Yeah!!!! I am so excited to see the videos! Aren't those twins adorable?

Ahmed!!! You have a Kayak!!! Wasn't it grand to take it out - tell me how it was out there!! Please!! You've got 2 of my favorite things happening out there - a log cabin on a lake and kayaking!! I don't need a dock to get out there on that beautiful lake - it looks like a beautiful push off. I've been kayaking w/the dolphins, had fish jump into the boat, seen manatees (at least the bubbles) and had alligators all around. I've been lost (but not really) in the everglades and have fought tides and waves -- all down here in Florida. I'm ready to take the kayaks (husband, John, and I have a couple of them) and head out on your (my?) lake and just relax and enjoy.

Seeing those rocks was exciting - I am very eager to see what you plan for them. I am currently working on putting together our backyard and look forward to getting ideas from you!

Chris, Simon - its just fun to watch you guys put stuff together. You make it look good & easy. But, um, the beard was voted off - not that I care a whole lot but will it get a reprieve from a higher power? You made it sound like it might stay. My Dad was so very proud when he was FINALLY able to grow a beard (it did look awful but he loved it & it was so soft). Rock on guys!

What a waste of good carpentry skills with the superior walls. Glue and screws holding such a nice house together rather than a solid concrete basement. You could have done a ton better.

Hi Fellow BLoggers,
Finally got a chance to get back on-line after a 14 hour day.
Loved your video Ahmed. I can tell that you are truly excited about the entire project. Since I love landscaping, I can't wait to see the ideas that you come up with, especially for the shady areas. Can we give suggestions for landscaping?

Chris and Simon - What a workshop! I could really get all of my projects completed if I had a shop like yours. What a dream to work there. As you can tell, I also love to work with wood. Thanks for sharing your ideas on the granite and metal roof. I know that the entire team will do a great job on our "fantasy" cabin.

Thanks again for new movies and information.

Hey Chris and Simon,

Good to see you on video. I need to know what video player to upload though as yours is the first and only I can get to play.
Still , it is nice to see you boys on the job and making things happen. Wish I could be there with you. Never built a log home yet. Looks like fun! Thank You for all your excellent work !

You guys are doing a fantastic job. Keep up the good work. Kathy Seals

I want to commend all the builders and Watson for all the hard work they have done building and blogging. They are doing an excellent job and the excitement is building as well!

Cabin is taking shape BEAUTIFULLY! Great Job Everyone!!! Please let them know

BTW if I lived closer id bring y'all a picther of ice tea!

Thanks for the new videos! They really help to build up the excitement.
Glad to hear that you kept the topsoil and the rocks, Ahmed. I'm hoping that you design a low maintenance landscape. I know that some people are hoping to use the Blog Cabin as their second home. Although now that I think about it, it doesn't matter since my husband and I will be living there full-time- at least in spirit.
Keep up the good work and keep us informed. Thanks!

Love the new videos. They answer a lot of questions.

Checked out some of the media room videos, too. Awesome! So, what sort are you planning for "our" cabin? (Kinda leaning toward the more accoustically inclined. Bet a bandful of kids could practice in there without disturbing anyone.)

Cabincraver: Still praying for you, Erika, and the whole family.

God bless!

Now that we have chosen the home theater for the basement. How about showing us a floorplan for the basement. What is garage and what is in the rest of it besides the home theater.

The foundation of the cabin has caught my attention. It is a TOTALLY different construction then I have ever since, so I hope the show does an in depth segment on how the foundation system works. The project looks good so far.

Keep up the great work.

Mike

The videos were great. Ahmed, did you really get in the water? It must have been freezing! I loved watching Chris and Simon at their workshop. This is getting more and more exciting as we move along.

I was wondering what was to be the layout in the basement as a few others. You really need at least a half bath but a shower would be nice to wash off sand before going upstairs. It would be great also if the winner decides to change the media room. I wanted the workout space instead of media room since I would have a television on the 1st floor. My other choice was a game room where people could gather to have fun during the rainy and cold times.

I still have not heard anything about stairs from the deck to the lower ground level or near the garage. I suggested having the stairs under the deck because of snow and rain. Since the porch wraps around the sides there will be a good overhang over the garage door entrance. That will help keep rain and snow from dripping on you and snow building up against the garage doors.

