About Floor Plans Gallery Packages Contact Login 800-231-3695 info@honestabe.com Locations Home » Blog Honest Abe Blog stories about honest log homes, log cabins & timber frames homes The Honest Abe Log Home Blog shares stories from Honest Abe Living Magazine and other sources of interest to log home enthusiasts. Check event schedules. Read company news, announcements and industry news. Find out about new products. Browse photos from new construction and new house plans. Also featured on the Honest Abe Log Home Blog are recipes from our friends Southern Grace Farmhouse, McFarland Creek Outdoors and Lodge Cast Iron. Gift Giving this Holiday Season by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Co. It seems that 2021 is about to come to a close, but not before the most wonderful time of the year gets underway. That’s right, the Christmas holiday season is upon us, and while this is a interiors and design blog, let’s have a... read more Cloud 9 Cabin is December Cover of Log Cabin Homes Cloud 9 Cabin, an Honest Abe Log Home built in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, after 2016 wildfires destroyed millions of dollars of properties, is featured on the cover of Log Cabin Homes with an eight-page spread in the Log Cabin Homes 2022 Buyer's Guide. The magazine is... read more Holiday Roomscapes Is there really such a thing as decorating wrong for the holidays? Do you want your home to be picture worthy this holiday season? How can you make it more memorable for those gathered in your home for the holidays? Follow along as we discover ways to make your... read more Log Home on Charity Tour A custom home designed and manufactured by Honest Abe was the first log home to ever be featured on The Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tours, a 30-year-old event that helps the local community while showcasing some the area's most beautiful homes. "The home of Linda... read more The Repair After the Holidays There is nothing more joyous than welcoming friends and family into your home for the holidays. The beautiful Honest Abe Log Home pictured above shows exactly how welcoming a custom log home can be. However, with more people and possibly their pets, there will be... read more Prime Rib with Herb Butter Rub If you're looking for an alternative to ham or turkey for holiday feasting, Tennessee blogger Denise Grisham, author of the cooking blog Man that Stuff is Good, offers instructions for cooking a prime rib with a homemade herb butter rub. How to Make Herb Butter... read more Fab Finds at Barn Sales by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Co. Interior Design The perfect fitting piece is always right at your fingertips…that is if you know how to look! I admit, Amazon is my first choice of finding things, especially if I need it fast, of course there are other store I will... read more Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Food Blogger Denise Inman shares her recipe for Stuffed Spaghetti Squash just in time for fall harvest. Denise says her mission as a blogger it to encourage cooks of all skill levels to prepare good food quickly and inexpensively and use it as a way to reconnect with... read more Preparing for Winter Vacation Home Checklist Before winter officially sets in is a good time to check off those items that must be done to protect your vacation log cabin. On the list are things we all know, but sometimes it's nice to have them in a list form you can check off each completed task. That always... read more Why You Should Insulate Your Garage Door The cost of energy can fluctuate over time. However, with the overall trend typically looking upward, homeowners are constantly looking out for diverse ways to insulate their homes to keep energy costs down. One area many homeowners focus on is garage door insulation.... read more Are You Ready to Custom Build Your New Home? When you’re looking to move, building is often an attractive option. However, the pros, cons and the details of building a new house from the ground up aren’t always easy to find. This quick post will cover some of the basics so that you can decide if moving forward... read more Fried Okra, A Southern Delicacy Food blogger Denise Grisham shares a distinctively Southern favorite, fried okra, with instructions about how to cook it in the traditional Southern manner. "There are some folks who won’t touch okra because of its “slimy” texture," says Denise, whose blog with dozens... read more Pool Tables Years of Entertainment for Family & Friends by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log HomesGuests at this mountain top log chalet, above, by Honest Abe Log Homes can play pool on a classic slate table or enjoy a movie at the home theater and a drink at the bar. The... read more Choosing Finish Systems: Advice from a Chemist When it comes to choosing a finish system for your log home exterior there are many factors to consider and depending on what choices you make it will have a significant impact on the longevity of the finish system. Some of these choices include surface preparation,... read more Smith Family Companies Help Preserve History story by Claudia JohnsonThe Smith Family Companies are pleased to be part of the restoration of the windows in the historic courthouse of Clay County, Tennessee, where the family-owned business was founded in 1968. Clay County recently received a grant from the State... read more Log Home Builder’s Risk Insurance The primary means to insure for property exposure claims during construction is through Builder’s Risk insurance. Builder’s Risk insurance is a type of insurance coverage that is active while projects are under construction, renovation, remodel or repair. It is best... read more Exterior Home Inspection WHEN INSPECTING THE GENERAL EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, LOOK FOR: Landscape plants within 36 inches of exterior walls. Landscaping tips. Gutters & down spouts everywhere in good working order. Check for decaying wood within 12 inches of (or especially in... read more Trends that Stay When you build refresh or execute a full-blown remodel, you must say to yourself, “I want to choose finishes and layouts that will have staying power.” No one wants to complete a home project and in two years, do it all over again because your choices were on their... read more June Is Dairy Month In honor of June Dairy Month we're offering a simple recipe for a summer favorite. Home-churned Ice Cream 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 cups half-and-half cream 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Remember that the higher percentage of milkfat the creamier... read more Avoid Invasives in Landscaping The landscape plan for your log or timber frame provides the entire feel of the home. It can point people to the view scapes of a valley or a tree line. It can camouflage areas to which you do not want to draw the eye. The landscape plan could provide definition for... read more First Eco-Panel Customer Dan Smith, sales representative out of the Murfreesboro model has had the recent pleasure of working with a customer whose goal was to build a Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH). To accomplish this goal, the customer chose Honest Abe’s SIP panel offering but was drawn to... read more Three Pressing Questions Scotty Vaughn says that if he had a quarter for each time he was asked the same three questions, he’d just may be able to retire. Since launching his Alabama home construction business in 2007, he’s found that people looking to build a new home have three pressing... read more Roof Care Roof Maintenance You Should do Each Spring and Fall These simple guidelines can help you regularly maintain your roof and avoid some serious problems down the road. So how's your roof? You don't know? Most of us don't know what's happening with our roofs because we... read more Ready! Action! Popcorn! The Teslia Theater Honest Abe customers, the Greg and Sandy Teslia, built a theatre in their custom timber frame home. They chose a private area of the house – the 2,730-square-foot walkout basement – where they have a fitness room inside and a patio with a hottub and... read more Enjoy a Home Pool Safely Hello Spring! For those who own a pool one of the giant tasks of every spring is to get the pumps ready, clean the decks, scour the tiles, order the chemicals, wash the towels and blow up the floats! However, there are some rules that it is time to review with the... read more 5 Ways to Enjoy the Simple Life …how to achieve a simplistic looking home In the months and possibly years following Covid-19, I feel strongly that simple might just be best. As most of us spent a majority of our time at home this past year, which gave us a lot of time to gaze at the four walls of... read more Texas Caviar Dallas & Margaret Powers of Lead Creek Log Homes have been Honest Abe Independent Dealers in Kentucky since 1999. Dallas is a gifted woodworker who sells the furniture, bookcases, entertainment centers, trunks, trays, rocking horses and turned wood bowls and pens... read more Cherry’s Grocery, Moss, Tennessee by Jay Farrell Since the early 1940s, Cherry’s Grocery was a community staple of the unincorporated town of Moss, Tennessee, where Honest Abe Log Homes and its parent company have operated for more than 40 years. The intersection that houses the old community store is... read more Let it Snow! Snow blankets Honest Abe cabins, making them even more beautiful. Each time it snows, Honest Abe Log Home customers share their photos showing how beautiful their homes look covered in snow. No matter how cold an inconvienent snow may be, it creates a compelling... read more Fire Performance of Log Walls There's Good News for Log Home Owners The popularity of log buildings is illustrated by growing numbers of log residences, resorts and other buildings constructed in rural and suburban environments. This growth is attracting log construction to greater scrutiny as... read more Planning a Log Home Fireplace Molly Cooper of Cooper & Co. Interior Design offers advice for planning a log home fireplace and presents a gallery below to show how several Honest Abe customers have designed their own fireplaces. Q. How do you determine the right fireplace size for the room or... read more Strawberry Creme Puffs Cream Puffs Made with Fresh Strawberries Strawberries 1 quart strawberries 1/2 cup sugar Wash berries in colander and turn out on paper towels to dry. Hull strawberries. Slice each strawberry into thin slices. Pour sugar... read more Your Garage Door Material Options Many of Honest Abe Log Homes' customers add a garage to their plan whether it is attached directly, accessed by a breezeway or constructed as a separate building. Below are examples of the variety of selections for garage doors Honest Abe homeowners have made to... read more Bobby Goldsboro Painting by Claudia Johnson Bobby Goldsboro is a true Renaissance man. He’s enjoyed a long career as an entertainer, composer, producer and publisher. Many people remember Goldsboro’s early 1970s television variety show or his string of 16 Top 40 hits, including “Honey,”... read more Collections and Where to Start Collecting is Rewarding The New Year is here again, and just like clockwork it is bringing new things for us to do for ourselves, our families and our homes. Have you set your goals and resolutions for 2021? Coming out of 2020, a year that threw all our plans out the... read more Bacon & Pimento Cheese Pizza Ingredients Crust 2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon active dry yeast ¾ cup warm water 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 1½ tablespoons for the pan Toppings 6 ounces mozzarella, grated (about 1 Â¼ cups, loosely packed) ½ cup pizza... read more Stay-at-Home Christmas Honest Abe’s interior designer, Molly Cooper of Cooper & Co., was asked for advice in decorating during a pandemic. She offered many festive and affordable ideas to help celebrate even in the most challenging of times. Q. How do you overcome the issue of scale... read more Perma-Chink’s New Stain Application Guide The first defense is always a great offense! That is absolutely the case when it comes to the staining, sealing and maintenance of the wood of a log home. But finding the right stain, with the right colors and a lasting sealant with a cleaning solution that offers... read more Thanksgiving Tastes Like Dressing by Claudia Johnson Holidays are inextricably intertwined with food for me. Easter tastes like a plump baked ham. July 4th is hand-churned ice cream. Halloween, popcorn balls made with Amish molasses. Christmas is jam cake, rich with home-canned blackberries and... read more Floor Plan Viewing Enhanced Honest Abe's floor plan area on the honestabe.com website has been enhanced to help website visitors learn more about each plan. "We've added a narrative description to each plan to further help visitors envision the plan as a finished home," explained Honest Abe's... read more Honest Abe Company Profile Since 1979 Honest Abe Log Homes has designed, manufactured and built thousands of custom log cabins and timber frame homes for shipment throughout the United States and the world. Plans are created by Honest Abe's design department from customers' concepts or may be... read more Tips for Avoiding Nutrient Pollution Nutrient Pollution Can be Controlled Residential lawns and gardens contribute significantly to the nutrient pollution in streams, rivers and lakes, according to Don Green, Senior Water Quality Consultant for WK Dickson & Co., Inc. “Fertilizers that run off because... read more Tips for Choosing Land for a Wood Home read more Choosing a Roof System A home designed and manufactured by Honest Abe Log Homes can have a one of three types of roof systems or a combination of systems depending on what is desired by the homeowner. read more Stubbs