the Woman Cave. A private sanctuary just for the woman of the house to pursue her favorite activities.

Good Morning DIY!!!!
Ahmed, Welcome! I love the cabin cam! It feels like I am right there. How amazing! I loved seeing the the backhoe working and getting this lot ready for this beautiful cabin! The soil looks beautiful, and I am looking forward to seeing the landscaping done. I feel that this is actually when the fun starts for me. I love watching the transformation of a piece of earth, surrounded by trees to be prepared to become the foundation of this beautiful cabin. I was trying to pictures the different seasons there. It is just going to be great. Again, thank you for this privlege to be a part of the wonderful project. Blessings to all....and Happy Blogging!

Welcome Ahmed!

Hurray! Ground broken!

Here we go, can't wait to see the first segments on DIY! When?

Is there a possibility of a dock down at the lake? The new owner may have a boat!

Glad to hear that everything possible will be saved!

cabin cam??
well thats pretty smart.
a cabin cam inside a irobot or even a remote control car or in a pinch you can put a cam inside a idog.

just a few improvements on a already stellar idea!

Groundbreaking...awesome. Simon needs to lose the beard...it adds years on to his appearance. Ahmed, we're counting on you to represent us, you are our elected official.

Awwwh! I am so excited. I can't wait to show my husband the new floor plans. It's perfect!

You all are doing a WONDERFUL job! I can't wait to see it completed.
Thanks for the update.

Hi Ahmed,

Love seeing the webcam for the cabin and glad to see the progress being made. Can wait to see the basement being dug and the actual building of the cabin being done. I was disappointed to see all the trees that were taken down - sorry that we could not save more of the trees for shade in the hot summer months along with a place for a hammock!!! Thought the lot was a little larger than it actually is - the new pictures from the webcam give a better picture of the actual size.

Will be interested in seeing Chris and Simon doing the building of the cabin once again. Glad everyone is voting for Simon to shave but with the beard it is easier to tell the boys apart!

Hi Ahmed,

Have enjoyed picking the products to go into the Blog cabin. Glad ground has been broken and can't wait for the new shows to are. Simond you got to shave off that beard. I know that you are a good old boy but thats just to much.

I love the cabin cam! I only wish it started from the begining, before the ground was broke and went to current. I think it would be easier to see the progress. :o)

Hello Ahme
Glad to see you and thanks to you and DIY for the Cabin Cam. Now after reading the Blogs I can watch our votes come to reality. Also it will be enjoyable to watch you, Chris and Simon [minus the beard] work togather. Last year looked like you had fun for the short time you work togather.
Will Amy show up this year with you? Talk to you later. GOOD LUCK TO ALL

RacyTay, the cabin cam can be found by going to the Blog Cabin home page, and then clicking on either the picture of it on the left or the "CABIN CAM" button at the top of the page.
Think you need high speed internet access for it to work well, dial up would probably take a very long time to load.
Wish the slideshow didn't run backwards (from today to the first day of groundbreaking.) I get confused!
Really loving the latest choices - we could hardly go wrong!
Thanks, DIY

Love all of the changes in the floor plans. Can't wait to see the cabin take shape. Go DIY Go!!!

I really, really, really hope DIY and Barna Homes adopted the request by Jane Turner (feb 26) to install a pot filler above the cooktop in the cabin blueprints. What an Excellant Suggestion!

Also... thank you for removing the Rear Entry notation from the now posted 'final plans' .... again it is refreshing to know you do consider our comments and the reasons behind them. Anxious to see if a complete new 'what you see is what you get' floorplan will be posted with the correct windows and all and if it will label the area as a mudroom and indicate the addition of a nice, deep farm sink and cubbies for storage.

An entry from the front yard with a place to rinse off hands and stash 'found nature walk items' as well as the ideal place to ice down a big ol' watermelon would serve this area/level of the place very well.

And, two final question...Will there be a utility sink in the garage for outdoor chores (car washing, fish cleaning, etc.)? Also, any chance it is not too late to install a drain in the garage floor? Snow and ice in the winter brought in on cars will eventually melt, and pulling in a freshly washed car out of the sunlight to dry it off means dripping/standing water, too. A drain in the garage floor would address any standing water issues.
Thanks for your consideration.

Thank you, Ahmed and Watson, for the CabinCam. I watched all the shots that were available. I would also have preferred to see the earliest dates first, and the most recent photo last, kind of like a time-lapse shot of the site prep and cabin progress.

I also would love to be able to watch 'real-time' footage of what is happening on site with a continuous feed, but that is probably going to be expensive, in term of website bandwidth.

I hope that the crews working on the days that DIY is not actively filming don't feel too self-conscious about the CabinCam, or quickly learn to forget that it is even there.

Since I do not get DIY on my cable lineup, I will have to count on the website for all my news and updates. So I REALLY appreciate the CabinCam.

Quick question for Ahmed... Is there any poison ivy, or similar plants to which many people are allergic on the site? And if so, will it be part of your plan to remove them to make the site less hazardous to the construction crew and eventual owner?

Thanks Clive for the info
I'm not much with computers as you can tell: with my melt down, yesterday. I'll have to get hubby to check those pop up & security blockers you are telling me about, to see if that help or fixes the problem. I did at least get to see the first picture of the slide. I can be thankful for that at least. We do have cable connection as well it's supposed to be the fastest around our area and a newer computer less than a year old. But like you said technology updates faster than we can adapt to it. Especially me, This computer tries to download the slide, but it never finishes, nearly drove me nuts. But again Clive I appreciate you taking the time to help me! I'm looking forward to seeing it sooon hopefully!

That is an excellent suggestion by T.C. for a sink in the Garage . Nice to have a place to wash up, clean fish ,and boots off. Man, I have always wished we had one. The drain is also an excellent idea as well. I hope they might put one in the lower patio areas as well.
Hey A Muse, My wife signs in ASL,ESL and reverse interprets. We spent about 2 months in NICU with our little girl. She is our miracle child.
Yes ! Pot filler over the stove ! It is funny how such a little thing makes life so much easier.
I do hope they will go with lighting under the cabinets in the kitchen too. Really brightens up a place.
Another thing might be one of those...uh, what do you call those spigots with the ready boiling hot water. Now that would be really it ! Especially when you want hot chocolate. Just put one over by the kitchen bar area with its little mini sink and , NICE ! Instant hot beverage. Uhh, oh ! time to wake up. Let's go fishin !
They got some of them big catfish in that lake?

I love the Blog Cabins!!! What about a farm sink? How does one enter to win? When or will anyone be allowed to visit the site? Welcom Ahmed.

WOW!!! It's really happening, we have officially broke ground

Welcome Ahmed, Happy to hear from you. Thanks for keeping and to reuse material from the site. Right Its ours and we want it!

I am so happy that you will be representing us bloggers in the built!

Love the cabin cam! But wish it was a live cam so we can see the sun rise and check out the built anytime we want too!

Thanks DIY team for this blog and including us in all the choices for this wonderful log cabin! Already dreaming it belongs to me!

Sue from Florida

I noticed that there are alot of comments on where to place the master bed. Could it not be caddy cornered in the left back corner or maybe it could be centered on the great room wall? Where you can see out the back french doors to your left when in bed. Or just maybe the room could house a very tall, huge, log branched, & rustic canopy framed bed that could be positioned away from the closet walls a bit, centered in the room somewhat, facing the lake view. Views of sunsets or sunrises almost guaranteed, and thus leaving space to freely get in & out of, around the bed & to go through the hall to the closets and bath and all of those doors. I would also love to see frosted glass pocket doors for the closets. Be pretty to light up at night. Antiqued reclaimed wood doors for the master bedroom entrance and the bathroom door would be cool! I agree it would be easier to visualize furniture placement if we knew the exact size of the rooms. We all are dreaming of where to place what where. I do hope there will be sufficient room to walk around the bed where ever it is placed. I hate squeezing between the bed and the wall and especially despise stubbing toes because of tight spaces.
Could we also have insulated double glassed french door sliders going onto the back porch and then maybe the master side porch door could be moved closer toward the closet possibly? It would add more in room square footage for furniture placements. You then would not have to leave room for the doors to open in or open out onto the deck and take up space. It would make more square footage either way. I look forward to the next round of voting and can not wait to see the master zen bath materials, tub, power shower tiling, faucets & sinks & flooring!! Can we vote on them next or all the energy efficient appliances , like brands, styles and colors for the kitchen. I love the bronze looked faucets for the kitchen and baths. They do have a rustic but elegant look to them. That's what I want to upgrade to when time permitts us to finish our renovating.

Been interesting how people vote. I actually hopes for the Willow model instead of having the upstairs, but all are a nice choice. Fireplace choices are a hard one, with wood burning we need to cut down trees, with gas we need to use the fuel.
Looking forward to seeing it as it gets built.

Hi ya'll, I try to drop in daily to read all the blog's about the log cabin. But, I find that I'm here more often to check on cabincraver2008. I hope everything is good for her now. Also like to read amuse's blogs, very interesting.
Love the cabin cam!! I have experience on construction sites, especially log home construction sites....so can't wait to watch the process by someone else. Missed most of last years cabin, so glad to be here from the beginning.
See ya tomorrow!

Hi Ahmed,

The Cabin Cam is cool. It'll be great to watch the daily progress. I do have a suggestion/question about it, however. Could the slide show be set up to advance forward, rather than in reverse, while still enabling the latest image to be the first one shown when landing on the page? Or at least make it an option for viewing? Thanks.

John

Hi Bloggers,
Finally got dug out of the Michigan snow and mustered the energy to get back on line. What a treat to see actual ground and sun at the homesite. Thanks for the cam pictures. I feel like I'm there assisting with the building of our fantasy cabin. You'll never know how relaxing this is to read what others have to say, espically after a long day in the classroom.
Awesome job Ahmed. Thanks for everything.

p.s. Hey Muse, I love what you had to write about this being an extraordinary experience. We truely are all blessed to share in this experience. Are we all invited if you win?

Take care fellow bloggers. The real fun is just begun!

Hi,

Love the the cabin cam.

Took a look at the final floor plan also but noticed that the basement/garage floor plan was left out, anyway we can see what that will look like other than from the outside?

Really excited to see all the happenings at the building site and like everyone else hoping to win.

I dont know about DIY but im pretty tired of seeing EVERY house with a marble backslpash, and EVERY house with a tile floor, man come on, its a lakehouse, slap some tile on the wall give a comforting yet brute look. Cork floors, amazing..no maint, waterproof, spingy, no grout lines!!! haha i mean i will probably love the out come anyhow but man im sick of every house looking the same, a house in the country should not be designed by city bored housewifes.. .and keep the beard

This is awesome!

THANK YOU for letting me help you all *shop* for the decor and such! This is great!

Love the camera cam- I have made it my home page!

CHEERS!
Stella Vio

The Cabin Cam is great, Thank you
Wish it was live to watch the progress...
Maybe a couple more pic's a day would help!

I'm still worried that no steps off the back deck to the yard is a saftey issue. (or has it been updated?)
Thank you for letting me be apart of the Blog gang! Susan

Blogger Mystery,
We have a mystery on our hands bloggers, “Kate by the Lake” has not annoyed us in some time. I hope she is okay and hope to hear from her soon; I have not slept in awhile and reading her INSIGHTFULL bloggs always help. Hopefully she has not been censored by Mr. Watson or one of his lackeys.

I know I'm late getting on here, but after watching the 2007 cabin build I,ve become more interested in the process.

I am probably being self serving here, being a Paraplegic,,,still I don't see any reason the present floor plan couldn't accomodate a few ADA requirements.

Making sure all the doors and halls are wide enough for a wheelchair, and perhaps a little thought to accessability in the kitchen and one bathroom, might make the thought of inviting someone like me a bit easier to take.

Even a ramp down to the lake in this project could go a long way in spreading the "access" word.

Whatever you choose to do,,,you did well last time and I expect nothing less this.

best wishes,
ed

Hi! I am Crystal and I am a "Blog Cabinaholic"! Hi Crystal! Glad to be welcomed to the club!
I am new to blogging but have really gotten into the Blog Cabin/Dream House/Green Home sites. Thanks for the "Cabin Cam" on the Blog Cabin that is a great addition. I can't believe I am going to admit this but I have spent hours figuring out via satelite from above on maps.live.com and zillow.com the exact location of each of the Diy and HGTV Dream/Green homes for the last two years. I take the lot site information from the Diy and HGTV site and compare the info to the home builders site and pin point on a satelite map from above using the "Birds Eye View" feature to look at the exact location of the home from above. Even though the Home is sometimes not built at that moment and the satelite images are generally 3-6 months behind at times I can't help looking at the house (Or where it will be) and the surrounding area from above! I like looking at the home and how many lakes/mountains, other houses surround the home, or how far the home is from larger city's, or Golf Courses etc...

Anyone else this addicted? I never get into stuff like this but I am hooked!
Thank you DIY for allowing us to dream!

Am I doing something wrong? When I go to cabin cam it goes backwards in date secqence to the start date. I have clicked everywhere trying to make it start at Feb. 6 & go to today but no luck!

HELP!!
NINETTE

Ahmed,

Nice to hear from you and that things are actually underway vs. our 'virtual' build.

I'm hoping for some 'green' touches from you, as in Green Thumb! Keight was kind enough to post more rules/reg's and I noted that berms and/or rock can be used and are encouraged by the association. I haven't posted this thought in a while. With the grade of the lot, how about some sort of berm/hillock type deal with a water feature running down it..like a small creek, mini waterfalls and some low maint. grasses/shrubs...all within earshot and/or viewable from the deck and any outdoor patio. The sound and view (yeah, yeah - I know we HAVE the lake to vies...but it IS a dream cabin/HOME and this is MY dream...don't wake me now...I'll get a job tomorrow Mom)...anyway, I digress...so, this could be supplied with that water we're collecting from that gal durn tin roof. Filter it (cuz we don't want to kill my Koi's in the lil' pond at the bottom end), reciculate it and supply the birdies and local critters with agua if when it gets dry out (I know, THEY have the lake too)..it might be a good draw for birds, butterflies, dragonflies, etc.

Good luck on tackling the building part, I'm sure the landscaping will be spectacular though since that's your gig.

P.S. A water element for a wall inside...check this guy out www.MetalWaterfallGallery.com or something like it from a local crafty person.

P.P.S. Chris, Bro keep the beard! The hot weather will make ya rethink it later on your own. Just get these DIY folks ta renumerate ya enough ta get the scoot ta go along with the beard! I'd be hard pressed to think of nicer country ta putt around on a big ol' H-D. Just watch out for the Po-leece...and the cages, complete with make-up applyin', cell phone talkin', map readin', sandwich eatin', CD changin' all while s'posta be drivin' space cadets behind the wheel.

Oh, and BTW...c'mon you granite grinders, give it a rest! Isn't there such a thing as too MUCH granite? Take a gander at the pict' of the tile, or even the metal...I'd prefer the tile, but anything but more granite. Live a little, have some contrast. Ya don't want that kitchen looking like a mausoleum now, do ya?
Just my humble opinion.

Hi Mary from Texas, and fellow bloggers too:
How 'bout combining that undermount sink with those grooves cut into the granite top, like we saw on one of the counter choices?

Can that be done with the granite? Can it be grooved, sealed and used like that (and as a work area) without getting stained?

