Ahmed & Watson--
I think it is fine the way you have been answering us in the bold type. I find it pretty easy to scroll down to see if you have answered me. We all understand being overworked and overwhelmed. Why do you think we moved to Tennessee? The stress level is so much better here. Too bad you don't get the chance to relax when you come to the blog home. It has done wonders for us. Feel free to come across the street and relax on our deck overlooking the lake from our house. We actually already have comfy chairs to sit in. LOLAhmed Hassan: So are they Adirondack's or Rockers:)

Ahmed--
I've been meaning to ask you-- have you guys been having a problem with those fuzzy bees that bore into the wood? I know my friend down the street, who has a log home, has to have her house sprayed for them each year, to the tune of $300. She had it done at the beginning of last week, and they are already back. They are pretty persistent this year. She was told that since they recently had their house restained, that the chemical has a harder time seeping into the wood. Ahmed Hassan: I personally did'nt know anything about this, I'll ask the crew about it tomorrow. Good lookin out!

Ahmed,

That would be too much for you & Watson to do... plus everyone of us wants to know the answer to the question.... if you did it one on one...
you would be answering the same question over & over again....
I think we understand that the BOLD our Yours & Watson's answers to question that a Blogger has put out to either of you....
As I said we all want to hear the answers to the questions...
And know it is hard for you to have to fly home to see your 3 kids & wife... we wouldn't want you to neglect your family...
As I stated in an earier blog... FAMILY is #1

What age & M or F are your children...????

Watson... tell us something about you too.. since you are the mystery man... lol

GI brat until I started 6th grade.. then my parents made sure that my sister & I went to one school system.... for roots...
It paid off... my younger sister is a MD.. and I have a Master's.... so not bad results.. for all that they gave up for us.. but they don't think they did anything unusual... know that is why we are all so close...
my step-daughter (30 yr old..her's passed when she was in her pre-teens) treats me like mom and this is only after 3 years..

Didn't tell you all earlier... I married for the 1st time just 3 years ago (just had our anniv. 1st of this wk).... We meet after 32 yrs... HS Reunion
and he lived here (OK) and I was in TX were we went to HS.... It is a story for later.. if any are interested... lol

Keep up the good work DIY crew ... and just know that we are like your kids the month before Christmas...
we want to know it all.. & see it all.... LOL..

Texan n Okie land

Oh, I really like the shingles used above the window areas. What a beautiful accent. And it is nice to see the windows going in too. I am curious to see how the roof will blend in. Again, you guys are incredible for your quality of workmanship. Pretty good with a chainsaw from what I hear too.

I noticed a lot of scrap lumber going out. Is it possible to cut the untreated stuff into about one to one and a half foot pieces and pile them in some obscure location for additional firewood? Hate to see it going to a landfill. Might just save a little space for less dumpster trips.

Honestly , I don't know how you do it Ahmed? Kids,Travel,Cabin,Website,and I am certain a wife that wonders where in the heck you are. If ever out our way feel free to stop on in. And bring a "whitewater" kayak. That creeping red fescue does look promising, hope we will see some of that around the Cabin. We also have a tragic backyard (Wish we had it there) but probably not as terrible as some you have seen. Still, You could talk to my wife about it while I heat up the bbq if you like. Ahmed Hassan: I can only do all that I do because of my love for life and all that comes with it. You bloggers and I all have more in common than you know and we are all passionate about this Blog Cabin (or as I say "Big Beautiful Log Home" This whole experience is not only fun for me, I'm learning a bunch of cool stuff around building Log homes and everything else construction. I'm also meeting and virtually meeting tons of people who are just as wound up and wild about life as I am. Please don't tell my wife I'm having this much fun. "Ugh, it's hard work honey".

I think most of your faithful bc-ocd knew that Ahmed. But thanks for responding. Glad to see a window or two. LLL

Ahmed, We are VERY grateful for all your attention and responses. I often scroll through and just look for my own blogs, those of my favorite bloggers, and the bold type (which indicates one of your resposnes.)
You know we humans are greedy. If you give us an inch we'll take a mile. Don't let us pressure you into taking time away from your family (or your sanity!) The only real regrets I have about my life are the shortcuts I took on time with my kids in order to try to be super(single)mom. You cannot do it all, believe me.
Yes, Carrie Miracle! I see the window, too. Yipee!
Cabincraver & Erika: We are cherishing you both.
Everyone: I think we may have some serious virus problems. I've been so fanatical about running scans, now my computer is saying that I have problems due to multiple virus software working simultaneously.
We may all need to make a trek to our friendly neighborhood geek to fix this. Think this fun is worth it, however!

Dear Ahmed...

Whoa! You have three kids! When did that happen? .... Watson sang your praises, but only knew to give you credit for raising two little ones in a post update on the 21st.....

Watson: Hi D.J. - that's a great thought. Unfortunately, Ahmed is probably the single busiest person that I know (two TV shows, two kids and his own business) and I take turns juggling chainsaws here at work - I wish we could do more! Thanks for your input. (answer to Post by: D.J. Smith Jr. at April 21, 2008 11:04 PM)

Congratulations on all the new additions to your homelife --- Child, New TV Program, Blog Cabin Host, and, last but not least (in sheer numbers alone), your Devoted off-site building Team that sends input your way at an alarming rate. Ahmed Hassan: Yeah I told Watson that he forgot one kid! I have a 9yr old Julian(MY BOY), soon to be 6yr old Faith(THE EPITOME OF FEMININITY), and "Crazy little Camille" who just turned 3 . Awesome kids!

Remember, May 10th is Mother's Day....Your Wife deserves something extraordinary for everything she does to support your busy, budding (!) career while making sure the homefires are burning brightly as you deal with all that fills your days at work. Glad to know you have a solid family cheering for you, besides us, of course! Ahmed Hassan: Daddy will definitely be taking care of Mamma!

So, please, let her know. I want to thank her for sharing you with the Blog Cabin Home off-site building team. A warm embrace from much too far away, Mrs. Ahmed Hassan. AH: will do, thanks Katebythelake

Hey, Ahmed & Watson these blogging requests are not over yet! SPEED READ, DUDEs! We know you guys are busy and proud husbands and fathers and can't answer everyone of our ????????'s or suggestions.. These real blog readers (me) like being a little nozy, seeing what you're thinking around everyone and we want you to keep boldly blogging where none of us have gone before! Alrighty.
Tell your wife and kids hi from us crazy bloggers & thanks for them letting us borrow you guys from time to time. Just remember Family first and always! Ahmed Hassan: Amen to that!

I want you to know you are doing a great job. Don't let us get the best of you as most of us know you are a very busy and probably a little stressed. God bless you and your family.
Now I'm sorry to ask, but why is the site camara not showing pictures from the last week. I like to see the daily progress, but it won't download. Can you find out the problem? Thanks and just know you can't please everyone.
Ahmed Hassan: Thank you dear! I'll continue to do my best.

Ahmed,
Thank you so much for everything you and everyone else does. I myself do not have a problem with reading the blogs. I look for the date of the last blog I read and start there. It is really very easy to keep up with them if you just scroll down to the last day you read the blog. I check with at least once a day because of my Log Home Fever but it works any way that you do it.

I don't know how you do everything you do but it seems to work for you so keep up the great work if you can!

The home is looking GREAT!

Thanks & Baskets of Blessings
Joyce

Ahmed, I've noticed the bold face answers and think that's a great idea. I was hoping today was a new voting choice but we must have another week to go, oh well. Keep up the great work, we do appreciate it.

And a question for Ahmed or Watson. I've been unable to find the vlogs this year. I can find the cabin cam with no problem. I did ask about this before but figured there wasn't one since I received no reply. Now I see that others have mentioned the vlogs. So, what am I missing? Thanks. ~Betty~ Ahmed Hassan: Betty, I'm not sure why you are not able to access the vlogs. I can only recommend going through the main website at diynetwork .org and following Blog Cabin links then you should see them on the right of the screen with play symbols???

so just heard the news in VA. omg hope all our bloggers are ok from that area. and all others
im ready for more choices,
blessings to cabincraver and erika
watson and ahmed keep up the good work

Ahmed,

You are doing a great job, thanks for all the hard work. The Blog Cabin is coming along beautifully, I appreciate the cabin cam, and we appreciate all that you (and everyone at DIY) do!!

We appreciate that you find the time to answer at all.....
how about a comment on so many people requesting a dumbwaiter from the basement to the first floor?
..and is there a shower in the basement?
I had a vision of my grandkids trailing water
and mud up to the guest bath on the 2nd floor...
yikes.Ahmed Hassan:Shower yes, dumbwaiter no, Kids tracking mud always!!!

Ahmed, you and Watson are doing the impossible very well, I might add. Thank you so much for all your efforts. We love you both!

Patty in Virginia Ahmed Hassan: Thanks Patty!

Lynne - Built in blinds sound like a great idea since you do not have to clean them being inside the panes of glass. The downside - and this is a big downside - is that the nob that you use to move the blinds does not stand up to any type of use and breaks very easily. So they are not a great deal especially if the nob breaks when the blinds are half way up/down. In my last life (last company) I worked for a Millwork Co that had these. They continuously were sent back by the customer because they broke all the time. And if you have kids forget it they will always be broken so I would not recommend windows/doors with build in blinds.

A. Muse love the Phantom screens and hope that Ahmed surprises us with these in the Blog Cabin!

BlognBob - sorry to hear no potatoes being Irish we have them all the time and they are so good when you stick them in the grill to cook!!!! Hope you wife is feeling better. Once the warm weather hits your area of the country she will pert up and feel much better. Sun perks everyone up!