Retires after 25 Years with Opry and WSM Radio Eddie Stubbs Retires from WSM and Grand Ole Opry By Claudia Johnson After a lifelong involvement in traditional Country music, Grand Ole Opry and 650 AM WSM radio’s evening personality Eddie Stubbs has retired. Although he’s best known for his voice, Stubbs is also a... read more Pinto Beans with Sausage and Spices By David Everitt, Dealer Manager, Honest Abe Log Homes Pintos are a staple for many families around Moss, Tennessee, where Honest Abe Log Homes are manufactured. I decided to add a version to my lunchtime repertoire at my office in Virginia. This recipe started... read more Honest Abe Living’s August 2020 Honest Abe Living’s August 2020 issue is all about enjoying the outdoors. Our featured article tells the story of an Honest Abe homeowner who designed a vacation home that highlights views of a lake, stream, waterfall and forest. #porchsitting may be a popular hashtag... read more Creating an Inviting Porch Q & A with Molly Cooper, designer with Cooper & Co. How do you make sure the porch looks like it was built for the house it is attached to in terms of design? As with any design weather you are building the porch as you are building the rest of the home or... read more Southern Grace Featured in Russian “Beautiful Homes” Magazine The Southern Grace, a new 10″ round log home by Honest Abe, was featured in a Russian wood home magazine. Not only did the issue, which was the “Wooden Houses” edition of Beautiful Houses magazine, showcase the house with 14 pages of photos and narrative, The Southern Grace was on the cover! read more Beautiful Wood Flooring Really, what is more beautiful than a wood floor in any house but especially in a log or timber home? It actually is possible to have those floors you’ve dreamed about as you browse our galleries or read log home magazines. read more Found Objects Interior Designer Molly Cooper discusses how found objects can be repurposed for practical and interesting decor. read more Sweet Potato Souffle In honor of Father’s Day, Janie Smith, who along with her late husband, Doug Smith, founded Honest Abe Log Homes in 1979, shares a recipe for turning a humble sweet potato into Sweet Potato Souffle. Janie, daughter April and son Shane own and operate Honest Abe.... read more Outstanding Great Rooms Over the last 40 years Honest Abe has designed and manufactured thousands of log and timber frame homes that feature a great room. Great rooms are great by both definitions of the word. Not only are they big, they are versatile. read more Office Design Molly Cooper of Cooper & Co. offers advice for creating a home office during new construction or fashioning a makeshift office during a temporary work-at-home period. read more Mother’s Day Sugar Cookies Recipe by Melissa Watson, Sales Representative at the Honest Abe Cookeville Model Home and Sales Center Cookies: 3/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt (Omit Baking Powder and salt if... read more On-Demand Log Raising Series Honest Abe is hosting a series of free, on-demand, online log raisings beginning April 18. Each of the short videos will address one aspect of building a log home. The video series is free, but registration is required. read more Log Home Spring Inspection How to prolong the life of your home. One key for keeping your log home in tip-top condition is to take an hour or so once the weather turns nice to inspect the exterior of your home for signs of potential problems. Before we start discussing the... read more 5 of Honest Abe’s Most Popular Log Home Kits If you have been dreaming of living in a log home since being a child, a log cabin kit can provide you with a really simple way to achieve your dream home. All Honest Abe log home kits come with everything you need to build your log cabin, they are completely... read more Creating a Modern Bathroom Honest Abe’s in-house designer Molly Cooper of Cooper & Co. shares her experience in creating a modern, multi-use bath/dressing room/closet suite for a pair of young homeowners. read more Pinterest Perfect Pantries How do you start in pantry planning? There are so many things to help us when planning the “Pinterest Perfect” pantry. What do you want your pantry to do? How does it need to work? What are the must haves for you and your home and family? Does it have to be a separate... read more Coulters Named 2019 Dealer of the Year The 2019 Honest Abe Log Homes Independent Dealership of the year is T&M Log Homes of Albany, Indiana. T&M Log Homes, owned by Tonia and Mike Coulter, is a repeat winner, also having won in 2012, 2015 and 2016. read more Rosemary & Thyme Cornish Game Hen Wayne Brady, Sales Representative at Honest Abe Log Homes Crossville, provided special occasion recipe that he and wife Lori enjoy preparing and serving. Ingredients:1⁄2 Tsp Rosemary1⁄2 Tsp Thyme1/8 Tsp Garlic Powder1 Tbsp Salt1⁄2 Tsp Ground Black Pepper2 Tbsp Butter... read more Three Types of Home Lighting Choose the type of lighting for your log or timber home to meet lighting needs. In many log or timber frame homes, you'll most likely see track lighting in one place or another. While that is absolutely okay, why not take some risks with your log home lighting?... read more Dinner in a Dish 2 lbs. ground beef 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained 3 cups frozen peas (optional) 1⁄2 cup ketchup 1⁄4 cup parsley 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour 2 tsp. beef bouillon cubes 2 tsp. dried marjoram 1 tsp. salt 1⁄2 tsp. pepper 6 cups... read more January Honest Abe Living Online Now The first Honest Abe Living interactive magazine of the new decade is now available online at Honest Abe Living. In the January 2020 issue you’ll read an interview and peruse a photo gallery of a new, custom log cabin. Fulfilling a 30-year dream, the featured... read more Janie Smith’s Cauliflower Lettuce Salad "A kitchen is the heart of our home and always has been. Growing up we always knew one thing, we would all sit down at the table together and enjoy a meal mom (Janie Smith) had made. No matter how many hours she had put in at work or how exhausted she was, she always,... read more Enjoy Honest Abe Living’s Holiday Issue We are so honored to bring you the December 2019 Honest Abe Living – honored because it showcases the ongoing relationships we maintain with homeowners who chose Honest Abe to create their forever home. This month you’ll see photos of and read about four houses... read more November 2019 Honest Abe Living The November 2019 issue of Honest Abe Living features an interview with the owners of a new 15-room log home in the Virginia Mountains along with photos from their personal album and more about the floorpan they used. Read how an Honest Abe homeowner brought the... read more Fireplaces…the must haves and have to haves Fireplaces are increasingly becoming a must-have for home buyers. Whether your home already has a fireplace or you're looking to have one added into your space, it's vital to know that there are different types to choose from. Whether you love an indoor fireplace over... read more Achieving the Perfect Interior Color Article Courtesy of Perma-Chink Systems Sometimes we just want something unique; something that expresses our distinctive style. As you look through the standard Lifeline Interior™ or Lifeline Accents™ colors, it may instinctively appear that there are... read more Kenny and Wanda Rogers’ Chili 2 lb. turkey meat or lean ground beef, browned and drained 1 large yellow pepper 1 large red pepper 1 med. onion 2pkgs. McCormick Chili mix 2 large cans or 4 small Italian recipe style tomatoes 1 8 oz. can tomato paste 2 large cans kidney beans Add to taste: sugar,... read more Five Employees Who Share Honest Abe’s History By Rick Denton As Honest Abe celebrates its 40th year of business, I can’t help but think of the people who have helped guide the company through the years. The five I want to concentrate on for this article are Jackie Cherry, Thomas Dulworth, Jimmy Scott, Anna... read more Honest Abe Living October 2019 October’s Honest Abe Living online interactive magazine features an interview with the owner of a new lakeside log cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains and download the plan. Enjoy colorful photos of a custom log cabin in rural Kentucky. Download a... read more Faith Hill’s Coca Cola Cake Recipe for Coca Cola Cake Sift together: 2 c. unsifted flour 2 c. sugar Heat to boiling the pour over the flour mixture: 2 sticks butter 2 T. cocoa 1 c. Coke Add: 1/2 c buttermilk 1 t. baking soda 2 eggs, beaten 1 T. vanilla 1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows The batter will... read more Commercial Structures Log or Timber Frame construction makes durable, beautiful commercial buildings. Honest Abe Log Homes is not just a designer, manufacturer and builder of log and timber residential properties. Over the past 40 years, we’ve helped numerous organizations, governmental... read more Designing a Kitchen-Centric Great Room Honest Abe homeowner Sondra DuBose and husband Lennard designed their own timber frame home.The center of the 3,200 SF home is an open floor plan with a smooth flow through the kitchen, dining and living spaces. "A kitchen-centric great room is perfect for today’s... read more Honest Abe Makes Donation to Habitat ReStore Honest Abe Log Homes recently made a donation to Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity valued at more than $31,000. "This truckload of items has made a big impact for August," said Pam Ealey, Executive Director of Upper Cumberland Habitat. "Our shoppers enjoy how our... read more Seven Ideas for Creating a Dream Kitchen Seven Honest Abe Homeowners shared their ideas for creating the perfect kitchen. Read about them in the feature from Log Home Living and Timber Home Living. read more Why getting rid of clutter will make you less stressed by Molly Hix Cooper, Cooper & Co Some call it organized chaos and some call it hoarding. I call it STRESSFUL! Clutter is faster at piling up than it is getting put away. Y’all, why for the love of clutter do we do it to ourselves? I pride myself in organization... read more Dealing with Nuisance Insects In many areas of the country when cool, fall days arrive, Asian lady beetles (ladybugs), Harmonia axyridis and boxelder bugs, Boisea trivittatus, congregate on exterior walls. They typically choose the south and west facing walls since these walls are the warmest.... read more Honest Abe’s First Floor Plan Catalog read more Combine Plans to Create a Custom Mid-Sized Home “So, here’s the thing,” began a lively conversation with an admittedly 60-something woman who just wanted to build the home that had taken shape in her head over a long time. What we knew about her was that she was in a different place than when she and her husband... read more Honest Abe’s Early Success Boosted by Television One of the early keys to Honest Abe’s success was such an advertising decision. Jim Smith wanted to advertise on “The Ralph Emery Show.” It was not cheap. It was going to cost a significant amount. Many questions were raised and discussed. Were we ready for TV... read more Take Charge of Your Water with a Rain Garden A Rain Garden is a landscape depression that can be filled with moisture-loving plants. Hidden beneath the pretty plants is a natural storm water treatment system that allows 30% more water to infiltrate into the ground. This reduces the amount of water from flowing... read more New Log Lodge Open for Season at Holmes Bend By David L. Butler, Honest Abe Log Homes customer and owner and partner with Kelly Caldwell of Holmes Bend Marina and Resort and Holmes Bend Rentals We have been in the marina business here for many years. As part of our business we also have 12 log cabins and newly... read more Visit Rock Hill Road Farm During Summer Tour Two custom of the five custom log homes by Honest Abe Log Homes that will be open to visitors as part of the Summer 2019 Log Home Tour on June 15 are at at Rock Hill Road Farm near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. One structure is an 835-square-foot log cabin, while the other... read more DIY – Achieving Your Perfect Interior Color by Terry Knight, Knoxville Branch Manager, Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. Sometimes we just want something unique – something that expresses our distinctive style. As you look through Perma- Chink’s standard Lifeline […] read more Don’t Wait on Your Dreams It seems most homeowners always have a list of to-dos for their home. Things you would like to improve, “wishes” that should have been done when building or remodel dreams! What I can’t quite understand, why wait? Don’t wait to do the things…do them now or at the very least, plan! read more Perma-Chink and Honest Abe Grew Together By Rick Denton, Honest Abe Log Homes President Emeritus Perhaps the invention of Perma-Chink kept Honest Abe in business, as well as every other log home company using a chinked […] read more Family Farm Setting for Sellers New Log Home Seth and Lovie Sellers chose the Clayton Plan, a custom design that was a collaboration between an Honest Abe customer and Honest Abe’s design department. The Sellers further customized it to […] read more Quick French Onion Soup This recipe is onion soup for two made easy. It was developed by onion soup enthusiast Claudia Johnson, marketing director for Honest Abe Log Homes, who wanted a fast way to make traditional-tasting onion soup. From start to finish this recipe takes about 30 minutes.... read more The Apple Home A Second Log Home for True Enthusiasts Interview by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes Honest Abe homeowners Jerry and LeeAnne Apple are enjoying their new log cabin on their […] read more Honest Abe’s Owners Honored by TN General Assembly By April Smith Patterson, co-owner of Honest Abe Log Homes I