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Spring Chores at the Cabin
By Elly Kendall

Whether you live in your cabin year round or it’s been
closed up for the winter, it’s time for spring cleaning.
It’s hard to get motivated. We’d all rather be out playing
in the sun and enjoying the spring after the long cold
winter. I thought I would share my “to do” list and some
helpful tips to get you started so we can both get the
chores done.

I like to start with my fireplace. Hiring a local chimney
sweep is not always possible in very rural areas such as we
live. I have a heavy 25′ chain that works very well. From
the roof I remove the spark arrester then slowly drop one
end of the chain down the chimney, holding onto the other
end. Slowly rotate the chain so it rubs firmly against the
inside of the chimney. Keep swirling the chain for several
minutes, pull out the chain, clean the spark arrester with
a soft brush and replace the arrester. Keep in mind 2
things: 1. make sure the pitch of your roof is safe to
stand on and 2. Your chimney must be straight with no
elbows for this technique to work. If the pipe has an elbow
use the chain technique then disconnect the pipe at the
elbow to clean it with a wire brush and remove the ash and
pitch. Reattach the pipe. All that’s left is to clean the
inside of the fireplace or wood stove, remove all the ash
and pitch residue that has dropped from the chimney
cleaning. I use oven cleaner, a Teflon scrubby then window
cleaner on the heat tempered glass when the pitch has built
up that awful amber film. My wood stove gets a new coat of
black stove polish too.

Now that the fireplace and wood stove are clean and all
the ash has settled I dust and vacuum the entire cabin
thoroughly. I use lemon oil on my log walls and a small pan
of water stays on my wood stove to put some moisture back
into the dry air from wood heat. Next I tackle the windows.

Okay, so everyone knows how to clean the windows but don’t
forget the window runners, check for any leaking that may
have occurred during the winter and clean all the window
treatments. Drapes, curtains, louvered blinds, cornices,
screens and sunscreens all get a thorough cleaning. It’s a
good days work just on windows but it’s worth it as I love
to open my blinds and enjoy the beautiful spring sunshine
and blooming flowers.

Something I always do as part of my spring cleaning is bug
control. Our local feed store sells a battery operated fly
spray dispenser. Every spring and fall I change batteries
and replace the canister as needed. We still have open
range in parts of Arizona and when the cattle come in they
bring flies right along with them. I have found the fly
spray dispenser helps a great deal and it has a fresh scent
as well. I have one by my front door and one by the back
door which helps keep them out of my cabin. Spraying pest
spray inside and out is a must. Hire a pest control company
or do it yourself but do spray.

A very important part of my spring chores is outside! All
dry material is hauled to the dump. Keeping weeds, leaves,
pine needles and grasses under control is very important to
help keep your cabin safer against forest fires and helps
keep snakes and small varmints away from the cabin too. We
also keep trees away from the cabin for the same reason.
This is also a good time to check all the fire
extinguishers and have them recharged if necessary. Make
sure your garden hose is in good shape and attached to the
outside spigot. Yes, I am forest fire paranoid! I have a
log home with all wood heat in the middle of the forest;
fire safety is always on my mind.

My husband doesn’t get out of spring chores either. Tuning
up the chain saw, boat and quads are on his list as well as
outside furniture cleaning and the grill but I keep finding
him admiring his fishing poles. “Don’t let spring fever
sidetrack your chores, get the work out of the way!” As I
throw out my dusting cloth and bait up my hook ready for
friends and family to enjoy spring at our cabin.

Elly Kendall resides in Arizona and writes for Log Cabin
Fever Gifts & Decor http://cabinfevergifts.com. Stop by to
enter our Free Gift Drawing! You are welcome to share this
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The Eagle’s Nest rivals the summer chateaux of the French monarchs! It has romantic hanging balconies, enormous glass areas and a beautiful modern interior.

THE EAGLE’S NEST—designed espe-cially for HOW TO BUILD 20 CABINS is
the country cousin to Egil Hermanovski’s famous bird-in-flight home design The Eagle (lead story, TODAY’S WOMAN LOW COST HOMES, Fawcett Book 217). In addition to The Eagle’s Nest, Mr. Hermanovski is also represented by the succeeding three cabins—The Hermitage, The Gypsy, and The Four Winds—all incorporating enough sheer verve to pick you up and keep you there through whatever vacation time you can afford to spend in them. The Eagle’s Nest—as well as the others—brings a new and happy note into the vacation scheme. Stylized and modern, these are young ideas for the young in heart—whatever your
physical age may be—at reasonable prices.
For better orientation and to get the most out of the view very often a cabin or summer house has to be placed on a steep hill. The design of the cabin, therefore, has to meet these requirements.
The Eagle’s Nest is designed for a hill facing south. To protect the large window areas there are wide roof overhangs and balconies, features as attractive as they are practical.
The balcony at the living-dining level may be constructed of reinforced concrete, to create the most pleasing design, but almost the same effect can be achieved by using wood construction as was done in the case of the upper balcony. The railing in both cases can be made of wrought iron.
The general layout of the cabin is very simple and economical, with no wasted area for halls or corridors.
The main entrance with a carport and storage closet faces the up-grade. This is on the middle level for easy access to the living-dining room and kitchen level as well as to the upper level which contains a comfortably-sized bathroom and sleeping area.
This arrangement provides a most attractive interior with the very light and open stairs and balcony. The wrought iron-wire mesh railing is the high point of the house. The stone fireplace adds visual and physical warmth to the spacious living area.
The kitchen is 9 ft. 9 in. wide and 11 ft. 6 in. long and, due to the concentrated planning and continuous V-shape counter and cabinet arrangement, actually has more working and storage space than many kitchens twice the size. The counter facing the dining area is open to create a bar and pass-through.
The four module and post-and-beam system used in this design is more practical than the regular frame construction. The construction of The Eagle’s Nest is also more economical for final touches, such as interior decoration. The structural members in themselves create a most interesting pattern eliminating the need for expensive decorative features.
As indicated on the drawings the solid walls between the posts can be finished even in asbestos board without losing the design value. Depending on the budget, the posts and beams can be finished in redwood or left unfinished, varnishing or painting whatever wood is used.
The rustic stone effect is easy to create in areas where there is a lot of stone; otherwise brick or concrete brick can replace the stone.
There is no basement provided in this summer house but, if desired, cellar space can be added for the boiler and a flue added to the fireplace and barbecue chimney.
If the local ground conditions do not permit excavations for a cellar, the fireplace and the chimney may be moved to the kitchen counter corner, a small part of which may be enclosed for the boiler room. •
Stain at left lead to sleeping area. Door opens to bath. Below is foyer equipped with large closet LiTing-dining area and kitchen are on lower leTel.