With the elevations and hill area against the basement, I hope they are really looking at gutters and/or a way to capture and direct the water.

I saw the second floor is down and the framing has started for the second floor. I did not see the log materials on site. Hope they show up soon. I see it has been raining today. That does make it hard to do the framing and logs and rafters. We got a regular flood yesterday. Hope it dumped most of the water on us so you will have a drier day today and tomorrow.

I enjoyed the videos. Chris and Simon gave a couple of details on the plans while they were looking at the plans. It looked like Ahmed's video was shot while the excavation work was being done a few weeks ago. I hope he has been helping the twins and Watson with the framing and logs. I like that Ahmed is saving the boulders and large stones on site. It looks like they are saving some of the downed trees as I suggested in a prior blog. It will be interesting to see what they do with them. Ahmed likes to use natural stuff in his regular work or day job.

To the new bloggers: It is really fun to read the blogs. Some of the topics and questions were brought up from the beginning but there are too many blogs to read. If you are reading the blogs from the last week you see the bloggers that have been around since the first cabin will answer questions or provide information.

There is one question I see often but have not seen answered. You can not enter at this time. Currently we are voting on stuff to be used in the cabin and voicing our thoughts, opinions and expertise. DIY will let you know when it is time to enter. You can sign up for the news to be emailed you or visit the site often to watch for the start date.

I did see a response from Watson which is rare. It was nice to see he is reading blogs.

Everything is looking awesome, you guys are doing an awesome job all around. Love the picutres, slides, videos, and the bloggers. Great people out there.. You Ahmed and Chris and Simon sound as excited as us bloggers. I look forward to the next round of voting and especially the updates. And the series coming soon. I love the changes everybody made and Ahmed looking forward to seeing what you do with those rocks. Maybe steps down to the lake, a rustic bench, a water feature, or maybe a fire pit. Yes, I agree alot of people have voted some of the same features in the second time round, but we all know that tin roofs comes in a variety of styles and looks. And so does granite. So we can get creative with the same materials and have some awesome outcomes. Now Simon I know it's your face but honey you gave yourself up to the mercy of the bloggers vote. You know you will get hot out their on the lake, and you can't get a good tan on that face of yours: if you don't shave it. So be a good boy and shave it for a charity.

Hi,

Just popped in quickly to vote and saw that Watson had another blog for us. Can anyone tell me why I am unable to see Chris & Simon's workshop or the new pictures from Ahmed's first vist. When I click onto both I get the website (included in this blog) which is the page where you vote and enter to blog or see the cabin cam. The only pictures on this page are the slideshow of the cabin being built.

Is anyone else having this same problem??????

Thanks

Hey guy's, just watched the video's. It's great to see how excited you are about the project. Ahmed, you looked like a kid in a candy shop out on the site. Hope you had fun kayaking on the lake. Chris and Simon, you two are so handsome. Your shop looks wonderful, betcha get a lot done in there. I have to say though Simon, not a big fan of the beard. Makes you look older than what you are. But it's your face, so keep it if you like it. You guy's are doing a great job!!! Keep it up. OH and by the way, THANK YOU!!!

The view here is ever changing – you can see bald eagles in the summer (just across from the log house), loons in the winter on the lake making their funny sounds and deer all year round. The night sky is so clear that you can see all the stars.

The weather today is rainy, with all the spring flower just beginning to bloom. It is a great place to live all year round.

Sally

Come on Wine Frige. I am rallying support as we speak. The heated floor in the bathroom will be awesome!

Thank you so much for the videos.
It was nice to hear you say that even though the same things have been voted as the last blog cabin that they don't have to look the same. That's refreshing news.

It looks so serene and beautiful there. I can't wait to move in! :o) Thanks for everything.

ok dont know about the rest of you but im ready for some new choices. mine all won :) .
erika and cabincraver i'm praying for you and your families!!! life just happens sometimes, got to keep up the spirit.
since i have slodialup [cool word huh?] the videos take a lot of patience+time to load so havent been very brave about that yet.
so i read all the blogs to get that info, thanks guys/girls.
god bless cabincraver and erika :)

For those of us who have fought so diligently to promote accessibility, I wrote to Ibot That wonderful stairclimbing wheelchair)company to see if per chance they might be willing to donate one of their chairs to this home to make it accessible to all. Here is their site http://www.ibotnow.com/about-ibot.html Very interesting use of gyros. I am in no way affiliated with them and have received no reply. I am trying to help the cause for all concerned.