just wanted to reach out and share with you an incredible experience our family had yesterday, Valentine’s Day (the day love is celebrated), couldn’t have been more perfect and meaningful. We were invited by... read more Honest Abe Home Featured in Russian Magazine Honest Abe Log Home's Cambridge plan as interpreted by customers Jim and Diana Copper was recently featured in a 12-page article in the Russian architectural magazine, Beautiful Houses for its Wooden Homes edition. "There's an interesting story behind how a home... read more Window Choices Shed Light on Your Dream Home By Sharron Bilbrey, Sales Representative for Honest Abe Log Homes Crossville An age-old comment about log homes is how “dark” they are on the inside, but this is something that does not have to be true anymore. Beyond the overall structure of the house, the... read more Money Savers from Log Cabin Homes Each month Log Cabin Homes magazine suggests a variety of ways to save money when planning, building and decorating a log or timber home. Everything in your new home does not have to be new. Incorporating lighting, sinks, toilets, mirrors, stained or textured glass... read more What is SIP Construction? So, what is a SIP? and why would I want it in my new hybrid or timber frame home? SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panel. While they aren’t something new they may be new to you. SIPs have been around for many years and have been used in thousands of homes and... read more The Dynamics of Weathering Many people are under the impression that the winter months are hard on their logs and finishes. To some extent that's true in cold climates where the exterior log surfaces may be covered with ice and snow for several months, but even then the most damaging effects of... read more New Logo Adopted for Honest Abe During the Smith Companies 50th Anniversary Celebration on Oct. 27 at Moss, Tennessee, a new logo for Honest Abe Log Homes was unveiled. Honest Abe's 40th year in operation will be commemorated in 2019, and the new logo design is an early birthday present for the... read more 50th Anniversary Proclamation P R O C L A M A T I O NWHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this legislative body should recognize and commend those exemplary businesses that, through an abiding commitment to excellence, have contributed greatly to this State for many years;... read more Musings About Honest Abe’s History Honest Abe id celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2019, and Josh Beasley, President of Honest Abe Log Homes, discusses a little of the company's history. By Josh Beasley I likely have a different perspective than the Smith family on how Honest Abe began, as I've... read more History of our Parent Company In honor of the Smith Companies' 50th Anniversary, Shane Smith takes a look at the progress of the companies. Smith Companies’ Development Over 50 Years By Shane Smith, co-owner History Pa Smith (Lemuel Smith, Dad’s father) was a sawyer and sawed... read more Rick Denton Took Honest Abe from an Idea to Industry Icon Honest Abe Log Homes is celebrating 40 years in business in 2019. Honest Abe's first president discusses the company's early days in operation. By Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes Rick Denton had no plans to come back home – not for good anyway. He’d earned his... read more Southern Grace Farmhouse Wins National Design Award A new home owned by Nick and April Patterson was awarded first place for home design in the 3,001-3,900 square feet category of the 2019 Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design presented by the National Association of Home Builders Building... read more Fall Log Home Maintenance is Not Just Cleaning Most people are accustomed to spring cleaning, but if you are a home owner, you know that your house needs attention year-round. Fall maintenance is much like spring house-cleaning but more preventative and less “cleaning.” And it’s much easier to do it now rather... read more Cambridge Featured in Log Cabin Homes Christmas Issue The Honest Abe Log Homes Crossville Model created from the Cambridge plan is featured in the Nov.-Dec. issue of Log Cabin Homes magazine. The article includes photos of the Cambridge decorated for Christmas as well as log home decorating ideas from Charleston, S.C.,... read more Pan-Seared Duck Breasts with Fresh Raspberries 2 whole (4 halves) skin-on, boneless duck breasts (about 1/2 lb. each) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pt. fresh raspberries or pitted sweet or sour cherries, depending on what’s in season 2 T raspberry vinegar 1/2 t sugar Preheat the oven to 350°. Score the... read more Designing a Modern Farmhouse Kitchen “Modern farmhouse at its best.” At the grand opening of the new 10” Round log home of Nick and April Patterson, those words were among the many used to describe this dream kitchen. From top to bottom this kitchen is unique, with different colors and textures, but in... read more How to Handle a Carpenter Ant Infestation CARPENTER ANTS – LIFE CYCLE AND SEASONAL ACTIVITIES Ants are now the number one household pest in the United States, leaving cockroaches well behind. A carpenter aunt infestation is a nuisance no matter what kind of house you have. Although there are more than 20... read more 50 Years in Business Celebrated by Smith Companies Oct. 27 The Smith Companies, based in Moss, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Oct. 27 with a community event attended by more than 200. “My heart was so full seeing so many people from our community and our employees, past and present, come out for this event,” said April... read more “Salad” of Brussels Sprouts, Bacon and Sherry 2 pounds Brussels sprouts 1/2 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar 1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut across into strips 2 shallots, minced 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper Bring a large pot of very... read more Is Chinking Cosmetic or a Sealant Perma-Chink has evolved into an elastomeric compound that has been specifically designed for use in log home sealing applications. Perma-Chink adds to the overall integrity of the structure by not only preventing water and air from entering the home, but also adding... read more When You Close a Door, Opportunities Open Up The idea of a log home often conjures visions of a house perched majestically on a mountain ridge or alongside a placid lake. Most of us picture a large, restful deck overlooking scenic vistas and nestled in a lush forest. When we think about walking into... read more Landscaping Effects Health and Beauty of Log Homes by Perma-Chink System, Inc. Have you ever considered the impact that landscaping can have on the well-being and beauty of your log home? Let's look at some things around your home that can significantly affect its health. Trees In summer months trees located... read more Chinking Options and Benefits WHAT IS CHINKING? Chinking is the the flexible sealant used during your log home’s construction or maintenance to seal joins between the logs, gaps, holes and checking. Chinking fits between the imperfect joints of logs to ensure a “seal” from external elements (e.g.... read more Honest Abe Living Relaunched as Interactive Online Magazine Honest Abe Living magazine, an in-house publication of Honest Abe Log homes, will be presented as an online, interactive magazine beginning with the March 2018 edition. "We believe that designing the magazine in an interactive format will offer readers a richer... read more Fried Chicken Gumbo Cooking with Fried chicken: 1 (3- to 3 1/2-pound) chicken 6 quarts cold water 1 1/2 cups kosher salt 4 cups buttermilk 3 cups bleached cake flour 1 cup cornstarch 1 tablespoon fine sea salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper 1 tablespoon Colman’s dry mustard 1... read more 2013 Dealer of the Year White Eagle Building Systems Inc. Named Honest Abe Log Homes Dealer of the Year White Eagle Building Systems Inc. was recognized as Dealer of the Year during the recent Honest Abe Log Homes 2014 National Dealer Conference. White Eagle is owned by Randall... read more 2017 Dealer of the Year Bear's Den Honored as 2017 Dealer of the Year Bear’s Den Log Homes was recognized as 2017 Dealer of the Year during the recent Honest Abe Log Homes 2018 National Dealer Conference. Owned by Rodger and Darlene Dawson, who have been dealers since 2006, Bear’s Den Log... read more Heppler Home at Gallatin Jerry and Bobbie Sue Heppler chose the Eagledale plan for their new home near Gallatin, Tennessee. The couple shared their design decisions and a little about their experience. It has always been a dream of ours to have a log home. Before we started we knew... read more Lodge Cast Iron Introduces 5-item Wildlife Series Lodge Cast Iron, a Tennessee company whose recipes are features in Honest Abe Living, recently released a new Custom Imprint Wildlife Series with four skillets and a griddle. The five-piece collection includes a deer, duck, moose, freshwater fish and a... read more Making a Wish into a Home A log home is not an impulse buy. For some the decision to build a log home was made years before they actually began the process to make a long-held dream a lifetime reality. Others may have explored several building options before realizing that a log... read more Langer Home Featured in Timber Home Living Timber Home Living's Nov.- Dec. issue includes an article about a beautiful Honest Abe timber frame home, the Langer home in rural White County, Tennessee. Pick a copy up at the news stand in any major book store. There a nice free calendar in this issue of the... read more Chink Joint Thermal Efficiency In today's economy energy efficiency is a subject that most people are aware of including log home owners and those people contemplating the purchase of a log home. With this in mind we occasionally get asked about the R-value of our chinking and/or backing materials... read more Lodge Love Handles Skillet Corn read more Alderson Plan featured in Log Cabin Homes Honest Abe Log Homes is featured in the November 2017 issue of Log Cabin Homes with a story about a custom lakeside cabin in the Ozarks. Built by Independent Dealers Maria and Mike Alderson, the Alderson Plan has become a favorite among log cabin enthusiasts and is... read more New Honest Abe Dealer was Homeowner First Honest Abe Log Homes, a 38-year-old log home manufacturer based in Moss, Tennessee, has announced the addition of a new Independent Dealership in North Alabama. In March, Serenity Log Homes began serving customers in Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Madison,... read more Log Cabin Homes Features Honest Abe Home Hedges Home Westfield Plan Log Cabin Featured in Log Cabin Homes Log Cabin Homes May issue hit the stands this week, and Honest Abe Log Homes is prominently featured. In a six-page spread of breathtaking color photography the story is shared of how customer... read more Stewardship Conserves America’s Forests by Jeff Clements, Vice President, Honest Abe Log Homes Honest Abe takes the issue of timber harvesting and the threat of deforestation related to building materials used in the manufacture of log homes very seriously. The great news is, according to the USDA... read more Try New Colored Stains Let the beauty of wood shine through with a colorful twist! Customers of Honest Abe dealers, Mike and Tonia Coulter of T & M Log Homes in Indiana are among the first to use Perma-Chink’s new Lifeline Accents to highlight the exterior beauty of their log... read more Relief Offered to Gatlinburg Wildfire Victims Honest Abe Log Homes is committed to helping victims of the Gatlinburg wildfires rebuild or build their log or timber fame homes and businesses. We are offering a discount structure that reflects 2015 prices for those affected by the fire. We are... read more Pear Tarte Tatin Recipe from Lodge Cast Iron Cookware Butter piecrust: 1 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt 2 T. sugar 6 T. unsalted butter 2 to 4 T. ice cold water Pear filling: 4 small pears, or more as needed (Green Anjou or Bosc pears are best) Juice from 1 lemon 1 1/4 c. sugar 1/4 c. water 2 T. unsalted... read more Log Cabin Open House Provides Motive, Means & Opportunity Every aficionado of mysteries knows that the the guilty had the ability to commit the crime (means), a reason to do it (motive) and the chance to commit the act (opportunity). The upcomingTennessee Honest Abe Log Cabin Open House provides the opportunity to tour a... read more Develop Floor Plans Early Develop Floor Plans Early in Planning Process All three options make planning easier! Most people who want a log or timber frame home have been envisioning how they want their house to look from the outside for a long time before they actually have a plan... read more Increasing Log Home Appeal What Makes a Log Home Beautiful? Increasing Log Home Appeal By Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. What is it about Honest Abe homes that make them so appealing to so many people? We can talk about thermal efficiency, building with a renewable resource or living a log home... read more Visit a True Log Home Manufacturer Log home manufacturer Honest Abe Log Homes invites the public to visit its National Headquarters in Moss, Tenn., on July 16 or Sept. 17 for a Manufacturing Tour and Log Raising. The guided tour of the manufacturing plant includes the state-of-the art mill,... read more Gooey Chocolate Skillets – Cooking with Lodge Gooey Chocolate Dessert Baked in 5" Skillets 1 (9-oz.) package chocolate wafers 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter 3/4 c. bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cacao) 3/4 c. sugar 1/3 c. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract 2 large eggs, beaten Vanilla ice cream,... read more Small Home Cabin By Claudia Johnson, Director of Marketing, Honest Abe Log Homes When some people imagine their forever home, it’s a spectacular log or timber frame home. Over the past 40 years, Honest Abe Log Homes has met many of those dreamers,... read more A Letter from a Recent Honest Abe Customer One of our recent Honest Abe Log Homes Customers recently sent this letter to Honest Abe Log Homes President Josh Beasley about his family's experience in building a wood home. He's given us permission to share his thoughts. Josh, I just wanted to touch base with you... read more Trees Vital to Wood Home Design and Planning "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." Most of us learned this poem as children, and as we've grown older, the truth of it has become more apparent. That's why it's important to think carefully before you begin clearing land and felling trees on and... read more Let Honest Abe Compare Log Home Package Quotes We feel very confident about our prices for log and timber frame homes – so much so that we stand by them with our Honest Abe Honest Value Guarantee. Let Honest Abe compare log home package quotes. Simply submit a detailed item-for-item quote from another company. If... read more Interactive Floor Plans Now Online Honest Abe Log Homes now has 12 interactive floor plans online at mywoodhome.com, the website of Log Home Living, Timber Home Living and Log Cabin Living. The plans selected to be featured are the following: Tour a traditional square log cabin designed by Honest... read more 2015 Dealer of the Year Coulters Take Dealer of the Year Honors for Second Time The 2015 Honest Abe Log Homes Independent Dealership of the year is T&M Log Homes of Albany, Indiana. T&M Log Homes, owned by Tonia and Mike Coulter, is a repeat winner, also having won in 2012. The... read more Log Homes: Environmentally Friendly By Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. Think GREEN. Log homes are often the only building solution that is totally natural. This abundant, renewable resource is good for your health and the environment. Log homes are increasingly the choice of consumers interested in living... read more Watch Online Free: Beautiful Baths: Designing for Form, Function & Forever Log Home Living Webinar – Honest Abe's log and timber home customers have discovered that there's no reason a bathroom can't be both functional and beautiful. However, designing a bathroom, whether it's a luxurious master bath, an accommodating guest bathroom or a... read more Honest Abe Receives National Design Award for Cambridge Plan & Marketing Awards for Website Design & Print Ad Campaign Honest Abe Receives National Design Award for Cambridge Plan & Marketing Awards for Website Design & Print Ad Campaign Honest Abe Log Homes has received three national awards as part of the 2016 Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Marketing and Home Design... read more Apple-Pecan Clafloutis 3/4 cup pecan pieces 1 1/2 pounds firm, semi-sweet apples, like Fiji or Pink Lady 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 4 large eggs 1 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon apple brandy 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract Pinch of salt 2 cups... read more Couple Converts Hunting Cabin to Home Hunting Cabin Expanded into Home By Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes A small log cabin built as an escape has been transformed into a Tennessee couple’s forever home. “One of the first places we remember going when we moved to Murfreesboro in 1988 was the Honest... read more 11 Reasons You’re Right to Want a Log or Timber Home 1) Trees Grow Back When a home is made from solid logs, you are effectively taking the carbon contained in those logs out of environmental circulation over the entire life of the home. Eastern White Pine, which is used for Honest Abe’s log homes, is a major species... read more Communication Makes Home Planning Happy We don’t want to perpetuate any stereotypes here, and we certainly do not want to start any arguments, but it’s just a fact that men and women have different priorities when it comes to planning a new home. In our experiences working with... read more Inspiring Home Product and Planning Guide Download your copy of our Inspiring Home Product and Planning Guide, a 52-page publication that features information specific to our products, company history, manufacturing process, green practices, building systems, log homes, cabins and... read more 10 Steps to Owning Your Log or Timber Home 10 Steps to Owning Your Log or Timber Home Somewhere in your heart and mind, your wood home already exists. You’ve watched a sunrise from the covered porch. You’ve warmed yourself by a glowing fire. You’ve served a holiday meal from your rustic kitchen. Since 1979,... read more 6 Tips for Researching Log Homes & Timber Frame Homes Thank you for downloading 6 Tips for Researching Log and Timber Homes. We believe this tip sheet will offer some ideas you may not have yet explored. Have fun and good luck with your research. We're here any time if you have questions or need help. read more Planning Bedrooms in Log and Timber Homes Decisions, Decisions Making decisions about bedrooms for log or timber frame homes is no different in some ways than for any home. Decisions like how many bedrooms, what size each room will be and whether there will be an adjacent bathroom are basic. However, for log... read more Honest Abe Log Home Tour of Manufacturing Plant Made Better Plan a Tour of Honest Abe’s Mill Acquisition of an electric golf cart will enable visitors to Honest Abe's Model Home and Manufacturing Facilities at Moss to take an intimate and comfortable guided tour without extensive walking. “Guests are... read more Choosing Property for a Log Home by Jeff Clements, Vice President, Honest Abe Log Homes Where do you want your new log home, log cabin or timber frame home to be? That greatly varies. It’s commented many times that we just don’t see that many log or timber frame homes driving up and down the road.... read more Douglas Fir is Beautiful, Strong and Economical There are many reasons why Honest Abe uses Douglas Fir for heavy timber rafters, collar ties, wall-tie trusses, ceiling beams, girders and timber frame components. “Abundance equals affordability, and since Douglas Fir is the most plentiful of all North American... read more What to Expect from Top-of-the-Line Finishes In addition to building a quality home, you want to build a beautiful home, which is why your choice of wood finishes is so important. The most desirable finish allows the wood grain to emerge so the color complements the wood rather than covering it. Many of Honest... read more Log Home Floor Plan Catalog & Planning Guide Honest Abe's Floor Plan Catalog Our new 52-page Honest Abe Floor Plan Catalog includes our standard plans as well as a variety of custom plans imagined by Honest Abe customers – all created by Honest Abe’s design team. Inside you will find a rendering of each plan... read more Inspiring Home Plans and Guide Our new 52-page Honest Abe Floor Plan Catalog includes our standard plans as well as a variety of custom plans imagined by Honest Abe customers – all created by Honest Abe’s design team. Inside you will find a rendering of each plan along with a basic plan. Any plan... read more Log Shapes and Sizes Determine Look of Home The log style you choose determines how you home will look. Here’s an overview of Honest Abe’s log styles to help you understand how various log systems work. To help you visualize how your home could look, visit our galleries for examples of other Honest Abe... read more Hand Hewn Logs Add Richness to Home The Art of Hand Hewing by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes, Log Home Living, Spring 2015 Hand hewn logs add richness to a home. These logs evoke a feeling of the past by capturing a skill that was necessary for early settlers and is now an art. Honest Abe Log... read more Kitchen Confidential: Planning a Log or Timber Home Kitchen Click Here to Watch Kitchen Confidential Speaker: Sara Brown, Home Group Editor, Log Homes Living magazine No matter the size of your log or timber home, the main level is definitely where you’ll do most of your living. And although you’ll spend plenty of time in... read more Square Log Floor Plan Evokes 19th Century Cabin with 21st Century Style At 1,726 square feet, this log cabin can hardly be called a "tiny home." However, it does pack a lot of living space into a relatively compact area. There are two bedrooms – one with a walk-in closet – and a bath downstairs as well as an open kitchen/dining/living... read more Log Home Solar Heating 10 Ways Solar Heating Can Make Your Log Home Warmer Log Home Solar Heating: Letting the sun shine on your dream log and timber home will make it far more comfortable while saving you hundreds of dollars on energy bills. If you’ve ever been in the window seat while... read more 2014 Dealer of the Year Bear's Den Log Homes Is Honest Abe Log Homes 2014 Dealership of the Year Bear's Den Log Homes, Inc., of Newton, N.C., has been named Honest Abe Log Homes 2014 Dealership of the Year. “Congratulations to Bear’s Den owners, Darlene and Rodger Dawson,” said... read more Honest Abe’s 35 Years in Business Recognized by Clay County Commission On Oct. 7, 2014, the Clay County, Tenn., County Commission passed a Resolution of Recognition introduced by County Mayor Dale Regan, honoring Honest Abe Log Homes, Inc.'s 35 years in continuous operation as a business, employer and corporate neighbor in Clay County.... read more Crossville Honest Abe Model Home Center Plans Grand Opening Weekend Events by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes Honest Abe Log Homes is gearing up for a grand opening weekend at the Crossville Honest Abe Model Home Center, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. and a Housewarming Celebration beginning at 2 p.m. on Nov. 8.... read more The Kitchen is the Heart of a Home By Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Living, Sept.-Oct. 2014 The kitchen really is the heart of a home. It is far more than a location from which sustenance is distributed. A kitchen pulsates with daily activity and beats to the rhythms of life’s milestones. Because... read more Center Hill Lake Honest Abe Home Showcased on Tour An Honest Abe Log Home on Center Hill Lake is a featured attraction in the 2014 Showcase of Newly Constructed and Remodeled Houses presented by the Home Builders Association of the Upper Cumberland on Aug. 23-24. A serene view of Center Hill Lake from two spacious... read more Spinach, Tomato and Bacon Frittata Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients Nonstick cooking spray 1 lb. sliced bacon 4 oz. baby spinach 1/4 c. halved cherry tomatoes 15 medium... read more From the President’s Desk Housing Market Confidence Growing by Josh Beasley, President, Honest Abe Log Homes Confidence is a tricky quality. Too little of it leads to stagnation, while excess can give way to an arrogance that blurs reality. This holds true for my personal life, and it seems... read more Chicken and Dressing Skillet Bake Honest Abe Log Homes and another Tennessee company, Lodge Cast Iron, bring you a recipe by Lodge. Ingredients 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... read more Creating Your Own Log Home 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 wall art has become. We found this beautiful, watery, peaceful feeling pillow, which led to our inspiration for this craft! We... read more Make A Fall Ribbon Wreath Hi and welcome to “Getting Crafty with the Smith’s!” Fall is our favorite time of year and what better craft to make than a “Fall Wreath” to show off our country charm in the spectacular fall colors! Fall Ribbon Wreath What you need: • Burlap Ribbon or Deco... read more Denton Awarded President Emeritus Status A special ceremony was recently held at Honest Abe Log Homes to honor Rick Denton (picture above, right, with Honest Abe founder Doug Smith), who was awarded president emeritus status. In recognition of his dedicated past, combined with the continued positive impact... read more Cherry Clafouti Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 tablespoon butter 6 large eggs 1 1/4 cups milk 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons brandy 1... read more Reusing That Old Mason Jar Welcome to a new section in Honest Abe Living newsletter! In “Getting Crafty with the Smiths,” you’ll see fun and innovating ideas to re-use, recycle and get the full use out of items that often go overlooked. This section is to inspire your creative side while... read more Honest Abe Monthly Receives National Recognition Honest Abe Monthly Receives National Recognition and Honest Abe Log Homes received numerous national home building accolades as part of the 2013 Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Marketing and Home Design presented by the Building Systems Councils (BSC) and the... read more Custom Floor Plan: Busch Residence, One Father’s Legacy Nearly 50 years ago, the father of George Busch purchased a small lot on Nolin Lake in Kentucky. On it, he built a quaint three room cottage, as was typical in the community. At that time, small weekender cabins were constructed to provide basic necessities and... read more Hannah’s Apple Pancake Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter 1/4 cup milk 1 apple (Hannah prefers Golden Delicious) 1... read more A Team Effort – Darlington log home floor plan When Matt & Tara Kamman decided to build an Honest Abe Log Home in Indiana, they chose to work with independent dealership T & M Log Homes, owned by Tonia and Mike Coulter. The Coulters took a hands-on approach and helped the couple plan for the building of... read more Tender Venison Roast Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 (4-pound) venison or beef roast 1 cup plus 2 teaspoons hot water 1 (1-ounce) envelope dry onion... read more The Enormous Strength of a Log Home Over and over again, the strength and durability of log homes is proven by real-world examples. This photo may not be the prettiest, but it’s a great example of the strength of our log walls and roof systems. Just read the testimonial from the professional below:... read more Building the Thompsons’ Home With building in the beautiful countryside of Crossville, Tennessee in mind, Robin & Vickie Thompson bought blueprints for their log home in March 2010. Two years later they were ready to build! With Sharron Bilbrey's help, the Thompsons' found a General... read more Cumberland River Retreat Log Home Article & Photography by Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes About thirty “river miles” downstream from the Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky, sits a Cumberland River retreat, a quaint hide-a-way and tribute to a family patriarch. Randy Fudge, former President of Honest... read more Grilled Margherita Pizza Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with or without basil, drained. 