Staining and cabin progress

Well....the hubby encountered a little problem while we were trying to stain the bedrooms. First the logs are first lightly sanded, second - the stain is applied and then you use the clear coat. When he was using the clear coat - it was bubbling and looking like glue in the cracks of the logs. (It's inevitable with logs that you get "checking" which is small to medium cracks in the log.)So we stopped and we're going to contact the stain company tomorrow. I don't know if it was from being too cold or being shook up as we drove the 3 hours up north.

On a positive note, the maple flooring was installed and looks beautiful. Also, the builder selected nice 6 panel doors that look perfect in the cabin. Even the electrician made a little progress (2 switch plates and my wall sconce being installed.) I'm hoping he makes an appearance on Monday to make significant progress. I am especially looking forward to seeing how our antler chandelier will look in our dining room once it's hung. I think it's a rule that if you own a log cabin that you must have an antler chandelier as well as a deer head.

The Great Log Cabin Giveaway

Attention Log Cabin daydreamers! I stumbled across 'The Great Log Cabin Giveaway' contest and wanted to share with others who may want a shot. The winner receives a cozy getaway cabin from Ward Cedar Log Homes. The contest runs until December 31, 2008. Good Luck! http://www.loghomesnetwork.com/cabingiveaway/

Prepping the Log Interior

It looks like Greg and I will actually be putting in a little (emphasis on the word little) sweat equity into the log cabin. Before the hardwood flooring and carpeting can go in, the interior log walls need to be lightly sanded and then stained. At first my husband was insistent we could do all the sanding ourselves. Then I pointed out the logs in the 2-story loft area. No ladder we owned could reach those heights. Thus our builder and his scaffolding will assist. Our project next weekend will be to do the interior staining ourselves (with the exception of the front loft wall.) We are going to use the color "Applewood" from Sashco which is close to a natural finish and won't clash against the interior tongue and groove walls. When spring weather hits, then the exterior can be stained.

Bird Watching at the Cabin

I decided today would be a good day to bird watch from the deck of our cabin. I pulled up a chair and got my camera ready. It was kind of nice to take a break from stressing over what hasn't been finished. (I think the electrician must double as a spy as he's been very elusive and I still don't have my switchplates. ) I hung up a suet cake and tube feeder on the trees overhanging the deck. The Black-capped chickadees were rampant. I put seeds in my hand and one of them landed on my thumb. He didn't take the seed, just cocked his head at me and flew back to the feeder. Just that experience was thrilling enough. Bird count total today: 10 chickadees, 1 tufted titmouse, 2 white breasted nuthatches and 1 hairy woodpecker. Tomorrow, back to the log cabin...

Cabin Fever

I definitely have cabin fever. When we were up at the log cabin today, I immediately wished Greg & I had brought sleepings bags to stay the night. No matter that it would have been on the OSB subflooring. We were enjoying just being there looking at the snow covered lake. A black squirrel was running around the large oak tree out front and chickadees were flying about. We also had a nice visit from our log home dealers - The Fleshers.

This past week the furnace was installed and more progress was made in the kitchen and the bathroom. Speaking of the bathroom, I thought the toilet was ready to use....ha! Greg had to go get some drinking water out of the crew's water cooler and pour it into the toilet so it would flush. Whoops! This week I expect the crew will start on the maple hardwood flooring and complete the electric and kitchen.

Half Log Wall

Though we went with a full log home with our log cabin kit, it was recommended to us to have a half log wall on the lake side of the cabin due to all the windows we have. Additionally it would make the wall more insulated from the lake wind. When you look at the loft windows - you can't tell it's half log. It looks great and still has that authentic log cabin feel. Another benefit is if something is wrong with that half log - we can remove and replace easily. It would be more difficult to do with our full log walls so yearly maintenance will be at the top of our priority list. The construction crew started the half log gabling on the exterior wall the other day when it was 40 degrees in Gaylord. Today it is lightly snowing and about 25 degrees so needless to say they will be working inside. I'm looking forward to going "Up North" on Sunday to check their progress.

Log Cabin Windows and Loft

The doors and windows arrived finally. All but 2 windows are installed right now. The builder had to use a chainsaw to carefully finish cutting the openings for them. The logs arrive with the window openings, but the log company leaves room in case the homeowner changes their mind about the size of the windows. They have dark green aluminum wood clad frames which looks so right with the color of the logs. We need to make a decision about the log stain. I want a more golden color but I'm told since it is a light color - it requires more maintenance and staining. I need to ask Sashco who will be our stain provider.

Other work that was completed this past week was the tongue and groove wood being installed in the loft ceiling. It makes the room look so massive. The 5 separate windows in the loft lets in an abundance of light into our main living area.