In response to Mr. Bailey's comment: "What a waste of good carpentry skills with the superior walls. Glue and screws holding such a nice house together rather than a solid concrete basement. You could have done a ton better."

In fact, the Superior walls are in many ways "superior" :) The epoxy and fasteners add up to more strength than concrete itself, and the walls provide much better insulation and a lot less weight than plain concrete. Perhaps we could have a blog from someone at Superior Walls to start a new thread explaining how they work?
Never did see a concrete truck on site and, once they were up there was no way to see if the basement floor slab has been poured yet. I once did a panelized house w/Superior Walls basement that didn't get the floor poured until the whole house was almost complete (way up on a mountain and the concrete co. doesn't consider onesy-twosy's much of a priority.) Worked out just fine. You just cannot backfill (against Superior or any other basement wall) until you have both floor and ceiling completed.

And for those worried about drainage, once the finished grading is complete, you'll see that water is directed away from the house.

Cabincraver & Erika: Still praying!

Hello to one and all,

Spring has finally sprung in beautiful South Carolina, just a Google Earth shot away from Tennessee. The cabin is coming along nicely; I am so glad we have a landscape expert working on-site this year! Ahmed, I know you make the most of the site, keeping in mind all four season.

Keep posting friends, and sharing your thoughts and ideas with us all.

Just a short note to let you know that my nephew was flown out of Afghanistan yesterday to a former Soviet provindence will be flying into Ft Bragg in NC on the 21st!

Ericka - hope Mom is doing better and that you all have a Wonderful Easter!

Watson - still unable to get into the videos to see Simon and Chris in their workshop or Ahmed on his visit - this
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pac_ctnt_988_leader/text/0,2829,DIY_26336_66159,00.html?c=4085&videoid=0101743

just brings me into the web page to vote, see the cabin cam, and to blog. Same with the other one for Ahmed. Not sure what the problem is - can you check this out please. Thank you.

Everyone have a Very Happy and Wonderful Easter! Flying out to KY on Sunday so you will not see me until next week.

I do not see a sink in the master bathroom plan detail. Why are the washer/dryer and the kitchen sink on a outside wall?

Hey Ahmed, Watson and bloggers! Loved your video Ahmed. I also love your approach to landscaping. I think this location needs low maintainence plantings that include natives. Please use local stone- you already have some I see. Also, and I don't know where this fits in, remember that this area was indigenous to the Cherokee nation before pioneers moved in from the northern part of the state. The earliest business in Spring City- aside from the railroad- was a blacksmith. He justed happened to be an ancestor of mine. Can't wait to see what you decide to do. I know it will be beautiful.

Hello all,
My first chance to get on this week, hope y'all are doing well!

After reading all of the thoughs about being able to afford the taxes etc. for this place I'd imagine that the vast majority of folks who are voting would not be able to afford to actually keep it (I'm right there with ya'll,) but it's still nice to be able to have a say in what's going into it!

Watson! I haven't addressed anything to you yet, but with the number of folks writing about having a dock put in I think it would be nice if you answered the question, "Yes" or "No" and if no, why not?

I just can't imagine anyone wanting a place right on a lake and not wanting a small dock!
I mean really! It should be against the law or something!

With all of the restrictions by the association I think that this building site was a poor choice to start with (just my view folks, don't stone me:)

Here's a thought for the DIY folks:
For a future Blog Cabin (or any give away house) how about smalling down the house and give the winner a partial cash prize so they could afford the taxes due and maybe even live in it, even if it's only for a season or two!
Please give this some thought and give All of us a reasonable chance to actually use it!
And please, in the future, stay away from gaited communities with all of their rules, heck, most of us couldn't even afford the association fees.

Once again, put in a small dock, preferably a floating one that can rise and fall with the water level.
Having a lake house without a dock is just ridiculous!

Enjoy folks, be well and stay safe!
D.J.