2 garlic cloves,... read more Family, Friends & the Pursuit of Memories For nearly thirty years now, Steve and Merry Byrne have 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 Louisville, Kentucky,... read more Simple Berry Skillet Cobbler Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients One 10-ounce bag individually frozen raspberries or 1 pint fresh berries 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2... read more Why Are Log Homes Better Than Conventional Construction? 12 Advantages Log Homes Have Over Stick & Brick Construction It is unlikely that frequent readers of Honest Abe Monthly need to be convinced on the many advantages log homes have over their conventional counterparts. However, it never hurts to be reminded of... read more Third Time’s A Charm Building a custom log home is often a journey. For some, it takes years of dreaming and research. Others know exactly what they want and charge ahead. Then some, like Clyde and Helen Williams, find an unconventional means to arrive at the log home they’ve always... read more Nannie’s Catfish Cakes & Come Back Sauce Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 sleeve premium saltine crackers 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup finely diced onion 1/4 cup finely... read more Lloyd Construction Project Tim & Carol Lloyd already had the beautiful acreage to situate their getaway cabin, they just needed the cabin. That’s where Honest Abe Log Homes came in. Working with Inez Price out of Moss, Tenn., Tim & Carol designed their ideal plan. Located on a small... read more The Virginia Creeper Trail by Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes Are you ready for some adventure? How about a 17 mile bike ride? Wait... keep reading! What if I told you it was all downhill, through the gorgeous Appalachian mountains, and that it’s so easy even children can do it? From... read more Family Matters A Seasoned Contractor Builds on His Family Legacy Building a new home is nothing new for Tom and Joan Rippel, whether it be for themselves, or their many customers over the years. Tom’s building career started at a young age in 1961 helping his father build... read more Upside-Down Salsa Cornbread Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients Filling: 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound lean ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon chilli... read more Exterior Wood Burning Stoves By Joshua Beasley, Marketing & Advertising for Honest Abe Log Homes An ever evolving but long-standing issue has been the search for efficient and cost-effective alternative energy sources for homes. Some owners do so to offset their utility bills, others to... read more Insulation in Log Home Heavy Timber Roof By Inez Price, Salesperson for Honest Abe Log Homes When you approach an Honest Abe Log Home, you take in the logs, porches, decks, windows, design etc… upon entering you will most likely observe the decorations, flooring, walls, what kind of view they have and... read more Back In Time by Sharron Bilbrey, Salesperson for Honest Abe Log Homes By taking a walk back in time to get a glimpse of the log cabins built by early pioneers in the Smoky Mountains, one will discover time-tested styles and designs that reveal how these cabins have influenced log... read more Honest Abe Receives Awards from NAHB Honest Abe Log Homes, has received numerous national home building accolades, capturing top honors for best Presentation of Floor Plans, best Log Home Design Under 2,000 sq. ft., and best Log Home Design between 3001 – 4000 sq. ft. in the 2012 Jerry Rouleau Awards for... read more Honest Abe Log Home Survives Tornado In April 2011 tornadoes ripped through the area and other parts of the South, killing 131 people in Alabama and more than 200 total in six states. The twister that struck Tuscaloosa, Ala., gained nationwide attention, as the mile-wide storm killed 15 people,... read more Sugar Plums Some people think of ballerinas and twirling when you mention Sugar Plums. The Tchaikovsky Nutcracker favorite is one of the most recognized pieces of classical music even for those who have never attended a Nutcracker performance. Some of us assume the idea of Sugar... read more Innovative Ways to Keep a Wood Home Warm Despite all of the innovations made in the realm of building materials, homeowners are inexorably drawn to the rustic charm of natural wood. However, despite its breathtaking appearance, some may have concerns about how to keep log or timber homes warm during the... read more 2022 Annual Buyer’s Guide Features Haven on the Hill Honest Abe homeowners Connie and Alex Diamond are featured in the LOG & TIMBER HOME LIVING 2022 LOG HOME ANNUAL BUYER’S GUIDE. The article, Haven on the Hill, shows how a young couple chose to raise their children in the log homes of their dreams while they were... read more Tips for Taking Keepsake Photos of Your Home So your home is clean and decorated for the holiday season. It looks great. You feel good. You are proud, and you should be. Wouldn't you like it to stay just like this? Sorry, you know it's impossible, but it is possible to capture your "perfect" home in a... read more Captain Rodney’s Cheese Bake If you're looking for an easy and interesting appetizer to take to a holiday party or serve to the family, food blogger Denise Grisham suggests Captain Rodney's Cheese Bake. Denise, author of Man that Stuff is Good, discovered the Captain Rodney's line of products,... read more 6 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Severe Weather If you live somewhere that experiences a lot of storms, preparing your home for the worst should be among your top priorities. It’s crucial that you do what you can to safeguard your home and family from severe weather like floods, thunderstorms, and wind storms. Here... read more “Super Bowl of Marbles” Co-Sponsored by Honest Abe Log Homes Building on a rich cultural tradition, Standing Stone State Park will host the National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship and Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, drawing some of the country’s best players to Tennessee. Players will match skills in what is known as... read more Home Finishes to Please the Senses Color is a marvelous tool when it comes to finishing your log home, especially when picking the best log home finish for your home. Choosing the right colors can give your log and timber home a warm, traditional feel that brings about feelings of the frontier, surrounded by nature. Or, choosing the right colors can create a modern, welcoming log and timber home that mixes the classic log home with today’s design influence. read more Selling Your Home Best Bang for your Buck…Tips to the biggest return when selling your home by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Co. It is no secret that the housing market is at an all-time high. “Buyers are paying stupid amounts of money for a home that would have been listed for 1/3 of the... read more Home Bars by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes Oftentimes Honest Abe homeowners plan a specific area of their log or timber frame home solely for relaxation and entertainment. One such area is a built-in bar. If you’re planning to add a bar to your home, you’ll want... read more So You Want A Fence People build fencing for a variety of reasons. The motivation behind the fence also gives us ideas about the materials that would be best for you. If the fence is purely utilitarian, such as protecting a parking lot at an industrial site or to keep a dog corralled in... read more From Outdated to Show Piece…How one Husband/Wife team takes DIY to the next level From Outdated to Show Piece How one husband/wife team takes DIY to the next level by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Co. When you think of a lake house, your mind goes to a place of retreat filled with fishing poles and swim suites, light blues and water themed décor and... read more Improved Seals Between Logs Honest Abe recently updated the seals they are providing with new log home packages. The company has always shipped high-quality seals to homeowners, but Josh Watson, operations manager for Honest Abe Log Homes explained the reasons new seals were selected. "We were... read more Classic Buttermilk Pie Thanks to Areeda Schneider Stampley for allowing use of this Southern classic for this month's Honest Abe Living magazine. ½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted 3 eggs, beaten ¼ cup all-purpose flour 1 ¾ cups sugar ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup buttermilk ½ teaspoon... read more Quick Refreshes Decorating Updates Don't Have to Take all Week by Molly Cooper, designer, Cooper & Co. Do you ever just want to tackle a project and feel accomplished for the day or weekend? Maybe you do not know what the project even is, but you want to do... read more Espresso Rubbed Bone-in Pork Chops Add espresso to paprika, cumin, chipotle powder, and other spices in the dry rub for the best-tasting bone-in pork chops you've had. Best of all, they're ready in under 20 minutes. Ingredients 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 tablespoon instant espresso 1 tablespoon... read more Pattersons Honored by Tennessee April and Nick Patterson, along with their son, Axel, were recently honored with a Joint Resolution of the Tennessee General Assembly for their support of the agriculture industry in Tennessee. April’s parents founded Honest Abe Log Homes in 1979. Her mother, Janie... read more Chinked Honest Abe Log Homes What is log chinking? In early history the process of chinking was the installation of various materials installed in horizontal voids between log courses on log walls to prevent air and water from entering the building. Today the word chinking is a noun meaning the... read more Considering a Pool? During the shutdowns last year purchasing above and in-ground swimming pools became a popular home improvement project as families realized that they may be homebound for a while. While the move to install pools last summer was an understandable response to the... read more Finding Storage Space Finding all the nooks and crannies for creative storage or workspace is a challenge faced by every homeowner. No matter how carefully you planned your home, there will be a moment that you wish you had just a little bit more storage or a place to spread out a project... read more Small-Space Living Have you ever sat and watched one of the many “Tiny Home” shows on TV, and think to yourself, “I just don’t know if I could live in such a small space?” You are surely not alone, but let me tell you, it is happening everywhere. Tiny or low square footage homes are... read more A Modern Pimento Cheese Try this new twist on a Southern favorite by Tennessee-based cookbook author and television cook Sheree Kelley. Pimento Cheese is a staple today as it was yesterday. Back when we were working in the garden or canning, we would slap a mixture of 8 ounces grated... read more Pictures and Plans Over the years we’ve noticed that most people who visit our website, honestabe.com, love to flip through the photos and browse the floor plans. That’s a good thing since we have dozens of plans and hundreds of photos. Now we’re making the experience even more... read more Functional Outbuildings Start with Proper Foundation What to consider when planning your outbuildings's foundation. A log garage to complement an Honest Abe log home is often requested by our customers. Some choose full log construction, while others decide on log siding or other construction types. The photos above... read more Creating a Budget-Friendly Bath Honest Abe customers are very creative at getting the most out of their budget when it comes to bathroom planning. Sara Brown, writer for Timber Home Living, offers a few simple ideas for creating a beautiful and economical bathroom. These photos show how Honest Abe... read more Signs Your Garage Door Is Due For An Upgrade Garage doors are durable things, as they are designed to last up to 30 years. A garage door’s longevity depends on several factors, though. The type of door, how you care for it, and the local climate matter as far as your garage door’s lifespan is concerned.... read more Homebuilding Timeline Honest Abe's customers frequently ask how long it takes to build a log home. Certainly there are many factors at play, but we've developed a timeline to help envision the process. Yes, this looks overwhelming, but it's not. These steps are very similar to the ones... read more Honest Abe Customers are Ahead of the Trends After a year of learning to work, go to school and accommodate everyday life under one roof together, the world of home