Clive I think you were my neighbor growing up since we use to put potatoes in exhaust pipes as well only we used potatoes from ME. And since we had a lot of tractor trailers interrupting our stick ball games we got in the habit in the winter of getting them back by hiding behind snow banks and yelling out that they had a flat tire! You would think that after stopping once they wouldn't do it again but they did - everytime! Glad we ran fast - never could catch us. It was great fun with potatoes in their exhaust pipes as well what a noise! Of course our parents realized what we were doing (one would always seem to catch us and tell the other parents) and like you we got it also but we didn't stop either - too much fun.

Ahmed and Watson I wouldn't worry about sending individual responses out, it is very easy to see your responses in the bold type that you use. And like us you both have families to consider especially you Ahmed can't be easy. Hope DIY pays you good to do all of this. We do appreciate it even if we don't always tell you. SO PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK FOR THE GREAT JOB YOU BOTH DO!!! Loved the 3-D renderings. By the way are there new neighbors next door (to the left of the Cabin) building a home or is that just us hogging another lot!!! lolol It looks like a backhoe over there.

Cabincraver - prayers as always for you and glad Erika is taking such good care of you and making you do what is good for you. Say "Hi" and send my best to her. Hope you saw my post on the other page - down from yours. Keep that positive attitude going after all you may end up winning this Cabin!

Hope all are enjoying the nice Spring weather-almost May already! Take care all.
Erin

BlognBob - had to come back and send this email to you. Follow this link http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50161
and it will bring you to Family Fun (part of the Disney Family) to a page that gives you a recipe for a "Lady Bug" cake! Thought of you when I saw this - doesn't look hard and your daughter would love this!! Carrie your daughter would love this as well and fun to make together.

Ahmed--- LOL! Actually, the chairs are neither rockers, nor adirondacks. They are the generic ones with cushions that you usually get with the picnic table. And, they were free, as the previous owner left them for us. But, if I had to buy one or the other - it would be a rocker. LOL But, we do have a couple of those 'zero gravity' lounge chairs that are so comfortable too.
As for the bees-- yes, they are pretty persistant this year. I have had a couple hovering around my deck too. I think I smoked them out last night while I was grilling though, as I haven't seen them since. They bore round holes right into the wood -- not good for log homes. By the way-- what kind of wood is the log home made of? I know my friend's house down the street is made of pine.

Ahmed,
Since this falls into your area of expertise, might I suggest the following. This is a link to a list grasses and plants and their qualities for repelling mosquitoes.
http://www.gomestic.com/Gardening/Five-Plants-That-Repel-Mosquitoes.34525
Yes you are right, this is a Very Beautiful Home Built with Logs. If I had the money I would buy one just like it. That is how much I appreciate the beautiful work you are all doing. It is kinda like that precious drawing that my little girl brings home from school to show me. It can't possibly appeal to all those out there, but it is the most beautiful work that I have ever seen. Because of the quality of who created it. Thank You all !

Erin,
Thank You so much for the Lady Bug Cake link. I showed the pic. to my daughter and she said she would like that for her birthday cake. In August.
If we should be so fortunate to win I think we might just have a big party for her there.

Thank you all for the amount of time you alrady do give us.

And, thank you for the shower in the basement too.

Any chance of some screening on the porches &/or ground floor patios?

Please

Ahmed & Watson - Skip over this blog, your both doing a great job so save your time for important questions. This log home is beautiful, congrats to everyone who's played a part, unbelievable!!!!!

Noel B - thanks for asking about us, I got really sick, back in the hospital, but feeling better now. Really missed everyone but I'm just now catching up.

Cabin Craver - we added another rose bush to our garden for your friend, glad your doing better, every day is a step forward. My Mom is a skin cancer survivor and my cousin lost both breasts to cancer but is doing great and both are healthy & moving forward with their lives. My Mom is 86, just had another eye surgery, but they now say she's legally blind but she still looks at the bright side of everything especially her Great Grandkids. We're lucky to have her living with us and she'd love to live in TN too, we'd never get her off the porch (she has her own rocking chair).

BlognBob - so glad your wife is doing better, she's in our prayers too, I really enjoy your blogs, keep them up.

Carrie Miracle - how's the car shows? They sound like fun, you always amuse me with your stories, thanks.

Keight - how kind of you to offer a banner for the back deck for 4th of July, now that's the true spirit we should all have, share with the winner (whoever is lucky enough to win).

KateByTheLake - So Noah is the Hubby not the Son, how funny, I'm sure your home is lots of fun. I'm lucky enough to be married to an agitator too, it makes life so much more fun.

Colleen - your post about the bracelet you gave your friend was really a gift from the heart, she's lucky to have you as a friend.

SusanfromOhio - your bloggin story had me laughing but I'm not sure if Ahmed's tea can help you, lock your doors because those white coats are getting closer. How do I know this? Easy - I gave them your address so they'd leave me alone, sorry!

Clive, A.Muse, Heading South, Helen Miko, and everyone else - missed you all but enjoyed reading all your posts on the other blogs, thank you ALL!

Our weather has been beautiful so now that I'm feeling better we can get back to our gardens. I reach what I can so we grow a lot in pots until Hubby has the time to build a raised garden I can reach (in a wheelchair for those that don't know). The Grandkids want a butterfly & sunflower garden plus we think they'll enjoy growing their own veggies like tomatoes, bell peppers, green beans, etc. plus they'll learn that they don't just come from the grocery store. Kids will usually eat what they grow so it's also a great idea for picky eaters. There's nothing like fresh corn right off the stalk, nothing sweeter compared to the ones that sit on trucks & in stores for weeks. Hubby also set up a rose bush area so my Mom can smell her favorite flower, can't wait till they all bloom this summer. Hubby said he would have kept you all posted but he knew I'd prefer he get the flower beds ready in his spare time (which he has little of with taking care of Mom and me). He was right plus he knows how much fun I have catching up with you all.

Good luck & great health to all!

Ahmed: Katebythelake has the wrong date for Mothers' Day, Sunday May 11th.

I did a couple of blogs last week that did not post. They were on a few topics brought up like the french doors and screens made for french door and even regular door ways. I see someone else posted that information.
The arch windows look very small and hope once the windows are in they will show up as an accent better.
Trying to estimate the height under the deck on the left side or rear entry. From the front it looks very low but from the back it looks higher. It may be a good place to store wood out of the weather. I was wondering if there is a window on that side of the basement. The basement will be very dark and only looks like the doors on the lake side are the only way for natural sunlight and they will be blocked by the deck/porch.

It looks like the roof is ready for the metal roofing. I am interested on how the chosen color and style will look. A roof can make a house very attractive or down right ugly.

I have to go to work now. Will catch up tomorrow.

HEY AHMED, AND WATSON,

I love what you guys do for us it seems almost impossible to me. Ahmed I agree with something you said earlier in the blog about all of us having so much in common. I can see that as well I also have something else in common I do landscape contracting is that what you do for your own business? With all you guys do you are our hero in this house. Your ability to press onward is amazing keep in good spirits as always and God Bless both of you and give you strength as you travel. Thank you Wil

Hi Ahmed, This LOG HOME that you are putting together with your crew is just getting better and better. The window is just right, and those shingles above the windows are just really impressive. They are really going to stand out in the detailed look of this home. Thanks for all your hard work and patience with all us bloggers. Keep safe :-)
Oh! one more thing Ahmed, I know you cannot fulfill all the suggestions of us all, however just food for thought. When you start on the inside furnishings; it would be wonderful to have a King size bed in the master bedroom. I notice that that the last Blog Cabin didn't have one and my thought is; A master bedroom is not a master bedroom without a King size bed. Just a thought.... :-)

Ahmed, I kind of feal left out. I have been bloging for months and was hoping that just once yourself or Watson would comment back. I know you are very busy, I have even kindly asked some of the bloggers, and I am guessing they are new to the blog. To read before they ask questions that have already been answered so that you are not bothered by answering the same questions over and over. I may have upset some people a little but I feel that it is pretty easy to read the blogs and see that the bold print is the answers that they are looking for. You should maybe take my advice and have a stiff drink and get some sleep. Between my husband and I we have 5 kids and our youngest one is 8 years old he gets excited and he thinks we are going to win the cabin, he asks me every week if we won yet, and can we build a tree house? He has wanted a tree house for a few years now but we don't own a home yet so he has been patintly waiting. By now I have figured out that a tree house might not be permitted with the all the restrictions? I wish you all well and keep up the good work. Love everything you guys are doing.

Ahmed, I kind of feal left out. I have been bloging for months and was hoping that just once yourself or Watson would comment back. I know you are very busy, I have even kindly asked some of the bloggers, and I am guessing they are new to the blog. To read before they ask questions that have already been answered so that you are not bothered by answering the same questions over and over. I may have upset some people a little but I feel that it is pretty easy to read the blogs and see that the bold print is the answers that they are looking for. You should maybe take my advice and have a stiff drink and get some sleep. Between my husband and I we have 5 kids and our youngest one is 8 years old he gets excited and he thinks we are going to win the cabin, he asks me every week if we won yet, and can we build a tree house? He has wanted a tree house for a few years now but we don't own a home yet so he has been patintly waiting. By now I have figured out that a tree house might not be permitted with the all the restrictions? I wish you all well and keep up the good work. Love everything you guys are doing.

Greetings
Ahmed and Watson, it's true, you are doing a great job-both on the cabin, (AKA, Big beautiful log home),and the blogs. Everyone knows how difficult it can be to get to our own e-mails, and we do not receive hundreds or thousands a week!
Did anyone notice the two Cam pics from 4/28 look as though a casement window was in place first, before the first double hung? Or was it a play of light?
My thoughts and prayers as well to the those living in the affected areas in Virginia

Gail

Ok bloggers..... is it just my 50 year old eyesight or am I wrong?The window doesn't have a million panes. ( just four) Yipee if I am correct. Cleaning four instead of a million is a LOT easier. Watson and Ahmed, if the attachment to the windows are to be added at a later date, can ya'll just wait and see if the new owner would like them or not? As for me....... not. The cabin is beautiful.

