Honest Abe Living, January/February 2014

Janurary-February, 2014

Focusing On Fireplaces

Recipe by Lodge: Chicken and Dressing Skillet Bake Getting Crafty With The Smiths: Creating Wall Art

ABE LOG H T S

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Celebrating 35 Years Of Business

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Cover Story: Focusing On Fireplaces Chicken and Dressing Skillet Bake Recipe by Lodge Cast Iron Celebrating 35 Years Of Business Getting Crafty With The Smiths: Creating Wall Art Honest Abe is now found on...

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Focusing On Fireplaces

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t’s always nice to come home on a cold day and warm up next to a glowing fire. There’s something about a fireplace that is inviting and comforting. The flickering flames can be hypnotizing to the eye. Many of Honest Abe Log Homes’ customers have fireplaces inside their own homes.

To some, there are many questions that come Honest Abe Log Homes in Crossville, Tennessee with the decision to put a fireplace in their home. has her very own Honest Abe log home with a tra“Should I go with a gas or woodburning fireplace?” ditional wood burning stone fireplace in the great “Which kind is better for my budget?” room. “The fireplace, which is the focus “There are so many “What are the pros and cons?” We of our great room, is very special to us,” options when it comes hope this article can help you with said Sharron. The field stones for the to fireplaces. those questions and give you insight fireplace were gathered from her huson fireplaces. band’s grandfather’s land.

Sharron Bilbrey, a New Home Consultant from

The thing Sharron enjoys most about her fire-

Pictured is Sharron Bilbrey and her family. Pictured below is their fireplace.

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January-February 2014 • Honest Abe Living • 3

place is the smell and crackling of the fire. We asked if she had any advice to give the readers who are interested in installing a fireplace in their home, she replied; “There are so many options when it comes to fireplaces. Think more in terms if efficiency and make sure you get a professional to help you.” Sharron’s only concern about her fireplace is that it’s not too efficient. She went on by saying, “We are considering putting a wood burning insert to make it more efficient and to be able to enjoy it more. In working on some of the design options for the new Honest Abe model in Crossville we have discovered a down-vent gas, see-through fireplace that we will use on the first floor. The venting system is much like the down-vent you use in a Jenn-Air range top.

Really nice concept if you don’t want to take the pipe all the all up the wall and/or through the roof.”

It’s always good to do research when purchasing anything. There are many things to research when you’re thinking about installing a fireplace in your home. One thing you will want to look at are the pros and cons of different types of fireplaces.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of woodburning fireplaces first. Pros: Woodburning fireplaces have the aesthetics of a “real” fire with the smell, cracking sound and dancing flames. You get good exercise

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information from www.fireplacesandwoodstoves.com

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from chopping wood and physically building a fire.

Firewood is readily available in many areas. Wood burning fireplaces can be used as supplemental heat sources and are self-sufficient in a disaster scenario. One of the most economical fuels. Renewable, environmentally friendly fuel. Cons: Cleaning the fireplace; emptying and hauling ashes. Woodburning fireplaces require a chimney/flue for ventilation. Inexpert use may cause odors and smoke.

Fire is less autonomous than other options. There is no “on/off” switch on a wood burning fireplace.

Less uniform heat output than other options. Wood storage can take significant space. Bad installation can result in dirty, ashen smoke emitted from the chimney.

ronmentally friendly.

Something else to think about is comparing prices of fireplaces. Wood fireplaces can be $500 and up for material only. A fully installed deluxe model can be as much as $5,000 to $10,000 or even more if custom-designed and using exotic materials or architecture. Gas fireplaces can range from $600 to $3,000 for the gas fireplace only. A fully installed gas fireplace ranges from $1,200 to $5,000 and up. Gas logs can be $300 to $700 for the gas logs only. Add $300 to $600 for installation into an existing fireplace. Glass fireplace door only, varying

Here are some pros and cons of a gas fireplace.

Pros: Gas fireplaces burn cleaner than a wood fireplace. It’s easier to start a fire than a wood fireplace; all you have to do is flip a switch. Flexible installation options. More uniform heat output. Gas fireplaces have a more easily controlled flame height.

They can be used as a supplemental heat source.

Reduced requirement for human interaction with fire. Cons: There isn’t the same ambience (smell and sound) of a wood fireplace. Less requirement for human interaction with fire. In a long power outage, it may be unusable. Fossil fuels are not envi-

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with size and type of metal and glass materials. Add (and disposed in a non combustible container like $85 to $150 for installation. a metal garbage can) and for a gas fireplace it is imperative to keep it from flammable dust.

Fireplace maintenance is very important not only for safety, but to keep your fireplace in its best It is always worth having a safety professional working order to provide heat for your home. If look at the installation of your fireplace before there is a problem with the flue then smoke may lighting it for the first time; especially if you innot be able to make its way up the chimney and stalled it yourself. There may be problems with the the smoke may enter your home creating dust, fire chimney, a blockage somewhere, or if you have and possible noxious fumes. It is important to look a gas fireplace there may be a leakage area. Fireat the manufacturers guidelines for the best serplace safety is not to be taken lightly and fireplace vice package and safety recommendations. maintenance is key.