design is making home more friendly and more functional for all the demands of a busy lifestyle operating from one location. Some of the "trends"... read more Roof Covering Types When you order your log or timber frame home package directly from Honest Abe Log Homes or one of its Independent Dealers, included in the package is the roofing system you select. These may be a heavy timber, a conventional rafter or a conventional truss... read more A Place for Everyone Mrs. Eslick has retained her independence while living safely near her son.Tips for making a log or timber frame home safe for aging parents without compromising beauty By Claudia Johnson, March 2021 issue, Log Cabin Homes Creating a log home design that will... read more Red Velvet Cake Look at the FABULOUS Red Velvet Cake baked by Michelle Rowland-Noble, owner of Dream Maker Log Homes, an Independent Dealer of Honest Abe Log Homes in Kentucky. Michelle dropped everything to create this masterpiece just for the the Valentine's Day... read more Lofts: Versatile and Beautiful Separated from the formal area of your home above the places you want to keep organized and tidy but still be part of the open plan design is the loft. From the loft, there is a separated space that still benefits from the floor-to-ceiling windows present in many log... read more Debunking Common Home Heating Myths As a homeowner, you know heating is an essential (and often expensive) part of life. That’s why it’s only natural that you would pay attention to tips that could extend the life of your heating system and save you money. If there are ways to better care for and... read more 10 Ways to Go Green Energy Savings and Resource Conservation in Log and Timber Homes by Log and Timber Homes Council Adopting a “green” philosophy is easier than you think and it does not require wind turbines, solar panels or wearing extra sweaters in January. Here are 10 conventional,... read more 12 Essential Tips to Small-Home Success Follow these tips, tricks and ideas to create home that’s sweet and petite. Contributed by Donna Peak, editor, Log and Timber Home Living If you’re thinking about building a custom timber home, there are a lot of good reasons to go small. From reducing your... read more Calculating Linear Feet for Sealant CALCULATING LINEAR FEET When it comes to ordering sealants like Perma-Chink® or Energy Seal™, there are two dimensions that you need to know in order to determine how much product you will need: the width and the cumulative length (linear feet) of the gaps or... read more Chocolate Gravy Chocolate Gravy by Josh Beasley, President, Honest Abe Log Home Chocolate gravy and biscuits is a regional dish in my area of Tennessee that's most often served as an after-breakfast dessert or for brunch. Most people turn their nose at the thought when they're first... read more Sweet Honey B’s Within the ranks of the Independent Dealers for Honest Abe Log Homes, we find the hidden talents and passions that go way beyond the building of a home. It was no different when we got to know Tawana Basham of Magnolia Log and Timber Homes in North Mississippi. As a... read more Picture Perfect What really goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot... “Just imagine what the whole home must look like.” That is what all of us think to ourselves when we look at any home or decor magazine. The photos in the magazine show the most beautiful areas of a home, so... read more How to Finance Your Log or Timber Home Plan ahead for financing. Building a new log or timber home is an exciting process. You’re setting up a new place to live or vacation, and if you’re opting for this type of home, chances are you’re making something of a project out of it. A log or timber home can fit... read more Decorating for a party with fall the guest of honor I absolutely love have gatherings and parties in the fall. It seems no matter what the occasion is, bringing in a touch of fall is always the way to go. Weather it is a birthday party for a one year old decorated with dainty little pumpkins (you can paint them…any... read more World’s Simplest Roast Lisa and Jeff Clements say this is the world's simplest roast. Jeff is Vice President of Sales at Honest Abe Log Home, and Lisa is a nurse. In addition, the couple are farmers near Honest Abe's National Headquarters in the Tennessee Upper Cumberland. With busy... read more Honest Abe Living’s September Issue Online Now Honest Abe Living’s September 2020 issue offers a variety of articles with ideas, tips, customer stories, floor plans, photos and more. The magazine is free online and interactive. read more Autumn Decor Turning your home into a seasonal escape. Fall is a gift of glory for which we can all decorate. by Molly Cooper, designer, Cooper & Co. Fall = family, friends and cozy get togethers. Get your whole home, both inside and out, ready for the most colorful season... read more A Place for Mother Honest Abe Log Homes customer, Denise, and her husband, Peter, changed their lives dramatically when they moved from Rhode Island to the Appalachian mountains of Upper East Tennessee in 2007. Denise’s mother, Rita, who is now 88 and pictured above, did not want to... read more Preventing Wildlife Damage by Perma-Chink Systems If you live in or near the woods, you probably have a variety of rodents that also occupies your surrounding area. Most rodents like to gnaw on wood and if your log home is accessible to them it may become the target of their gnawing activity.... read more Dining Al Fresco The concept of open air dining is brought to log and timber home living in a variety of designs. The traditional American picnic has met its match with today’s concepts of dining in the fresh air. Gone are the days of a cooler filled with Tupperware encased foods to... read more “Porchsitting” is Not Just a Hashtag By Claudia Johnson The porch is an important element of a home’s design and functionality, but it’s also part of American culture. On social media porches have been honored with their own hashtag – #porchsitting. Dan Stevens, who played Matthew Crawley on "Downton... read more July Honest Abe Living Online Now Honest Abe Log Homes’ free monthly online, interactive magazine is available now. Read homeowner stories, get tips, see videos, explore floor plans, view new photos and more. read more Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins Tammy Taylor is the office manager and sales assistant for Murfreesboro’s Honest Abe Log Homes sales model. She’s also a busy mother and in her “spare time,” she’s a songwriter. She’s shared her favorite muffin recipe with Honest Abe Living and even snapped a photo before she ate one. Here’s her recipe. read more Log Home Nursery Planning a nursery for your new baby’s life in a log home is easy with a few tips from Molly Cooper of Cooper & Co. Design. read more The Right Projects for Perma-Chink ON WHAT TYPE OF HOME DOES PERMA-CHINK LOG HOME CHINKING WORKS BEST? By Tony Huddleston, VP of Sales and Operation, Perma-Chink Systems Perma-Chink was designed to eliminate the undesirable results often obtained by using older less successful methods of wood slabs,... read more Remote Building Sites What You Need to Know About Remote Building Sites Choosing a remote building site has its host of rewards, but it also poses some challenges. Designing and building your dream log home puts you squarely on the path less traveled. Some buyers, however, want to... read more Designing Your Own Floor Plan Gather all those scraps of paper, drawings on napkins, clippings from magazines and ideas floating in your head, and let Honest Abe Log Homes create a plan for the new log or timber frame home that you’ve dreamed about. read more Building a Greenhouse by Danny Nichols In the late summer of 2017 my wife and I decided to move forward with our long-desired goal of owning a greenhouse. After extensive review of the products available and reading customer reviews, we selected a 6 X 8 ft Palram greenhouse from Home... read more Honest Abe Living, April Issue April’s Honest Abe Living interactive magazine is now online. Read stories about customer homes. Get advice from experts. Schedule on-demand log raising video events. Download featured floor plans. read more What if your property has a wetland? A wetland is an area of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally. Some homeowners are apprehensive when they discover that this type of natural feature is located on the land where they’re planning to build their home. “The concern about wetlands... read more Chicken and Noodles Inez Price is a longtime sales representative at the Honest Abe Log Homes National Headquarters. In addition to helping dozens of customers achieve their dream log home, Inez and her husband live in their own. She's sharing one of her favorite family recipes this... read more March Honest Abe Living Online Now The interactive Honest Abe Living March 2020 issue is online now. Explore floor plans, stories about new homes, design advice, maintenance tips, event invitations and a scrumptious recipe. read more Mix and Match Materials for the Ideal Style Combining architectural elements and materials creates a stunning and personal home. Honest Abe Log Homes has attracted some very creative homeowners in the last 40 years. Though traditional log homes are most in demand, it’s clear that mixing textures, materials and... read more Media Blasting vs. Chemical Stripping for Wood Homes Which is the best way to remove an existing finish - media blasting or chemical stripping? Like most questions of this nature, there is no definitive answer; it depends on the situation. Both methods of removing a finish have their positive and negative attributes,... read more February Honest Abe Living Now Online Just in time for President’s Day the Honest Abe Living February 2020 interactive magazine includes an intriguing story about a new log home belonging to the daughter of celebrated Abraham Lincoln collector Lloyd Ostendorf. Another feature explains how… read more How to research log and timber home companies The best way to determine which log or timber frame manufacturer is best for designing and milling your log cabin or timber frame project is to conduct your own research. Here are six tips for researching companies before you make a decision of a lifetime. read more Sweet Dreams are Made of This It’s no wonder that so many timeless songs have been written about sleeping. After all, more than a third of one’s life is spent in bed. But for custom log or timber frame homeowners, the sleeping spaces tend to become – to quote Shakespeare – “such stuff as dreams... read more Back to the Basics…using what you already have The start of a new year brings many things. For me it means a fresh start on my home and my décor. What it almost always means as well is a very empty wallet from all the holiday spending. I have two growing boys who are past Tonka trucks and Matchbox cars and onto... read more Rain Barrel: Inexpensive, Yet Valuable to Homeowners Hey, hey, little playmate, come out and play with me And bring your dollies three. Climb up my apple tree, holler down my rain barrel, Slide down my cellar door, and we'll be jolly friends forever more. Most of us sang the nursery song without giving a thought to... read more The most wonderful time of year… Most see the holiday season as the most wonderful time of year, but let’s just be honest for a minute. For those of us who are the shopper, the chef, the decorator and not to mention all of life’s normal jobs we carry all year long, this time of year is a lot. Ladies... read more Add Live Boards to Your Decor Live edge boards can create an one-of-a-kind gift with Valentine's, Mother's Day and wedding season on the horizon, and Honest Abe is your connection for these beautiful boards available in a variety of hardwoods through our sister company, GF Hardwoods. What is a... read more Honest Abe Homeowners Featured in Two Publications Nationally-distributed magazines featured the new houses of two customers of Honest Abe Log Homes in one month in 2019. The Teslia timber frame in Fentress County, Tennessee, is featured in the Nov. 2019 Timber Home Living magazine in a 14-page spread.... read more Dumas Walker Memorialized in Intriguing Hit Song Attending the dedication were three of the Kentucky Headhunters in front, Doug Phelps, left, (lead vocals, bass guitar), Greg Martin, center, (lead guitar, background vocals) and brothers Richard Young (lead and background vocals, rhythm guitar), right. Young's... read more Loretta Lynn’s Ole Fashioned Apple Pie Winesap or any sour apple makes a better pie. Pie Filling Mix the following and put into the prepared crust. 