Oh! what a wonderful cabin.. it's a home... it would be so wonderful for me to win it for my family vacation! You are all doing a wonderful job building this beautiful "Cabin"... it'sfull of luxury I do not have in my home... this really is fantastic! My family and I would really appreciate this wonderful little home.. you really are doing a splendid job building it... and it shows ... you put your heart to built it. Thank you so much to be able to vote and enter this sweepstakes... I never won a thing in my life... maybe it's my time..Continue you great work.. thank you again, your hard work is appreciated...

Hi Helen Miko! Thanks so much for the infomation on Spring City, Tenn. It really brings everything together for us wondering about the weather, neighbor people, stores, ect. What is the name of the road that the Blog Cabin is being built on? Also what is the name of the closest hospital in the area and how many miles is it from the cabin? I was trying to google it, inorder to get a real sense of the area. Thanks again for your info.

Cabincraver:(and Erika)...With God ALL things are Possible, so just keep the faith...When you've done all to stand, STAND!...We're praying too!

I have a question, How is the cabin sealed onto the basement? It looks like the rain is running down between the logs on the inside floor and out over the side of the basement walls...
My biggest concern would be bugs getting in where the water looks like it's coming out!

Wishing everyone a Blessed Easter...!
Please tell me it's sealed air tight!

Hi Helen,
Thank You so much for your very informative on the scene updates. Can you tell me if there are many insects? I lived on a lake for quite some time and never had a problem with them ,day, night , summer or ever. Then we moved into a mountainous area and a river we once visited had so many skeeters working out there you could start a blood bank. Just wondering how things were there?
Connie, good to see your bright smiling blog again. Thank You for the insight on the superior walls. When we built our lakeside home it was some years ago and I was quite younger of course.
I know now this system has been out for some time but it is still very new to this old timer. Thank You again ! I think I will be using it on whatever my next build is.
You know, some folks are like dump trucks. They carry too much around and can't handle their own load. And so they look for a dumping ground or person to unload on. To such I say, Have a wonderful day! And smile. (Of course I have a whole life of zingers I keep in reserve for the extremely nasty ) But you know, it's somehow comforting to me that my day must be better than I originally thought.

(((Erin))) and anyone else having Technical Problems, send your tech problems only to:
www.Webmaster@diynetwork.com

Hopefully they can help you there. Let us know how it works out.

(((Liz)))If you look at the original master bathroom floor plan you will see where they put the double sinks. Looks like they just forgot to draw them on the new plans. Good catch :)

I am not sure what you feel is wrong with putting the kitchen sink on a outside wall. What a wonderful view it will be looking out through the Garden Window.

Having the Washer/Dryer on a outside wall will make the exhaust vent much shorter which I think would be safer. The window will allow natural light into the space and hopefully another view to the outside can be enjoyed. Just a different way to look at things. Good Luck. Kathy Seals

Its exciting to see the second floor going up, kinda. I'm glad someone had the foresight to save the topsoil and the large stones to put back on site. I'm hoping there will be a re-use of greywater in the landscaping. As for the voting, I'm happy all my picks are the same ones alot of others want too.

As for the videos, thanks! At first I thought it was taking me back to the voting page. After I stopped for half a second I realized the videos were to the right. Nice workshop. My Hubby would be drooling over that if he could. Come to think of it, so would I. :) Nice kayak Ahmed. Make mine a double will ya. I didn't see a life vest or any pfd for that matter though. Safety first in all things right?

Yesterday was the first day of Spring and today we're going to get more snow here in MI. Thats okay though cuz for once the southern part of the state is going to get nailed more than us out here in the middle. The birds are back and the squirels left me one hyacinth {out of a dozen} and my roof didn't leak this winter. Life is grand!

??? Quick Question... (In a thunder/lightning storm) ... W/ a metal roof, how is it grounded?
I know we have ground rods for all the electrical in a reg. built house...??? Just curious about metal roof & grounding!!! (Hang in there Cabincraver...prayers still going up)

(((Ahmed))) Looking forward to watching your new show "Yard Crashers" that starts April 7th
The Backyard Cabana looks awesome that you create for that episode. Who knows, maybe you will ambush one of us some day :) Kathy Seals

To me this is fantastic,it's my first blog.I really have enjoyed Blog Cabin.Keep up the good work. Congrats to the winner last year.Good health and Godspeed for theupcoming blog cabin.879328

ERIN: On the Home page to the right there is a place to click and get videos.

