Year End Thoughts

As we complete the first year in our log cabin, we are thankful for many things. While it has been a very interesting year, Mel and I feel we are truly blessed! We have so many thing to be thankful for and while they are too numerous to list here, we are most thankful for all of our wonderful families and friends. We have been blessed with seven grandchildren that are truly blessings in our lives. It's hard to express what it's like to be a grandparent, but I assure you there is nothing like it! As we close this year, we wish all our friends and families a wonderful and prosperous New Year!

Stove Complete

The stove is finally completed! The replacement arrived before Christmas and we had the propane service hooked up today. It's working great and keeping the cabin nice and cozy. The furnace hasn't kicked on since I started it earlier this afternoon.

Stove Update

We attempted to install the stove last Thursday and when we hooked it up we found the stove had a small leak in it. I had to call the supplier and they are sending us a replacement. It should be delivered today. Hopefully it will work! It sure would have been nice to have it installed the last few days. Yesterday morning it was 7 degrees!

Stove Installed

The new stove was delivered yesterday and I installed it in the living room. The propane service is going to be hooked up on Thursday. We can't wait to get it hooked up and start enjoying the warmth it will provide. I've attached a picture of it.

Another Buck

Here's a picture I took of a buck that stopped by this evening for a quick meal. Note he is missing his antlers on the left side and he also has a large sore on the top of his shoulder. I suspect he's been in a few battles.

Cabin Upgrades

I've finally got a new card reader for my camera memory chip and I've downloaded some pictures of upgrades we did this past summer around the cabin. Here is a picture of a storage barn that we added this summer.

Christmas Decorating

Mel and I started our Christmas decorating the other day. Mel bought some lighted garland and we installed it on the loft railing. We think it looks really beautiful! There's nothing like decorating a cabin for Christmas!

Gas Stove

Well after much thought and research we have decided to install a vent free gas stove in our cabin. We just couldn't find an acceptable way to install a wood stove that we were happy with. Our neighbors down the road from us installed the same stove in their cabin and we were very impressed with the look and operation of theirs. We ordered it yesterday and scheduled to have it installed next Thursday. I've attached a picture of the stove and after its installed I'll post some more pictures.

Missed Again

Well I missed a really nice 12 point this evening. I'm beginning to believe my scope is out of adjustment. It was only about a 25 yard shot and I missed like I did earlier in the week. He was a really nice buck. Can't believe I missed. Oh well still have the extra weekend to try again.

Still Hunting

I've continued hunting this past week as I have been on vacation. I missed a nice buck this past Wednesday. I saw another nice one yesterday afternoon, but wasn't able to get a shot. Not too many days left in gun season, so I better work at it a little harder. I've attached a recent picture of the front of the cabin.

Pileated Woodpecker

While I've been busy deer hunting and with no luck to date I might add, I thought I'd post a picture of a recent visitor we had to our cabin. He's a Pileated Woodpecker! They are the largest woodpeckers now seen in North America. I had never saw one before and I was amazed at the size of them. Approx. 16 1/2" tall. I was also amazed at their ability to peck wood. Wood chips were flying everywhere from the old oak tree he was working on behind the cabin. If you've never seen one, it is truly a beautiful bird.