Ahmed looks like the front is going to be some what level, if I am right then if a disabled person wins it will easy to put a ramp in.

Please tell me if I am seeing the rendering right.

Mary from Texas

ohhh! Erin, it's a beautiful ladybug cake, thanks for the link to it. I'll print it and save it! You are right my daughter & my 6 year old niece both would love to help make it. She likes to learn to cook anything. Perfect for summer bday parties or sleepovers or just for a fun day. Oh it would be sweet if some of the dads out there made that for mom. They could put hearts instead of dots on it! I would be so impressed my self.
My daughter's birthday is in Jan. This year we had a Fri night sleepover & we made a jello, 4 layered cake, blue sky frosting with white clouds on it. The only thing was it kept trying to crumble on me, very moist cake and sticking to the pans. Because I didn't have time to try the recipe first. I guess. I told the girls I was sorry it was crumblin. But they said" That's ok let us frost it." So, I handed it over to the girls to decorate and they just had a blast and thought they were something that they could out do me with frosting the cake and mixing the color into the white frosting. :) Let me tell you I think they did do better than I could've too! Some of the girls had never helped with baking a cake before. I never had so much fun, watching them, a frosting fight, and I kept debating are any of them sick, because I had never seen so many licked finger frosting germs on or in a cake in my life. Yeah, so I ate it anyway! It was pig out day! But it tasted just awesome! It is a very rich cake! So plain vanilla ice cream with that one and not much more, you will get a belly ache quick. So supper early, cake later! And it's so neat when you cut into it. It has 4 different colored layers! It was the prettiest cake I had ever attempted and it absolutely has some of my favorite memories of my kids (friends included) childhood memories I can hear their laughter and them nearly knocking it into the floor while trying to paint each other with the frosting!
I think we started a new tradition at my house! Until they get bored of it anyway. My daughter Christen is 14 and my son, Carter is 3 yrs old. And I'll tell you right now, when you weigh the ?????? of which one is moodier or more trouble, a teenager or a toddler. I would say they are even! And someday I'm gonna get even! :) LoL

I thought it would be a great idea to have a cam in the back so we could see the back of the cabin also.
One other idea I had was to put a shuffleboard table in the man cave. We have leagues where I live and it is a lot of fun to play.
Let me know what you think about these ideas.

DBewick

Simon The heat kicks in this summer. I think he will be shavin.LOL lol

Kids tracking mud? Install Fire Hose It will Fix That One LOL lol.... Just Hose Them Down.... Then Hang Them Up By Their Eyers To DRY! LOL JUST KIDDING!! Every one will track mud in.. Thats Life And it Will always happen...

Ahmed,
You really have a lot on your plate! I am happilly surprised that you answer as many questions as you do. You and Watson are doing a fantastic job despite your extremely busy schedules.

Hi Misty & Rich, so sorry to hear that your were sick and in the hospital...It seems like alot of our blogging family are going through some valleys in life. I am glad to hear that you enjoyed catching up with all the blogging. Take good care of yourself! :-) And welcome back!!

(Ahmed: Factual Fluffy Post---It does concern the Big Beautiful Log Home and great new remedy for Bc~OCD )

ATTENTION ~ ATTENTION ~ ATTENTION ~ ATTENTION ~

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL THOSE WITH Bc ~OCD

Please be advised: SPECIAL SUPPORT GROUPS are now springing up all over the country, due to the overwhelming increase of reported cases of Bc~OCD. Interest in this Condition, first acknowledged and named by Heading South, an elder of the 2008 Blog Home Cabin Site is growing like weeds after a downpour.

To find a Chapter near you, or if you would like to start one in your own area, look in your Yellow Pages directory and locate the nearest LOWE’S Home Center.

In homage to A. Hassan, our amazing Blog Cabin Host, Members stake out an area in the Garden Center, near the Chamomile, Lavender, or Echinacea Plants, and wait for others to identify themselves. Some use a Selected Blog Home reference to unearth new meandering members - i.e.: “Can you point me towards the A.C.C.?” or “ Do they serve Red Drink here?”

Meetings are not mandatory. However, an ever growing bunch of fellow Bc~OCDs, are now gathering during peak periods of barren Blog Cabin Updates that routinely occur during the week-ends. Smaller groups congregate, depending upon their individual Time Zone, during the long morning hours before Watson or Ahmed can deliver a new crop of posts and precious answers to the anxious off-site building team. Some Chapter members meet everyday at their local Lowe’s, in the hopes of being there to catch a glimpse of Ahmed and his film crew who may show up to surprise a shopper/participant in the “Ever Growing More Popular” TV Series -- YARD CRASHERS.

Please Note: One Group now banned from the local Lowe’s Center location is meeting at a nearby Cemetery “where the Red Fescue grows freely”. We cannot go into specific details about the circumstances of that expulsion right now, but it does have to do with an Elder dialing 911 once too often. It was discovered that drinking copious amounts of Chamomile tea did not help this group from being asked to uproot and relocate themselves immediately. Therefore, if you or anyone close to you is exhibiting signs of advanced Bc~OCD, please request a Sponsor to be assigned to you.

Reaching out to your Sponsor during the darkest Bc~OCD hours when withdrawal symptoms overwhelm you may not keep the black and white coats at bay ---- But ---- Sponsors will be equipped with printouts of all Blog Posts and they will read to you over the phone or send the info. as text messages to you, so that phone calls by you to 911 will be less likely. Once you regain your strength, you can re-join a local chapter, and, perhaps even become a Sponsor for a new Bc~OCD devotee of the “Big Beautiful Log Home”.

Breath in, breath out, breath in, breath out.

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to send my prayers out to the Virginia tornado victims and hope you all are doing ok virginia.

Hey Misty I'm glad you are home and feeling better, missed you, hope you get a good crop out of those container gardens & such. I bet your grandkids would love a spot of their own for their favorite veggies or fruits. My hubby and I were talking about that the other night, maybe doing a few container gardens of veggies. My daughter loves veggies and fruits. But I got me a little picky one, and thought he might eat them if he helped grow them. He don't/won't eat any raw veggies, eats some cooked though. Unfortunately, I'm the same way. I got him to eat 1 bite of celery the other day think that had something to do with the wonderpets cartoon though! He kept waving it in the air, running , singing their themesongs. .... to ...rescue!!

Misty & Rich I didn't get to go to the car show, would you know!
:( Read my blog on the last page. You'll see I had my hands full all weekend! Life and the computer both were gonna get me. I probably need to just open the door up for the white and black coats that susan from ohio is running from! I'd say they sending them to me next!
I did see some of them cars on the road though! I believe next months car show is mustang alley time! That's usually a big show.. Go to www.somernitescruise.com You can see some of the hot rods that have been in the shows and some of the activities they do. It's cool to go see them at the show downtown Somerset, then watch them cruise hwy 27 and hear some of them put their pedals to the medals. tires a SQQualling, engines a revving & squealing smoke trails occasionally. Just fun you can feel them cars engines vibrating / shaking the ground at times. And the folks a waving or blowing at the kids, It tickles the kids to death & they go screaming , they waved or tooted their horns at me. Really fun!
We hope we can get an old hot rod someday to take part in the show. Alot of really nice people in it! But really anybody can join in do the same thing without one while the show is rolling up and down hwy 27. I like to sit in the back of the truck and watch them roll by. Most people have picnics and hangout while the oldies roll by. I like to also drive with them and watch the viewers reactions. IT'S FUN!
God bless everybody out there.

Thank you so much Frances in Texas....You are right!

Mother’s Day is on May 11th this year.
So much for buying a calendar at the Dollar Store! (wink)

Mother’s Day gifts in our home take on many forms. The little guys have given me Junior Mints (one of my favorite indulgences),Play Dough, Squirt Guns, potted plants (usually Daisies) and various Lego Creations built with care. Noah always takes them on a secret mission-shopping trip and he always lets them decide what the perfect gift is for their Mommy. Both pay for their choice with money earned from completing their chore lists each week ---- Although last year, I am certain, Noah must have slipped them a few bucks to cover the cost of the Cotton Candy Machine which we all had been admiring for awhile.

And ... To this day.... One of the most heartfelt gifts that I received was a short, sweet note that Noah wrote before leaving for a conference. He penned the words and left them for me on the bedside table:

Your sweet kisses linger in my smile.
Still --- After all this time.

Now that is Romancing the Mommy on the Highest Level.

Question: What about a stove/oven?
My husband is our cook and a fabulous stove/oven is his dream. I was just curious. Love the project. Thank you for the chance to vote. slh

AHMED- Thank you so much for you patience with us bloggers and the time you take to answer our questions. Not to mention the gracious way you handle the input from the offsite building team. A Gazillion Thanks to your Lovely Wife and Awesome Kids for sharing your time with us!!! I have no doubt you have something special planned for your Adored One this Mother's Day. Your cup really dothe runneth over with Family, work, work, work and school.

Now this is for anyone with an answer.....how do I stop a robin from repeatedly flying into a window? I've put post-its all over it, taped up a large piece of paper and still, thump, thump and thump. For want of a better way to put it, there is bird spit all over the window where it keeps hitting. We have horizontal blinds on the window so its not like its so clear it can't see it {okay, I admit to not cleaning the window since last fall}. This has been going on for hours! I tried gardening right under the window to scare her away but she only flew a few feet away and waited for me to come inside. He/she watches me from her perch on a branch outside the window not more than a foot from the glass and still keeps flying into it. I thought my presence sitting here in front of the PC two feet away would scare her away, but nooooooooo. She's sitting there chirping away, then flying into the glass. I feel so guilty even though I've tried everything I can think of to scare her away. There's no nest there this year {has been every year for the last 5 years) just the robin. My neighbor says birds sometimes just go insane and do stuff like that. I'm not buying it. Any suggestions to keep this robin from commiting hari kari against my window would be much appreciated.

