Wishing everyone the best from our warm cabin to yours!

Looking for advice on how to stop Asian lady beetles from getting inside my log cabin. The cabin is tongue and groove boards and was build in 2008. Within the last year we had the cabin stained as well as caulked around the doors, windows, and corners. We have a pest control company that does year round service and has sprayed outside and inside the house. In previous years we had hundreds of Asian lady beetles. This year has been far better but I still have to many. The only time we have any insect problem is in the fall/early winter until very cold weather and snow. Is there a way to completely stop them from getting in my cabin?

To add to this is there ever a time you should caulk between the boards on a tongue and groove cabin? From what I have read online you usually don’t but we have also had an issue with water coming inside during very heavy rain. This has only happened 3 times in the 4 years I have lived here. It is only one wall of the cabin that gets the most sun. Wondering if over time this wall could become unsealed and be adding to the insect problem.

Jon Staff’s linked in post seems like he didn’t really want to change it. Is it because they merged with Marriott?

Has anyone here stayed in a Postcard cabin in the winter? I’m thinking of spending a few days over Christmas but want to make sure they’re nice and warm not cold and miserable.

I bet this question comes up fresh a lot this time of year. I couldn't find specifics for my question so forgive me if this has been covered.

We have a house in the NC mountains that no one goes to in the winter. In fact, it may only see people one or 2 nights in a year to be honest. Every year I drain the lines, add RV antifreeze, shut off the power and so on.

Well I always end up with one major issue. The toilet bowls seem to grow this horrible mold over the winter. I leave some water in the bowl because I worry about the air coming back up from the septic tank. I feel like i have seen a device that goes into the bowl to prevent this. I would like to leave the bowl completely dry and put some sort of plastic or tape saying to not use the toilets cause the water is off. Any advice? Thanks.

Hello friends, As December approaches, I'm planning my next cabin getaway and can't decide between two enchanting regions: Oregon out in the Northwest or Maine/Vermont on over to the Northeast. Both seem like magic for a winter retreat, and I'd love to hear your thoughts to help me choose. My cabin adventures so far, I’ve been fortunate to experience the rustic beauty of Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, a trip filled with charming cabins and unforgettable views. I’ve also explored the majestic outdoors of Colorado and California, each offering unique winter vibes. Now, I’m craving something different for this year’s adventure. So I’m thinking of going up North, Oregon Northwest, snow-draped forests of evergreen, where cabins sit snugly near Mount Hood or the laid-back town of Bend. Snowy hikes, steaming hot springs, and that generally great atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest call for both relaxation and adventure. Maine or Vermont Northeast, pictured a holiday postcard come to life, with its villages dusted in snow, crackling fireplaces, and serene mountain or coastal settings. Maine’s rugged coastline seems like a dream, while Vermont’s peaceful, snow-covered hills offer a truly festive escape. What I’m looking for is a mix of outdoor exploration and cozy indoor relaxation (because I’ll be reading few books also going with my wines). A destination that feels magical, serene, and perfect for the holiday season. Any of these places you might have visited in winter, I'd love to hear about it, what made that place memorable? Which one would you recommend to someone who wants a little adventure and tranquility at the same time? Can't wait to hear your thoughts, reviews and recommendations. thank you in advance for helping me decide on this year's winter wonderland.

Hello all. Looking for some opinions from the community. I am considering using a 1500 watt oil filled radiator heater to place in front of our kitchen sink vanity (cupboard doors open) to keep water lines from freezing when we’re not at the cabin during the week.

Overnight temps are typically in the teens to low 20s and no other heat source is on when we’re gone.

Has anyone used radiant heaters for this purpose? Are they safe to be unattended for days at a time and effective for preventing freezing under these circumstances?

I’ve run into lots of mixed opinions in the research I’ve done so far.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Hi Redditors! This is my first post, so please bear with me.

My two parents have dreamt of building a cabin in northern Vermont for two decades. Hurricanes, health issues, college tuition, and the economy have all pushed their dream back further and further. But this summer, it is FINALLY happening. It's a small place—one bedroom, a firewood stove, plumbing pending—but my sister and I want to get them a useful, cool gift that'll fit right in.

My parents are big snowmobilers, drinkers, game players, and all-around chillers. We're thinking of getting them some vintage Skidoo posters or maybe a nice firewood holder, but if there's anything you all can't live without in your cabin, please share! We're looking to spend around $100 but will wiggle if it's really good.

Thank you all in advance!

Made it up to the cabin to spend a night. Can't believe it's mid November and 9°c here this afternoon!

We have large areas of much lighter colored wood from 20 years of pictures and art hanging on the wall. Is there a way to fix this apart from sanding and staining the entire wall. That would be a lot of wall in our case. Thanks.

Looking at purchasing a cabin. Upon walk through we found this support that’s rotten. What would be the best way to fix this without costing a ton?

I was thinking jack up by the main beam, remove the rotten one. Dig out some dirt and replace with compacted screenings then set it all down on concrete footing blocks. Would that be sufficient?

I reserved a cabin for this weekend (Nov 8) at machimoodus in CT. I just noticed that there is fire ban in CT and the main reason I wanted to stay is so that I can enjoy camp fire.

For anyone that had experienced with postcard cabins, I wonder if I could cancel it and obtain 100 percent refund. I know they have 15 days prior cancellation policy, but no info on cancellation if there is fire ban on their properties.

I feel it is ridiculous if I could not cancel it and get refund, since they charged me 300 dollar for a night stay.

Hi all, we have a cabin that is at 7,000 ft in an area with low temperatures in the winter (single digits Fahrenheit). It often goes for as much as 2 months without being used. Right now, we leave the heat set at 50 degrees. What temperature do others use in this situation?

Not bad for my fist time.

So I bought a new, top of the line woodstove. Love everything about it but…..the glass on the door gets creosote (?) build up after just a few fires. I’ve been running hot fires partially bc I was told such fires don’t cause much build up. As it stands, I would have to clean the glass every few days if I wanted a clear door glass. (There is quite a bit of build up—not just in the corners.) I have had woodstoves for years so I’m pretty good at operating them.

I’ve found a woodstove glass cleaning product that works pretty well but the woodstove has to be cold to use it. Plus I don’t want to have to clean the glass every few days. The glass on my last woodstove took some time before the glass had to be cleaned.

When I bought my woodstove, they broke the glass when they delivered it and had to replace it. Do you think there a chance that they replaced it with inferior glass?

Finally, do you know if there is such a thing as upgraded glass for woodstoves? I’d be willing to spend some money for that.

Thanks to anyone who can help! 🌲

Zakopane in the Sierras, Plumas County, California