Ahh, sorry Simon, make my P.S. (or P.P.S. -which) regarding Chris' beard chaulked up to I should read/retain better ;)

So many WOWs - yet I can't say it enough myself!!! This is almost too exciting & if I don't win this, I will try to take the same kind of pictures when I go to build my own cabin (still praying to be able to do just that). I have loved trees since infancy and log homes since my brothers wouldn't let me play w/their lincoln logs; love log homes and feel the most at peace in them.

I've been doing the voting for both my husband and myself - but I get his input too. If he can't have the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders in the man-cave then he wants the movie theater. Smart old codger. I love the options - the metal backsplash is interesting to me, I've never seen one like that. Plus I like the stained concrete. But no matter which style of anything that is picked I know Ahmed & the Blog Cabin creators will put it all together fantastically. Oh, and about the beard - its a renewable resource so it could be shaved and grown back and repeated again - so it fits right in w/all the other green requests!! But it would be a good way to tell the twins apart for a while!! Simon - you do what you want, but if you do shave it, then have Chris grow one!! I love you guys!!!

Please use a geo thermal in floor heating system and if it can noy be used for cooling then go to the system with the micro ducts in the wall that was used in several houses on the program This Old House, Also put in a filtered water softner and a Reverse Osmosis system, Please look at the auto shut off alarm on all water appliances. This was seen on This Old House and is available from smarthome.com. We installed it on our Washer and it has saved us 3 times. It is better this than a rotted floor or wall and mold.

The Cabin Cam is great!!

Good Morning Fellow Bloggers! Sitting here with my morning coffee and went directly to the cabin cam to see my morning view of the lot (Thurs. Feb. 28th). To my dismay, didn't see today's shot of the lot. I just couldn't believe it! Where the photo of today! I mean it is only 7:30AM :-)Just Kidding! Listen to me, I am like a little child, and I just can't wait to see today's photo shot. I just enjoy the cabin cam so much. I wish it would be a live cam. Listen to me. First I don't see the photo shot at 7:30AM and then I state that I wish it was a Live Cam. There I go again! :-) This is just too much fun. I am so looking forward to all this. I hope the blogger with the computer problem gets their computer fixed or upgraded to DSL so that they can enjoy it too. We don't have cable tv so we cannot enjoy the DIY show. We do enjoy the videos on the web. This Cabin Lot in Watts Bar is just breath taking, and I can just imagine mornings overlooking the lake with a cup of coffee, giving thanks to the Lords for his wonderful creation. I do think that a utility sink in the garage and mud room would be great to have. I was also thinking about the porch materials used. They have a green eco friendly material that does not need any upkeep like treated lumber would. Wishing everyone a wonderful day!

Hi all!

I love the location and the style of the home but I've noticed from the web cam shots that this time of year there are no evergreens. It looks very bare. Would it be possible for DIY or a sponsor to get involved in planting some more mature evergreens in time for the giveaway. Thanks for allowing us to vote. For that lucky someone it will feel as though they actually helped to build the home. Great job!

E

My boyfriend and I are planning to build a log home within the next 3 years. Watching a log home being built from the ground up is definitely helping us plan ours. Thanks

It's great to hear form you Ahmed. I too am happy to hear that you plan to save existing plants. Can't wait to see the progress of the cabin.

Several of you guys have asked about a live web cam. IMO they will not go that route because they will be filming the building of the Blog Cabin for the Blog Cabin TV Series. They want to have some element of surprise. Let's be thankful for what we have.

Here are some APX. dates for everyone to remember:

Feb.-Early April vote on design
Early Aug. the Blog Cabin Web Live(360 degree online tour?)
Mid August Blog Cabin Sweeps start and end early Oct.
Blog Cabin TV Series starts Mid Aug through Late Sept.
Late October Winner Announced

Also measurements for the size of lot 5(only could read 3 sides)

94.93 feet Facing the Lake
213.35 feet on Lot 4's side
357.53 feet on Lot6's side
Apx. 95.00 feet Facing the Road(that side was not given)

Hope this helps :)

Wow! The 2008 Cabin is absolutely gorgeous! One suggestion that I'd like to make (you may have already considered this) is to put a pier at the lake for fishing, swimming, or just sitting and enjoying the view!

Hi Erika (Favorite Daughter)!

Just wondering how mom is doing and whether she has gotten out of the hospital yet - you always do better recovering when home - get more sleep and of course the food is so much better!

Please let her know we have been asking about her and wish her well - of course we are praying for her quick recovery!!!

If you can give us an update, we would appreciate it very much.

Erin

so gals and guys the apron sink is undercounter, ive had both and the apron is sooooo easy to clean. also i agree with so many granite backplash is too much . look at all the choices with tile could get something really cool to go with that craftsman cabinet choice! i also think the bronze or dark faucet would look great with that granite. also if under counter sink wins [prob will be stainless] with dark faucet ???
shave the beard thats a given!
also like the stained concrete very easy to clean but could live with cork,
carry on bloggers ! ps god bless cabin craver+ erica

Hi bloggers:

So many areas to blog in, glad to see Ahmed has made it to the site.

Ed read your post about a few ADA requirements, you are not being self serving. Many people are disabled or could become disabled in a flash, I am disabled and the modifications I have had to make to my home were sometimes expensive. The contractor said would have been easier to incorporate while it was being built. I know this cabin cannot be built totally for the disabled, but the width of the doors the access to the house one of the baths could be addressed. I am not complaining just letting Ed know he is not alone.

All the DIY team is doing a great job keeping us updated GREAT JOB!!! keep up the good work.

Mary from Texas

Yessssssss!!!!! Everybody, It works!! Clive you are a genious! I'm convinced!!! Thanks again for the help! We turned the poppers on & it was magic! It worked immediately!!!! What a blessing to finally see our blog cabin lot and me be put out of my impatient misery!
The lot is beautiful even with the winter views of the trees dressed in nothing and the veiw is awesome! I so love watching the working process of our hardworking diy friends building our blog cabin. It is so interesting, exciting and fun! My little boy even likes watching it, he sat in my lap 10 minutes maybe more just watching his twakers (tractors), and big twuks (trucks)... and the lak(lake) water!
I have one more suggestion for the main kitchen or basement kitchenette (if one): A seperate ice maker~ for ice cooling the fish before cleaning them , that's my husbands job... I help catch and fry them. The ice maker would be so handy in supplying the extra ice needed for the bbqs & picnic coolers for the boat trips too. We had an icemaker in our fridge never had enough ice in summer for home and fishing trips. You don't want to have to run to the store for ice every time you fish when the winner will be living right on the lake. I agree with everyone else also about the utility sink, I think it should have hot and cold taps & about a 3 to 4 foot countertop( maybe a poured concrete)for a working surface. Every home needs one. It will most definitely be needed for cleaning the fish or washing up big things or bathing pets or grooming them. Placing the utility sink in the garage would be the idea spot.. hubby won't track as much mud, dirt or grease through the house. Well Gotta get back to the real world. God bless everybody.

P.s How is cabincraver doing? speedy recovery to you....

Did I see snow on the ground in one of the most recent pics? Yee Haw!

Ok, OK, the cam is great....how about those sink choices. I can't help it, I love the apron sink for the kitchen. It just pops right in there and no counter to reach over to get at stuff. I always hated having to reach that extra little bit to reach the sink, espcially when I was pregnant!

Yes, PLEASE, give the granite a rest. Tile backspalsh is so much more of a personal touch. Just think of the designs that can be done with it. You can even add in some of those smooth ones with pics or designs on them.

Man Cave huh... Game room definately! Mine does enough sitting at home, lol, and we can go to a movie theatre anytime, Family time is Quality time!

Simon's beard...keep it in the winter, shave it for the summer, that's what my hubby does!

Tile or stained concrete, either works, just no carpet or any more wood floor!

Blessings and prayers continue to Cabincraver2008's family & favorite daughter Erika!

Noël

It is great to see the progress. This is really exciting. The view is excellent, I cann't wait to see the choice that have been made go into the cabin. I hope that you do consider the radiant heating and the tankless hot water heater, seems logical choices. I watch the house in Austin being remodelled, I didn't know there were so many ways to becoming effecient in the way we use things. I am surprised on what we take for granted. I look forward to seeing the progress.
Thanks for the opportunity. Bob

Hey Ahmed, I love the choices that we are being given, but I am wondering if the tile backsplash in the kitchen is going to be like the picture( which to me looks like flooring tile) or if it would be more along the lines of glass tile, I am hoping for a recycled glass tile because it is so pretty and easy to clean. It also comes in many different shades and colors. Just a query. Thanks so much for this wonderful opportunity, and the fun of helping choose the design elements.

HI!
Everything is looking wonderful. I just had an idea. Which you have probably thought of.. but can we add a wind chime to the front porch? I love wind chimes, and have a few of my own, they really remind me of nature, and sound beautiful.

Just a thought. :)

LOVE all the work! You all deserve a pat on the back!

My Best,
~Meredith

Simon, maybe a little less facial hair would work, but we need to see that adorable face.

If this cabin turns out to be anything like the view, it's going to be amazing!! I'm pumped!

I just loved Blog Cabin #1 and was truely happy for the family that won it. I can't wait to see how this cabin progresses and to see it on DYI as the new Blog Cabin program.

The Cabin cam is really going to be terrific. I just watched the first 35 pictures and think it's fantastic to see the site preparation more along.

Hi all,
I've been planning my "dream home" log cabin for years. I love the web cam and getting to vote on the items in the cabin. It's going to be great watching our creation come to life.

J.

I realize that this is probably too late, but I would like to make a suggestion on the layout/features, if only to generate thought about it for future Blog Cabins. Here goes. Why a fireplace? I know, it's romantic, it has character, it has ambiance, etc. But fireplaces are extremely inefficient - half the heat escapes through the outside! A woodburning stove would be much more efficient and could provide heat for the entire cabin. Better yet would be a woodburning oven made of soapstone that connects into the ductwork of the cabin. The oven can be built in such a way that it can be used for cooking and for heat. As far as using it as a source for heating the entire cabin, the ventilation system is engineered so that you can choose the oven or the furnace as your heat source. Again, consider this for future Blog Cabins.

Looking at the way the cabin is developing with the high-end fixtures and, quite possibly, a home theatre too, I was wondering about the eventual value of the prize. Lakefront Estates presently are selling two houses of similar size to this, one of which is on a similar sized lot also. These helped give me an idea of the approximate value when completed of somewhere between $700,000 to $800,000. This means the lucky winner will also become an instant 'friend' of the IRS to the tune of about an extra $200,000 owed in income tax for 2008. Ouch! I'm guessing that the majority of people blogging and voting will be unable to afford this. I know I can't. I know sometimes there are cash prizes to go with the non-liquid prize to help offset the tax burden and I was wondering whether this will be the case with the blog cabin? I know this may seem a rather churlish thing to blog as DIYNetwork is being very generous, however, I would really love to win and it would break my heart to have to try to sell it in a badly depressed housing market almost as soon as I get the keys just to be able to pay Uncle Sam his due.

Totally awesome! I was unaware that this project existed, and it is a fabulous idea. I am looking forward to watching the progression of this building project and also thrilled that I can take part in voicing my thoughts and ideas as it is being built.
The location is ideal for this type of home. Cheers!

Wow!! I am a first time blogger but an avid DIY Network viewer. I absolutely love the Blog Cabin!! I also enjoy voting on the various features of the cabin. One thing I'd like to see is a pier of some sort on the lake for fishing, swimming, or just enjoying the view. Can't wait until the sweepstakes begin!!

It is a great idea about the Blog cam--that way we don't have to wait to watch the show, but looking forward to the show! I am still watching the show of the first cabin. it was also a good suggestion about turning the cam into a 24/7. one question--is the side door in the master bedroom staying or will it be the two windows that was mentioned when they redid the original plan and the vanity is missing in the master bath.

Hello Ahmed, Watson, Whatkins, Darlene, and fellow bloggers. OK I'm really slow (never visited a chat room, wrote my own website in my own stumbling HTML, had to ask someone what lol meant, only learned to text message because my daughter doesn't answer her cellphone) I finally figured out what trackback pings mean (I think!!)
For ADAM bailey, talk about thinking outside the box, check out this company just over the Ridge in Asheville, NC:

http://www.deltechomes.com/uniquedesign.php

Cabincraver & Erika, all good wishes and prayers.

I agree with those who say that, win or not, this experience is a real blessing and a great way to spend a drab winter.

Still beating the drum for an elevator....

Hi Ahmed and all fellow bloggers, CabinCam, what a great idea!!!!! Not only to watch the daily progress but also to see that there actually is a place on this earth without feet of snow everywhere! This is for my fellow voters. Be brave vote on something a little innovative such as the stained concrete flooring for the rear foyer. I had a sunroom/enclosed porch constucted on our rancher about 2 years ago and the contracter convinced us that the stained concrete flooring would be a great idea and it was. Easy cleaning, almost no wear or dirt shows, a great shaded color since the concrete doesn't evenly stain. Adds a whole lot of eye interest. I have a area rug for added contrast. Anyway I know that it probably is too late now but in the future vote as the great philosopher has said "Go where no man has gone before"

To Ninette,
For the Cabin Cam, if you hit the pause button in the middle of the lower left buttons, you can stop it from cycling through the pictures. Then with the arrow buttons you can go through the slide show in any direction and at your own pace.
Hope this helps.

I still think a game room with a pool table, darts, perhaps a game table for cards or puzzles, etc. would be better than the home theatre or the exercise room for the basement. There would be lots more to do in a game room as opposed to the home theatre on a nice rainy day or a quiet evening with the family and friends.

I love the idea for the man cave. I'm hoping the home theatre holds strong! And for the kitchen hardware and backsplash~Tile all the way and as long as the hardware isn't chrome!! The nickle and iron sets defenitly give a little more unique rustic look for a cabin! I really love that the blueprints show windows in front of the kitchen sink!! To me the kitchen is the heart of the home! I would love to see some great appliences added and a good size island with an extra deep wash sink!! (Although I know that this cabin is going to be extravigant no matter what the votes decide!)

I hope that those of us who want the tile backsplash will win out. Come on people- granite countertops AND granite back splash is too much. There needs to be a different texture andlook for the kitchen so that there is a "pop" to it. Granite everywhere is too blah.

I hope that those of us who want the tile backsplash will win out. Come on people- granite countertops AND granite back splash is too much. There needs to be a different texture andlook for the kitchen so that there is a "pop" to it. Granite everywhere is too blah.

As far as the recent votes, it looks like the man cave will be a home theatre. Ah well, I guess my home gym will have to be somewhere else. Question: is the basement footprint the same size as the entire house above? If so, It would be great to have one of the other rooms down stairs for a home gym. (Presto Chango?) If the basement isn't the entire size of the house, could we work some blog cabin try-to-please-the-masses magic, and make it so? Also, I want some tile back splash somewhere in the kitchen. It adds so much charm and individuality. How about granite back splash everywhere, except for a beautiful tile mosaic behind the stove?

I was wondering if you can make an under ground addtion to the basement?It would be big and wide open with one side of the floor cork one side carpet,this could be a free space for entertanment,storage,chiderns play area or for our dogs!!Are there any neighboors by the lake and cabin???Is there any yard space?Just wondering!!!

How bout' adding a bar to the basement!!!And mabey a pool table???And you could make a deck over the garge[a little one].