I did a blog a couple of days ago and have not seen it. In it I let those asking about how to enter to win know they can not enter at this time. They can vote and blog but until DIY announces when we can start entry. It will probably be after they have completed the cabin.

I am watching the progress and voting every day. This is great the way it is coming along. Happy Spring to you! Yeah, we finally made it. Winter is over. Can't wait to see what you do next.

The cabin is looking good! That is the most beautiful scenery!!!

11 doors in this cabin why so many? Maybe I don't understand this, but just because it's on the lake I don't think you need this many doors. Also aren't these going to have to be closed all the time? With windows at least you can open and get the breeze off the lake and the sounds of brids. I'm not complaining if I could win this I'm there year around. I am just wondering thanks again DIY and Watson and everyone else.

Chris and Simon,
"Wow Guys" A full width beam? NICE ! I bet that was all sorts of fun to crane in aye? About like floating in a car the length of a flatbed trailer thru all those trees? Oh Yeh ! Love that kinda stuff. Makes the job interesting ,as well as the house. I would love to be there to see you swinging in the connecting beam for the front deck. Wouldn't mind helping too. Course it is sorta fun to ride em in on the hook if you have never done that?
Who me? OSHA? No...I would never do that !

Looks like the water level is back up to where it should be too. Was there much of the flooding around them parts?

You Guys are doing an AWESOME JOB !

I really enjoy the videos and slide show. Makes one feel like we are there and can almost smell the logs and hear the sounds of our cabin being built.
We are voting on a lot of the same things;that just shows we all have good taste!! We have faith that the crew will make this a special place to live. Everyone is awesome!
Thanks DIY for making this happen. Can't wait to see it all come together as we watch DIY ALL the time!

Sorry, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. It appears the deck beam might already be in place, looking a bit closer.
Hey Watson, PLEASE ? Could we get a few pics of the deck work or perhaps a second fixed camera from around that side too, for opposing views to add to your already excellent slide show. It is so nice to gather a new perspective now and then.
Thank You so much for your ever continuing and brilliant work !

Happy Spring and Happy Easter bloggers! It's beautiful & warm today but It's supposed to be chilly here in Ky for Easter so Erin don't forget your jacket! But warming up a bit after that.. Ky is always got a surprise for you in the weather dept.

I love the cabin so far! Ahmed's doing a great job and so is the rest of the crew.Watching the granite counter tops come into being is fascinating - I wanna try that! Also I'm eagerly awaiting the landscaping, hoping it will blend seamlessly with the surroundings and yet provide a fire safety buffer zone.

Happy Spring, love watching the Blog Cabin bloom.
Enjoying the videos and pictures.

Seeing that kayak makes me long for the NYC spring season on the Hudson River.

Please install a retractable skylight with an operable window above the loft area. The skylight should be suitable in the event the home owner wants to set up an observatory for some fabulous observations.

The skylight may also serve to vent heat through the non-airconditioning season or on hot days to cool the cabin faster.

Videos were great! It is exciting to see the daily cam pictures also. What a nice place to be!! It's a shame that only one person can win this cabin!!!! We all seem to want it a lot...but dreaming isn't bad, ya know!!!

Regarding Message Posted by: Colleen at March 19, 2008 11:05 PM on wheel chair access. A very simple hydraulic elevators can be installed for wheel chair access. This is much less complicated than stair access machines for stairs on several floors. Rather than actually having the elevator installed now, how about reserving a space on each floor suitable for an installation in the future, if required. Until then each floor has a spare walk in closet. The shaft is also a convenient place to install vertical ducting, cable runs, and piping.

Thanks so very much for the videos...helps keep us in the "know" about what is clicking for you all.

My husband is really excited about the carpentry, he is a hobby woodworker and would give an eye tooth to have that shop you all have, Chris and Simon.

Ahmed, thanks so much for showing that care is taken not to distress the lake. Your excitement is grabbing my heart!

PLEASE consider when landscaping that possibly a stone wall using those shown could be made to continue keeping top soil and other landscaping items/liquids spilling into the lake.