As I look through the pictures on the video cam it looks like you've had pretty good weather down there for the building of the cabin...I'm sure that helps alot...It looks wonderful and peaceful....my best to all the workers...

To A Muse: I'll be in th Chamomile section taking a nap. That actually sounds good.
To Ahmed: Maybe you should try some Chamomile too. Your life sounds way too busy to be reading the imaginations of a group of people from all over the country. Aren't there any DIY interns that can help?
PS: love your kids names. You sound like a great father.
Ahmed Hassan: Thanks! We do have interns that help with production and other things but I'm the project manager for this build. Mind you, Iwe have alot of folks that are very good at what they do and are out here taking care of actually making sure that things are done, done well and done on time. As much work as it is to stay on top of all that's going on and be the liason between you bloggers and the rest of us, It's not only rewarding but it's lot's of fun as well. I've been a workaholic for a long time. I'm not into sports or hanging out with "the boys" My work is my hobby and my livelyhood and the rest of the time it's all about the family! Of course the schooling keeps me at the top of my game and helps with relating to my kids and their school work, they actually enjoy when Daddy sits and does home work along side them.:)

ill check out the ladybug cake . i have 2 children and 2 more step kids. so on b days the child got to request their favorite meal and flavor of cake [ mostly they liked lemon with cream cheese frosting] but my fav was the lemon meringue cake. so much for fluff
ahmed you have quite a bit on your plate, your wife must be a really strong partner. i agree with the other bc ocd'ers family 1st. glad about the shower in the basement.

You are like my oldest daughter. She is a single mom of teenage boys with hockey practice and boy scouts for both, teaches headstart kids full time, is a half time student working on her masters, goes to the guy 3 or 4 times a week, and is training for the marine corp marathon. I don't know how she does it all. I call her my supergirl. You also have a full plate and I tip my hat to your efforts. The cabin is looking great.

Quick question, when will the new Blog Cabin begin to be shown on the DIY channel? Ahmed Hassan: The show is slated to start around the end of August. We'll keep you posted with exact dates.

Hey, Your doin a fine job with all of that on your plate. Muti tasker and above go go gadget. Were in for a frost here that won't hurt any of the garden crops. Been busy and haven't been bloggin glad to see everyone is recovering from there illnesses and back on board :~). NIGHT

Ahmed, In your reply to Betty Wilcox on April 28th at 6:57pm, you gave the website address as diynetwork."org", should be diynetwork."com"
Truly a sign you are over worked. Take a break..relax..kick your feet up.Ahmed Hassan: Wow did I ???AH: Ooh I did, great Here I was trying to help.
I'll get of hold of her and send her correct information, Thanks for the heads up!

And a Great Job you're doing to. Thank You Ahmed and Watson.

OH MY GOSH! This is my first visit and I am so amazed at the CABIN! It looks just like what I've always dreamed about living in...and overlooking a georgous Lake! You guys are GOOD! I got to vote on the closet and light. I will be spending a lot more time at this site. I want to look at, and read everything! Great Job!
Sincerely, Susie, a Country Girl from Arkansas Ahmed Hassan: Welcome Susie, we hope you have chamomile tea or Lemon balm available (inside joke, read the blogs)

How do you enter this contest? Is voting the only way?
Ahmed Hassan: Well you've entered the site and can vot and blog here but sometime around the first part of August everyone will be able to enter to win the Log Home, keep in touch!

Ahmed-

I am completely overwhelmed just scrolling through the blogs. It's as if all the bloggers have nothing else to do but sit in front of their computers and dream up crazy questions and write fantasy stories about 'Life After Winning the Blog Cabin'. Yikes! I would go nuts trying to figure out what to do with all this drama. You must be a very patient man!

Lynne~ I believe you had the question about a robin bumping int your window. I googled it and found all sorts of diffrent answers. The one I thougt made the most sence is this one.....

A. Most robins that repeatedly crash into windows are territorial males. If a male sees his reflection in the glass, he thinks could be another male on his territory. Normally when one male robin intrudes on another's territory, he skulks around, and flies away when the actual holder of the territory approaches. Not so with a reflection! Every time your robin gets close to the window, that robin image also comes closer. When your robin assumes an aggressive stance, rather than turning tail and flying away, the image robin assumes an equally aggressive stance, and at every level of increasing aggression in your robin, his reflection matches it. Male robins spend a lot of time and energy keeping intruders away during the time the female is nest-building and incubating eggs.

The only way you can help is to get rid of the image bird yourself, by breaking the reflection (without breaking the window!). Closing a curtain from within seldom works, because birds can see very well, so even a faint image is very evident to them. Taping paper or cardboard to the outside of the window can be unsightly, and destroys the whole purpose of having a window, but is 100% effective. Soaping the window from the outside can work, but you really need to cover the entire thing. One thing that sometimes works is to hang helium balloons from the window, tied to a two- or three-foot length of string (or longer) floating at just about the level the robin is focused on. For some reason, birds seem to fear helium balloons--I think because nothing they ever encounter in the natural world "falls up" so the movements seem very unpredictable. A rubber snake or plastic owl sometimes works, but birds often figure out within a day or two that they're fake.

Once the baby robins hatch, your male will get so busy tending to their feeding and care that he will stop worrying about that phantom image of himself. Meanwhile, good luck!

As far as the cabin, It looks great. I don't post much, but when I do I feel a little intimadated because most bloggers here have formed a nice big family and I feel that I'm not a worthy blogger because I don't contribute much but you can rest assured I have the cabin OCD like the rest of you.

Ahmed, Watson and everyone at DIY Thank you so very much for everything you are doing to make this dream a reality for some lucky person.

Ahmed and Watson - Thank you sooo much for supporting this needy group of BC`OCDs!

Chis & Simon - Thanks for working on such a great project. Thought I still saw the beard on a photo not too long ago....

A. Muse - I'm laughing hysterically and my oldest daughter is patting me on the shoulder, very concerned as to my reaction to...."Please Note: One Group now banned from the local Lowe’s Center location is meeting at a nearby Cemetery “where the Red Fescue grows freely”.... See when I first looked up "creeping red fescue" I mentioned to Ahmed about it mostly being used at cemetaries. So, yes I'm rolling in laughter over your little antidote!

Misty&Rich - glad to see your comments. Will keep you in prayer. I keep seeing the growing butterfly commercial and have wanted to get one for my kids, then we'll release them and send them to your garden ;) ! What good therapy for you to be outside helping things grow. Keep up the works of beauty.

Carrie Miracle - Wow, what an age gap in kiddos. Did you forget how toddlers were and just wanted to relive that torture..I mean magical time again. No, honestly, how blessed you are! I was kinda forced into a tubal years ago and still wish I could have had loads more kids. Close to 40 now though and can not imagine starting over! Oh yea and the paybacks...what fun we'll have. I tell my kids all the time about their Grandma and Papa, that those are not my parents! ;)

Take care all, were off to an extremely windy day here in N AZ, watch those campfires!

Funny Ahmed, That Chamomile and Lemon Balm are not only calming , but good for keeping away mosquitoes as well. hmm?
I wonder if we might perhaps incorporate some of these wonderful plants in or around the grounds area near the deck, or perhaps even in large pots or planters on the patio. To perhaps calm the minds and souls of the BC OCD club. from the thought of mosquito invasions while sitting on the front deck drinking their tea and taking in all the beauty of the surroundings.
This way we can breath in, drink our fresh homemade herbal chamomile or lemon balm tea , relax, and truly enjoy this Most Beautiful Log Estate and its magnificent surroundings with the true peace a solitude it deserves.

When one screen door closes, find another !

Thanks Ahmed for keeping us informed. Wow, what a full-plate you have. This is a time to treasure. Hope you can continue to keep your family first and do what you love as a career.

Question to any who might know: has anyone used a garden seat/cart (the type with a tractor style seat and can steer it...in a red color or John Deere green)? Also, do they have a brake?

I need something to get me closer to the ground when I'm working in the yard. The kneeling systems won't work for me all the time. My gettin' up and downer' doesn't always work. lol

Ahmed,

My husband really wants this log cabin and I have been a little apprehensive about it because cabins are usually small and dark but I have had to eat my words..........this cabin is gorgeous! All your hard work is paying off for the bloggers, I am sure your wife and kids will be glad when you can just step back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Thanks for being such a trooper and thinking of all who write with questions and comments.

Good Day All: In past blogs, folks have asked for views of the actual construction from the rear view of the "beautiful log home." There are a few on the Lakefront Estates website at the following url: http://www.lakefrontestates.net/DIY-blog-cabin.html
It shows some recent photos since the side porch roofs are also shown in these photos. None however, that show from the back of the "home" toward the lake to give a perspective of distance to the lake front.

Just noticed that Hwy 27 goes right thru Spring City so I could just get in my horse trailer and mosey on up to Big South Fork for a nice ride. Was just at BSF this past weekend with my group and it is truly a sample of "God's Great Hand" at work. Great ride, good weather, beautiful scenery and home safely--the most important.

A place that you log cabin lovers might like to visit in the BSF area is Charit Creek Lodge. http://www.charitcreek.com/ Just remember, there is no electricity so if you want the true feel of the early 1800's (in)conveniences this is the place for YOU. You'll see that you can get there by hiking or horseback (I believe that you can take your dog with you, but, check that one out before hauling Fido.)

Ahmed and gang: Great job and can't wait for the time to enter the sweepstakes. Electricity and all modern conveniences are welcome!!

Ahmed,
I notice that there are places on the property that are steeply graded (i.e. front of house to the garage doors). Will you be using anything to hold back the soil...like large boulders or leftover logs?

Ahmed,

I noticed that there are places on the property that are steeply graded (i.e. front of house to the garage doors). Will you be using anything to hold back the soil...like large boulders or leftover logs?

To Lynne at April 29 with a robin problem.