5 or 6 apples, sliced thin 1 t. cinnamon 1 T. butter 2 T. all-purpose flour dash of ground nutmeg My Pie Crust (one top and one bottom) 2 1/2 c. all-purpose... read more The 6th Annual Doug Smith Memorial 5K Fun Run and Walk On Sat., Oct. 28, 2019, 135 participants and other supporters gathered at Dale Hollow Dam Campground and ran or walked for a cure. The course was a nice flat course through the beautiful campground and walking trail just below Dale Hollow Dam. The runners and walkers... read more Gaining Living Space How to gain more square footage with what you already have It is officially fall and with that we can finally get out of the house and enjoy the crisp air that the new season brings. Enjoying time outdoors, relaxing or entertaining, is one of my most favorite things,... read more “Cookin’ for the Cure” by Rick Denton Over Honest Abe's four decades, it always been the company's philosophy to give back to the local community where the business originated. We were always aware of this goal and looking for ways to make a difference. An opportunity presented itself in in... read more September 2019 issue of Honest Abe Living The September 2019 issue of Honest Abe Living showcases the homes of two couples who chose Honest Abe Log Homes to design and manufacture their log homes. One couple in Tennessee are finally home in the hills overlooking Center Hill Lake, having moved 11... read more Grilled Steak Nachos Gooey cheese, crunchy chips, and tender steak are all found in this easy-to-make campfire recipe in the Lodge Cook-It-All. INGREDIENTS Steak Ingredients: 1 skirt steak, flank steak or flap steak 1 lime, juiced Salt and pepper, to taste Nacho Ingredients: 1 bag of... read more Nick and April Patterson Win State Young Farmer Honors Nick and April Patterson are Tennessee Farm Bureau’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Achievement Award winners for 2019. “This year at the 75th anniversary of the Young Farmers group, we were unbelievably humbled to receive this honor,” said April. April is... read more All Customers are Stars, but Some Were Celebrities By Rick Denton Some folks say Honest Abe’s product line is a kit, a trailer load of milled and dressed logs, timbers and other materials needed to build the log or timber home. Some say our product is considerably more ­– that it is the beautiful and unique finished... read more Why DIY? The many television shows and podcasts that feature do-it-yourself home projects as well as the ever-growing Pinterest community demonstrates the intrigue of taking control of the design or redesign of personal living spaces. We asked Josh Beasely, President of Honest... read more Summer Salads Chicken Salad Ingredients: 4 cups diced poached chicken, recipe follows 1 stalk celery, diced ½ cup sliced grapes ½ cup chopped pecans (if desired) 1 cup mayonnaise 2 teaspoons strained freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons salt Freshly... read more How to Manually Stain Logs Using the Back-Brush Technique Perma-Chink Systems, whose products are included in Honest Abe packages, offers tips for homeowners who wish to do their own initial finish or choose to do protective maintenance on their log home over the years. In this article they explain how to manually... read more June 2019 Honest Abe Living Now Available Free Online The June 2019 issue of Honest Abe Living, an interactive online magazine published by Honest Abe Log Homes, is available online now. This issue features the stories about some of the log and timber homes open to guests during the Summer 2019 Honest Abe Log Home Tour... read more Honest Abe Components Enhance Traditional Home Remodel Heather Ross Stephens and her husband, Jarrett, recently purchased wood components from Honest Abe for a remodel of an existing home. They worked with Honest Abe Log Homes Sales Representative Inez Price, who works at the company's National Headquarters in Moss,... read more Healthy Veggie Lasagna Cooking at McFarland Creek Outdoors Amanda Hatcher prepares hearty and delicious meals for guests at McFarland Creek Outdoors, a hunting preserve owned by Shane Smith, one of Honest Abe’s owners. Here Amanda shares a guest favorite, Healthy Veggie Lasagna. 1 box... read more Summer 2019 Log Home Tour Features Five Log Homes Five custom homes by Honest Abe Log Homes will be open to visitors at three locations on June 15 in the Rutherford County, Tennessee, area during the Honest Abe Log Homes Summer 2019 Tour, hosted by Murfreesboro Honest Abe Log Homes. Each of the homes was designed and... read more The Swift Home, Williamsport, Tennessee Darlington B Plan Modified to Create Family Retreat Larry and Pam Swift completed their new 1,750-square-foot D-log cabin from Honest Abe Log Homes' Darlington B plan in 2018 as a family escape from the city. The Swifts recently shared their journey though planning... read more Soup Served in a Bread Bowl Recipe by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Company INGREDIENTS: 4 slices bacon, diced 5 tablespoons unsalted butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 3 1/2 cups milk, or more, as needed 3 russet […] read more Why a designer? by Molly Cooper, Cooper & Co. Interior Design Let’s first talk about what exactly an interior designer is, and then we will get into why you should hire one. According […] read more 10 Tips for Saving Money on Your Wood Home Everything in your new home does not have to be new. Incorporating lighting, sinks, toilets, mirrors, stained or textured glass and other fixtures from thrift stores like Goodwill or architectural […] read more Air-Fryer Pickles Fried pickles originated in the Southern United States. If it's possible to fry, Southerners fry it. With the recent popularity of the air fryer, many recipes are being converted to use. Amanda Hatcher, chef for McFarland Creek Outdoors, an Honest Abe sister... read more The Power of Colors read more The Apple Home A Second Log Home for True Enthusiasts Interview by Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Log Homes Honest Abe homeowners Jerry and LeeAnne Apple are opening their new log home to guests on Saturday, March 23, during the Honest Abe Log Homes Spring Tour. Located near... read more Amazing Creamy Potato Soup April and Nick Patterson love to cook this amazing creamy potato soup on cold winter nights. It's quick and easy, but oh so good. Boil 32 ounces chicken broth Cook 4-5 diced potatoes with 1/2 jumbo clove of garlic and 1/2 onion Cook 15 minutes Add 2 cans cream of... read more Jackie Cherry Explains How White Pine Was Selected Honest Abe was founded in 1979, and Honest Abe's plant manager Jackie Cherry has been here since the earliest years. Respected for his knowledge throughout the log and timber industry, Jackie has created relationships with timber growers, equipment manufacturers and... read more Log End Seal Dovetailed d-log corner sealed. 10" round log before sealing. Square log sealed. Why seal the ends of the longs?Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means it naturally absorbs and releases moisture from the environment. Logs can safely absorb... read more Nanny’s Chicken & Rice Cooking at Southern Grace Farmhouse Honest Abe Log Homes co-owner April Patterson and her husband, Nick Patterson, love cooking together. They often use recipes from the Clay County (TN) Young Farmers' Farm to Fork cookbook, but the recipe for Nanny's Chicken and... read more Help for Flooded Wood Homes Log homes are actually more durable than traditional homes and are more likely to survive natural disasters, including flooding. The clean-up and repair of a log home after flooding is also much easier if you follow these steps provided by Perma-Chink... INTERIOR... read more Freeze-Thaw Stability of Perma-Chink Finishes in Original Containers During the winter months it's important to be aware of the freeze-thaw stability of Perma-Chink's products. The reason may involve shipping conditions or whether it is okay to store a product or products in an unheated shed. In any case you need to be aware of... read more Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes Cooking at Southern Grace Farmhouse Honest Abe Log Homes co-owner April Patterson and her husband, Nick Patterson, love cooking together in their new 10" round log home on their Acres of Grace Farm. Pictured above is a secondary kitchen in their full basement, which... read more Smith Family Traditions Download Smith Family Traditions, the 50th Anniversary commemorative magazine compiled in 2018 to celebrate the heritage and legacy of the Clay County-based businesses operated by the family of Doug Smith. read more 5k Walk and Run a Success The life of Clay County entrepreneur Doug Smith will be honored on Saturday, Sept. 29, when friends, family and community members gathered at Dale Hollow Dam Park for The Doug Smith Memorial 5K Walk/Run. The annual event raised more than $1,100, which is being donated... read more Three Honest Little Pigs A coloring and activity book for children, “Three Honest Little Pigs,” was published in 2018 to provide to children who visit the Honest Abe National Headquarters in Moss or attend log raisings with there parents. The rhymed retelling of the classic fairy... read more President Emeritus Awards and Lifetime Accomplishments The Latin word “emeritus” is defined as "having served one's time" or "having merited one's discharge by service.” In current usage, it is a postpositive adjective used to designate a... read more New Log and Timber Frame Home on Cedar Hill Lake Wins Design Award A new home owned by Priscilla and James Head is featured in the upcoming issue of Log & Timber Home Living. The home was awarded first place for home design in the 2,001-2,900 square feet category of the Jerry Rouleau Awards for Excellence in Home Design... read more Taco Casserole Cooking at Southern Grace FarmhouseHonest Abe Log Homes co-owner April Patterson and her husband, Nick Patterson, love cooking together in their new 10" round log home's modern farmhouse kitchen on their Acres of Grace Farm. The Pattersons are very... read more Tim Smith Celebrates 48 Years at Smith Family Businesses Tim Smith recently celebrated his 48th year work anniversary at Moss Sawmills, a sister company to Honest Abe Log Homes, GF Hardwoods and Barky Beaver Mulch and Soil Mix. Tim was honored by his fellow workers with a catered lunch, gifts and time to tell stories. ... read more How to do a DIY Inspection of a Log or Timber Home One key for keeping your log home in tip-top condition is to take an hour or so a couple of times a year to perform a DIY inspection of the exterior of your home for any signs of potential problems. Remember that a bit of maintenance and small, inexpensive... read more Fall Tour 2018 Hosted by Honest Abe Cookeville A variety of log and timber frame homes will be open to the public on Aug. 25 during the fall tour 2018 hosted by Honest Abe Log Homes Cookeville. The tour includes several Honest Abe log homes and timber frame homes constructed across four decades. The featured log... read more Zucchini Fritters 1 pound zucchini (8 to 10 small or 2 large), ends trimmed 1 cup (4 ounces) grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 large egg, beaten Juice and grated zest of 1 lemon Kosher salt and freshly ground... read more Honest Abe Log Homes Sponsors Financial Planning Curriculum for Clay County Students Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance course, a comprehensive curriculum that provides students with sound financial principles to guide them into adulthood, is being sponsored at Clay County High School by Honest Abe Log Homes. “Supporting our schools and... read more Dual Purpose Rooms & Murphy Beds Expand Space Use Every Foot of Space Wisely For most people retirement and downsizing means a real change in approaches to daily activities. The things that were “must haves” when children were still at home are not only less important but may not be needed at all in a downsized... read more Florida Blueberry Cobbler Serves 6 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted 1 1/4 cups sugar 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup whole milk 2 cups fresh blueberries, picked over for stems, rinsed, and patted dry Vanilla bean ice cream, for serving Place the butter in a 10-inch cast... read more Downsize to a Log or Timber Frame Forever Home The first step in knowing it was time to make a move was the quiet. The bubble of constant comings and goings, the mounds of laundry and even the 50-pound bags of pet food were no longer part of the daily household mix. There were rooms that sat empty with... read more There’s Something for Everyone Oct. 18 & 19 in Moss There’s a lot going on in October in the small community of Moss, Tennessee, where Honest Abe is headquartered. Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss the log raising, mill tour, new log home tour, mill tour and barn sale in Moss! Log Raising and Mill Tour On... read more Bacon and Gorgonzola Cornbread Sliders with Chipotle Mayo Two-time National Cornbread Cook-off winner Lori Stephens of Hendersonville, Tennessee, won with this recipe in 2010 with her over-the-top version of sliders using a cast iron manufactured by Lodge Cast Iron. The 2018 cook-off is April 28. This recipe... read more Wiener Schnitzel 4 (4- to 5-ounce) veal cutlets Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon milk 1 1/2 cups fine dry breadcrumbs, or more if needed Sunflower oil 1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges 4 sprigs fresh flat-leaf... read more Cedar Hill Log Homes Cedar Hill Log Homes is a new log and timber frame dealer for Honest Abe Log Homes owned by Gary Plante, who is also owner of Cedar Hill Realty in Rehobath, Mass. Cedar Hill Log Homes serves Bristol and Plymouth counties. Born and raised in... read more Peterson Cabin Featured in Log Home Living Log Home Living's March 2018 issue featured a new log home in in Nebo, N.C., by Bear's Den Log Homes, and independent dealer of Honest Abe Log Homes. To see photos of the home, click Peterson Cabin. To read an article about the home and an interview with... read more The Bellewood Floor Plan The Bellewood is one of our most popular Honest Abe Floor Plans. See it and many others at Honest Abe Floor Plans. Our Cookeville Model was created from the Bellewood. Click here for directions to Honest Abe Cookeville and plan your visit to the Bellewood. read more The Lodge Book of Dutch Oven Cooking Wins SEOPA’s Best Outdoors Book Award The Lodge© Book of Dutch Oven Cooking earned The Best Outdoor Book Award from the Southeastern Press Associated (SEOPA) during the organization’s 2017 annual meeting held October 18-20 at Kentucky Dam Village in Gilbertsville, KY.... read more What is Your Responsibility During Your Build? What is there to do other than the assembly of my home package? One of the most common questions asked of Honest Abe Sales Representatives and Independent Dealers regarding the log home design, purchase and construction process is "What are my responsibilities?" We've... read more