The pictures and videos are beautiful, thanks for sharing them and letting us be apart of it all!

I watch the building on DIY and was wondering why we still vote on items already being installed?

Hi Fellow Bloggers,
It's great to see that there is some place in the US still not covered with snow! Here in Michigan, we just had 7 more inches of the "lovly" white stuff. Oh well, it will be easier to see the Easter Bunny prints when he visits tonight. I am thankful that we have not started to flood. That will come soon enough. Prayers for the 16 that have been lost in MO. Hope everyone has a fun-filled and relaxing holiday and weekend.

Videos were great enjoyed watching them. Watson or Darlene I've looked at the new blueprints a lot of times after reading the blogs. Now I have one question: I see no steps to the basement, I was just wondering about it. Also are thier going to be two doors and no windows in the master bedroom? I have counted 11 doors in this cabin in the blueprints and very few windows. Just wondering like I said. Thanks and have a Happy Easter to all of you.

BlognBob: You wanted the approx. Lat./Log. from Google Earth? Try... 35 degrees N 38'57.96"
47 degrees W 47' 44.21" elevation 788 ft

I was wondering how you enter to win the Log Cabin, I haven't seen a page for that. I voted on what to put in the cabin, but was unable to register to win the cabin. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Angela

I have never seen or even heard of the double drawer dishwasher! How is is different from the single door? Am I just really secluded in this cornfield in Nebraska? (I did vote for it because it looks like it may use less energy if you could wash just a few dishes in half the space ~ and there I go, voting without knowing anything, which I have always told my kids not to do) lol.
Mic

Carrie Miracle- Love the idea of a fire pit. Ahmed please think about that. That would be amazing down toward the water. Please use natural products. Hope there are some Redbuds on the property. Are Dogwoods out of danger from the disease that seemed to kill so many of them in the wild? How about some plants that attract butterflies, birds, etc.

I'm delighted about the In fact, the Superior walls are in many ways "superior" :) The epoxy and fasteners add up to more strength than concrete itself, and the walls provide much better insulation and a lot less weight than plain concrete. Concrete basements crack over time and cause their own set of problems. Way to go team!

We are so excited to see the blog cabin finished. The lot is just beautiful. Also pleased with the way everyone is voting...The winner will be truly blessed.
My 22 year old daughter caught me on your website and thought Simon,Chris, and Ahmed were all quite handsome...any of you single? HEHE ;-)
God love you all....Ruthie

Looks like it's coming along nicely! Ericka and Cabin Craver---I'll be thinking of (and praying for) y'all tomorrow. (Easter Sunday.)

Dave--even if we don't get the wine fridge...it shouldn't be too difficult to add one in.

BlognBob---I saw an article on those stair-climbing chairs awhile ago...didn't realize they were in commercial production yet. Off to research...could make a world of difference in the life of a young friend of mine. She's not in a wheelchair yet...but it won't be long.

Thanks!

I love reading all the comments and want to thank everyone involved at DIY and the crew for giving us such a great opportunity to win this beautiful home. I have followed the progress daily and love what I see. Great Job! I do have a concern, and that is, I have made several comments and suggestions throughout and I haven't seen them posted. I've been very nice so I don't think there is a problem there. Maybe I'm just dizzy from reading everyone else's comments. It is nice to see how people react to others comments, they have helped me to learn a lot so far.Winning this beautiful home would be a dream come true for us. We are looking to move from CA and LOVE the people in SC. Please Post this and if possible post all the comments I've made. Maybe I'm lost! Thanks Again Jo Ann

I think I found the right place now. There are so many blogs going on it's no wonder I cant find some of mine.

Please help me if you will. I just sent a blog with this #879328 and made a mistake. I said in the Blog I love in SC and that is true, however it was suppose to say Tennessee. I'm just tired I guess. Please Please correct it before you post it or the bloggers will eat me alive!