This is the first blog I have done so it should be interesting. The cabin is great and I am having fun choosing the various parts of it along with everyone else. Love the Smokey Mountain area; have friends there who run an antique clock shop on the artisan path in Gatlinburg. Look forward to checking out the daily blogs and watching the show.

Ahmed, so great to know that you will be our "eye" on the cabin. Love the cabin cam view, it's so exciting to see the progress, just wish it was in reverse lol. Thank you to all who are hoping for the pot filler, it's a great addition for those of us who love to cook. Also, hoping that we will have some say on the appliances- type and kind of them. Also, still pleading for the radiant heating on the floors.
As a child, I spent many summers at our log cabin in the woods, and remember running as fast as I could on the cold floors, to the kitchen where our clothes were being warmed by the coal stove. Sorry for regressing a little. I am just so excited to see this cabin built, it looks so cozy. Thank you for the new floor plans it's a little easier to see the look of the cabin.
Is the loft usable for bunk beds or a lot of sleeping bags for children? That would be great.
I concur on drain in the garage, that is essential..
My prayers are with Kate by the lake and her daughter, hope all is going fine.

janer

Is anyone wondering about the two homes up for sale in the community? The asking price on the three story is $775,000.00. The one story is listed at $725.000.00. It now appears these homes are being constructed as SPEC. homes .... that is, in speculation by the homebuilder that if he builds it, they (buyers) will come.

Home Site 33
Description: The three-story lakefront home offers magnificent views of Watts Bar Lake from every room. The main floor includes a master bedroom and bath, a spacious family room with a stone fireplace, and access to the main deck area overlooking the water. The two large bedrooms upstairs each have a private bath. The lower level is an unfinished basement with windows and outdoor access. The basement is built to accommodate another full bath and large enough for two additional bedrooms.

Amenities: Extra features include an outdoor kitchen with fireplace, three-car garage and boat garage, tiled baths, walk-in closets, hardwood floors, solid-surface countertops, deluxe cabinetry and appliances. The home has been wired for cable and high-speed Internet, central vacuum, alarm system and home theater. The attractive exterior constructed of stone and vinyl siding is maintenance free.

Lot acreage: .64 acres
Square footage: 2,883
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 3 full, 2 half
Price: $775,000

Home Site 40
Description: This house is designed for the homeowner seeking the convenience and safety of a single-floor layout. The inside features a spacious family room with gas fireplace, parlor or office, formal dining room, recreation room, and kitchen with breakfast area and double pantries. The main floor master bedroom and bath offers a Jacuzzi tub, an eight-jet tile shower, lots of vanity space, and a large walk-in closet. The home site is level all around the home with mature hardwoods in the front and a gentle slope to the lake in the back.

Amenities: There are zero steps to negotiate in this home. Even the outdoor kitchen and entertainment area with fireplace are on one level. Extra features include a three-car garage, tiled baths, walk-in closets, hardwood floors, solid-surface countertops, deluxe cabinetry and appliances. The home has been wired for cable and high-speed Internet, central vacuum, alarm system and home theater. Exterior is maintenance-free with all stone and vinyl siding.

Lot acreage: 1.03 acres
Square footage: 2,885
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 3 full, 1 half
Price: $725,000

Two Prime 'Reserved Lots' are being held back by the developer. Other than the 5 that have been mentioned (2 Spec Homes, 2 Reserved Lots, and the 2008 Blog Cabin), all the other lots have yet to be sold or placed on hold or in reserve.

There are pictures and floorplans on the LakeFront Estates website of the two Spec.Homes if you want to 'walk' the floorplans.

East Tennessee Greetings to you, Ahmed. We love that you are saving the natural materials around the site for later use. I know that the clear cutting regulations prohibited you from leveling large trees, but if you had to remove one, the trunk might be very useful for different uses, as I am sure your creative mind is whirling with ideas. Here is one that you might consider. Splitting in half a section of a thick felled tree and curing it for a mantle over the fireplace. I have seen this done and it is absolutely stunning, with the bark NOT REMOVED to give texture and added rustic influence in this otherwise polished cabin home.

Will enjoy watching this cabin home blossom over the spring and summer seasons.

Love the cam pics. I agree with Pockets, need to have footage for the show. Plus, they don't need to be under a microscope 24/7. If I were the builder, the TV series cameras would be enough to deal with. They need an element of surprise so we can all "ooo" and "awe" while watching this fall.

Hello guys. I am finally back, but very sore and weak, and can't sit here long enough to really say much except I've missed you guys, haven't been able to stay awake long enough to read all the blogs, and I love to see that Ahmed is with us now! I also like our new voting selection. Clive or one of my other buddies, could you give me an encapsulated version of what's been going on so that when I can sit here longer I will be more up to speed?

Hope you enjoyed talking with my baby girl. She is a blessing and she really had fun talking with all of you. She has told me to change my "line" from may the worthiest blogger win to we are all worthy bloggers, may one of us win and God bless us all!

Cabincraver2008, fresh from the horsepistol.

Good to see you are all still at it!

What's wrong with me? (Several things, apparently), but thank you everyone for your kindness and the sweet thoughts you sent my way at a time when I was really needing them. They were greatly appreciated, and I think got me out today instead of next week! You cheered me up so much! Cabincraver2008

Hi Everyone! I am now convinced that the back splash in the kitchen should be tile and not granite. So I am changing my voting, as I thought about, the continuing granite would be an overkill to the kitchen. I was wondering also if DIY were considering a tileing system under the ground, and around the foundation of the basement to prevent water from getting into the basement. As far as the possible $200,000 in taxes for the winner to pay, we will not allow that to rain on our parade. We have thought if we win, we will sell our home and use that towards the taxes. However, above and beyond that we are trusting the Lord to provide that money for us. If He is able to allow us to win, I am sure He is able to provide the $200,000. However it is a valid concern that we all need to consider, but in the meantime, I am having so much fun, dreaming and praying, and hoping to win the wonderful home, as I am sure everyone else is doing. The Cabin Cam, did have a bit of snow one morning, and it might have been just a bit of frost. Even with the bare trees, the water with the sun shining on it is wonderful! I was thinking that planting some evergreens around the property would invite cardinals, blue birds, and wildlife. In the winter the evergreens would help it not look too barren. Hey everyone, just three more weeks till Spring! Hurray!!!! It will be fun to see the green come into view on the trees. Happy Blogging Everyone!!! and Blessings to all! :o)

How exciting that the ground was broken today for this project. It seems that everyone has already been very busy making their own personal touches to this cabin. The view is a beauty, so calm and relaxing. This cabin is going to be the best ever from the looks of everyone's input. Looking forward to bloging with everyone. Oh and I agree with Barbara the floors should be heated as it will make the home owner and their guest feel more comfortable.

Hello Ahmed,
It is so good to travel into the "Dream World" when looking at the lakeside home you are creating for some family. It will be truly a blessing for them.
Keep up the good work and may you and the crew be blessed with safety during your project.
mickey

With a Man Cave, I don't see any reason why there can not be possibly the "LADIES LOFT ". There appears to be more than ample of space up there. I think most all of us man types would have our lovely wives or significant others upon a pedestal where their beauty might radiate thru-out this amazing home. Perhaps a simple yet lovely refuge for the Queen of the Castle to oversee and be all that is beautiful , is possible as well?
Wow ! You guys went over the top with the gravel. There will be no leaks in that basement ! Or anywhere else in the area around it for that !
If there could be just a little space in the garage for me to put in a few shelves or benches I would be very very happy to see that. Please add an extra circuit with plenty of power outlets along the width of the garage for electrical tools.
My brother when he built his home included exterior outlets in the eves for Christmas lights , electrical tools, etc.... I know we are a long ways from that , but I know I will likely forget it later. And he also put in an RV sewage dump , water and power. Since it wasn't all that expensive while the ground area was still opened up. I know the ACC probably won't permit it though. (RV visitors) even if it is below. But it would be nice to add in a riser when the lines are being layed.

it looks like the home theater has already won hands down, which is what i voted for so its a good thing.

i do however have a small suggestion, instead of a "T.V." put a huge projection DVD player that also has cable TV hookups.
by huge i mean 20ft X 30ft or about.
give it that real 'at the movies' feel with a popcorn maker, a soda fountain and a cooler place to keep candy.

I just want to thank Keight for all of her research and info on LakeFront Estates. What would we do without you?

Between A. Muse and her wonderful dream, Clive's common sense regarding being "Green", and the benefit versus cost, and Keight's info, this is a wonderful blog to be a part of. Plus, all of the other not mentioned by name bloggers. Keep blogging!

Now for my choices:

1) Oil Rubbed Bronze - if it is planned before the sinks and counter colors are chosen, it will be beautiful. I switched all of mine at home to the brushed nickel, since I hate the chrome, and the oil rubbed bronze would not fit with my counters and sinks. My husband couldn't justify changing the counters out just to fit the bronze fixtures.

2) Undercounter Sinks (or Sink with work surface as long as it is not stainless steel) - the other sinks just did not appeal to me, or did not seem to be practical for me.

3) Stained concrete, or Cork - I am torn on this one. I wouldn't want tile, it can get really slippery when wet, and I detest cleaning grout.

4) Game room - I visualize a pool table, darts, and poker table. My second choice would be a workout room. I would love to have a room just for all of my free weights, balls, and treadmill.
The media room would be great, but I know my family, and I would never be able to get my husband and daughter out of it. At least the game room we could use it as a family.

5) Shave it - if it was kept trimmed, it would be fine for the winter. In the Spring, Summer and Fall, let that adorable face be seem.

That's it for now. Have a fabulous weekend!

I just noticed that the picture link to the floorplans is labelled "See the Final Floor Plans". Hopefully, they still plan to make the changes Darlene mentioned, that were not reflected on the plans. Such as changing that side master bedroom door to windows, and add the little window above the foyer window to add a little symmetry.

My best guess is they had to finalize it so that they could begin the build. If it is like when my first house was built, it was no problem changing window size and placement during the framing process, and I would guess swapping a door for a window would be similar.

I guess we will have to wait and see! Happy Blogging!

Oops! Hate to introduce a down comment on such a great cabin, but if the Blog cabin is in the same price range as the spec houses for sale, there's going to be about a $254,000 federal income tax bite on the winner, plus state income tax, if any.

Love the location of the cabin can't wait to see it finsihed. Simon my 19 year old daughter said to shave off the squirrel.

Hi all!
Hubby says TY for choosing such wonderful materials for OUR retirement home lol He's a lucky fellow and has NO doubt that we'll soon be moving to this beautiful part of the world. We disagree with some that the granite backsplash would be too much granite. It doesn't have to be an exact match to the counters, just same material. What wonderful parties await in that man cave! Love the placement too. It just gets better and better!
Have a great weekend evry1!

A big Texas Howdy, Ahmed. How exciting to know that the ground has been broken! I can't WAIT to see the finished product. It's wonderful that you made a point to keep the existing material. Way to go green!

Looking forward to seeing more very soon!

i just came on this site to see what was done already. what type of things do have planned for handicapped people? i'm looking forward to seeing that. thanks

Found this on-line at

http://www.superiorwallsmarketing.com/?p=105

"While “design by committee” has been rumored to be a flawed system, nothing could be further from the truth at the DIY Network. In 2007 more than 4.2 million on-line voters helped design the Blog Cabin for the network, launching one of the most popular programming endeavors in the network’s history.

In 2008, as Blog Cabin begins a second season, the number of on-line participants and show viewers is expected to increase dramatically as a new cabin is constructed in Tennessee. As part of the design, Superior Walls® has been asked to provide an energy-efficient foundation system for the Blog Cabin.

“This show gives us the opportunity to showcase the value of using an Xi™ wall panel system to help reduce energy bills for homeowners,” says Aaron Schoeneberger, director of market development for Superior Walls. “The very first episode of the Blog Cabin that airs in August of 2008 will show the fast installation of the precast concrete foundation system and the value they add to a home.

“Xi wall panels are constructed with a concrete face shell, backed by 2-1/2-inches of DOW® extruded polystyrene insulation. In addition, the steel reinforced concrete walls create a permanent barrier against sidewall water penetration, making the cabin damp proof.”

The 2008 Blog Cabin show begins with the public voting on-line from January through April on the style of the cabin and many of the cabin’s feature products. Construction of the lakeside cabin begins in April and is filmed for a 13-part TV show on DIY Network. Following the airing of the final episode, the network selects a winner at random to win the Blog Cabin Sweepstakes.

“As with any home, it’s critical that the 2008 Blog Cabin start with a solid foundation,” says Schoeneberger. “We’re excited that the show’s producers and the cabin’s builders came to us to request the Xi wall panels. This is the perfect project to help educate homeowners about the value of Superior Walls foundations systems.”

For more details on the 2008 Blog Cabin project, visit www.diynetwork.com. For additional details on Superior Walls foundations, call 1-800-452-9255 or visit www.superiorwalls.com."

Although not from DIY, gives hint at how long we will get to vote on parts of th Blog Cabin, the number of TV shows, & what one show will demonstrate.

Like dry basements!

Well a wonderful warm Saturday afternoon here in Texas.

Warren I agree most people can not afford the taxes on most of the house give aways, was hoping this was goin to be a cabin, not a mansion, but DIY have to follow the restrictions that this community has.

