After letting the log home magazines that I subscribe to (3 different ones) pile up for months, I decided to dive in and catch up on my log home reading the other night.

I knew it was coming... I mean, this is a feeling I've had for awhile... a feeling of dissatisfaction with log home magazines in general. I've just never verbalized it before.

The fact is, here we are 2 years into the process of designing and building our log home. We still haven't exactly broken ground yet (due to the fact that banks aren't really in the business of loaning money these days). And I'm already tired of seeing the same stories about the same things and the same pictures in the same log home magazines. Yet, I still want to be a well-informed log home owner.

Of course I realize (and can appreciate the fact that) the log home magazines are going to cater to those who are "potential" log home owners, future log home wannabees, newbies, and those considering building their own log cabin retreat. Especially since the advertisers are eager to reach those exact same people.

But at what point are the log home magazine publishers (and advertisers) going to realize there's more to be said about log homes than how to plan, design, and build 'em?

What about all of us who are past all that? I'm not even officially an "owner" yet, and I'm already craving information about the many ways that you can jazz up your log home and make it uniquely yours -- inside and out. I'm already thinking beyond just building it. I'm much more interested in other aspects of log home living at this point.

(Just wait, this gets better...)

Your log home is built and now it’s time to spruce up your outdoor surroundings.  

A tip before you start the landscaping around your log home: pay attention to the trees! (We learned the hard way.)

Following are some reasons why it’s important to survey your lot for trees that need to be removed, as well as a few tips for determining where you should plant any new trees, shrubs and flowers around your log home. 

The most important factors when you go to stain your log home are:

Weather

Timing

Diligence

Whether you do it yourself or hire a skilled professional, log home staining is a process that needs to be followed meticulously to ensure the protection of your log home.  

Having recently finished staining our log home in northern Michigan, let me share with you what to expect when you apply log home stain to your log cabin.

Your log home is built, the weather is right, and now it’s time for the exterior of your log home to be stained. 

Greg and I are currently at this phase in our log home building process. So let's review the steps leading up to log home staining and what you need to know.

Finalists for the "Green Log Awards" were recently announced.

The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards™ were created in response to the growing demand for green building solutions.

The goal of the awards is to locate and shine a spotlight on those companies and individuals who are enabling healthier homes and lifestyles. -- GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards

What this means for people like you and me is... a great list of environmentally-friendly log home products and suppliers!

So, if you're trying to make your currently log home more "green" or you'll soon be building your very own green log home, here are some companies that will make your life easier!

The Weatherall company provides a number of log home products, include stain and chinking.

In 1982 the Weatherall Company became the first company to develop an all-acrylic, elastomeric chinking for log homes. This revolutionary new product was known as Weatherall 1010 Chinking. Shortly thereafter Weatherall Company developed a new log finish that was compatible with the chinking. Next a unique backer-rod was engineered to complete the first true Log Home Sealant System-a total system that would provide the ultimate protection against the harsh elements of weather: sunlight, moisture and wind. Source

Now, they're offering a fun (and FREE!) downloadable program that lets you see what your log home would look like with different color schemes.

Ruth H. sent us an email:

Soon I will need to buy a home in FL. There is a log home available in Ft. Lauderdale. Can log homes last that far south? I would love to find out more about what I should be looking for. Please send some advise."