Last request ....this message is between you and me. No need to post it! Thanks Jo Ann

i love love love this cabin, when when when can we enter to win it???

hi fellow bloggers,
boy , i tell you ,you gus come up with some great ideas...when i build im going to ask you guys for input....lolanyway i just read my own blog about the front loaders and it sounds like i said it backwards,forgive me for that had my 1 year old grand son running around at the time...fun
iv have 13 friends that bought the frontloaders and 8 out of the 13 leaked....something about on the locks and seals...my own daugther had them ...only for a week and sent it right back....when your paying between 1400.00 and 2000.00 for them they should work perfectly.
besides the top loader with the extra space saver in between is wonderful...dont have to have you detergents around and about.and the blue color is wonderful..personally i have black and i had to make a cover for the dryer cause it scratched easily,because i keep my detergent on top of it.
just my opinion,but think about it.
your fellow blogger
margaret from maine

Just wanted to come by and say I loved the video's. Can't wait til the show airs on tv. I will be taking my third trip to Tennessee this year. We are staying in a rental cabin as always. It would be so nice to win this cabin so we don't have to spend so much money renting them. Just wondering who will shave Simon's beard? I would love to shave it for him. Has anyone seen Notebook? I just can't get over how much he looks like Noah in the movie!
Mitzi

Beautiful, just Beautiful.

Hi Guys,

Looks like the project is going well. I always look forward to seeing and voting on all the different options. What a beautiful and relaxing location! We enjoy the water and love fishing. I can only imagine what it would be like with a place like this, to be able to walk out your back door and catch dinner.

Erin, please look at the previous blog page for a message to you. Thank you. Erika, CC's daughter.

May the Worthiest Blogger Win!

Happy Easter to All!

Chris and Simon, keep up the great work and the beard works!!!!!

WOW! It's looking good! Great pictures of the build. What a great view of the lake. Brings back memories of our log home, on the side of a mountain though. Really miss it now seeing this new "log cabin" being built. It's been fun too, picking the amenities for this home. Didn't have that privilege on ours (built prior to our ownership). Would love to be the one to live in it.

Can't wait to see the finished product...it will be gorgeous.

Just got back from Spring City, we are building a cottage on Watts Bar Lake, up a bit further than Lakefront Estates. An interesting point, Rhea County does not have a building inspector! Septic systems, however, are strictly inspected. The TVA rules the waterfront and you have to apply to them with any plans you have for a dock, and do not cut down anything along the shore and up to what is referred to as the 750 line, the fines are fierce! The water in the lake is starting to rise, it really is a beautiful place and the people are so friendly. I was surprised at how few people knew about the Blog Cabin project in Spring City, even real estate people and builders that we talked to, didn't know! Watson, how can this be?

Well, if all goes to plan, we will be watching the Blog Cabin 2008 premiere show in our own Watts Bar Lake cottage!

Regards to all,

Sheila

It looks to me like the foundation was backfilled on the 20th. I'm sure there is more grading to do.

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter.

Would it be possible for these blogs to be reviewed more often? It is really frustrating to have to wait DAYS to see if your post is really going to be posted. I am writing this at 11:00am Central time on Monday, March 24. The latest post listed on this blog is March 20 at 3:41 pm. That is almost four whole days. I am guessing that a lot of people have been posting in that time.

Meanwhile, I am liking the progress that the cabin has made. I see that the basement has been partially back-filled. Does that mean that the basement floor has been poured? It is impossible to tell from the cabin cam photos.

It would be easier to vote on the patio design if we knew where it is going to be. Does anyone know?

I am also having a difficult time voting on the roof tiles. Three shades of medium brown to go with a brown wood cabin is difficult to picture. It would be easier if we could see what each color will look like in contrast with the logs (after they age, would be ideal).

The Cabin is looking great! I just wish you had tied the voting for the exterior color with the color of the metal roof. Seems this cabin is going to be a little dark...........hopefully, not dreary. I chose the Oak color for the exterior because I like light. It did not win, of course, almost everything else I chose did win, yea! Since the exterior is so dark, how about a little lighter colored roof? The choices have been good ones and I am betting the cabin will fit everyones needs.

I LOVED The circular patterned patio kind of reminded me of water ripple waves on the lake.

Special Prayers to cabincraver and her favorite daughter erika. I hope things get better for you both soon. Take care of yourselves..... Get some rest Erika... I know that's what your momma would tell you.

And for everybody out there having a tough time, Try to to remember times get tough but God is always there for you and there is nothing that you and the Lord together can't get through....