Oh well I still enjoy blogging and putting my 2 cents worth in.

~~~ tile backsplash to offset the granite

~~~ concrete floors back foyer with have a lot of dirt and mud coming in

~~~ sink with workspace save the granite counter top it's an undermount also.

Mary from Texas

Also found this info:

http://www.newsandsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/502024.html?nav=5054

"PARKERSBURG — A local window company is donating materials for the DIY Network show Blog Cabin and the public will have an opportunity to vote on the products they would like to see installed in the home.

Blog Cabin is a show that allows viewers to vote on features they would like to see installed in a cabin built on the show.

The construction of the cabin will be filmed and broadcast in a 13-part TV series starting in August 2008. Once the cabin is completed, DIY Network will promote an online Blog Cabin sweepstakes to encourage viewers to enter to win the cabin. Immediately following the airing of the final episode, the network selects a winner at random to win the cabin.

Simonton Windows officials said one of the most important selections will be which style of Simonton windows should be included in the lakeside home being constructed in Tennessee. From Feb. 11-24, viewers will have an opportunity to vote on the style of vinyl-framed windows at the network’s Web site at www.diynetwork.com

“The windows we contribute to this project will be Energy Star qualified to help with the energy efficiency of the Blog Cabin,” said Marty Davis, marketing communications manager for Simonton Windows.

More than 4.2 million voters participated in the online design of the 2007 Blog Cabin in 2007. An even stronger participation level is expected this year in the 2008 Blog Cabin experience as millions of people vote on the design and product selection online and then view the show on DIY Network, Davis said.

“Simonton Windows is extremely pleased to be involved in such an exciting and educational programming endeavor for the public,” Davis said.Founded in 1946 and part of consumer products company Fortune Brands Inc., Simonton has manufacturing facilities in Pennsboro, Harrisville and Ellenboro, W.Va., Paris, Ill., McAlester, Okla., and Vacaville, Ca."

Just validates some comments -- that it didn't matter which style of window was selected; both could be energy efficient.

Well, I certainly like the new changes. I am a New Englander and can't imagine a home without a cellar or a garage!
As for Simon's beard, I love beards but that thing looked like something crawled up on his face and died! LOL Besides, he is very handsome without it.
I am a bit disappointed though that more people aren't voting for greener products. For example; the stained concrete rear entrance. Cork is green, but wouldn't hold up, the concrete is a great alternative.
The "man cave" could use some exercise equipment unless the "man" is the one chopping all the wood.
Maybe the basement isn't such a good idea after all.

Just wanted to say it's a beautiful lot. Right on the lake. Are there any plans to add a pier into it?
To all you voting out there, let's be careful that we don't make this one look too much like the last blog cabin inside. There are a lot of great choices to vote on, lets not pick too many of the same ones from last years cabin.

Hi Ahmed & Everyone, Isn't this great? How wonderful to help design our dream home and the cam just makes this dream more real, thanks Ahmed. I found that if you click on "thumbnails" then move your cursor to the right you'll get to click on every picture, starting Fed. 6th to now, it's so much fun. The people look like ants so the site is huge, I'm so excited. Like some others I'm in a wheelchair too but I'm sure they will build this to make the winners life as easy as possible, have faith my friends, they know it's hard enough for us and for those not disabled just think how nice it would be to invite me and others over if we don't win, ha, ha. My Hubby & I would love to live there and invite ALL our family & friends over, we've always had an open door policy, this home would be a dream come true. Thanks to everyone involved for allowing all of us to voice our opinions and share our dream, I can't imagine how hard it must be to try to please thousands of us but I'm sure the winner will be thrilled, no matter what changes are made, I hope it's won by someone that will use it as a home and never sell it, it should be passed down for generations to come, we know if we win it will be our home and also for our children & grandchildren & friends to enjoy forever. Thanks to all & good luck, we all have a chance at this, someone let me know when we should start packing our bags, ha,ha.

This cabin is pretty cool if I should win this everbody is invited over for a big cook out I love family outings and the diy family outing would be prefect

This is exciting! My only disappointment so far is the guest bathroom. Fancy just doesn't seem to go for a lake house-laid back would be better. This is what is fun-all the different ideas. Keep up the good work.

This is our first experience with Blog Cabin. We got hooked on the 2007 show and were thrilled when we saw we could be part of deciding the 2008 version. How often do you ask for input on thing? Do they come out on a set schedule? Can you show us pictures of the items that have already been decided? For example, the cabinets are in Arts and Crafts style--don't have a clue what that means.

I love the cabin cam, but wonder if you could have the option of going from the earliest photos to the newest, so we can get a sense what is happening. I like the idea of a pot filler faucet by the stove and the instant hot water faucet for hot chocolate, too. Will there be a floor plan of the basement, so we can see where the Man Cave fits in? Sorry to have so many questions, but we are just so excited by all this!! I had printed off the plans and my daughter who was visiting thought we were building a cabin. I told we could only wish to win the DIY cabin. Keep up the great work!!

BACK AGAIN! HAVEN'T HEARD FROM CABINCRAVER OR ERICA FOR QUITE A WHILE! HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL FOR THEM!!

FOR THOSE THAT ARE GRINDING ABOUT THE TOTAL GRANITE, IF YOU STOP AND THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER DESIGN ELEMENT, SUCH AS TILE, THAT WILL TAKE AWAY THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND PRESENCE OF THE CABINETRY, WHICH SHOULD BE THE FOCAL POINT OF THE KITCHEN. ALSO, JUST WONDERING ABOUT THE CONCRETE FLOORS. HERE, I TURN TO YOU, FELLOW BLOGGERS, BUT I WAS ALWAYS TOLD AND KNOW FOR A FACT THAT CONCRETE IS HARD ON SOCKS. DOES THIS CHANGE ONCE THE CONCRETE IS POLISHED?

THE OTHER ELEMENTS INSTALLED FOR MORE MOBILITY, SUCH AS DOORWAYS, RAMPS AND EVEN AN ELEVATOR ARE, DEFINITELY, EASIER TO INSTALL DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS THAN AFTERWARD. THOSE TYPE OF THINGS, I'M SURE WOULD BE APPRECIATED BY ALL, NOT JUST THOSE OF US WHO ARE HANDICAPPED.

TO AHMED, WELCOME TO THE SITE!! IT SURE IS GREAT TO SEE THE PICS, EVERY DAY! HOW I WISH I COULD BE DOWN THERE, TO ACTUALLY WATCH THE WHOLE PROCESS. THAT WOULD TOP OFF THE ALREADY AWESOME PROCESS!

NOW, I CAN'T WAIT TO MOVE IN AND I AM SURE I AM NOT ALONE. WHOEVER WINS THIS HOME WILL BE BLESSED WITH THE GIFT OF AN ENTIRE LIFETIME.

KEEP US INFORMED, AHMED, AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!

thankyou Connie at February 29, 2008 8:07 AM.
that kind of design would infact be outside the box.
deltechomes would deffinatly be one of the few.
it is also true that most things "different" have been seen before.
they had ODDDDDDD houses/rooms in the late 60s to mid-70s, thanks to LSD and other mind altering drugs.
now thanks to a desire to remember the Psychedelic era and people like Dr. tim leary, albert hoffman and others the endless void of the imagination and vacent design of the minds eye
are about the only things that limit architecture and design.

Greetings!

All of the plans for the cabin so far are fantastic. Very modern but still having a classical cabin feel. my comment is about the man cave that is currently up for vote. it seems the home theatre option is winning by a large margin of votes, but i fear this would be a wonderful waste of space in this beautiful cabin. A home theatre? Come on?! Any house can have a big screen tv and a few recliners. That just doesnt do this cabin justice. i hope the other options get some votes or either you guys do something and rescue the man cave.

Thanks,
Cody C.

PS: maybe some solar panels would be an environmentally friendly way to tone down the electricity consumption of this beauty.

I just stumbled across the DIY Cabin today - how exciting!I look forward to keeping up with the progress. With a degree in Interior Design and a Contractor's license I have a lot of interest in the choices being voted on.

I tend to be practical in my choices, so my first thoughts are this is a log cabin in TN on a lake - that means there will be plenty of fishing and hunting in the area. As the wife of a hunter and fisherman I really think the kitchen sink with the work area would be the best choice. Trendy, new looks might be "upscale" but considering the location and cabin style they may not be the best fit.

I wish there had been a slate choice for the countertops. They are more maintenance free and forgiving than granite and come in a variety of colors. Definitely do the back splash different from the tops - I like the tile backsplash.

Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see the next round to vote on.

Hi Ahmed,

Love the CABIN CAM!!! Great Idea! You know we all want to know whats going on! And seeing that you finally BROKE GROUND is sooooo exciting. It's really happening!

But I do agree... we don't need to see everything YET! Hey, lets save something for the show.

I love reading everyones blogs...

Also I have to agree with Noël B... PLEASE give the Granite a rest already. I too agree that Tile would look great for the backsplash or even the Metal. Hey lets live a little and get out of our comfort zone. Not every home has to have Granite everywhere!

DIY Keep up the GREAT WORK!

And to everyone else LETS KEEP A BLOGGIN'

P.S. Praying for you--Cabincraver2008, family & favorite daughter Erika!!!!

Hi Everyone, This is my first blog on anything-anywhere, and where better than here! Is anyone else surprised that in this beautiful setting where one can enjoy any number of outdoor activities with one's family and friends, that the Man Cave leaders are an in home theater and a work out room? I am just so surprised. More TV and indoor workouts seem self defeating in this setting. I thought the game room would be great...you know, 'quality time' with family and friends. Am I crazy?

What's with a man cave in the basement? Have we no women represented here???

It is exciting that things are starting to get going with the ground breaking and all. Looking at the site online show what a great site this is. The changes in the floor plan are just what I had in mind. Really want to see as much stay natural in the site as possible and glad most is being saved for reuse.

it seems like granite is going to cover 90% of the kitchen.
now i love that personally but ONLY if the counter&backsplash look SEEMLESS.
it doesnt have to be all one piece but if its going to be all granite it should look like one huge slab cut to fit that one spot.

DIY Folks! It appears that many of us want and or expect a Mud Room, don't let us down! :)

Tile is gaining for the backsplash, fine with me as long as it has some matching granite pieces interwoven throughout.

This so called "man cave" appears to be a small room, so I doubt that those voting for the game room will be getting much more than the fancy card table.
Want a game table, there are nice foldable tables out there that will fit into the entertainment room for cards or board games :)

The cabin is next to a lake so I don't see any reason for an exercize room, there should be plenty of things to do that will burn calories and/or give you a cardio workout just outside your doorways!

About the cam, I agree that the slide show should start from the first picture and end with the most current one.

A "work" sink will be invaluable, if it isn't voted in (not looking good) then one should be added to the garage or the back foyer (mud room:)

Going back to the deck, yes there should be outside steps down to the yard.

I haven't seen outside faucets mentioned, there should be at least two (front and back.)

It has been mentioned previously but a water fall feature leading from the house to down close to the lake ending in a nice fish pool with seating and indigenous plantings would be fantastic (indiginous aquatic life also.)

That's it for today, enjoy y'all!

D.J.

NOTE FOR DIY FOLKS:

You should allow us to be able to go back and look at the examples of everything we have been able to vote on, just post the pics and not the voting system (just a thought.)

Thanks, D.J.

Good Morning!! I FINALLY was able to find this site - I was so excited!! It has always been my dream to own a cabin on a lake. You see, when I was little my Grandpa (Pepere) built a "camp" for the family to enjoy, and that's where I did my "growing up". It's where I ran to hide from pain and sadness, went to relax ( there is NOTHING more beautiful than watching the sun set on a lake, with loons calling in the backgound, and watching the ducks moving slowly on the water). It's the closest place to Heaven I'd ever found. We lost the "camp" to some relatives, and my dauhter was never able to experience the joys of growing up there.
I LOVE the designs for the House - they are out of this world so far, but I DO agree with the person(s) who mentioned that the IRS/State fees may be more than one could handle so it would be nice if there were some way the Government could step in and take care of it for the Blessed individual who will win this house.
Kudos, and keep it coming! I need to get in touch with DIY - how can I do that?? I have a question to ask and don't quite know where to begin, and I REALLY need to talk with someone>>>
Can you PLEASE help me? Sincerely,Michele

Greetings fellow Bloggers,

Hate the fact that I don't get in her as often as I'd like, but Tracey is in the hospital herself right now. HEr Doctors and Neurologist are working hard and running multiple tests ruling out tons of things and trying to find the one (or more) thing(s) that are causing her problems.

To Janet in RI: "So, I'm wondering what you have in mind for the Woman Cave"

I thought they already had two Woman Caves in the plans... The Kitchen and the Dressing Room. LOL.
Sorry just had to find something to Joke about. In fact... I do most of the cooking in our house. But a Game Room would be perfect. That could fit perfectly as a Couples Cave.At least in our case. We both love sitting down with friends and playing Texas Hold'Em.

To Pockets:
"Also measurements for the size of lot 5(only could read 3 sides)

94.93 feet Facing the Lake
213.35 feet on Lot 4's side
357.53 feet on Lot6's side
Apx. 95.00 feet Facing the Road(that side was not given):

You've got almost everything right. Actually on the Lot 4 side, you have a run of 213.35 feet from streetside then a slight dogleg left for an additional run of 67.04 feet to lakeside. With that correction and the dogleg from from the leg, I would estimate the Frontal lot width to be something more along 100 Feet. For a total lot size of 31,193 SF.

We totally agree with Ed Leeper on the ADA ideas. We're thinking something along the lines of wide hallways, wide doorways and at a very minimum... a "Universal" Kitchen. . Seen this most recently on an old rerun of Kitchen Accomplished" on the Food Network. By Universal, we mean neither "Normal" kitchen setup or pure "ADA" setup, but a combination of the two. The base cabinets have higher and deeper "Kickplates". the sink has no base cabinet but is open underneath for chair access, the cooktop or range has front controls so no reaching over the dangerous burners or elements, etc.

As for the Cabin Cam... com on guys, notice how far that cam is placed from the actual buildsite? No one is goona get any secrets of the build from that. And that single camera mounted in a tree is certainly not gonna get in anyone's way. So I see no problem in having setup as a streaming cam rather than a still cam. But again, the final decision on that lies with the DIY folks in the end. So I guess we'll just have to wait and see if it stays as is or changes at some point in the future.

Oh well... guess I'm done for tonight. Talk with ya'll later.
Pleasant dreams to all.

Rob... And Tracey in spirit at least

Hi everyone! My name is Vic. I’m a first time blogger. I watch the show all the time so I thought it was time to give the blogging a try. Like many of you have stated, I love the cabin came.

I was looking at the floor plans and I could not find any dimensions. I opened the PDF files and still no dimensions. I would love to know the size of each room. With that said, I do like the floor plans.

Well, this was fun for a first timer. Time to run.

Ciao!

Vic from Ohio

To amuse: Just wanted to point out no steps no screen and just for fun used your story to add these ideas.

To Simon: I grew a beard this year also and your before and after picks convinced me to shave also thanks to all the bloggers interesting input.

joe from miccosukee florida
Ps. my wife has some physical limitations also so I understand the please be user friendly to all users. So I say small elevator and it looks like the elevations of the land will allow wheelchair users to get around and enjoy this home.

I love the cabin cam access! And the saving of native plant material. Thanks for both!
I loved this series from the outset - even if I've been 'outvoted' any number of times and regardless of the fact that I've not won!

I really enjoy the ability to vote for the different features of the house even though some of my picks were not the ones that got to be.
I think the site is in an absolute drop-dead gorgeous place and look forward to seeing how it turns out once ya'll are finished.
Sam

Thanks for the 'Blog Cabin'! This is so exciting and I can hardly wait for the updates!

Keep up the good work that all of you do for humanity and the environment - you (and the work that you do) are a wonderful example for us all.

Sincerely,
Pamela Pitman

This is an absolutely stunning site. I love being able to watch the progress day by day. Thank you. Debi Dee

Hi Fellow Bloggers,
Still more snow in "Mitten Shaped Michigan". A blade of green grass would look soooo beautiful now, espically if it were next to an unfrozen lake. The cabin is looking better every day.
Warren is correct about the $200,000 in taxes. the same thing happened with the Florida Keys home. If you read about the past winners, most of them ended up having to sell after they won. Then again, you could always attempt to sell your present home and make the cabin your permanent residence. It's still fun going through the entire process.
Just a note to Erica (Favorite Daughter) - I hope that your mom is doing better. Please know that she is still in my prayers.