We have exactly the same problem. I have attached a response I received from the Audubon Society recently. We tried the balloons and they worked but he changed to another window on the side of the house. Also, the kids were always trying to get them off to play with. Strong winds were a problem too with balloons getting punctured on sharp bushes. I tried a picture of a goshawk I copied from a book and enlarged to life size pasted to the outside of the window. That seemed to work too. I learned that from a previous house where we had other birds 'attacking' the glass patio doors. Goshawks and sparrow hawks prey on songbirds so they are more effective than other bird images in my opinion. However, he still hangs around, sulking, and occasionally has a quick foray against the window. They are nesting in some cypress nearby so I hope when the chicks hatch he'll forget the 'bird' in the windows.

Here's the Audubon Soc. note: -

"Most robins that repeatedly crash into windows are territorial males (sometimes females). If a male sees his reflection in the glass, he thinks could be another male on his territory. Normally when one male robin intrudes on another's territory, he skulks around, and flies away when the actual holder of the territory approaches. Not so with a reflection! Every time your robin gets close to the window, that robin image also comes closer. When your robin assumes an aggressive stance, rather than turning tail and flying away, the image robin assumes an equally aggressive stance, and at every level of increasing aggression in your robin, his reflection matches it. Male robins spend a lot of time and energy keeping intruders away during the time the female is nest-building and incubating eggs.

The only way you can help is to get rid of the image bird yourself, by breaking the reflection (without breaking the window!). Closing a curtain from within seldom works, because birds can see very well, so even a faint image is very evident to them. Taping paper or cardboard to the outside of the window can be unsightly, and destroys the whole purpose of having a window, but is 100% effective. Soaping the window from the outside can work, but you really need to cover the entire thing. One thing that sometimes works is to hang helium balloons from the window, tied to a two- or three-foot length of string (or longer) floating at just about the level the robin is focused on. For some reason, birds seem to fear helium balloons--I think because nothing they ever encounter in the natural world "falls up" so the movements seem very unpredictable. A rubber snake or plastic owl sometimes works, but birds often figure out within a day or two that they're fake.

Lynne
I think that robin must be blind or else it thinks the blind slats could make a good piece for it's nest! Anyway you think it would have knocked some since into himself already.
Now seriously,
We had a loner, a lonely bird, last year that kept hitting into the side of our cargo trailer and the crome bumper of our new truck. Very entertaining as you know! We later figured out that it could see it's reflection and thought it was another bird! (LOL)
He must of thought his reflection was the best mate to pick! And was only getting mocked for trying to get her attention. repetitive ocd. I think this is probably what's going on with your crazy bird!

Ahmed:
You make my heart :) Loved your response to Jenny. You sound like a wonderful Daddy! I know your wife will be proud of you, when she reads it. You are right about kids, they like to have things in common with the parents in their lives. My son likes big trucks and calls them all his daddy's and flashlights and any tool he can get his hand on to work on/ with things like his daddy. He sits at the table with me to do the business paperwork. He's the filer, mover of the paperwork. ( YIKES!) I've sent a few well meant artworks out on a couple of bills. Please,
Tell all the behind the scenes people (interns & helpers & such ) thanks for doing a great job as well.
It really does take a whole village, virtually and in reality, to raise a child series, like the blog cabin "home". Doesn't it?

Robin Update

My Adored One who always gets up before me decided to end this problem once and for all. After being told by another neighbor that it was the reflection in the glass, he smeared mud all over the window. That didn't stop her. So he hung my windchimes on a branch. Still there. Next he placed a few pieces of foam insulation [the stuff being used in the roof of the cabin] into the bush. Shes still there. Now there is a ladder with bird seed on top of it, leaned against the window. Hubby is patiently waiting. He intends to spray her with the garden hose and think that will end the problem. At present there is a stand off. Hubby is nearby the window w/the garden hose and Robin is nearby in the grass pretending to look for food {I say pretending cuz shes staring straight at hubby while hopping around}. Great, now I got a war of wills on my hands!

Ahmed... I'm scared!

The BC~OCD Is getting so bad, Now I think I maybe hallucinating...

That's either the BIGGEST MAN BUG I've ever seen, (on the cam) or Lynne sent her dirty~birdy to our Log Home...

Quick...run for your lives... or ~ Grab the windex...

Thanks to both of you.

to lynne i have windows birds have flown into i think its the reflection. so i guess blinds on the outside.
we had a woodpecker who destroyed a facia board up near the peak of my home. then the dang thing was out there heckling me on the peak. the only thing i could do was a windchime out a window it wasnt high enough but did discourage him. this yr i have blue birds that have nested in the roof so i will let them be until the babies have left. then fix that dang board. im concerned that squirels will find that hole and i will have prob with wireing.
blessings to cabincraver and erika.
it takes forever to load in the cabin cam so i only check it once a week .
ahmed you could come to my house and do a yard crasher . my cement patio started to crumble this yr not sure why but its a mess we did have a lot of snow. does anyone have a suggestion as to how to repair this ???

Hi …..

Monday we took a drive over to see the cabin on our way to Chattanooga for the day. Busy, busy, busy – it looked like a village of ants had taken over to BLOG site with all the film crew their. Today we took a walk over to see what all changes that had taken place.

They were putting in the bay window in the kitchen. Almost all the windows are in now with the exception of the large ones in the Great Room. Like the little half moons over the windows. They were working on putting the stone around the doors on the exterior walls in the basement and they have put up most of the stone on the exterior fireplace – looks Great and now all the beams are visible on the deck. Looks like they are ready for the roof to go on as well any time now.

The lake has come up a little more now – we are about two feet down from normal height for summer right now. The fish are jumping and life on the lake is gets better each day – won’t be long before we will be swimming. All the plants are in now (flower and veg. gardens) and they are all growing like weeds. Is quite different from up North of Chicago as we didn’t plant anything till the end of May. Sunday we had one and a half inches of rain. We are still considered part of the drought region but are a lot better than most with the lake here. Today it is in the 70’s yesterday was in the 50’s. Normal for now is 70’s. The birds are now trying to nest in our hanging fern plants.

The cabin looks Great – retired in Tennessee.

Sally

Ahmed and Watson, I've been watching and reading the comments, etc. for the past two years. Love everything that you are doing! Thanks for trying to answer the comments; we all know it's a tremendously difficult position for you two to be in! Take time for your families. I'm sure the other people on here will understand. All of the bloggers sound like wonderful people!

I have a problem with birds every spring here too. It happened when we moved here last year, and now it's happening again!! Birds keeps wanting to commit suicide on my car. They dive out of the sky smack into the front of my car. Three have already met their maker this way the past 2 weeks. At first, I thought it happened to everyone down here. But, after asking others -- it's only me!! All I can figure is that I have a sky blue colored car, and they think it's the sky. It is very disconcerting to be driving along, and THUNK with all of the feathers flying. It's always the same type of birds too -- I think they're called Swallows-- they fly very erratically & quickly. And, they keep doing this to ME!!! I'm the one who cries if I run over a turtle!

Hi Lynne...

So many great suggestions already about dealing with Birds attacking Windows!

If you want to try the Silhouette idea ---- Go to The Texas Wildlife Service website. You can download and print a .pdf file to use at no charge.

Good Luck!

Hi Lynne...

You might want to try one of these links if you have problems with the website I offered in a previous post:

my.dteenergy.com/home/pdfs/raptor.pdf

www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/notes/BirdNote10_Windows.pdf

Cutouts and interesting info. about FLAP organizaion, too! Would not have known such an organization existed if you had not posted for help dealing with your dive bombing bird .... So Thanks!

Lynne. The seed on the ladder may attract some sparrows and other birds but it will do nothing for robins. They don't eat seed. They eat worms (competition for the moles here), small insects and berries. A tray of mealworms from the local pet store may work as a lure for the trigger finger on the hose to get some action.

Noel B:
I'm sorry to hear about your tubal, And you are right,
Yes, There are days I do think I am crazy for sure. And boy those kids are gonna get some payback when they have my grandkids, So that's what I tell my oldest anyway.. when she starts complaining about little brother in her room this or get im out of my stuff that.
We both were 21 when we had our first child, Christen. You see I wanted another child for a long time, 10 years in fact. I didn't want christen to be all alone. I had actually given up on another one and finally accepted there would be no more. But finally, out of the blue, my husband changed his mind & ok'd the next one.
On mother's day 2004, He shockingly told me this was my "secret" gift from him for mother's day, for us to have another baby. I was so shocked, I cried like a baby and couldn't believe it! Really one of the sweetest, romantic things he has ever done for me. I was told it'd be hard for me to have another baby, So we thought we would have time to prepare for it...

But you see here's the funny part, God played a little trick of His too! We found out that very soon, even before father's day, we would be starting over in the kids dept again. :) True it was shocking to everyone when we told our secret! We had a dinner and invited his parent's family over and had our daughter to tell everyone, she was going to be a big sister, My bro in law strangled on his drink, My mom n law thought she christen... meant she was getting a big sister from the big sisters and bros. program! Instead of we are having another kid! Kid you not! Really, we had to tell her 3x's before she got it through her head. And His grandmother, just cracked me up so, she looks at us and says now chris and carrie, I told you, you didn't need no more kids, I ought to whip you guys. It's hard enough to raise one kid now days. Then we all look at each other and laugh till we cried literally. But once they saw the ultrasound they were convinced. And he "our son, is a very blessed addition to our family.

Well somedays during a hissy fit. I do believe I was a nut starting all over: but most days, God knows and I do too, it was so worth it!
kids are such a blessing in the good and the bad times.