Employing a chimney sweep, using cleaning logs and using carbon monoxide detectors in your home is always beneficial. For a woodstove it is important that the ashes are cleaned out frequently

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Whatever kind of fireplace you might end up with, take time to decide which is best for you. But also remember to relax and enjoy it with friends and family.

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Learn A Little About Our Kilns Have you ever wondered why we have kilns?

Bobby Collins, Manufacturing Manger can help tell you why. “We buy our timbers green so that we can kiln dry them ourselves. We feel that its an important step in our quality control. We want control over the drying process so we can make sure it has been done correctly.

Once we get the timbers, 6x8, 8x8, 6x10, 6x12 and 8x12 timber sizes delivered, we then start getting them ready to go into the kiln.

First we have to get them on sticks so that the air can get in between the timbers while inside the kiln.

Once the timbers are on sticks, and the kiln is emptied from the last run, we then start setting them inside the kiln. We stack them as high as possible to get as much board footage into the kiln as possible, normally around 90,000 - 100,000 board feet.

Once inside the kiln the drying process begins.

The temperature is started out low on white pine, so that we do not stress or damage the wood. Once the timbers are close to being to our desired moisture

content we then raise the temperature above 150 degrees to finish them.

Our white pine normally stays in the kiln anywhere from 30 - 45 days depending on the size and moisture content of the wood. We try to get the moisture content of the pine to an average of 18%. Once the timbers are dry they are ready to be planed to the log profile, and get them nearer to the customers new log home.”

Installing A Backup Generator The installation of a backup generator can deliver whole-house energy during a loss of power, or it can be designed to supply only necessary systems until electrical service is restored. A standby generator is a back-up electrical system that operates automatically.

Within seconds of a utility outage an automatic transfer switch senses the power loss, commands the generator to start and then transfers the electrical load to the generator. The standby generator begins supplying power to the circuits.

These systems, which start at about $5,000 and go as high as $40,000, recoup about 68% of their cost at resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report.

After utility power returns, the automatic transfer switch transfers the electrical load back to the utility and signals the standby generator to shut off. It then returns to standby mode where it awaits the next outage. To ensure a proper response to an outage, a standby generator runs weekly self-tests. Most units run on diesel, natural gas or liquid propane gas. www.honestabe.com

George and Alice Bush live in a Custom Madison on Nolan Lake, 10 miles South from Clarkson, Kentucky. Their home is surrounded by many trees, and they knew that could pose a threat on the power lines which would leave them without electricity.

The couple decided to have a backup generator installed. It sits tucked away behind their house in the corner where the office and garage meet. “Our generator runs off of propane fuel, we don’t have natural gas. We’ve had the occasion to use it a couple of times; a tree might fall on a powerline. Living on a lake, it’s just all trees.” George said.

When asked what advice would he give someone who is interested in purchasing a backup generator, George replied: “Don’t think about it, just go out and get one. Take good care of it and keep it safe, away from the elements. Once every two years I change the oil in it. I change the air filter too.”

“If the power goes out, I don’t have to do anything except wait for a minute and the generator kicks on.

Ours was a little on the pricey side, but it’s worth it.”

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Chicken and Dressing Skillet Bake Serves 6 2 tablespoons butter 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped celery 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 (6-ounce) packages Martha White Cotton Country or Buttermilk Cornbread Mix 3 cups cubed cooked chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper 1 cup frozen corn kernels 1 1/2 teaspoons poultry seasoning 1 3/4 cups milk 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Melt the butter in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat; cook the onion and celery, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove the vegetable mixture to a large bowl .

2. Pour the oil in the same skillet; place in the oven to heat for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the cornbread mix, chicken, corn, poultry seasoning, milk and eggs to the vegetable mixture; blend well. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven; pour the batter into the hot skillet. Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

Cut into wedges and serve.

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.

“The Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook: A Treasury of Timeless, Delicious Recipes” - Oxmoor House. 2012 www.honestabe.com

For more information about Lodge and their cast iron cookware, visit: www.lodgemfg.com January-February 2014 • Honest Abe Living • 9

Celebrating 35 Years Of Business Honest Abe Log Homes and I have something in common. We’re both 35 years old. We were born into a struggling economy, where we learned to crawl, walk and eventually run, defying its intent to slow us down.

We remember historical events that impacted our futures and taught us great lessons. We’ve seen the Internet mature and completely change the way people research a product and company like our own. Social networking has become a major way that people share their lives and passions (like living in a log home), that hardly existed just 10 years ago.

ANNIV E R S A RY 20 1 4 Needless to say, we’ve been faced with constant change that has re- 19 7 9 quired us to adapt and grow.

We also remember people, the true building blocks of who we become.