Hope all of you had a great weekend!

The ground and the sight look wonderful. I also like the options we had to vote on. I can't wait to see how this comes together.

Hi Blog Buddies, I am back! I left you a note last week thanking you all for your thoughts and cares, and hoped you enjoyed talking with Erika while I was out, but I guess my blog didn't make it in. I am way behind, and am still to weak to sit here long, so it will take me awhile to catch up with you all.

I've missed you and all the fun we have! Glad to be back!

Cabincraver2008

I am happy to here the building will start soon. I love the blgo cabin idea, but am unsure if it is a cabin or a house going up. Some of the items voted on are items I would put in my house and not a cabin. What happened to the simple cabin when you go to retreat from the world and recharge your batteries?

Loving this!!!
Some of my choices aren't winning but I can deal with that. :o)

Cabincraver2008~ I haven't been on here long enough to know what your health issues are but I have seen all the well wishes for you and your daughters posts. I hope that all is looking up.
It is so nice to see a blog where everyone is sweet and they support each other. It's like a little blog family.

My thoughts on cabin stuff not included yet...Mud room, screened in porch and back steps. Pretty please. :o)

Hi Everyone! Welcome back Cabincraver2008! You were so missed! I pray that your strenght will increase with each new day. We need your input here!! :o) Several have been mentioning the taxes on this house. It would be great if DIY would take care of that. Again, we just have to trust God's Faithfulness to provide that tax money for the winner. In the meantime, the fun in choosing the materials and dreaming of winning at the same time is great fun. Happy Blogging Everyone!

Hi Cabincraver2008

Glad to see you are out of the hospital and home where you will get better much sooner than if you were in the hospital. Erika was a delight and just because you are back - hope she still pops in to say "HI" to us. Take it easy! Our prayers are with you.

We now have a camera at the site so you can see the progess of what is going on there - check it out not too much happening though. New floor plans are now posted - the garage is now going to be under the master bedroom and the basement will be a walk-out. Darlene and her crew did a great job listening to all our suggestions so when you are up to it check this out as well. I think Erika probably filled you in on everything else while you were in the hospital. I am sure that Clive will fill you in on what I missed!

Take care and get well real soon!

Erin

Question..... if granite is the choice for the backsplash, will it be cut like the picture? I think that curvature is awesome.

ARE WE VOTING FOR JUST THE SINK STYLE OR THE SINK WITH THE FAUCET THAT IS SHOWN IN THE PICTURE. I LIKE THE SINK WITH THE WORK STATION (I LIKE TO COOK WITH FRESH VEGGIES AND THE CUTTING BOARD IS AWESOME), BUT I DON'T LIKE THE FIXTURES THAT ARE SHOWN. PLEASE CLARIFY THAT.

Hello Mrs Cabincraver!!!!!!!!!!!!
So happy to hear that you have finally made it back home and found your way back to us bloggers here at diy. We really have missed you! Lots of new and fun things has happened since you have been on r & r. Have you checked out what Simon has done to himself! He's took on" that lumberjack look" and that cabin cam. Really nice, isn't it? To be able to see some of the daily progress. And how the lot looks at different times of the day. I can't wait to see when the trees and grass start budding out! And maybe we'll see some animals on or near the lot or water. I'll just let you know Erika was a sweet heart to keep us updated on that favorite mom of hers and what a lovely daughter you have there. You keep us updated on her too. You take care of yourself, get plenty of rest & relaxation. The blog will be here in between those rest periods ok. I'm still praying for you.

I was just looking at the houseplans and the cabin cam again! I think that the master bedroom screen porch/ sunroom would have been awesome on the house. I do like the porches But I believe it could have served as a carport( shade) for the garage below...... But that can be a great diy project for the winner later on, right.
Question for Ahmed: Is the gravel drive to the right the properties drive way to the garage? It seems like that would be it's placement to me. Or, is it just access for workers or heavier equipment for now?

Hi Bloogers

Hope you had a good weekend, was very warm all week and now the north winds have blown in at 50 MPH, big white caps on the lake and it's cold again.

Welcome back cabincraver hope you get your strength back soon, still praying for you.

Looks like the tile backsplash is trying to catch up go TILE go.

Mary from Texas

Hi everyone! Me and my husband watch the show all the time and love this "blog cabin" idea. Our dream is to build a log home on Norris Lake in Tenn. , which is one of the many beautiful lakes in Tenn. With this new cabin that your building on Watts Barr I hope we can get some good ideas. This is going to be alot of fun, keep up the great work. See ya

Welcome back cabincraver2008 and tell Erika to come over and read the blogs to you while you relax in a comfy chair.... ;)

I agree on the wider doors (not just for ADA, but for the furniture to be moved in without kicking walls).... If we can't have the grab bars in the baths ... please put in the reinforcements in the wall & a diagram so they can be added without tearing the walls out...

Still want stairs from the porch on the main level to the lake on the lakeside (backside of the house).... Also I am not fond of the roof on the back porch.. because we got the extra windows to see the lake from the loft (& let light into the main room) and now it is lost to the roof..
... I don't know how to solve this...because I like a roof to enjoy the porch in the rain & sun ???? so any one have an idea???

Still would like to be able to put the master bed across from the lakeside windows for a view when I wake up in the morning...

Love the Theater.... my husband & I love to watch movies and with all the light (which we would enjoy in the great room) it would not work for movies night/day.... Why go into town when you can have your own treats.. and talk & stop for a potty break...
We can play cards, games, puzzles at the dinner table or add a table in the great room...(near to the kitchen).... need a popcorn machine, frig, microwaave in the Theater room...

Like the concrete for the backdoor foyer floors(mudroom) easier to clean...
same for the undercounter sink & the brushed nickle for the baths

For the blogger & others if you go to the main blogcabin page you can go down to view all the choices that have won.. (helpful to those new to see what has been voted on..)

Better get things done around here... will talk later..

Texan in Okie land..

(another Barbara/Barb)

I just took a look at the trex decking advertising on your home page. Can I just say "WOW". It's awesome stuff! No painting or staining looks like. I can just picture seeing a series of decking with a few steps coming off the porches from the house, going right down to the water from the house. You wouldn't even have to touch the ground if you didn't want to! I love the built in benches that curved and snugged right in against the railings, Leaving open decking for the kids to play or add a nice table, Out door kitchen, fire pit. Endless ideas floating through my head! I especailly loved the curving ramp. I immediately saw it as an awesome opportunity to add in handicap access for the less mobile or older people from the home to the lake or dockage. And then I could just see the kids racing up and down it on skates, bikes, skateboard or even scooters. The boys playing with their cars etc. Maybe the kids and some of braver adults running as fast as they can & diving & jumping into the lake. It would be a fun way to enjoy the summers for sure. Hopefully the water will be deep enough. Measure it first please! Adding a lockable gate at the end to keep the kids from accessing the water without parent's permission or water travelers/ on lookers from the lake from entering the homes property. We have the upper level porches and now the ground level basement access to work with. We have endless options or creations for decks, patios, docks, ramps, steps, paths from the house to the water and oh yeah we have the old fashion way of just walking out the back doors, Right! I see this as a wonderful opportunity to play in the outdoors year round.

Hi Dj Smith
Re: your Post of March 2, 2008 - There is a way to see the winning voting choices ... Hope this attempt at directions helps you ....
Go to the Landing (Home) Page for DIY Network. You will find an area near the top left hand side of the page that gives you the option to go to The Blog Cabin (has been the middle option, but that may have changed).
Just click on it, and when that is done, a Vote Now area in the option appears, click it. When the page refreshes - Don't Vote. Instead, scroll down the page until you see three bands of picture options.
Go to the last row of the pictures .... click on any of the three links under those pictures and you will be able to click through a slide show and view/review the voting choices that have already been chosen.

If you have time, check out the first two rows of pictures, too, because they will provide you with another look at photos of the Blog Cabin project.

And,there is now the option on the landing page and several cabin pages after that to view the Blog Cam. You can see the progress on the groundbreaking from Feb. 6th to present day.

Hope my directions aren't too confusing ... if you still need help, just ask .... I am confident someone else will jump in and offer directions if mine fail you.

I really like the metal back splash - not only is it unusual but I'll be its about the most easy to keep clean! It looks like it would reflect the countertop beautifully - but I don't think it'll make the cut. Most of the voters don't seem to go for the unusual. Same w/the concrete flooring - the easiest to keep clean, doesn't show the dirt & is unique. Sometimes I think the biggest challenge we present to Ahmed & the DIY staffers is to make something "unique" out of the "usual" that gets voted in! Don't get me wrong - Blogers are great & I love you all. But I would like to see something off-beat get voted in if only to see what DIY does w/it!! Please remember - the pictures that we get to see are only a representation of what the finished item will be - its not the actual item. I guess that's what gives DIY the squeegy room for their own creativity. By the way - the work sink would be the best by far & Simon - fuzzy or not, you're still cute. Your fuzzy picture would look best on the most wanted poster in the post office and the clean picture could be used for your Christmas card to Grandma!

To Sharon in WA (Mar 1 @ 1:23) ... You are most welcome! Knowing you found my posts helpful really encourages me to continue to offer info as it becomes available.

Also, I agree with you that A.Muse, Clive, and quite a few others (-- Kim Mc, KateByTheLake, Erin, Carrie, BlognBob, CabinCraver just to post a few more of the names to the long list --) make this Blog a most rewarding, as well as an educational experience.

And, may I add that I am very happy that the information in my posts has proven valuable to others and that my comments, for the most part, have been well received, or, at the very least, served as the vehicle to drive the discussion and meaningful suggestions ever forward.

So, today, To each and every contributor, I want to say thank you, too, just in case I have not been verbal enough in my appreciation of you and the insights you have so generously offered.

Every post gives each of us the opportunity to think about something in a new way and, so often, to learn something that will prove helpful either now or in the future. It is a pleasure to be a part of this amazing off-site building team effort that has evolved into a many faceted adventure of mind and spirit.

Hi Carrie! That is such a great thought. We might get to see some animals caught on camera, on or near the water. With Spring just around the corner, the buds will start showing as the Cabin starts to make its announcement to all of us, from the foundation up. I am ready for another round of voting on perhaps the kitchen cabinet's stain or finish. How about a new round of voting on walls in the bathrooms, such as logs, drywall, tile, ect. The doors in the master bedroom. Are they going to be french door? How about the flooring in the kitchen. Will it be tile, wood, ect? Are there any others ready for a new round in voting? :o) Temperatures are up today, and the sun is just beautiful...Happy Blogging!

To Cabincraver2008:
I am so glad you are back! Rest up and recover. It takes a while to get your energy and stamina back. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Oh MY GOSH!!!!!!!
We have a house going up!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!
THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!! prebuilt walls that will go so fast!!!!!!! got to go! Watch cabin cam!!!!!!!!!! bye more pictures please!!!!!!!!!

For everyone who is asking about seeing what has already been voted on. Go back to the main Blog Cabin page, scroll down to the last set of pictures and you can see everything that has already been voted on and won.

cabincraver your blog did get in i was persistant and found it, its pretty amazing so many are praying for you:). so god bless you and no 1 daughter!
im disappointed the tile backsplash isnt doing better . tile on counters and floors is hard to clean but not so much on a backsplash. also with tile there are so many options like a tile picture of fish [lake theme] also i painted a concrete floor a number of yrs ago, gosh its sooo smooth no grout to clean and not slippery and still looks great.[so i vote for the stained concrete] and the farmhouse sink would be so cool with the craftsman cabinets.
well we wont get every thing we each want . but i have some concerns about how this will all go together,

Hello fellow bloggers & Cabincraver, welcome back. You've been in our prayers & you & yours will remain so!
Thanks to Adele for all the useful info on foundation & windows. Finally I understand why no footers were being framed or poured! And why so much stone. (Superior walls are set on stone, not concrete.)
Was wondering this morning why the big rush they had to work all weekend, then just checked out the cabin cam and they've already set most of the Superior walls. We can see garage door openings!! And we can see the openings for those big gorgeous french doors from the walkout basement!! Could anything be cooler than this?

WOW! Superior Walls are up. Now I can really visualize the deck going out from the master bedroom. That is really going to be very nice. I really like the basement windows size. They are large and will hold great windows to let the sun light in. Thank DIY for giving us several sequence photos of the process today. Again, this is just too much fun! :-) We don't have cable tv, so this cam camera really helps me to see the process. I hope DIY will be putting up videos on the web for us who cannot get the program on TV.

To Dick posted: March 1, 2008 at 7:01 AM
Your figures tally with mine. But a mortgage for $250,000 is far more accessible for the 'average' family (by statistical demographics) than is a mortgage for, say, $800,000 for the HGTV Dream Home. More of the viewing audience would find it not [i]totally[/i] impossible to keep this home. And there are more jobs available in an hour's commute of this community than in the middle of the FL Keys.
It would be interesting to know the HOA monthly/annual fee for Lakeside Estates (it's a gated community, so I'm sure they'll have one).

Ahmed is it me or do the pictures on the web cam run backwards. Also why can't you stop the pictures? Thats all, GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE BLOGGERS I enjoy reading them.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Builder's/Decorator's use some of your own ideas, i.e. concrete stained flooring, apron sink, rain shower. It's obvious, huh?, that I disagree with some of the voting. Can't they see how beautiful the stained concrete is??? There are other things I disagree on, but those were the big ones. Please take note of my post. Thanks!

Ahmed! I'm sorry, I misspelled your name! I know how that feels. My bad! lkm

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!
This morning I voted, checked the cabin cam, read the blogs then worked outside since it was 75 here today. I checked the cabin cam just now (11:22PM) and the basement walls are up! Talk about what a difference a day can make! This project is rolling right along to say the least.
Cabincaver08, I am so glad that you got to come home a week early. Your daughter has kept us posted but it was really great to see your blog this morning. :) I pray you continue to improve. I bet you were really surprised to see the cabin cam and all.
Baskets of Blessings to all and happy blogging!
Joyce

Glad to see the Superior Walls basement installed. I have had one of their basements and they are dry, fast to put in, and easy to build in. Thank you.

Just looked thru the cabin cam pics and saw the leveling of the lot and then i noticed you put in gravel and started to put the walls up. I just have a couple of questions....where are the footings the walls are supposed to be on? Are all cabins built on the ground without foundations?

... My prayers are with you all, as the flu season hit so many people hard this year!
As I was reading all the wonderful blogs and the thoughtfulness of so many, I believe the Lord may have given me a pretty good idea!
Several of yins mentioned the taxes...What if a fund was set up and everyone donated a $1 or $2... If you look at how many of us are voting on the different designs, we could help keep this wonderful cabin in our Blogging family. The blessed winner would recieve the Fund towards the taxes... I personly would be willing! Does anyone else have any ideas? I feel that (this is OUR house)...Let's figure a way to KEEP IT in our family!
God bless, stay healthy & best wishes

I was wondering if you could make the cabin a little more kid friendly and it would also be really cool to biuld a log tree house or you could call it blog tree house where we could vote on the coolest tree house. If there is no time maybe you could do it for the next Blog Cabbin. I sure hope you are going to build another one, I love blog cabin, you guys are great!

Hi Guys! The basement looks like it is coming together and with those great double doors for natural lighting, this cabin is going to be a gem. Can't wait for another round to vote on.
:-) Did you notice that the tile backsplash looks like it is catching up to the granite? Lets keep this rolling, maybe the tile will win. Watching the cam camera gets me to just want to drive down and watch this process. :-) Hope to hear from you cabincraver2008, we all miss you! :-) Happy Blogging everyone!