Tisser, yes hwy 27 does run through ky (sf) right through spring city tn, That's the route we took. If you come to ky you will be in my neck of hwy 27 if you ever come through this way, by the big southfork railway, it's a cool train ride through Stearns ky and the southfork, they tour a mining camp. I don't know if horses are allowed in the section of the area. We personally don't have horses. But hwy 27 goes right by, Cumberland falls state park and farther south takes you right past stearns, The Barna log cabin company into Oneida, Tn. then on toward spring city I think I'm going by memory so I might have you off track a little. Just look at a map you will easily be able to figure out where it is!
But we have a great area in Somerset called "The oil center" area on fishing creek, where alot of the local horse riders go ride and camp, fish.. We like to go drive the dirt and gravel roads and fish n play in the river there! And I know about a place called stampede run horse camp. Don't know much about it except I know horse riders go there!

Lynne I think that bird is going to get your hubby, you better get the broom ready just in case you have to have a diy rescue. :)

Thank you Tisser for the heads up on extra cabin pics. I love the porches in the back. I keep reading from other bloggers for DYI to add this and add that to the cabin. Myself I don't want all the choices of the landscape made for me. Leave some open area for my choices and the chance to get my hands dirty. Same for the interior design, if I am lucky enough to win I want to make the cabin mine and add some of my taste. If I want rockers on the porch I can find some myself and the hunt is always the best part. Does Watson and Ahmed need to do all the work? I would appreciate to have the cabin move in ready and be thankful for that chance.

Re:Robins
They make inflateable owls for just such bird problems. We used one in our old carport where birds used to build their nests with great success. I think the fact that the wind kept it moving probably helped.

Did you see the cabin cam smear on todays cabin view? (LOL!)

Lynne it looks like there's a bird been in the bcc area maybe that's why he's there, your robin coming to the window!
I have two possible reasons, why!
Maybe he visited the blog cabin and he just wanted to tell you what's going on at the blog house. He is so bc ocd'd too, he's been watching you on the computer, he can't get enough bc info and the white coats are coming for him! So he's begging for your help! Let him in, just one more peak at those bc trees!
Or maybe that was his lost mate, on the cam and he saw her when you wasn't looking! (wink) L0L's the bird stories and the bird dropping on the cc just too funny of a conincident.
My other thoughts for the bird is! She (his mate) got the directions to the blog cabin, she's a fan, this is her first mother's day, he was supposed to meet her at the old oak tree in front, they won the bird blog tree house, but he thought he knew the way, got lost, forgot to get the directions off the website, Saw you had a computer! Just had to drop in. You know men, how they always forget to ask for directions! now he's here and she's there and he saw a short cut, through the window up on the computer and thought he could get there faster! (just having some silly fun with you guys) I'll fly away now! bye!

I WANT & WISH I WOULD WIN THIS CABIN. Its Perfect.To Live In The Rest Of My Life, Then I Could Leave This To My Daughter & 4 Grand Children They Would Love To Come & SEE Grandpaw

MAY 18, 2008 .....
DATE FOR THE Grand Opening Event for Lakefront Estates.

Tours of the community AND a sneek peek at the "2008 Blog Cabin" are planned. (Referred to by A.H. and all insiders as the Big Beautiful Log Home and our way to recognize each other in the crowd).

Ahmed is scheduled to be on site during the festivities.

Helen Miko....Sally... Carrie.....A favor, PLEASE! Do any of you think you will have the opportunity on May 18th to attend the official grand opening Tour and be the eyes an ears and voices for all in the off-site building team that cannot be there?

You have done such an outstanding job of enlightening us with your takes on the construction, crew, and the home and the surrounding area. Knowing one or all of you might get INSIDE 'our' log home for a look-see-report back post is very exciting.

AND.... one more bit of info ---- any contract written during the Grand Opening Event gets a free Boat Dock! Do you think the development will extend the dock offer to the 2008 Blog Cabin?

Ahmed? Watson? Any chance you know if the dock is being donated by the developer? Any chance you can tell us if you know?

Oops! Forgot to mention...

Grand Opening On Sunday, May 18, 2008 will occur from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Besides the opportunity to Meet Ahmed in Person, at least one of the twins (Simon or Chris)is now scheduled to be there with Ahmed, according to the recent news release. (Helen, maybe you could introduce Sally and Carrie and anyone else who attends, since you already have had the pleasure of meeting the cast and crew --- you lucky lady, you!)

After you 'walk the Big Beautiful Log Home' on the exclusive inside tour, you will also be treated to:

1. A Buffet Lunch (No plans to include geoducks at this time BB)
2. Live Music ~
3. Door Prizes ~ Giveaways
4. Tours of the entire development, including tours by boat on the Watts Barr Lake.

So, bring your Sun Screen, your walking shoes, and have a great time.... I plan to be "with you in spirit" so watch for a flutter on the Cabin Cam that day!

Must be something wrong with the website because it would not let me vote today. I tried three times but no such luck for voting. I know its not my computer so, what gives??

Thank-You to all who gave advice on the nutty Robin! He has been my constant companion for days now. I spent hours dividing plants yesterday and he was right with me. My neighbors thinks its cute, I on the other hand am getting worried about my feathered friend. I downloaded and printed the pics of falcon shadows and taped them on the window. Didn't do much to deter him yet but it actually looks kinda cool from the inside. He has now moved to another window on the back side of the house. From window to window he goes, pecking on them and scareing the bejebbers outta me. On the plus side, he's not so aggressive today. His efforts seem almost perfunctory. I think he's getting tired of seeing my redhead as much as I'm getting tired of seeing his piercing stare. I'm glad to know what he's doing is perfectly normal and won't really hurt him. Thanks Everyone so much for the advice and the links. After reading about the problem I feel so much better knowing he will eventually stop.

AHMED- Will you please put some bat houses up on the beautiful Log Home site? That will help take care of some pesky mosquitoes. A bird house would also be cool to watch by the lake. A mailbox that is a replica of the home would be special. Okay, okay just a few bat houses please.

PURE INFOMATION POST, A.H.

For all those who are concerned about missing the announcement about when your FIRST CHANCE IN AUGUST will be TO BEGIN ENTERING DAILY for an opportunity TO WIN THIS BIG BEAUTIFUL LOG HOME:

You can receive the latest sweepstakes news by subscribing to the DIY network e-newletter. Just FOLLOW the LINK provided on Homepage marked SWEEPSTAKES. You will have the option to sign up for delivery of the e-newsletter at this link.

In addition to announcements about all Sweepstakes that are current, you will receive information about the Winners of previous contests, information about TV updates, step-by-step project information, and new online features offered at the website.

ALSO... The slide show (not the cabin cam thumbnail option) has basement pictures from March 21 ... you can see the unfinished basement area including the bathroom/shower area rough-in by going to slide 8 and 9(looks like Bathroom is located under the Master Bathroom bump out area). Also, slides of the back and sides of the log home can be viewed. Look for the option link just below the area where you would cast your first vote. Hope that makes sense.

Wow! I love the new slideshows in the photo gallery. I see many of the windows are in.

Just noticed the roof above the dining room porch...are they putting the shingles on now?

Ohhh..I can't wait to see the interior come together. Will there be a mantle on the F/P?

Thanks for the new pictures...keep'em coming.

"BRAVO GENTLEMEN OF DIY" Applause...Applause...whislting...cheering...body surfing the crowd...

You all deserve a standing ovation for your incredible work and craftsmanship !

OOOh...Ahhhh..."Eye Candy" for all of us who day dream for this beautiful Log Home Estate and sanctuary . I feel I have melted away into my chamomile tea of life , and all the BC OCD is gone from me. Thank You so much for these wonderful photos and the time and energy involved in bringing them to us. It is all so beautiful your guys ! Thank You , Thank You , Thank You !

Oh my heaven's, It's my walk through in pictures. That porch is so awesome, I'm closing my eyes and I was sitting there, with fire lit, drinking my nice cup of cham. tea, Just a swinging away. Boy, That was a great birds eye view of the Our big beautiful lake house on the slide show. Thank you, :) thank you, :) thank you, :) Watson & Ahmed & crew for my bc ocd fix.
The only thing is I love it, need it, want mooooore!! Whoever wins is gonna be one lucky bird in that sweet nest.
You all are doing and have done a great job.
It's the prettiest thing I ever did see!

The only view I didn't get that I would have liked seeing is to have been standing on the end of the entertainment porch looking straight toward the lake. So I could get a better since of back yard layout & how big the back yard is in that direction. I can see & love the fact that it has a slight hillside view from the lake. It makes the house looks so majestic. And I would also love to see a cabin cam shot of the sun rising and a sunset shot. Pretty please! I can't wait to see a fog shot too, Oh, that would be so neat! Pretty please! Thanks again for the wonderful update picture slide show.... bye for now.

Carrie Miracle: Thank you for the heads-up on the Stampede Run H.C. I've already looked it up and will pass it on to my group. I've also been wanting to ride to the Hensley Settlement at Cumberland Gap but that will have to come a little later.

The "big beautiful log home" is looking fabulous and now I'm "imagining" just what the outdoor feature will be. Patience, patience!
Take care all!

Just saw the latest pictures 4/30/08 of the Cabin in the Woods. Just a piece of heaven on earth! Your vision for this cabin is spot on! Love it, love it, love it.

My Father has Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases, and I wish I had a place for him to just sit and enjoy the view...that is as beautiful as this. What a way to spend your most precious days...

Thanks for letting all us in on such a lovely suprise for someone...Again, just breathtaking...Kaj

Wow...just checked the Cabin Cam...looking GOOD!!!
I am a porch girl at heart and I really love the breadth and width of the side porches.

Some lucky person family will really enjoy those. Answering all the questions must be a real challenge with everything else to keep up with but we all appreciate it. Thanks Ahmed...

Ahmed and Watson:

Thank you so much for the new pictures of the log home. So nice to finally see the back side of the home. It is really a beautiful home that some lucky winner is going to win. I have only posted a blog twice before, but I do read the blog, vote and check out the cam everyday. By the way some of you regular blogges have some great stories. Makes my day to read many of them.
Guys keep up the great work we really do appriciate being able to voice our opinions on the items going into the home. Good luck to all that have worked so hard to make this a great home.