Happy Spring to one and all!

I am not too crazy about the roof color choices either, but honestly, I don't know what alternatives to suggest. Don't like green either. Let's see how the rest of you feel.

By all means, let's take advantage of the fact that natural stone exists on the site and augment that with stone hardscaping. I feel that brick would be out of place, but could live with the railroad ties.

Let's hear from the handy-persons out there...who wants to schlep tools back and forth from home each time you visit the cabin?

Keep those great thoughts and ideas a'comin'

I really had to think about the roof color. I went w/the timber color to make the cabin blend in easily w/the surroundings. I had a hard time choosing over the outside fridge or the speakers. It would be so cool to have both out there on my fan patterned patio, while entertaining guests. They could walk the stone path around back lakeside to the fan patio and hear the music before they are handed a nice cold one from the outdoor fridge. When the weather turns cooler we can all go sit beside the firepit and chat. ;)

so a new round of choices. where is the patio to be ? under the overhang behind the garage or in front or the area right off the greatroom? i like the fan or circle design but to make the right choice id like to know where the patio is going to be.i voted for the outdoor fridge because i guess id rather have a fire pit than an out door heater. and a boom box if i have to have noise than speakers. i think id rather listen to the crickets than music . i agree it would be much easier to pick roof tiles if they were paired with the log color.
god bless cabin craver and erika:)
also did i miss the post from helen i asked about weather?

For those having trouble finding their blogs. They are posted above your name.
To those having trouble with the videos. I found if you start up the video and " just walk away " for a few minutes. (Much longer on dialup) then come back and hit the replay. They will play thru usually uninterupted.

Thank You Susan for the latitude and Longitude for Google Earth. I will be checking that as right after posting this blong. Thanks So Much !

Melanie, I hope this Ibot wheelchair might be something you can use or better yet afford and use. There had been many posts for accessibility , so I am hoping this might help someone regardless. I would love to see one of these in person myself.

Clifton , There were some considerable heated discussions on the windows a ways back in previous blogs. I think if I were DIY, I would done exactly the same with the doors. And with all the accessibility issues it made a lot more sense too. And quite possibly this is why they opted for a door intstead of a window for the Master. At this point I might push for retractable window inserts for the window part of the doors. I haven't seen it a lot but I have seen them.

Man, the choices were a bit difficult for me this time. Especially the heater,speakers or fridge. I suppose a the heater might serve to zap insects as well as provide heat? Or would it simply attract more insects? I really don't know . Who has one? Speakers are nice I suppose, but then again you will have neighbors. And water carries sound REALLY good ! We used to hear normal conversations of folks across the lake about the same distance as that island, where we lived.

Watson
I have to admit, it would be really nice if the cabin color could be posted next to the roofing choices if you might be able to do so please.

I believe whatever the design, I am simply Thankful to have a patio at all. The fan design was rather nice , but I am certain any of the designs will be nice. If this is the type of stone or tiles to be used.

Hope all the best for you Cabincraver ! You are in my prayers.

Hi fellow bloggers!
I have never built a house but I know it's hard work but it seems to be coming along great. I have been looking ever day for the new construction. Keep up the good work! Until next time God Bless. >

Hi! Everyone!
New to blogging...but not tos coping out homes,cabins are a favorite. Didn't see a mud room, something I consider a must with a cabin.
Kids, fishing, landscaping, @ least with my family. My kayak is longing for a new home. My husband says he would rather live there (Spring City) than the beach (Hilton Head). I don't see a
downside to either one. I would like to see more floor plan specs (basement?), ergonomics are always my priority, have been for @ least a couple
of decades. I am thrilled to have access to this and other ongoing builds. Floor plans are a major time investment of mine,..hoping to one day build
our own, if by chance this one passes me by.
Stay safe ya'll, I'll be watching, and hoping!!!

Watson: Hello Sandey - most everyone who blogs consistently moves to the latest entry to continue their observations and discussions, so if you don't get many responses, just comment in the most recent blog entry. Cheers!

I sure love all the kitchen features- refrigerator, stove, sink, etc. I have always wanted a front loading washer and dryer that recently came out. Watching Extreme Home Makeover some times makes me envious.