Wow Ahmed , how cool is that !! The foundation walls are going up and the cabin is becomming a reality . I'm so excited for who ever the lucky winner will be . But now all the fun..and hard work begins . Can't wait to see the interior come together . Keep up the great work hun...Thanks for all you do , Linda Hargett

Hi, this is my first time on the blog, I viewed the pictures and am confused. I thought there was to be a basement, was that idea scrapped or is it going to be under just part of the house? Also was there concrete poured before the walls went up? I couldnt tell.

Since we are well into the latest option voting, and the cabin cam will become ever more interesting, Today seemed like the perfect day to make good on my promise to CabinCraver for that true tale (not another ephemeral dream fragment) that will afford the perfect outlet for grins, groans and eventual giggles.
****************************

The neighbors were all a buzz with the news. The remaining Spec. house on the block had sold. A ‘last of the season barbeque’ was quickly planned for the weekend to welcome the newest residents. Mary, a kindergarten teacher, and William, an IT Specialist, were newlyweds, and relocating from their home state due to Will’s promotion.

By the time the Moving Van had pulled away from the curb on Monday evening, the couple knew they had made the right decision. That evening, with furniture in place and boxes still to be unpacked, they fell into bed, exhausted but happy.

Sometime before dawn, they were awakened by a loud thumping noise, followed by scratching and dragging noises from above. Then they heard nothing … Had they been dreaming? Exhausted from the move, they quickly fell back to sleep. But, in the morning, Mary remembered the strange sounds. Will, determined to remain Mary’s Hero, pulled down the attic stairs to investigate the area she felt most certain to be the spot where the sounds originated. Will was relieved to find nothing out of the ordinary. Except for the light being on (and he was sure he had flipped it off yesterday after stashing a few items in the attic), nothing seemed amiss.

The idea that a field mouse may be in the attic surfaced after talking with a few of the neighbors. No Problem. Will and Mary set off for the Dollar Store to buy some mouse traps. At home, they spread the traps with peanut butter and good cheese (Mary insisted that they use the good cheese, because after all, it would be the poor little thing’s last meal). Will put the traps in the attic, turned off the light and soon joined Mary in their loving bed.

The evening seemed perfect. Then, suddenly, as they drifted in a sea of good dreams, there came the sounds of THUMP, Thump, SNAP, Snap, snap, snap, and then, Silence. Mary was overcome with grief, certain she and Will had not only plotted to kill, but, now, had succeeded in that plot! Will did his best to comfort his wife, but, secretly, was thrilled at his cunning and good fortune. At the break of day, he was out of bed and lowering the attic stairs, so he could retrieve the kill and become, in the light of day, not a ruthless killer, but a vanquisher of evil. Mary would love him even more. Life was truly good!

Odd, he thought, as he peered up into the attic. That light is on again. And, oh no, how could this be ---there was no dead mouse…. Just a bunch of licked clean traps. He quickly flipped off the light and raised the stairs before Mary opened the bathroom door. Two more days of peanut butter and cheese whiz (the good stuff was eaten that first go round), and Will was becoming desperate. The sounds of thumping, scratching and bumping had become a nightly ritual as they, now, lay motionless, side by side, in what was once their cozy, welcoming bed.

He was sure he was beginning to see, in his sweet Mary’s eyes, the look of disappointment in him. And, had he really overheard her talking on the phone about their PROBLEM in the Bedroom with her sister. This CANNOT Be HAPPENING! Stupid Mouse, Stupid New Job, Stupid House, Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. Why did we ever leave Nebraska?

The next morning, after two cups of coffee and a bowl of oatmeal with a smiley face of blueberries (created with tender caring for him by his pretty bride), Will was finally able to pull himself out of the well of despair and low blood sugar. He began to devise a plan to save the day and win back Mary’s adoration which he feared was at a new low.

No more Dollar Store Mouse Traps. No more Mr. Nice Guy. This Was No longer just an item on his ‘Honey DO List.’ It was no longer an amusing little Quest. No….Now…..It was all out War.

Will pulled into the Hardware Store parking lot just as the doors were opening. Five Spring Loaded Rat Traps and four of the new, DIE, YOU DIRTY RAT glue traps were in his cart in a matter of moments. For good measure, he stopped at the Florist on the way home. He pulled into the garage, retrieved the Dozen Roses from the seat beside him, but left the brown paper bag in the trunk of his car. Tonight, while Mary was at Bunco, he would strike!

And, just as soon as Mary was out the door, Will retrieved the paper bag, along with a roll of duct tape, his flashlight, and his aluminum bat that he had retrieved earlier from one of the boxes labeled ‘Sports Gear’ that was still stacked in the garage.

He lowered the stairs to the attic and realized the darn overhead light was again lit (maybe a short, he thought, and made a mental note to call the builder in the morning). He began his ascent, carrying the brown paper bag and a big jar of generic Peanut Butter. He worked quickly, setting the traps, uncovering the sticky glue traps and positioning them with care. As he backed down the stairs, he reached up and (with his shirt tail wrapped around his fingers) unscrewed the hot Light bulb from the socket.

Dusk was fast approaching, as he sat with his back against the wall at the bottom of the stairs. As he waited, he carefully positioned the flashlight on top of his head and secured it with several wraps of duct tape around and around his head. He wanted his hands free, so that he could grab onto his trusty aluminum bat that now lay by his side and finish this, once and for all. TONIGHT would be the NIGHT …. Mary would come home to a secure home, free of intruders! This would be Will’s night to make all things right in the world for his Mary.

He must have dozed off a bit, but sat up immediately at the first Thump. He silently switched on the flashlight, stepped onto the first stair, and raised the bat over his head just the he heard the first SNAP. He peered into the darkened attic from the second step of the stairs.

The flashlight cast an eerie pattern on the rafters. First thing he noticed was the awful odor permeating the darkness. And then, out of nowhere, Will found he was staring into a pair of piercing Red eyes set above a mouth of yellowed teeth and fangs. He wasn’t sure if the low guttural sounds were coming from the beast in the attic or from his own constricted throat. He fell backwards, landing on the hall floor just as the DIE YOU DIRTY RAT Glue Traps sailed past his head with menacing speed and near accuracy. The attic seemed alive with thumping and snapping and creaking noises. Then, as quickly as it had begun, it was done. The silence was deafening.

Will remained on the floor until he was able to control his breathing. The only thought racing through his throbbing head was….WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED!

He surveyed the area. The only hard evidence that something had just happened were the glue traps, lying upside down on the carpet. He gathered himself up, pried the glue traps from the rug and covered the sticky blobs with a throw rug, for he knew that was the least of his problems. He banged the stairs shut and put the duct tape, flashlight and bat back out in the garage. He quickly packed a few essentials into a suitcase and met Mary as she was leaving the neighbor’s house after Bunco. Before he called for a reservation at the Spa Hotel in town, he had called the emergency number for the Exterminator. The Pest-Aside operator assured him that a technician would retrieve the key from under the mat and remedy the problem he was having with the uninvited guest in the attic.

The neighbors gathered as the technician emerged from the house the following evening. Within his No-Kill Critter Cage Trap was an Eight pound Raccoon. The tech said it was not all that unusual, with all the construction, to find ‘critters’ seeking nighttime shelter wherever they could. Since the builder had forgotten to put a mesh barrier at the opening of the roofline that connected the house and garage, the raccoon found a perfect spot to escape the cold, unfriendly nights, after a day of foraging.

Mary and William returned on Sunday night. He had told her that their little dream home was now “mouse free”, but did not go into any details. Mary would have never known the whole story (nor would you) had it not been for the bill for $367.84 that arrived a few days later. The cost included not only the time and one half charge for an after hours service call, but the cost of Removal and Relocation. Yep, by City Ordinance, the raccoon had to be transported to a safe area before being released to guarantee it would come to no harm from its displacement from its safe house!

Mary and Will lived in the house for about a year before another promotion and move occurred. Some of the original families are still home owners there, and at their annual ‘last of the season barbeque’, they invite all the new neighbors. The tale of Will and Mary, the newlyweds, and the things that went on in their bedroom at night remains an integral ingredient in the success of the event.

Will and Mary, still together after 10 years, rarely speak of it. William now owns his own Company and continues to build a great, safe, secure life for his sweet bride, Mary. Mary still sees William as her Hero, but, also, still continues to tell her sister about other Will happenings. Her sister, always a good listener, secretly tucks them away to be pulled out and dusted off for a re-telling whenever the spirit moves her.

Now the question is: Do you want to know the Moral of the Story ... OR ... Why the raccoon turned the light on every night?

I have loved looking at the selections that everyone is making to the cabin.

Love watching the Slide Show from the Cabin Cam but pictures are displaying backwards. My Cabin is leaving instead growing. HELP!

Hello fellow bloggers,
I am sure everyone is loving the cabin cam and watching all the progress being made.
One thing I would like to ask is why the apron sink is not doing well in the voting? I think is just goes with the cabin, myself. With everyone voting for the hand rubbed fixtures the other sinks clash big time. I have seen two bowl apron sinks plus some that have a work area.
As they have stated the picture does not mean this is just like what will be installed. Its for us to pick a style.
Just my opinion for what it is worth.
Maybe something to think about before you vote next time.
Baskets of Blessings and Happy Blogging
Joyce

Yes, Gary, I also thought that footers needed to be poured. Maybe I missed something here with the Superior Wall system. As I looked and looked again and again at the photos, I couldn't see anything hinting that they were poured. I know these guys know what they are doing, but I am just curious how they do this. Maybe some other bloggers can give us the answer to this question.

Okay, keep those votes coming...tile backsplash and stained concrete foyer...go, go, go!!

Do those walls have concrete footers already attached??? What material is touching the ground? Anyone up on this type of foundation?

Thanks everyone for all your informative and/or entertaining posts!

Ah A. Muse, how cruel, treating this like our cabin choices! c'mon don't give us an OR, or I'll have to do like I do on some of the voting.
Vote for the 'moral' today AND for the 'why' tomorrow ;)

So I'll go for the moral today.
(Maybe the racoon was afraid of the dark, hence turned on the light :-)

***to Muse***
I loved your story, but I want to know both!
ROFLOL

Please feel free to email me some more funny stories, My family will love hearing them!

Just looked at the CabinCam...haven't in a few days.

Interesting concept for the foundation, I hope. I've seen the type of form that has insulation, and it gets bolted together, but still has concrete poured throughout. I've never seen 'pre-fab' sections like that. How they're waterproof, hope some sealer and viqueen(sp) are applied to the outside below grade, hope some draintile and gravel will be installed at base also.

In looking through the pic's, I didn't see a concrete footing poured prior to the installation of those foundation wall units. That's different for me too. Maybe that's just for us in the 'Actic Tundra' of Chicagoland. Just hoping too, that there won't be too much shifting. I assume this is a tried and true building method. We have a lot of clay up here, so homes kind of 'float'.

Also, we tile fans need you metal and beadboard supports to jump ship and help us out!

Another strange idea perhaps. But reading A.Muse's wonderful story, what would some think of fold down stairs off the back porch? Good for emergencies and securing privacy from unexpected walk ups. I can imagine there will be a number of folks wanting to take photos of your nationally known cabin if you win it too. Maybe? But as usual , just a suggestion.
Oh, and A Muse...both please?
Which reminds me. Don't leave your fish cleanings or dog or cat food out when living along a lake. It could cost you $367.84 : )

I think voting for something that is being erected before your eyes is great. I would love to win this thing and be able to return home from Florida but this is fun win or loose. I dream about the man cave and having someone like Learch man the door just in case unwanted people are about. Or the mother in-law, oops my wife is here (I love my mother in-law to death!) I think a trap door would be in order.

Hi one and all. I was having a self imposed break from the blog for a number of reasons (none to do with you fine folks I hasten to add) and had intended to stay away for about another week just reading and watching things. However, I had a look at the ‘Superior Walls’ site (they are the company installing the basement as we blog). They have a rally neat part of the site where you can watch how the whole thing is assembled. This should help all those bloggers asking how it's being done. Go to http://www.superiorwalls.com/interactive_center.htm and watch either of the installation videos. It's really a neat system. I saw it used on an episode of 'This old house' a year or so back and would certainly consider them if I ever built my own home.

I’ll slip out of the fray again for a few days and resume comments soon. Just had to say welcome back to Cabincraver 2008 and hope you are feeling better with each day. Also to one and all, keep the ideas and comments flowing and stay well. This is a great community of bloggers.

Hi Kim Mc at march 4 5:58 p.m.

Figured if I treated the tale like the cabin choices, it had a better chance of passing muster with our beloved Watson and not land me in the hallway (smile).

And.... in response to your request for the winning 'choice' in regards to The 'moral' of the story.... Drum roll, Please......The moral of the tale is:

..... "Where There's a Will, There's a Way.....

Are you grinning or groaning, Kim?

P.S. That was a mighty fine, Good second choice you offered about the 'why', but, unfortunately it is not the 'winner' - sorry. I'll reveal it after CabinCraver has had a chance to respond.

Glad tidings to you and those you hold dear...
a. Muse

Hi WSC...
In response to your question on March 3 @ 7:26 P.M....

Yes, there will be a Home Owners' Association. The HOA dues are not scheduled to begin until 2009 but are estimated to be about $50.00 per month per household.

Another point: The streets will be maintained by the City, so the cost of any repairs to them in the future should not fall upon the shoulders of those living in the Estates.

to see the progress every day is exciting beyond words. It was awesome to see that the logs had been delivered and that the basement walls were up showing the garage opening and door openings--tomorrow can't get here soon enough!

Erin, Barbara/Barb (Texan in Okie Land), Cathy, all my bloggerbuddies: Thank each and everyone of you for your input, your thoughts and prayers while I was in the hospital. If I left anyone out please forgive me. I'm not quite myself yet.

You all just keep coming up with great suggestions. That cam is brilliant and I also hope we catch some critters on the prowl,and what a treat to be able to actually see the seasons change on or own lot of and.

I would lie to know other than the entry way, which room(s) we are furnishing. The kitcen would look great with granite or tile, and the oil rubbed faucet. But I wouldn't want to see the oil rubbed faucet at every sink! Also I think granite would great in the kitchen, but not the master bath. I would really like some beautiful tile in there with rope tile trim or someting else elegant, since we seem to have decided to put all of our special wishes and wants into this home.

You guys are the greatest. I told Erika yesterday (she came by to check on me and bring my birthday present) how much you enjoyed visiting with her and she opened the site and read some of the comments. She was very proud of herself, as I am.

Need to rest or I will fall asleep in this chair. Have a woderful weekend because I have been admonished by my Doctor to stay in bed until further notice. I will be sneaking out to check on you guys!

So take care, we are the best, and may the

To A. Muse:
Don't leave us hanging! What is the moral of the story? Why did the raccoon turn the light on every night? Are you Mary's sister?

Most of the things voted on for the cabin are great. A few I would disagree on but that is the way it goes. But do you really need a home theater where you sit lazily mindlessly eating and watching movies. This place needs an exercise room to be able to keep fit. I look forward to watching this place go up. It is going to be better than the last one.

Hi Ahmed! I've been thinking about the kitchen sink and granite counter top. You may want to consider placing the hardware (faucet) on the backsplash. It really gives the counter top a cleaner look. A Faucet coming out from the backsplash would be great and also one coming out from the backsplash over the stove would be so handy. For those of us who love cooking, water at the tip of our fingers is such a help. On the voting photos they have the faucet coming out from the back splash, if anyone would like to see what it would look like. Happy Blogging Everyone! :-)

Can anyone tell me how come when I vote, I only get to the back splash and then it stops and says I can only vote once a day. This has happened the last two times and I don't get to finish voting. Just curious. Thanks.