THANK YOU for the updated slide pictures of the Blog cabin. I'm so impressed with the progress being made and look forward to all that is coming our way with daily cam pictures and closer to the time for the show that shows it all.

to noel b, i also live in no az. so hi neighbor. it was so windy out at my place the birds couldnt fly. theyd try to fly straight and end up swooping sideways. too funny :)
blessings to cabin craver and erika
watson and ahmed keep up the good work, have a great weekend. did see where ahmed wrote a blog on sunday noc. thats part of the weekend you know !!! i have seen the lite and there are windows on that blog cabin. :)

Good Morning Fellow Bloggers!
Just took a peek at the cam and oh my goodness, this Log Home is just beautiful. I really like the windows.
Ahmed, pretty soon you will start to landscape and I was thinking that along the left porch (facing the house) A line of large lavender plants would bring a nice fragrance while sitting on the porch and add a soft color with its blooms. I was also thinking that perhaps the Rose of Sharon accented with a rock formation out front would look great and also give nice color. You are all doing a wonderful job and it shows!
:-) Wishing everyone a great day! Keep well and safe!

Get ready to run for the roses. It's Kentucky Derby (horse racing) time again in Ky this weekend. So if you are going to it. It may rain so make sure your hat is rain proofed!

Keight O my G....! I want that for a mother's day gift. Just a drive down and a looksee inside and a tour. How fun would that be and it's open house for any body to just show up. Maybe I should place a bet on a horse in the Ky derby, maybe I'll get lucky and get enough for the diesel there, since they are feeding us! Just joking, not a betting lady! That would be a fun family time, and what a good time for bloggers to meet up, wouldn't it? If my family would indulge me in that honor! I would just die, I saw it in person from the street but to actually walk in and around it! A tour inside, I think I'll pack a few snacks, some water and a toothbrush. yes the sunscreen, I would def. need that! Because they would have to pry my fingers off the post. Because I don't know if I could or would leave anytime soon. I think as soon as Ahmed & crew found out the crazy ocd'd Carrie was there. They would be running for the hills or jumping in the lake hiding from me! A disappearing act for sure would occur! No, I would behave myself, really... I promise! If we were to get to go that would just be a dream come true for me. To sit there and enjoy it, And honey I would tell you anything you want to know too! Unless Ahmed swore me to secretcy, That's so exciting! I'll print, that page off, lay it on the desk, give him through Monday to find the mother's day hint then if that don't work. I'll start begging and just tell them right out that's all I want!

Tisser
You are welcome for the info.? Where are you from? When you mentioned the southfork and horses. I saw that place, not long ago, thought it looked neat, When you mentioned riding horses, just thought you might be interested. However I've not personally stayed there.
Hensley settlement is a great place to visit. I reccommend it highly and if you go. Bring a camera & a picnic alot of fun there. Also you must go to cumberland gap park,in tn, to the pinnacle overlook. Not far, Awesome view! I'm sure being on horse back you would have better views than that. My husband & I grew up in that area as teenagers we would drive & four wheel drive up an old creek bed, possibly the original trail to Hensley settlement in Ky. It's marked but you have to look closely if you go this way. It wasn't too far from the Martins Fork Lake & is close to & might be part of Virgina as well. Hensley Settlement has a look and feel simialr to Cades cove in Tn. Just not as many people. It's awesome there, we had alot of fun exploring the barns and fields there as young kids. But it's been probably 15 years or more since we have been there. They have tours from the cumberland gap state park to Hensleys Settlement. I believe for those not as adventurous and we even saw a civil war reinactment there once, we could hear the cannons up on the overlook from the park center. Scared the life out of us! We had come in form the other side entrance and didn't know it was going on. There is alot of great civil war history in ky. We have awesome & beautiful Ky State Parks. www.nps.gov or just type in Ky State Parks. You might also like Daniel Boone Wilderness Trails or Little Shepherd Trails or Shaker Village in Pleasant hill. They have tours of the place, nice dinner & inn, it's very pretty there saw horse trailers last visit there so I'm pretty sure horses are welcome there. Hope you have fun on trails this summer, my friend.

Slideshow UPDATE: A second slideshow showing progress during April is now available! (THANKS A.Muse for mentioning this link from the Voting Page for the March slideshow ---- that was how I realized a new one was up and running, too!)

Something ABSENT from the slideshow got me to wondering.... since NO shots of the “kitchen/dining/mud room side are being shown, does anyone else think that stairs to the lake are being built there but their location is concealed behind the black silt fencing that is blocking this area from view? It does appear that this side of the house will be the closest to the ground level, once the final grading is complete.

I am ever hopeful that A.H.’s comment that “it ain’t over yet” concerning the flow from the upper decks to the ground level is being addressed on this side of the dwelling. A plus, with steps here: If the steps are wide and deep enough, a chair lift could possibly be added by the Winner, if their lifestyle requires one.

-----Maybe that fireman's pole (on the garage deck side) could still be added for all the Adventurous free spirits in the group!-----

The ‘artist’s concept of the finished home' also still shows the small set of stairs located on the K/D/Mrm side that would give access to the Mud Room and Kitchen Area and beyond from the front of the Log Home. If the plans still offer this access point, and a pathway from the driveway to this portion of the house is user friendly, entrance into the front of the home, without the need to climb as many steps as may be needed to enter at the front door will be available.

Wondering, too: Will the front door porch area be altered slightly to enlarge it and eliminate the small planting areas beneath the two windows that may be very difficult to maintain? A.H. had mentioned this area, as well as the overall size of the front entrance was being re-evaluated in a previous answer to numerous posts concerning this issue. Any updates available?

Windows, love them!! The BBLH (big beautiful log home) is really starting to shine...very cool to see the new video with the recycled materials... What are they building out of the old canoe...any thoughts?

No feedback on the "tractor scoots" used for easier access yard work...no one uses one?

So glad to see that the BC OCD is finally! being put under control with the slide photo presentation prescription! (Rx) Hearing BlognBob's renown statement of recovery really does my heart good, and then there is Carrie, so happy and breathing in and out, in and out....even without the chamomile tea!....is this wonderful or what. I am just so overwhelmed. Can't imagine what Susan from Ohio is going experience with this new Rx...So now everyone's prescription (Rx) for their BC OCD is as follows: Go into the slide show presention 2x a day for 5 days. After 5 days decrease it to 1x a day for three days. After 3 days go into the slide show presentation 1x a week. If any exasperations develop increase to 3x a week until symptoms decrease or disappear. Please place caution on over dosaging as sides effects may prevent normal functioning within family units and work place. If all else fails, please, please go to AMuse blog which will be a definite Help. I bet Tisser is already riding her horse up to the cabin! I bet she is not even in a fast trot; I bet she is in a canter! Hope she reads the Rx first! LOL
:-)
I do love the slide photos. It really shows the beauty of this Log Home.....Happy Blogging!
Cabincraver, I know you will surely enjoy the slide presentation of the Log Home. Praying for you.

Well The Windows That we Can See look Good.
But The Dumster Is In Need Dumping.... Junk Falling OUT! When Will The Roof Be Going On?

The new pictures make this project look way BETTER than the blue prints and computer concepts. The lake side deck has really made that side of the house. Ahmed you will have your work cut out for you, but I'm sure it will only enhance this beautiful CABIN. GOOD LUCK!

To deter robins from flying into your windows try really shiny helium baloons. So far thats the only thing that has worked. Thanks so much to all who gave me advice, links and empathy. I'm going to have to seriously think of investing in helium.
A special thanks to Ahmed, Watson, the DYI crew working on the home and the builder/developer for a wonderful Log Home. Wish I could be there for the grand opening.

Oh, I absolutely love the stone on the fireplace! It is exactly the sort of thing I would have picked myself. It's gorgeous.

I cannot wait to see how Ahmed handles the landscaping challenge presented by the steep grade from the front of the house down to the garage. I'm sure it will be something quite creative and beautiful. Can you give us any preliminary hints Ahmed?

As for the voting...
When the paint choices come up again I will be voting for the 'Around the World' palette. I think the pastel paint palette would not do justice to the cabin. The woodsy style of the light fixture and the darker cherry wood for the closet call for the richer colors found in some of the other paint choices. I trust that the good folks at DIY would not paint an entire room in hot pink or some other garish color, but instead would use the bolder colors for accent only. (^_^)

I just looked at all of the pictures and the choices thus far and this is going to be an absolutely beautiful and relaxing place.
Keep up the good work!

Love, love, love the new slide show! Thanks guys for helping with the BC OCD. Here I am at home, sick, missing my daughters' awards program, and what am I doing? Why, catching up on all the blogs I have missed this week. I have been very busy this week with end-of-school year activities and sick kids. Now they are well and I am sick.

AHMED:

I am concerned about the entry to the garage. That turn looks mighty narrow. I can just see someone (like my too-soon-will-get-her-permit teenager) taking out one of the porch supports with the car. Hopefully it won't happen at the bloggers party, when one of us wins the Beautiful Log Home!

ANYONE:

Those "FUZZY BEES" are called carpenter bees. We have them and they have destroyed our porch railing. They are digging in from the underside where we can't get at the holes. We can't let anyone use the front door because the males are dive bombing it and then get in the house. HELP, ANYONE?

Dear Ahmed & Watson,
Your crew is coming along nicely and their hard
work is paying off...."looking good!"
I enjoyed the DiResta's video blog....I'm also
a fellow New Yorker....so kudos guys! Please let them know how creative they have been with the canoe and water skies and the porch swing is so
awesome! John your skills on the ATV need a little
help, but love your humor! Jim you are really very talented and have a wonderful imagination....
just love watching "the brothers" on Fridays!!
Well keep up the good work and know we "all" do appreciate "every" crew members hard work!
Thanks again, Linda Dale

Ahmed ...Thank you!

