Honest Abe Monthly, July 2012

July, 2012

Family, Friends & the Pursuit of

Memories Building Pines Point Simply Berry Skillet Cobbler Monthly Floor Plan: Custom Clayton

contents 3

July, 2012

Cover Story: Family, Friends & the Pursuit of Memories

8 Decorating Ideas: Pledge of Allegiance 11 Join Us For A Log Raising 12 Building Pines Point 13 Flying Old Glory 14 Lodge Recipe: Simply Berry Skillet Cobbler 16 Monthly Floor Plan: Custom Clayton

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blog.honestabe.com Find these articles, stunning photography and more information at Honest Abe Log Home’s blog and news room.

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If it is in our library of photos, it is likely in our Google Picasa photo gallery as well.

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Family, Friends & the Pursuit of

Memories

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or nearly thirty years now, Steve and Merry Byrne has made Dale Hollow Lake, which spans the Tennessee and Kentucky state line, their destination of escape. While raising their two boys, the couple would drive to the area from their home near Lousville, Kentucky, lodging at various marinas, cabins and visiting different locations around the lake. As their love for the area grew, so did their desire to share it with others.

Years later, the couple started making plans to build a second home in the area. Family and friends were a big part of the couple’s plan.

When looking for property, they needed a lot that would accommodate more than one home, as they were joining with close friends and family who would share in the purchase. Now, their five acres holds a total of two homes and three large barns for boats and other storage, owned in-part by three different families.

“We knew we wanted something different from our www.honestabe.com

brick home in Louisville,” said Merry, “Something rustic, so we started researching log homes.”

Their research was a five year journey, in which they looked at other companies and talked to homeowners in the area. They got in contact with Honest Abe Log Homes through a local recommendation. The couple attended one of Honest Abe’s log raising events and took a tour the manufacturing process. “We were really drawn to Honest Abe through the log raising, proximity, and the dry-in construction service that

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was available,” commented Merry. She also went on to compliment their sales associate, Inez Price, who was pivotal in aiding the couple in getting their wants and needs incorporated into the home. “I literally drew the first plan on a napkin,” stated Merry. From there, she transferred the plan onto graph paper, then Inez helped the couple refine the home plan into it’s final state.

“It really is the perfect size for our use,” said Steve. The couple loves to entertain and spend time with friends. They admit their home is built as an escape, but also as a legacy to their children for them to enjoy. The biggest celebration at the cabin each year is around Independence Day. This year, they will host around fourteen families who will take a trip to Dale Hollow Lake from their homes in Oldham County, Kentucky. “We’ve nicknamed the group the Oldham County Yacht Club,” Merry laughed. Food, fun on the water, and relaxation at the cabin are all on the agenda. They even project movies on the side of a barn to enjoy the late evenings outside.

The week of July 4th also marks the anniversary of the move into their log home. In January of 2009 the couple broke ground and began construction. That July, during their vacation down to the lake, they moved into their new Honest Abe Log Home. This year marked their third year in the home and they both concede there isn’t really anything they would do differently. “The kitchen can be

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Below: Merry loves her swing and rockers purchased from Rocky Top Log Furniture and Railings. Merry’s plan it to add a piece or two of new furniture to the home each year until it’s fully furnished with custom log pieces.

Right: Manufactured stone has become more and more popular in recent years. It has many advantages over real stone, including ease of installation and weight. It look and feel has also been improved on, making it almost indistinguishable from its authentic counterpart. This manufactured stone, purchased from Mountain Stone in Kentucky, uses natural shades often found in the local rock around the Byrne’s cabin.

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a little tight at times, but for our use, it works very well,” noted Merry. “I can prepare snacks and meals without people getting in the way, and serving onto the bar is very easy.” The kitchen, featuring a “galley” type layout, makes very efficient use of space, leaving more room for the living room area for people to gather.

The home features three bedrooms with one and one-half bathrooms. One of the favorite features of their home is the large windows in the living room looking down on their property and into the woods. The room is centered with a large cultured www.honestabe.com

stone fireplace, which that both agree adds natural beauty to their cabin. A full front porch is connected to decking that wraps around the side and rear of the home, proving an abundance of outdoor living space.

When visiting the Byrne’s cabin and property, one thing is quite clear; their community, family and friends are not to be left behind, in fact, they are a essential part of building memories at their vacation home they can cherish for a lifetime.

Article & Photography by: Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes. Special thanks to Inez Price for contributing.

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to the flag

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Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/simplyposhphotography

Photos by: Simply Posh Photography

I pledge allegiance

of the United

States of America,

and to the republic for which it

stands, one nation

under God, July 2012 • Honest Abe Monthly • 9

indivisible, with liberty and justice

for all.

A

special thanks to contributors Janet Wilson, Melissa Schubert and Janette Wilson from Simply Posh Photography and Wilson’s Taxidermy Studio. Periodically, they share tips on rural and rustic decorating for your home. This month, they wished

to share their easy and affordable Independence Day decorating ideas through these inspiring images, and the powerful words of our Pledge of Allegiance. For more great decorating ideas, visit their facebook pages noted below.

Natural Light Photography | Weddings | Special Events Email: SimplyPoshPhotography@gmail.com

Nation-Wide Taxidermy & Rustic Home Decor Service Monterey, Tennessee

wilsonwildlifestudio@frontiernet.net

931-839-3230 http://www.facebook.com/wilsonstaxidermystudio

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http://www.facebook.com/simplyposhphotography www.honestabe.com

Join Us For A Log Raising!