GRAVEL FOOTERS...The concrete industry is doing what the wood basement industry started in the early 70's. Gravel footers are the only way to go for many reasons. Quick and easy, can start wall assembly immediately. No weather delays, provides perfect drainage and much lower labor cost. The Permanent Wood Foundations are, in my opinion, still the best out there. They come pre-panelized and a standard size foundation can be installed in one day with just 2 workers. They are designed for your lot and conditions. They are framed with 2x6 foundation grade lumber which makes it easy to finish the interior. The treatment on this lumber is permanently bound to the lumber and will not leach. You can have a concrete floor poured or PWF sub floor. The PWF foundations are awesome, we provide them on many of our homes that we sell. And in the 30+ years of using this product, not one leak!!!!

I see logs on site?!?!?!? Looks awesome way to go, can hardly wait for the new show to start!

Keep up the great work!!!

Sharon A inok

Everybody is questioning the basement wall system. Is there a website for the basement wall system? So that we bloggers can educate ourselves on it? I do look forward to that episode! So I can understand the process better. I did see that they are pre-built walls. And going up fast! Very exciting, my son is enjoying the cabin cam as much as I am.. Maybe they will build up and fill in earth around the front of the of the house-basement wall. I was wondering about the footers as well: But I am not familiar with prebuilt basement walls. There are so many different ways of doing the same job. It gets confusing sometimes. I also was just wondering why it looks like the basement is on compacted gravel instead of concrete. I never saw any concrete trucks on the cabin cam. I always thought all basements had to have concrete floors. Do they put the concrete in later? But why couldn't they have normal subfloors! The rest of the house does!

A. Muse I enjoyed the tale of the newlyweds and the raccoon. I hope you don't mind but the light went on in my head when I read your story and I thought about the poor coon!
You didn't say if they had lived in the country or in the city. So I'm guessing it was that they had moved into the expanded city "subburbs". So when the contractors came and started tearing apart this loner coon's home turf. The coon sat nearby watching them, wondering what they were doing and the contractors watched him, wondering what he would do. He soon figured out they would pay him for a showing. What coon can resist a handout or a trashed treat! Easy work, thought the coon! So he would visit them everyday. Eating and not paying much attention to nothing else. So when all the noise and action finally stopped. And there was only little trees left.. None big enough for him to live in... Coon thought, What happened? Where am I going to live at now.. they are finally gone and so are all the bigger trees, the coast is clear and it's quiet. I took their food and they took my trees! So, I'll take this big one of their's!" Yeehaw!!!, they finally left and I got a bigger tree! Yeehaw!! How nice of the humans! So I'll just stay right here, Yeehaw!!! it's at least windproof & dry! "yeehaw! He then finally figured out they laid him off from work & wouldn't be back for a while so he would go find other work & take to his daily rounds of finding food again and spying on the newest human neighbors. After all, these humans, they like a good coon show and I have to work for my food and shelter too & then after work ( ...I mean begging sessions). He would get tired and come home with his stash and take a good nap! After all, Coon felt, it's my tree now, the humans left it for me. They took my trees! But after a few months the coon started hearing more & more thumping and more human noise! Oh no! Now, there back, coon thought! They will never take another tree from me! So like most animals when danger comes they go to the top of the tree..(or attic)to see what's going on or hide in this coon's case! He hid in there and only come out when it was quiet and they left again. But he was so amazed at this human trick he saw, in his very own tree, that the sun came up, when they did! I'll make some more noise, put on a coon show, when they come back. They'll see me & turn the sun back on. It's dark in here! After all these humans, I remember, they like a good coon show! But he didn't realize the humans sun blinded him, and stunned him and he stayed hid and missed his chance to put on his show. I won't have to work as hard for my food again! He tried and tried to put on the show but he kept getting stage fright he thought everytime the sunlight came on. So Coon would make some more noise to let them know he was ready! He was right, they started bringing food on these fancy little platters that was really fun to play with. They would jump and I could catch my food with my mouth! But boy cold those things pinch you if you didn't move fast enough! Boy these new humans really make you work hard for your food! Then he figured out how & all he would have to do was flip that sun button and the sun would come up anytime without the human being there! wow! Now, he could see what was for dinner and they could see the show when they come up to see him! He was so happy and figured out he didn't have to be afraid of them or the dark anymore! And they wanted to see my coon show & feed me don't they? They keep coming back! So I'll just leave the sun on for them and it won't blind me! But, I wonder, why do they run off so fast? What are they afraid of? me or the light! Because if they turn that light off one more time! I'll just turn it right back on!!!!!!! But you know being a city coon he had never really seen the true darkness of the night or inside sun until he moved into the big tree" house"!!! But little did he know that wasn't their last human trick! After all it was a house built by humans for humans! Not a tree "house" for Coon! I wonder what Coon's up to now? I thought I would create a tale for you... in return A. Muse
thanks for the story

Will this community allow for fences? I have two large dogs, part German shepard, part Dobbie and I need to have a dog run placed if I win this great cabin! They LOVE water!

amuse has an incredible imagination.
Loved reading the story of William & Mary...

Whatever styles end up in this wonderful cabin home will be appreciated by the winner.
Speaking of the winner...if you check on the HGTV giveaway home...many of the previous winners sold the house in order to pay the taxes.
Apparently the tax man doesn't wait on his money.

So how is the winner going to pay if they have limited income? Especially in this time of slower home markets.

Even refinancing at say $250,000 could be a stretch for some people.

I'm still having a great time dreaming and voting for my favorite choices.

And welcome back Cabincraver...hope you gain strength & good health soon!

Yes, a. Muse, please give us both option 1 and 2...that's my additional vote for today :)

Also, was this about relative or purely fictional???

Hey All, I am new to this but want to say a few things. It is exciting to watch this all come together. To know that my oppinion matters makes it well worth the wait. I know that the undercounter sink will make it because of the clean up. I enjoy watching the cabin cam and seeing the results. Keep up the comments and the input and this will be a gorgeous cabin. I also am partial to the home theater in th man cave.

HI...
To Heading South ~ Cathy ~ Gary ~ and anyone else wondering about the lack of Concrete Footers in the basement and other related questions:

Here is a portion of the information supplied at www.superiorwalls.com

Superior Walls uses a footing of crushed stone, along with a steel reinforced footer beam. The purpose of any wall footing is to distribute the wall's load over a sufficiently large area of soil so that the soil bearing capacity is not exceeded. Superior Walls utilizes a crushed stone footing to accomplish this. This properly prepared layer of clean crushed stone transfers the load from our wall system to the soil. See the Builder Guideline Booklet for more information.

Superior Walls website states that: A crushed stone footing is better than a concrete footing because:

1. It's faster-You can place it and load it immediately, both by setting the wall immediately and building upon the wall immediately.

2. It is level-Our procedures assure a perfectly level footing for the wall to sit on (no shims needed, no grout needed).

3. All weather-a crushed stone footing can be placed in temperatures that poured concrete cannot.

4. Location-It is always in the correct location, directly centered under the wall (No issues with the building inspector because of a wall running off the edge of a concrete footing).
"The depth of the crushed stone footing is determined by considering the allowable soil bearing capacity on the building site and cross-referencing that with the combined footing load per lineal foot, using a table in the SWA Builder Guideline Booklet.

The walls can be backfilled when the basement floor is poured and the framing/decking connection is made at the top of the wall, per the Superior Walls Builder Guideline Booklet.
The Builder/Owner is responsible for the following items:

*Building Permits and Inspections

*Soils verification

*Excavation

*Placement of drain pipe and sump pit

*Installation of filter membrane

*Cold weather protection

*Placement of crushed stone footing

*Locating Building Corner Pins and establishing grade

*Site accessibility for trucks and crane

*Installation of sill plate and framing attachments

*Backfilling after concrete floor has been poured and floor framing has been completed

To comply with building code requirements, the framing / decking connection at the top of the wall and the floor slab at the bottom of the wall MUST be completed prior to backfilling.

The R-5 has an R-value of 5 from the factory, with an additional 7" deep space available for added insulation. The Xi has an R-value of 12.5 from the factory, with an additional 6" deep space available for added insulationWhen adding insulation to a Superior Walls wall panel, it is important to consider two factors to ensure that water vapor does not condense within the wall cavity:

1. Controlling the moisture content of the air trapped in the cavity while adding the insulation. (It may be necessary to use a dehumidifier.)

2. Restricting moisture-laden air from entering the cavity from the living space or from the earth beneath the wall. This may be accomplished through the use of vapor retarders, sealants, and spray foams. Daylight drains require a "back water valve" on the drain line to prevent a back-flow of moist air into the crushed stone footing.

The essential issue is that you must stop moisture from entering the stud cavity.

*Fiberglass batt, cellulose, Icynene, or other materials may perform satisfactorily if the considerations noted above are properly dealt with.

There are two other methods that have consistently yield satisfactory results and prohibit condensation from forming within the wall cavity:

*Spray-on 2-part polyurethane foam. This is a closed cell material and completely closes off the cavity from moisture penetration. It can be obtained both professionally and as a DIY kit.

*Add extruded/expanded polystyrene foam board between the studs, and seal between the foam board and studs with a ("Great Stuff -type") canned polyurethane. The polystyrene foam board is closed cell; moisture cannot pass through, and when used in conjunction with the canned foam, completely closes off the cavity from moisture penetration. Foam board is readily available for the DIY market, as is the canned polyurethane foam.

Generally speaking, after adding any type of exposed insulation to the interior of a wall assembly, the building code requires that you cover the insulation with a thermal barrier to protect the insulation from fire - see your local building code for details.

The walls are ready to be built upon immediately after the installation is complete.
The walls are sealed with a one-part polyurethane sealant made specifically for precast concrete panels.

Hope this answers some of your questions.

Way to go on the cabin! That's got to be exciting. I'm hoping to build mine by within the next year.

Hello! It was so exciting going on the website today and seeing that Cabin Cam! WoW! To be able to watch before AUGUST! AMAZING! I so cant wait - to see all the changes come about! Thank you to whomever's idea that was! :-) Still waiting to see some of those Eco-Friendly plans and designs come about with this gradious lake home. I so want to be able to know that when (and if) I when this home that it will be ECO Friendly! Love this Blog! Cabin! My first...:-) Merry

Hi Fellow Bloggers,
Cabincraver - I'm so very happy that you are home and resting. I hope you gain your strength soon so that you can get back on-line. I'll keep praying.
Susan - I agree with your suggestion of donating $1 or $2. This is OUR house and it would be a shame if the winner had to turn around and sell it. Michigan economy is so very bad right now, along with the rest of the nation, that I know we couldn't even give away our home in order to move.
Thanks again for the cam pictures. LOVE seeing actual dirt and unfrozen water. We just had another 8 inches of snow!! At least I got a snow-day from work.
P.S. Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend!

I see no footers at all...just lots of gravel, then formed walls. What's going on?? What code is being followed here? Can someone from the show tell us about the foundation (or lack there of)?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MS. CABINCRAVER , MY PRAYERS CONTINUE FOR YOU A SPEEDY AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY RECOVERY TO YOU!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the footer info. Very interesting process!

I always thought footers and foundations were to provide a level building surface and a stable support or mounting point going down below the frost line. If there are no footers for the slab basement floor then the slab may heave. Gravel footers? Is the gravel bonded together with cement or some other agent?

I looked at the website for the installation company but did not find an answer. The comment's and video did not mention the potential heaving problem of cold weather. The only reference to the gravel footing was that it provided a level surface to carry the load of the walls.

More information needed to reassure me that Blog Cabin 2008 is not starting off on the wrong foot(ers).

Clive I appreciate your research and site reference. Keight,Vickie, WOW ! , all of you really cleared up everything for me. Cabincraver, you need to get one those youngsters or their friends to bring you in a laptop so you can stay in bed , yet entertain yourself while awake. But in all , sounds like you need your rest. Please take care !
I have worked quite a few years in construction but I have never known about this process. (Old School,hammers and that.) This Very interesting. I think I am picturing it correctly. Still it would be great to see in person sometime. That's me. Have to see it in front of me happening.
Still love to build things. But my job now is at home now since my wife became disabled in 02. Doesn't pay anything financially the returns are priceless.
That is why I absolutely love this blog and seeing the progress, the suggestions, the input, and the whole thing come together before our eyes.
I sure miss the fragrance of fresh cut wood. The moist air of the morning as your buddy cracks open his thermos of coffee and the smell fills the truck. As you take that few minutes before the creation begins. (Even though I don't drink coffee, I love the smell of it.)
So, this is my self assigned job site for the time being. Sitting here with my Blog co-workers coming up with some ideas to mull over and maybe talk the boss into putting into "THE CREATION".

IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO BE APART OF THE SELECTION PICKING, AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE NOT ONLY GROUND BREAKING BUT THAT THE BOTTOM FLOOR IS JUST ABOUT DONE..EXTERIOR .I LOVE THE CAM RALLY MAKES IT FEEL LIKE YOUR WATCHING YOUR OWN HOME BEING BUILT AROUND THE CORNER. MY CORNER I HOPE. A NEW HOME IT WOULD RELIEVE SO MUCH HARD TIMES ON ME .I WOUDL LOVE TO LIVE THERE. I KNOW WHO EVER GETS IT WILL BE HAPPY. THANKS!!!

It appears the sinks in the master bath have been left out of the final plans.

Kate by the Lake, I am disappointed but not surprised. She is doing fine and posted on Mar 3 however she never reads anyone’s else’s comments Check Feb 28, anyway cheers and have fun while blogging, after all that is what is supposed to be.

Good Morning Carrie Miracle!
The ‘gift’ you gave to me (and all the other CabinHuggers who will also read it) is pure delight! Giving a voice to the raccoon in Will and Mary’s tale was ingenious!

I called Mary’s sister prior to posting the story to make certain it was OK with her if I recounted it for a few new but already dear acquaintances. Laura was more than happy to give the “project” her blessings. This afternoon, I called her again, to share your take on the event! She thinks you are absolutely brilliant!

The only thing she was disappointed about was the fact that Mary and Will are in Paris (something to do with his Company, I think) and, so, she couldn’t read them the two posts. She is absolutely convinced that they will be amazed to hear that episode in their lives is still being talked about, and, more importantly, to finally know what the coon was thinking (wink), --- not that Will has lost any sleep over the incident, but Laura, much to her little sister’s chagrin, does so love to add a little silliness to Will’s oh so serious side whenever an opportunity presents itself.

So…… Thank you so very, very much, Ms Carrie Miracle …. I think we may have the makings of a sequel on our hands (smile)
Glad tidings to you and those you hold dear…
a. Muse

Good Morning CabinHuggers!

In response to those who have requested it:

1. The “moral of the story is: Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way

2. “Why did the raccoon turn the light on every night?” The answer is the raccoon didn’t turn the light on every night, because a raccoon is a nocturnal being and could have gotten along perfectly well in the darkness. The light kept coming on because there were electrical problems in the house. The builder had to send his electricians back a half dozen times before they got it all straightened around. Laura mentioned that Will always questioned whether the place had ever actually passed an electrical inspection during construction.

PLEASE NOTE: the answer as given for #2 above is based upon the version of the story I was told. You really must check out the post of Carrie Miracle at March 5, 2008 11:41 AM ---- She has given us all an absolutely brilliant alternative to consider. TRUTH OR FICTION --- you get to choose yet again!

In response to:
Posted by: Kina at March 5, 2008 8:30 AM Can anyone tell me how come when I vote, I only get to the back splash and then it stops and says I can only vote once a day. This has happened the last two times and I don't get to finish voting. Just curious. Thanks.

Cannot give you any ideas as to why it happens, but, if it is any consolation, you are not the only person who has had their voting rights cut short…. Take a look at the combined totals for the options that are being voted on right now and something curious emerges when you compare the numbers posted within the 5 options. One choice has the highest total number at votes of 66079. The lowest comes in at 63340. In order to get from one option to the next a person chooses, votes, and then, is moved on to the next screen. Yesterday’s final totals show a discrepancy between tallied votes at 1116, 1730, 2152, 2508, and 2739.

Hi Clive...

Should have known you wouldn't leave us all in the dark about Superior Wall System!

Since I hadn't seen a post from you in a while, I thought you might be out of the country on business or something and it is fun to search out requested info outside my comfort zone of the Covenants every once an awhile, so that is why I posted on the topic.

Haven't seen a post from Susan for a bit, either. Is she off an a musical adventure with your daughter? If so, be sure you and your son wash the dishes and cancel the dancing girls before they get back. Wouldn't want Susan to suspend your blog time .... we've all come to depend upon your input in matters of the cabin.

Im glad to see finally an opportunity to apply to a sweepstakes that does not disquailfy a big chunk the population of the USA. My dad is a retired GM employee and all the homes offered in sweeps by HGTV have GM cars too which eliminates anyone related. It has been crushing and disheartening to only dream of even qualifying and now to be able to have a chance to actually qualify for a dream is very much appreciated!!!!!

It is a lot of fun to "see" the construction! What a great idea the cam was!

Good Morning Fellow Bloggers!!!! :-) Thanks Keight for all your information on the Superior Wall System. It is quite impressive when you think how they prevent that moisture from getting into the stud cavity. It certainly sounds like the better way to go. Thanks again!!! There is also a new system, which for the life of me I an't rememberI noticed the main supporting beam has been set in the center. No new photos this morning, quess I need to be patient. :-) With all that said, I am thankful for this family of bloggers, for everyone's insight. If anyone see any critters arounds the building site (on the cam) let us know. With the weather warming up, we should be seeing something soon! Maybe a COON!!! Muse! :-) Have fun everyone!

It's just amazing!!!!! The subfloor is already on the main floor. WOW!!! This is progressing mighty fast! :-) Anytime now we will be observing the stacking of the logs! DIY thanks for doing a great job, and letting us all have a peek hole to watch! :-) God bless.....

WOW!
I took a break from looking at the Cam on March 2nd, and then today was blown away at the progress!

The basement panels helped a lot!

Great to see it all come along quickly.

I'll be watching every day from here on out!

Have you considered an instant hot water source by the kitchen sink? Love that feature.

I'm thrilled the house will be in Tennessee. Centrally located, no state tax, seasonal weather, National Parks, and 5-9 hours from almost everywhere east of the Mississippi.

To WSC posted March 3:

You're right, of course, about the taxes on the Blog cabin being with reach of many more people than the HGTV Dream Home. Also, the cabin is much more liveable on a long term basis than the DH and the location, while not the Keys, is still a beautiful site. All in all, DIY is doing a great job with this project and I would love to win. (With selling our current home and dipping into savings, we might even be able to keep it.)

Good morning fellow bloggers
I am usually not a person of habit but now when I get up every morning I turn on the computer, turn on the coffee pot, go to the cabin home page. Get my coffee and check the cabin cam, vote and read the blogs! The cabin cam takes me to the cabin and lake. I took the long way to say I just sit drink my coffee and dream about winning this wonderful log home. I who has never won anything but I feel I have been so every blessed in life.
I thank the Lord every day for how blessed I am.
My husband is planning on retiring the first of November so this would make his retirement even better!
I can just see my family and I drinking our coffee and watching the birds and other wild life each day. I pray that who ever wins really enjoys the out doors, birds, lake and everything this dream log home has to offer.
Cabincaver08, I pray you are getting stronger each day.
Baskets of Blessings and Happy Blogging
Joyce

where is the cabin going to be.I would also like to see a hot tub on the porch or deck

A Muse: I've been sick, cough cough. Could you, would you, please consider telling us both the moral of the story and why the racoon turns the light on every night? I'm pushing it, right??!! PLEASE!!!

Thanks for whatever, girl. You are a hoot. Off to bed! What a good girl I am.

Cabincraver2008

Hey A. Muse, I'm glad you liked my little tale of Coon. I wasn't for sure if I should have wrote it or not, But for some reason it was just one of those inspirations you get on a whim. That lucky Will & Mary in Paris. Lucky girl she is, Husband who protects her from wild beast no matter the cost and takes her to the city of love, Paris. Sorry to hear about the electricians bad work. No wonder they moved! Unfortunately there are many bad contractors & sorry jobs done out there! My story is totally false of course, I made it up on the fly as they say, but I guess if there should be a moral to my little story; It is to not always trust the hand that feeds you as some old timers say they will feed you with one hand and rob you with the other! Like they did Coon! Like A. Muse says racoons really can see great in the night. We used to have a neighborhood "coon show" a few years ago. He would come to our carport door and steal the cats food and dunk it in the water bowl. Messy coon was he!

Hi Keight et al. I'm moving to Watson's blog line started today. See you over there.

Dear Blog Friends,

A. Muse, very a-muse-ing! Thanks for 'and now the rest of the story', as ole' Paul Harvey says.

Cabincraver, HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY! Scroll up just a bit, March 6, 12:42 am - A. Muse has your answer.

Clive - Thanks for the link to Superior.

Keight - last but not least - thanks again for keeping us informed and for 'fleshing out' the foundation/footer. Sounds like a interesting system. From your post, I gather the bottom of the slabs have the steel reinforced footer built right in, along with (compacted ?) gravel to spread the load.

To "KateByTheLake",

Thank you for the help, it is very appreciated :)

Enjoy your weekend and have a safe one, thanks again, D.J.

See y'all at the new blog from Watson this time..Back from the Log Raising (New Photos!)

To Keight at March 4, 2008 11:06 PM
Thanks for all the info. I was very concerned that the HOA fees would be MUCH higher than that. In the area where I live, and the area where we plan to build, the gated communities have fees that are 3-5 times the Lakeshore Estates fee. I hope they can keep it low.

Sometimes I feel like such a grinch, wanting to know about taxes, HOA fees & covenant restrictions, and the economy of the part of the state the community is in. But if I know those details, I can better plan for the unlikely event of actually winning this home.

To the poster that suggested a 'tax fund', I am concerned that there would be serious IRS issues and problems for both the winner of the home and for DIY as the sponsoring entity. It would cause real problems if that money changed the classification of the prize and you would have to pay all the income tax 'up front' before you could take possession of the home.

Thanks also for all the information on the foundation system. Now I have to get updated on the CabinCam footage... See everyone later.

Hello again to one and all!! What an exciting time! I guess that is one of the biggest understatements of the year, when it comes to the blog cabin!!! I would like to take the time and thank everyone on this particular blog site. In this day and age of everyone going their own separate ways and, at times, many don't even know their neighbor--what a wonderful feeling to be a part of a great bunch of bloggers!! I am honored to be included.

The cabin cam is so awesome--It seems like, and is, a dream going on before our very eyes and to have such wonderful "friends" and input on the outcome of this "dream". It really feels like, by blogging, we are making this future home the best it can be, just by adding our suggestions. Someone WILL win this cabin that has combined so much expertise. What a feeling!! Where else could everyone, from all different classes of people come together for the betterment of someone else's life. AND NO ONE EVEN NEEDS A CATTLE PROD TO GET US TO JOIN!!

I MUST ADD A FINAL TWIST TO A PARTICULAR RACCOON STORY!! THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND QUITE A STORY!! You see, up here in North Dakota, a decade or so back, there was a man who thought he was the mastermind of a brilliant plan. You see, Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN are like one city built on opposing sides of the river. By the way, it is illegal to have 'coons as pets up here. But, back to the story--this man had worked for a security company and had done so much research, of the evil kind, on the internet. One bright and early morning, he set his plan into motion. His plans were to burglarize as many businesses as he could without them knowing. That way he could make a clean getaway, right. This was back when ND had a blue law and stores and such had to close on Sunday. So, he packed up his bags and went down to the river, under the bridge. There he drilled holes into the bridge and cut all the phone wires he could get his hands on and he (or the raccoons) snipped them right up against the concrete, thus knocking out thousands of telephone lines and the lines that connect the burglar systems, 911 and the police. It took thousands of hours and many months to repair, 'cuz all the wires were encased in cement and there was no way to "pull" more wire. Hundreds of businesses were burgled. In the end, though, he did end up in prison, he was required to pay back millions of $$ for the salaries of all those that had to come together to make the repairs. But, sadly, due to federal regulations, the 2 masked bandits, who helped, were put down. Yes, it is a good thing that "your" raccoon helped point out a potentially bad wiring problem, before it was tooooo late!

I really do wish I could come down there, even for a short time and experience the excitement that must be, at times, overwhelming. Ah, wishful thinking--LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW! Ah, well, I guess, summer will be here soon and what a thrill it would be to enjoy it in your own "little piece of heaven on Earth"!

Gotta go!! Keep up the great work, the friendships and, soon, there will be more to vote on!!

I think the Blog Cabin is great!!! Basement done,sub flooring for first floor done. Wow, what progress. I love voting for the different things in and around the cabin, I have been voting since the first day. I would LOVE to be able to live there and sit back, enjoy the sunrise and sunset and just let the rest of the world go by. How cool would that be? Keep the good things coming, I also love the Blob cam, how much fun to watch the progress each day. I dream of seeing it someday, maybe I will be lucky enough to win!!!???

Carrie and A. Muse, you stinkers! I should've known about the coons being night time critters. When we lived in Colorado someone left the sliding door in the kitchen open just a bit. All of a sudden I heard this loud "CRUNCH CRUNCH", and knew it was Chief (our cat). I woke Mike up and he got the fire tongs and went creeping into the kitchen where he found a HUGE racoon snacking out of the cat bowl. He flipped on the light, and the racoon's family from mother to toddler were standing at the door, looking so sad and hungry - what an act they put on!

I cannot get the cam to work. Could someone please give me directions on how to get there exactly, and what do do once I get there, in case I am in the wrong place? I would really appreciate it.

Gott go to bed! Thanks guys, and thank you for the joke!

Cabincraver2008

Never mind about cabincam. I thought I was in the wrong place because it was going backwards, which makes perfect sense. I've got it now. Still a bit loopy on these drugs the doctors gave me, plus I'm a bit loopy normally. What a dangerous combo!

Goodnight all, and may the most worthy BLOGGER win!

Just checked out the latest cam shots...Fabulous!
Keep up the good work. Now tell me is there a special page for us to enter? Or is our vote and blog all it takes.

This is my first time here and wanted to say I love it. I look foreward to watching the progress of the cabin.

this is my first. i am a nubie. my wife and i have been watching the 2007 blog cabin and fell in love with the show. your pick of guests were very knowledgeable. i can't wait to see 2008 blog cabin. i plan on building my wife a patio and i got some great ideas and howto from watching your show. i am in the electrical utility business and am wondering will the sevice to the new cabin, will it be overhead or underground? how will the new cabin be energy efficient? i look forward to voting and would like to enter the sweepstakes. i would like to see my first grandaughter fishinf on the bank of that lake. waiting for more cam shots and the new show.

I watched the 2007 show and really enjoyed watching the progress and how everyone felt they had a part in designing the end result.
It was really touching to see how emotional the host was when it all came to a close.
I do have a question however--I was confused about how to enter to try and win the cabin. How will it work for trying to win this year's cabin?

The heated floors in the bathroom are going to really be nice. We're getting ready to remodel ours and are really looking at putting them in our home.

Wow, such fun watching the cabin go up and reading all the different blogs & enjoying the cam photos,everyone's ideas,life is great! Cabinfever,glad your out of the hospital,speant too much time myself in them and know it's not fun. A Muse,your tales always bring a smile and lots of fun making up different endings in my mind,thanks. Clive,everyone appreciates your input & knowledge,thank you. I believe they will make the cabin accessable for everyone,I'm hoping,and especially for us in wheelchairs to go boating again would be wonderful. I suggested on another blog that a storm safe area under the stairs to the basement would make great use of a space usually not used,a tornado proof place. To those wanting screened porches,it can be done at anytime if you win,remember,this is DIY and it would be fun do make some changes yourself or with help from family & friends. Can you imagine sleepouts on a screened porch for the grandkids, how fun that would be plus wonderful memories for them. A cabin is just so homey and I just hope whoever wins it can keep it, it would be a shame to see it sold. So many of us dream of living in this cabin and sharing with everyone, can you imagine sitting on your porch rocking chairs and someone stops by and it's one of the bloggers,how great it would be to sip sweet tea and relax with them talking about all the different choices we had in designing the cabin and how nice everyone blogging is,now that's what a great life it could be. Whoever wins should hang a beautiful oak swing on the porch too, plant flowers & bulbs for beautiful flowers in the yard,adding personal touches will only make this dream home better. I voted for the side by side fridge/freezer because it's easier to reach most items (except the top shelves) but I see the side by side with freezer at bottom is winning, please think about it if you haven't voted yet, all your frozen foods will be piled on top of one another so you'll be moving lots of items around if what you need is on the bottom whereas a side by side spaces your food out on different shelves. These pull out bottom freezers can be hard to pull out when in a wheelchair and, sometimes,too heavy when they are loaded,just something to think about. They really do listen to our ideas & suggestions so keep blogging and good luck to all (I already started collecting black bear items so I hope we win because they look funny here in Florida). We were married & honeymooned not far from the cabin so we can't wait to move there and be near family too, just thinking of all the beautiful fall colors, the snow covering the ground in winter, the spring wakening the grass & flowers & summers fishing & boating - wow - now that really is the good life!

Great to see the cabin going up. I know this site, it is beautiful. I will be viewing every day to see the cabin go up. Thanks DIY for building it. Can't wait till you get my UHMMM the cabin built . :)

It would be a dream come true to live on the water, it is such a calming feeling.

Love the Cabin so far! I would like to suggest something other that SS for the appliances. They are sooo over used. My cabin, oops I mean the cabin needs a fresh look. Something not so urbain
and "city-fied". There are many new things with the look of old country. Give us some ideas.

Wow Ahmed, you and this house are popular ;) ! And rightly so. I enjoy watching the progress and voting on amenities!
-Rebecca

I would love to have a cabin cam of the rear view also. I check the cam everyday to see if anything new can be seen.

I really love the cabin. It is in a fantastic location with the lake in the background it would be a dream come true. I check out the website every day to see the progress. Keep up the GREAT WORK looking forward to more pictures.

How beautiful this will be when finished and what a joy it has been to help with my votes for every step in the process. I hope someday to be able to retire to such a beautiful place and if I am lucky I will be in a home as beautiful as this cabin we are all designing. I love this site and I love being a small part of this. So talented are the builders and the designers and so lucky for those who will someday be enjoying the view from this home. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

I must be blind, but when does the contest for the cabin begin?

i have never owned a home of my own, winning this home would be a dream come true for a lady that has paid rent for apt. all her life, and living in the country would be a dream come true

Hi--hope this is the place to put in a suggestion for Blog Cabin 2008's name, if not let me know. I suggest that the cabin be named TRANQUILLITY LODGE
The cabin is enormous and should be called a lodge instead!
Also how do you enter the contest to win the cabin/lodge? Lannie