Your advice was taken and the BC~OCD has started to subside, now that I've viewed all the wonderful pictures you've posted...

BC~OCD can really take a toll on you, my physicians have upped my meds to 9 pills a day! Also my Doctor gave me a note for you stating: "Patient is suffering from severe BC~OCD and only treatment left is to have me flown there for the weekend of the Open~house"

Between all the deep breathing exercises, the chamomile tea, and the meds...I swish and rattle when I walk!

My husband is filing for abandonment, he calls me from the living room to my office on my cell phone to take to me...(in here 24/7 at my computer)

I went for an interview today which really went well...I think I had the job, right up to the point when she asked me if I knew how to use a computer!
DARN...BC~OCD Kicked in! ...Jumping to my feet, My eyes lite up as I yelled " YOU HAVE INTERNET?"
Which probably wasn't the answer she was expecting, as she started to back away from me...Needless to say I probably won't be one of the ones she's going to call back next week for the 2nd interview!

Job searching with BC~OCD maybe a little harder then I anticipated...I'll keep you informed of any progress!

Mean while here I am, back in my office watching my screen-saver with all the pictures taken of the Cabin home...sipping my tea, and doing my breathing exercises...(hoping for the best)as I hug my putter good night... And wishing all my blogging friends suffering from this terrible disease a speedy recovery!

Awwww right, who took the camera for a walk around the cabin? THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!!!

I love the nice deep side porches...are there going to be some nice shallow stairs along the left side towards the lake end? As high as the back porch and the right side is, I can't see steps going down from there.

I noticed on the interior fireplace shot something that bugs me. (If there is a picture hung crooked I'll straighten it.) The top layer of stone on the hearth doesn't appear to be level. It looks like the stone beneath that longest top stone has a skinny end on the left and it looks like it makes that top stone take a rise to the right. Take a look at it and see if I'm right.

Is there another layer of decking to go on the porches? I noticed that the supporting logs don't go all the way to the floor, so I'm guessing that there is another layer of decking.

The lake is lovely, how far off shore from the cabin is the island? And how deep is the channel going across to the island? Is the water shallow for wadeing or should one be prepared to dive right in?

My word, the soaring chimney is breathtaking in the main room. I see that the interior walls are going up. I'm sure drywall and paint will be following soon. Which makes me ask, when will the paint palette be back up on the voteing? I hope we will have some more interior pics so we can envision the colors and how they will play out in the rooms. Has flooring been up for a vote? I can't remember.

When I voted tonight, the results came up and was showing a choice for the shape of the fire pit??? I guess that is going to be one of the next choices.

Thank you DIY and all the construction gang!! Keep the good work up and the cool pics coming!!!

I have a question about the fire pit voting!

Could not vote on the fire pit as it did not come up to vote on but when the voting tallies came up, there it was big as life, fire pit, round had 1 vote & that was all!

Whats the deal with that?

Keight,
Thank You so very much for the information on the Inside tour. Oh, Our little family would just love to attend this most ausipicious event. It would be wonderful to see this beautiful work of art, The Big Beautiful Log Home, To tour the incredible landscape ,and perhaps be able to talk with some of the folks that created this work of art. Just to be there, in and of itself would be a dream come true.
You know, May 18th holds a special day of rememberance for us old folks from Washington too. It was May 18th 1980 that Mt.St.Helens erupted. I remember that day all to well.
No Geoduck? You know me...Even though most country folk might not have a flavor for this sort of sea food still, I would probably figure a way to bring some. But honestly and most unfortunately with our budget we can barely afford to drive across town now a days.

But You know, Maybe just Maybe we could even see some fireflies for the first time too.

Hi …..

It has been raining this morning here on Watts Bar – it was the perfect kind – gentle. We have needed it since the past few years we have had a drought. Someone asked about mosquitoes – we have been here on the lake for two years (this will be our third summer) and we have not had any problem with them. Hope it will be that way again this summer. The weather is supposed to be good tomorrow so we will see if we can take a trip over by boat as well as a walk through from our house.

We have no plans for the weekend of May 18th so we will probably take a walk over to share in all the fun.

Sally

P.S.
Dayton Tennessee is about to have their Strawberry Festival. Strawberry's are grown all through the area and this week we made fresh Strawberry Jelly from hand picked ones - can you taste it?

ok all you dog owners it looks to me that you could make an inconspicous dog run under the deck off of the kitchen.:) it wouldnt be real big but ok while you were at work
the new pics are great and i looked at the 3ds as well. wow!!!!!!
saw fire pit shape all sound good to me where are they putting it tho ???
blessings to cabin craver and erika
well ya'll have a nice weekend its chilly here but at least the wind has stopped

I noticed my wife posted on April 30th or May 1, her post was on somebody elses name. I am the husband that wants to win this cabin and because of the design, beauty and hard work you are putting into this cabin, I think I have her sold on this cabin! Just one problem, I have to win this cabin first. I suppose all the bloggers have that problem, its a good problem, huh? I have no suggestions, between Ahmed, Watson, the bloggers, all is covered. I am patiently waiting to win this cabin. Arkansas really took a hit yesterday (again) tornadoes keep assaulting this state and I am ready to get out of here, for good!

Hello bloggers:

Wow I was beginnig to think my blogs were not being read until I saw the comment Ahmed made April 30 to Susie Smith about Lemon Balm Tea.

I am really disapointed that people voted on the type of wood not the design of the master closet. The maple design was the best for the elderly and disabled to get in. At least i read that it was the closet design.

Yep Kentucky Derby Day, that means Mothers Day is next we mothers follow the horse race every year (Laughing) (wink)

Mary from Texas

Fire Pit Shape?!? LOL Since I didn't get to vote on it, I have a feeling I know what the next vote is going to be about! Can't wait 'til Monday. Have a great weekend guys. ~Betty~

For those still suffering from BC~OCD you can go to Lake Front Estates homepage & click on the Blog Cabin.. they have 8 photos ... so a little more RX for everyone... it also says that the shows will start airing in Aug. (we have been told that by Ahmed) but it also states that the winner will be announced in OCT. Just FYI

It looks like they are putting the rock on the front of the cabin (basement walls)... so it doesn't look like they will be moving dirt to raise the level of dirt in front of the front stairs... there are going to be a LOT of Stairs here... also Ahmed your work is cut out for you on the front of the house with such drastic differences between the ground level to the 1st floor to balance out this house ???? glad you have this problem and it will be solved before one of us wins the cabin....

I agree that it looks like it is going to be hard to manuver a Full Size SUV (what size the garage has to be for) into the Garage... also the turn around when backing out of the garage to go back up the driveway to the street...
???? Doesn't the lot end where the slit fabric is streched across ?????

Those trees that are going to be behind the car when someone backs up are going to be in fear for their lives !!!

Also it looks like the cabin is going to have more front lawn than backyard.... Sad!
Can't wait to see what you do with the landscaping Ahmed.... know you have your thinkin' cap on...

Also... please let us know where the fire pit will be on the backside... we have a circular design for the patio stone floor to remember... so location may aid in the decision making we have to do..

Texan in Okie land

A name for the cabin? "My Time Stands Still Home".

Will others be able to vote for the fire pit? I also saw it come up with originally one vote on it and today 3 people have had the chance to vote for a fire pit.

Why, after voting for the closet style, and chandelier, that when the voting results come up, there is a shape of a fire pit choice that comes up in the results, and shows just about 3 votes? I have not seen that fire pit choice come up to even vote on, and seems a lot of people must not see that choice either, since there are so few votes in the results.

The cabin is amazing! To see this beautiful design come together with all our input and blogs, is truly incredible! Our family travels to the Smoky Mtn area several times every year and we are just in love with the area. This cabin will truly be a blessing to whomever is the lucky winner (oh, I just pray and hope :-) it is us).

Keep up the great work --- I'm so looking forward to watching the progress.

Hey DIY crew, what is the structure on the back porch? Almost looks like an outside dumbwaiter cover.

Greetings Colleen from your windblown neighbor! Even our camping trip this past weekend was windy. Boy was it nice though. Least people we've seen out in the forest in a long time! The crazy leave their trash and mark campers really bug me...see I teach "Leave NO Trace". Well don't blow away, stay inside and keep looking at those great slides of the BlogCabin ;)!

Carrie I hope you get your Mother's Day wish. How totally cool would that be! You are so sweet. It really gets to me sometimes how God puts my "sisters" so far away. Enjoy the kiddos this weekend MOM!

Hey, it looks like the same stone work on the fireplace is going on the outside on the ground level out back. Is that what I'm seeing Ahmed?

Helen, did that lake level rise a little or is it just the way the pictures are being taken?

Round fireplace makes for a connected circle!

On to a new week!

Noel b
Hi and Thanks
I appreciate you saying, I'm sweet. You are too! Camping, that sounds like fun. Great time for families. Wish I was out there too! Waiting for the nights to get a little warmer since we are still tenting for now! I know how it is my sisters are so far away from me too!

Hello fellow blogers

I would like to see a round fire pit for wood burning not propane. Made out of rustic stone. I would like to see some solor panels since we are trying to b more green. I would like a home theater system in the basement. Cherry red cabinets throughout the kitchen. A cherry stained deck overlooking a lake.Livening room with a wood burning fire place. Made out of a cobblestone. Also a few sky light obove the liven room an olso in the master bath. Also Viking kitchen appliances .

It'd be nice to see some bold bright colors in the master bedroom. Not too keen on dusty blues and peaches, like the oranges, purples, turqoises and browns better. It will be awesome, trust me, so whoever keeps voting for those pale colors...stop!

How do you guys like the double stairs at the entrance? Too busy for me, I would prefer a single set of wide stairs.

I know from personal experience that it can be difficult for a person in a wheelchair to get to certain parts of a house. My thought if it's not to late in the planning stages of the cabin is to make the layout of the house especially the bathrooms user friendly to everyone whether they are in a wheelchair or not.