Celebrating Valentine's Day at the Log Cabin

 

One of the things we couldn't wait for when we moved into our log cabin was to celebrate the holidays! The log cabin looks perfect, cozy and warm with Christmas trees, a wreath, garland and more.  We decided to keep the festive spirit going by having a year round tree and celebrating many different holidays and events. 

Here is our Valentine's Day tree above. We picked up lights, decorative valentine wooden ornaments and garland at Hobby Lobby and Christmas Tree Shop.  I think a white tree is perfect to show off the red and pink colors.  A heart garland was hung across the fireplace. We are now ready to celebrate!

Other upcoming fun holidays and events you can decorate a tree for: St. Patrick's Day, Easter, 4th of July,  Spring (think bird and butterfly motif) and more.  Besides, I love enjoying twinkling lights at night at the cabin. 

Let us know if the comments if you ever had a year-round tree. 

Happy (upcoming) Valentine's Day! 

Dog Sledding!

Our log cabin is located in northern Michigan. We get a lot of snow and we always are looking for new winter activities to try.  One thing that has been on my bucket list for a long time is dog sledding. I've always been interested in the history of the Iditarod and marveled at the talent and pure joy of the sled dogs.

My husband knows I love experiences over material things so I was over the moon when he booked a dog sledding trip as my Christmas present.  They had a Michigan dog sled team at a local ski resort and I was able to do a 30 minute ride.  Watching the dogs bark and howl because they were anxious to go made me excited to go too! 

After riding through the snow, watching the dogs work together - I was even more amazed.  At the end of the ride I got to hug, pet and thank each one of them.  I can't wait to do this again! 

 

Wildlife Watching

Probably one of our favorite activities at the log cabin is to watch wildlife. This includes the birds (we have many feeders!), fox, coyote, deer, turkey and more.  In our northern Michigan town you can go to the Pigeon River Forest to try to catch a glimpse of the elk or head over to Gaylord's City Elk Park.

This nature park has a wild herd of elk on about 100 acres. They have been cared for by staff for over 14 years. They have approximately 70 elk and they are magnificent to behold!

Every spring I await the return of the Common Loons. This is one of my favorite birds! I love their complex behavior, their beautiful feathers and the haunting song they make on the lake.  They are the true sound of the north!

Bear Country Log Homes

Hello! It's been a while since I've blogged. It's a crazy world out there right now. Just heard we will be on lock down for another 4 weeks during this coronavirus pandemic. 

I have quite a few people contact me that are feeling that urge that they would like to have their own log cabin in the woods - their own get-away.

Please visit my website at www.bearcountryloghomes.com to get ideas for your dream log home. I have a floor plan book posted as well as a nice slide show of the interior design.

Stay safe and healthy!

Christmas at the Log Cabin

Spending time at the log cabin over the Christmas season is always extra special. We love decorating for the holiday and enjoying all the winter activities.  The logs add a natural warmth and the scenery outside makes for a nice backdrop. 

Sitting in a comfortable chair, hot cocoa in hand and seeing the birds, trees and snow from the window is such a relaxing feeling.  As the snow accumulates in northern Michigan, we will break out our snow shoes and skis. As Andy Williams once sang, "it's the most wonderful time of the year!"

Fall is coming!

I can't think of a better place to spend Autumn than at our log home in northern Michigan. Our fall decorations are out but nature puts on the best show.  This is also the time of year when migrating birds pass through so it's a great time to get out those binoculars. Bring on the hot apple cider and pumpkin pie!

P.S. Are you ready to plan your own log home dream? I can help you! Please visit my website at www.bearcountryloghomes.com.  We became dealers for Hiawatha Log Homes after we built one of their homes in 2008.

Dogs love log cabins

Dogs love log cabins. They especially love the outdoor adventures that come with owning such a home and our dog Scout is no exception. We have been taking her boating on our small lake and enjoy watching her act like she's captain of the ship. She is also the official squirrel patrol leader. Many a bird feeder has been protected by our ever faithful dog. Dogs and log cabins just go together.

Finishing our log home basement

After 7 years in our log home, we finally finished the basement!  Well I take that back, it's about 80% finished.  We need to put up the ceiling and add more furniture but for the most part it's ready! 