MO , TN SS Like looking back on my own parents, I think of Doug Smith, owner, and Rick Denton, the founding president of Honest Abe. They are part of our DNA, and part of the foundation to which we have been built upon. Then, each member of our team, year after year, has added pieces of themselves to the structure that makes up this company. We owe our success to all of them, top to bottom, beginning to now.

Honest Abe is blessed with growth, and that’s a blessing we try not to take for granted. It’s no secret that in recent years the housing economy struggled, and we were no exception. No matter your faith, the Apostle Paul shares a great life lesson in writing, “We rejoice in our trials, knowing that trials produce perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” In the ever improving housing industry, we feel our trials were opportunities to make us better, and we have hope like never before. Personally, my hope is that it has made us better servants for our customers.

In the here-and-now, we are celebrating! We are becoming better equipped to serve by not saying a product or service is “good enough.” We’re carefully improving our building techniques, and looking for opportunities to make small adjustments that can take our quality of manufacturing to an even higher level.

We’re engaging with customers to identify how we can better communicate, and finding new ways to educate people about our company, products and the log and timber home industry.

For me, there’s a lot more to celebrating 35 years of existence than just stating it. It requires time to reflect on people, and the value they have brought and continue to bring. It means looking back on situations out of our control, that seemed bleak at the time, but in the end were just seasons that made us stronger and built our character. Then it means looking at our present and future, being thankful for the 35 years it took to get here, and not wasting an ounce of energy to make the next 35 filled with hope as well. We’re celebrating!

Blessings, Joshua Beasley, President Honest Abe Log Homes

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National Headquarters Moss, Tennessee

Doug Smith and Rick Denton - 1979 10 • Honest Abe Living • January-February 2014

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brushes ($1.33 for 3 with a solid do absolutely anything! Chevron would

Creating Your Own Wall Art

So, we’re in the process of remodeling some of the older “historical” type cabins at Mitchell Creek Marina and noticed how expensive simple Getting Crafty wall art has become.

We found this beautiful, watery, peaceful With The Smith’s feeling pillow, which led to our inspiration for Creating Artx 20 canthis craft! We bought a pack Wall of 2 - 16 vas’s forWall only $7.99 and with the 40% off coupon Creating Art the process of remodeling some thetotal older$4.80, “historical” type cabins at Mitchell Creek for Hobby Lobby madeofthe just $2.40 noticed ahow expensive simple wall art has piece.

Step 3: Print a design from the computer (cardThe “Inspiration” “The Inspiration” some of the older “historical” type cabins at Mitchell Creek e found this beautiful, watery, a stencil peaceful feeling We purchased stock is most durable) to create the center shape. Paint ple wall art has h led to for our inspiration this along We boughtcolor; a the designforaspect it acraft! contrasting The “Inspiration” with paint (99 cents each) 16 thewe 40%used in and thiswith case ry,x 20 canvas’s for only $7.99 peaceful feeling and some sponge brushes turquoise.

The shape for hobby lobby made the total $4.80, just $2.40 a his craft! We bought a ($1.33 for 3 brushes!)

We did weaspect used along is called urchased a stencil for the design withBen99 and with the 40% two different styles, one with elux.

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The Supplies

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Creating Wall Art

your supplies;

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The Supplies

“The Supplies” vas (2 pack at Hobby Step 1:Lobby) Buy your supplies; ncil (If you chose to have a design background) Canvas (2 pack at Hobby nge Brushes Lobby) Stencil chose to ylic Paint (Your choice(Ifofyou color)

have a design background) ckground the t your canvasAcrylic usingon aPaint repetitive inThe the same Process (Yourstroke choice

ition. horizontal, whichever feels most esign(Vertical background) ofor color) e to you)

Step 4: You can write or stencil letters inside the frame part or leave it blank. It’s completely up to you.

I stenciled the word “Relax” onto one and freehanded it on the other. Helpful Hint: Make sure you allow enough time for the paint to dry after each step.

Step 2: Paint your canRegardless, the only key to doing this craft is to The Process vas using a repetitive stroke have fun and enjoy good company! in the same moving position. tive stroke in the same horizontal, whicht a design(Vertical from theor computer (cardstock is most durable) to create whichever feels most ever feels most comfortable to hape. Paint it a contrasting color; in this case we used turquoise. The you.) We used a stencil to create the tile design, and used is called Benelux. Just “Google” it, print it, cut it out, and use it to painted a solid background on the other

or) to create the tile design, and painted a solid background on the stencil

ble) to create d turquoise. The out, and use it to your canvas and paint.

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The Process

can write or stencil letters inside the frame part or leave it blank. It’s up to you. I stenciled the word “Relax” onto one and freehanded it on

er (cardstock is most durable) to create color; in this case we used turquoise. The the only key to doing this craft is to have fun and enjoy good company! www.honestabe.com “Google” it, print it, cut it out, and use it to

ave it blank. It’s freehanded it on

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