These demonstrations allow you to see first-hand how an Honest Abe Log Home is built. We’ll show you how to stack the log walls, install beams and ceiling, and apply the roof system. Tour our manufacturing facility, and have the opportunity to speak with the people involved throughout the process.

July 21, 2012 View a YouTube preview by clicking below!

The log raising will be hosted by Randy Fudge, President and Jackie Cherry, Vice-President of Honest Abe Log Homes. Honest Abe staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. It is also very common for some of Honest Abe’s dry-in construction crew leads to be on hand to answer questions.

So join us at our National Headquarters in Moss, Tennessee on July 21, 2012 at 9 AM CST. Seating is limited, so please call for more information and reservations at: 800-231-3695.

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Building Pines Point

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lanning to leave their home of 36 years was not going to be an easy step, but John and Wanda Wallace were ready for a change of pace. Both of them had a underlying passion for log homes. Wanda credits much of this to memories of her father and grandmother telling tales about their one-room log cabin. Vacationing through the years to Gatlinburg, Tennessee only added to their desire.

The couple began their search for property and started researching log homes. John quickly located property in a lake-side community near a close friend. As with many who just start the process, their plans were to build in five years. They contacted various companies and dealers, but built a relationship with Robert Callahan of Little River Log Homes in Fort Payne, Alabama. Robert is an independent dealer of Honest Abe products, and started helping the couple with information and advice on planning and constructing their log home.

“John and Robert would spend hour after hour on the phone discussing everything about the home,” noted Wanda.

As they searched for floor plans they liked, Honest Abe’s Madison plan kept their attention. With a little customizing aided by Robert and Honest Abe’s design team, the couple added on more porch area 12 • Honest Abe Monthly • July 2012

and included a study and sewing room into the floor plan.

Their original time frame of five years was bumped back to three years when various incentives made it a great time for the couple to get started. Robert put the couple in touch with Mickey Jones of Greenbriar Homes, Inc., located in Leesburg, Alabama. John and Wanda’s first log home package delivery was on May 3rd, and the builders have been busy since. Most recently, their Redwood Transformation stain from Sashco has been applied.

Wanda notes with excitement, “We are looking forward to moving into the home we have named ‘Pines Point’ for the pie shaped piece of property and the tall pines in the background.”

Article by: Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes. Special thanks to Wanda Wallace and Robert Callahan for contributing. www.honestabe.com

Flying Old Glory

Visit our national headquarters in Moss, Tennessee on a fair weather day, and you’re sure to see the American flag out front waving in the breeze.

Each day, the flag is raised and lowered over Honest Abe Log Homes thanks to a couple of dedicated employees that oversee the flying and folding.

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“It’s an honor to me, it’s the least I can do,” says Inez Price, who currently has a son, nephew, niece and brother serving in the armed forces.

To our forefathers, and all those who have risked their own life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, so that others may enjoy freedom, we at Honest Abe Log Home say, “Thank you!”

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Simple Berry Skillet Cobbler

Before the earnest heat of summer sets in, a cold snap happens in Tennessee called blackberry winter; the old timers say the colder the snap, the sweeter the berries.

Says Jane Gaither, who blogs at Gourmet Gadget Gal, “My family homeplace at the edge of the Smoky Mountains is covered with raspberry and blackberry brambles and we pick, can, freeze, and eat them year round.“ Her berry cobbler recipe uses raspberries but you can use any type of berry or peaches. Be sure to serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. serves 6 to 8 One 10-ounce bag individually frozen

raspberries or 1 pint fresh berries 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons

all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup milk

1. Place a 12-inch cast iron skillet in the oven and preheat to 350°F. 2. Mix together the raspberries, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, the brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of the flour, the lemon juice, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

3. Melt the butter in the skillet in the oven until it starts to brown around the edge and foam. It’s important to have the butter sizzling hot!

4. While the butter is melting, in a large bowl, mix together the remaining 1/2 cup flour, remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the baking powder, salt, and milk until just combined. The batter may still have a few lumps but it should be about the consistency of pancake batter.

5. Pour the batter over the butter in the hot skillet. Do not stir.

Immediately spoon the berry mixture on top of the batter. Bake until the crust looks golden and crispy, 25 to 30 minutes.

“The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless, Delicious Recipes” - Oxmoor House. 2012 14 • Honest Abe Monthly • July 2012

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We hope you enjoy this recipe from the new Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless Delicious Recipes. The cookbook can be ordered from the Lodge web site or from Amazon.

For more information about Lodge and their cast iron cookware, visit: www.lodgemfg.com

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FLOOR PLAN OF THE MONTH: Custom Clayton

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his plan embodies Appalachia. The exterior look is directly taken from a historic cabin nestled in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee as directed by our customers. The Clayton’s story, along with photos of their home, can be seen in the 16 • Honest Abe Monthly • July 2012

January 2012 edition of Honest Abe Monthly.

make efficient use of space while finding room for a walk-in closet.

The cozy design has everything needed on the first floor. The kitchen and living room are open to one another. The master bedroom, and bathroom

Matching front and back porches top off the Appalachian look, providing ample space to enjoy the outdoors any time of day. Stairs leading to the second www.honestabe.com

FLOOR PLAN:

Honest Abe’s Customer Creations: Custom Clayton Square Feet: 1,726 Floors: 2 Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Includes 2 Bonus Rooms Upstairs floor reveal ample space for more bedrooms, reading areas, offices or whatever a customer’s desire.

For more information on the Custom Clayton, and to see the bonus rooms on the second floor, download the PDF available through the members area of Honest Abe Extra! www.honestabe.com

Want More Great Plans?

Check out the floor plans section dedicated to log and timber home plans created by Honest Abe Log Home customers!

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