Our log home was built on a sloping landscape so we added the walk out basement which greatly increased our living space.  I can't tell you how nice it is to sit on this couch and view the lake - it's frozen but it's still a lake view.  :-)

In other news we have ventured back into the log home business.  The economy is picking back up in Michigan and there are still great deals for land to build on in Northern Michigan.  If you are interested in a log home, please visit our website at www.bearcountryloghomes. We would love to help you make your log home dream a reality.

Snowy December

We've had a lot of snow in northern Michigan, particularly in Gaylord.  A few weeks ago it snowed 29 inches in 3 days breaking a previous record.  Snowfall, Christmas and log cabins go together. Scout thinks so too.

That's a lot of snow!

We've had over 113 inches of total snow fall so far in the area where our log home is located.  Right now I feel like I am working for the propane man and the snow plow man! Though I do have to admit it is pretty and I've enjoyed the powder for snowshoeing and skiing. How is winter in your area?

It's snowing in Northern Michigan!

This morning I woke up to this powdered sugar winter wonderland!  The high temperature today is 37 degrees.  Autumn is definitely over!  Has anyone else had an early snowfall?

Spring is here!

 It's been a long time since I've been on my log cabin blog. Time to visit my blogger friends! 

Everything is nice and green in northern Michigan.  We are reaching the tail end of the bird migration. I am so happy to have some of my feathered visitors back - especially the Rose Breasted Grosbeak pictured below.  Though I do have to say that these birds are one of the biggest pigs at the feeder.  I swear one of them has been sitting on my feeder for the past 5 hours munching away!

How are things in your neck of the woods?

Snowy weekend at the Cabin

It's been so long since I've posted. Life gets busy and then time gets away faster than you know it.  This weekend we got to spend a long weekend at the cabin. We received about 3 inches of snow and Scout was in doggy heaven!  I'm looking forward to breaking out the snow shoes!

We have so many different birds nesting at the Log Cabin!  Tree Swallows, Orioles, Chickadees, Robins and Wrens.  Up above is a diligent Tree Swallow protecting his nest box.  Those Wrens can be sneaky sometimes and want to dominate as many nestboxes as they can.  How about you? Do you have any birds nesting in your yard?

Snowy Owl

I made one of my dreams come true this year - I found the Snowy Owl! For those of you that don't know, this is an irruptive year for the Snowy Owls and they usually don't come down so far south. But lack of food is pushing the juveniles down this year. I joined the Michigan Audubon's Birding Tour in Sault Ste. Marie. And would you know it, we ended up spotting two! (And by the way - I was the 1st one to see it.) Such a beautiful creature - hard to describe - but it was a beautiful moment!

How are all of you doing? I'm slowly making my blog rounds....

Fall is here!

Bad blogger (a.k.a. ME!) is back and excited for my favorite season - fall! We are headed up next week to the cabin for several days and the colors should be at their peak in Northern Michigan.




I also saw my first eastern Blue Bird! I was so excited - took several bad shots and the only one that was half-way decent was this one of him apparently snubbing me. Ah well, I probably deserved it!


How are the fall colors in your area? Have you been doing any fall baking?

Boat Ride

Do you think......




....that my dog.....



....enjoys boat rides?!




Watch Scout's mouth below open and shut with excitement on her cruise around the lake.

Meet my friend the Blue Heron

Heading to the cabin tomorrow. Hoping I have exciting stories to tell you. Just know it will probably involve birds, a lake, cabin, glass of wine and an adirondack chair! What are you up to this weekend? (By the way, do you think I'm the laziest blogger ever? I'm hoping not....)

For the love of lakes

A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.

~Henry David Thoreau





A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work. ~Author Unknown



Seems like the summer is going by so fast! Didn't it just get here? Long hours at work and school stuff has made me a dull girl but never fear....I have my escape planned. Next weekend we are heading to the cabin and having a family party. One thing I am most looking forward to is sitting in my adirondack chair and looking at my lake. Also....seeing Greg try to take Scout for a walk again.....ha,ha!

Log Cabin Feathered Friends

The bird watching has been great at the cabin. I currently have a wren, a chickadee and a tree swallow nesting in my bird houses. I am so excited - do you want to come to my birdy baby shower?! LOL!


Here's my nesting Tree Swallow. The male always watches over the nest box from a nearby tree and brings his sweetie some food while she's nesting.



A personal favorite is the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. They are at the feeders from morning to night. They sing such sweet songs.



I've finally been successful in attracting the Orioles (jelly, mealworms, orange sugar water and orange slices do the trick.) They are definitely the most spoiled bird at my cabin.


What birds are you seeing? What is your favorite?