Fall Log Home Maintenance Most people are accustomed to spring cleaning, but if you are a home owner, you know that your house needs attention year-round. Fall maintenance is much like spring house-cleaning, but more preventative and less “cleaning.” And it’s much easier to do it now rather... read more Hurricaines, Floods and Log Homes BY PAUL PEEBLES, Perma-Chink System's West Coast Director of Sales Log homes are actually more durable than traditional homes, and are more likely to survive natural disasters, including flooding. The clean-up and repair of a log home after flooding is also much... read more Log Home Sealants It is virtually impossible to prevent logs from developing cracks and checks as they age and dry. That's because as a large piece of wood seasons, mechanical stresses build up until the surface stress becomes so great that the wood cracks. We call these stress... read more Clayton Cabin Selected for Special Floor Plan Guide The Clayton log cabin in Crossville, Tennessee, was selected as the featured floor plan in nationally distributed magazine. Read about it in Log Cabin Homes' September 2017 issue. read more NAHB’s Log and Timber Homes Council News Celebrating the Log Home Lifestyle Filed in Construction Industry, Councils & Committees on July 6, 2017 • 0 Comments Members of NAHB’s Log and Timber Homes Council (LTHC) are celebrating National Log Home Open House Month in July for the sixth... read more Sustainability Of Log Structures Explored by Experts Honest Abe Log Homes President Josh Beasley was among a contingent of log industry leaders in St. Louis recently to discuss the sustainability of log structures. In addition to representing Tennessee-based Honest Abe, Beasley attended in his capacity as 2017... read more Log Home Living Features Honest Abe Home Read the article about the Bailey Log Cabin, an Honest Abe Log Home recently featured in Log Home Living that tells how the a dream came true for one man who wished all his life for a log home. Click HERE for the full article read more Winter Vegetable Chili 3 T. vegetable oil 1 med. onion, chopped 2 med. garlic cloves, very finely chopped 2 large red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers, seeded & cut into ½” pieces 4 small parsnips, peeled and cut into ½” pieces 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into ½” pieces 1 med.... read more 2016 Dealer of the Year Coulters Named 2016 Honest Abe Log Homes Independent Dealership of the Year For the second consecutive year the Honest Abe Log Homes Independent Dealership of the Year is T&M Log Homes of Albany, Indiana. T&M Log Homes, owned by Tonia and Mike... read more Tennessee Retreat Log Cabin Tennessee Retreat Log Cabin is the Perfect Lodging Choice for Honest Abe Visitors Spend the Night in an Authentic Honest Abe Log Cabin on Your Next Visit to Honest Abe Log Homes Tennessee Retreat Log Cabin is nestled in the beautiful hills of the Eastern Highland Rim... read more In the End, You Have a Great Home Oakley Home was Family Effort Ask Tanner Oakley anything about the construction of his new house, and he’ll probably know the answer. Sounds reasonable since it is his house, right? Well, Tanner is just 10 years old, but the precocious and mannerly young man has... read more Chicken Pot Pie Cooking with Lodge New England Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuit Crust Filling: 2 T. butter 2 medium onions, diced 1 celery rib, diced 1 large carrot, diced 3 c. cubed (1-inch) cooked chicken 1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen green peas 1 c. diced fresh mushrooms Salt and... read more Log Home Budgeting Creating a Budget for a Log or Timber Frame Home Honest answers to realistic questions help in budget creation. By Wayne Brady, Sales Representative, Honest Abe Crossville In planning for a new wood home, it’s important to create a budget that allows for construction... read more Williams Mountain Home Clearbrook Plan Selected for Williams Mountain Home Smart Decisions, Loving Compromises A North Carolina couple shares lessons learned while building a mountain dream home that incorporates dreams and needs for present and future enjoyment, allowing them to stay in... read more Let Honest Abe Compare Log Home Packages for Best Price Let Honest Abe Compare Home Package Quotes for Best Price Honest Abe is so confident about package prices for log and timber frame homes, they are backed up by the Honest Abe Honest Value Guarantee. Honest Abe will meet or beat the price of any competitor’s comparable... read more Gender Frequently Determines Log Home Design Preferences By Josh Beasley, President, Honest Abe Log Homes I don’t want to perpetuate any stereotypes here, and I certainly do not want to start any arguments, but it’s just a fact that men and women have different priorities when it comes to planning a new home. In our... read more Observations from a Log Raising Attendee Four times per year Honest Abe hosts log raisings at its National Headquarters in Moss, Tenn. Below is an email from one of the January 2016 attendees. The Log Raising was Great and it was well worth the effort to come up there. Most of what was shown was pretty much... read more Crusty Bacon and Cheese Bread 3 c. unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for sprinkling on dough and flouring hands 1 1/2 tsp. fine sea salt 1 1/4 c. water 1/4 tsp. instant yeast 1/2 lb. sliced bacon, cooked until crispy, drained, and crumbled or chopped 2 c. (8 oz.) shredded sharp cheddar... read more Crossville Model Featured on Cover of March Log Home Living Honest Abe Log Homes’ Crossville Model Home is featured on the cover of the March issue of Log Home Living, which features a story and an 8-page photo spread showcasing Honest Abe designer Michael Hix's award-winning Cambridge floor plan design. "It's highly... read more Budgets Challenging but Necessary Budgets are challenging by necessary. To create an accurate budget for home construction that also considers future maintenance homebuyers must be willing to honestly answer some hard questions. It’s true that these questions can seem overwhelming, but Honest Abe’s... read more Why it is beneficial to come to a log raising? by Inez Price, Sales Representative, Honest Abe National Headquarters An Honest Abe Log Raising is a great opportunity to see, touch and absorb information about how Honest Abe Log Homes are built. The Log Raising starts from the design and goes through placement of... read more Designer Hix Featured in Hometown News Macon County resident Michael Hix, a designer for Honest Abe Log Homes, has been recognized with the highest award presented for log home industry design. Honest Abe was the first place winner of the 2016 Jerry Rouleau Award for Excellence in Home Design in the... read more Honest Abe Log Cabin Featured in Log Home Living The Clayton home, a 1,600 square foot cabin on the Tennessee Cumberland Plateau, is featured in the Dream Home Showcase issue of Log Home Living. Download the article here. The article was written by Claudia Johnson, Director of Marketing for Honest Abe Log Homes, who... read more Virginia Mountain Dream Home Realized Wayne and Cindy Parent built their dream home in Roseland, Va., in 2014. “We believe the warmth and beauty of a log home cannot be matched by any other type of conventional construction,” Wayne said. “Living in a log home was a long-time goal of ours, and it has been... read more Passing the Perc Test One very practical matter that must be considered regarding placement of a log or timber frame home can be summed up in four words: no perc, no house. “That’s why it’s extremely important to be sure the land you’ve selected for your new log or timber home will pass a... read more The Truth about Log Home Maintenance By Greg Crider, owner/operator of Renew Services LLC, Guest Columnist There is much to be said in terms of variables associated with the endless scenarios of what makes good or bad maintenance and how to best go about it. Remember, the most important point is to stay... read more Aging in Place in Your Forever Home Some 70% of seniors spend the rest of their life in the place they celebrated their 65th birthday. Think about that for a minute. It means that the log or timber frame home that you are planning to build will most likely be the home you live in for the rest of your... read more Honest Abe Builds New Area for 10″ Round Log Home Production A 10″ round log home may be exactly what you are looking for, and Honest Abe has redesigned our production facility to manufacture true round 10" timbers. Do you love the look of the large rustic lodges nestled in the majestic landscapes of the Northwest?... read more Six Tips for Researching Log Homes Researching log homes and timber frame structures can be a daunting task, but Honest Abe Log Homes has created an easy tip sheet to help you get started. You may download the tip sheet as a .pdf here or pin this .jpg to your Pinterest board for easy... read more Questions to Ask Before Buying Property to Build a Log Home What are the most important questions you need answered before you invest in property for your log or timber frame home? Download the checklist. read more 5 Things You Didn’t Know about Honest Abe Log Homes read more Watch Creating Outdoor Living Spaces for Log and Timber Homes Webinar Anytime Join MyWoodHome.com and Honest Abe Log Homes for a free webinar on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. Honest Abe President Josh Beasley has hit the road this summer visiting three homeowners who have taken outdoor living to the next level. read more Corn Dip 2 (11-ounce) cans Mexicorn (corn kernels with red and green peppers) 1 (10-ounce) can shoepeg corn 3 green onions, chopped 1 cup sour cream 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon ground cumin Fresh lime juice to taste Salt and black pepper to taste... read more Making a Carpenter Bee Trap Carpenter bees are a threat to wood, whether its a log or conventional home, a porch, wooden furniture, architectural details, etc. Two of Honest Abe’s owners, Shane Smith and Nick Patterson, got together with Independent Dealer Dallas Powers to learn how simple yet... read more Timber Frame Home is Flexible Choice A timber frame home is a beautiful, economic and flexible choice Do you love the interior, natural look of wood but want a more traditional exterior or more decorative flexibility on the interior? If so, then a Timber Frame home is the choice for you. Honest Abe Log... read more Finding Your Forever Home The Basics of Planning and Building a Log Home or Timber Frame Home – Here's a link to a recorded webinar (free) hosted by Honest Abe Vice President Jeff Clements and the editors of Log Home Living Magazine. It guides you through considerations for designing and... read more Honest Abe Home in Log Home Living See an Honest Abe home in Log Home Living magazine. One of Honest Abe Log Homes' beautiful creations is featured in the July issue of Log Home Living as part of the Dream Home Showcase. Pick up your copy and read about this amazing home. Here's a sneak peak at the... read more Chicken and Mushroom Stew with Wild Rice Chicken and Mushroom Stew with Wild Rice recipe from Lodge Cast Iron is a delicious way to use a traditional cooking method and healthy ingredients. 3 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 (2-oz. slice country ham or 2 slices bacon, finely chopped 6 skinless, boneless chicken... read more Learn About Log Home Log Styles The log style you choose determines how you home will look. Here’s an overview of Honest Abe’s log styles to help you understand how various log systems work. To help you visualize how your home could look, visit our galleries for examples of other Honest Abe... read more Considerations in Log Home Kitchen Design Designing a kitchen for a log home or timber frame home requires the same considerations as with a conventional home – lifestyle of the owners, budget, family size and available space. One important decision is how to provide adequate lighting in addition to the... read more Appalachian Christmas Cabin This cabin was inspired by those found in the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee. Built using Honest Abe’s Genesis log system, it features chinking on both the inside and outside, though this log system can be built without it. Exposed heavy timber ceiling beams add... read more Honest Abe Dealership, T & M Log Homes, Expands Tonia and Mike Coulter, owners of T & M Log Homes in Albany, Ind., Honest Abe Independent Dealership and 2013 Dealers of the Year, has expanded into Kansas with the addition of Kyle and Rebekah Taylor to the T&M team. “For the past 18 years Tonia & I have... read more Kiln Dried Log Homes are Stable, Durable and Beautiful At Honest Abe Log Homes we’re often asked why we do kiln dry the logs and timbers used in every log home, log cabin or timber frame house we manufacture. We believe in the value of creating kiln dried log homes and timber frame houses. Kiln dried logs are “pre-shrunk”... read more Log Home Heating & Cooling New Advancements in Heating and Cooling Technologies for Log and Timber Homes New advancements in heating and cooling will enable you breath easy while spending less on energy. Here’s a primer on the plethora of choices for your new log or timber home. Wouldn’t it be... read more Crossville Honest Abe Model Home Center Features Innovative Floorplan With 3,000 square feet of living space surrounded by 1,700 square feet of covered porch, the new Crossville Honest Abe Model Home Center incorporates both log and timber frame elements. The exterior of the house combines the use of traditionally dovetailed Eastern... read more Honest Abe recently built a new model home in Crossville. Friday, Nov 7, 2014 by Liz Engel Clark, Editor, Upper Cumberland Business Journal CUMBERLAND COUNTY – It’s a vast array of peaked rooftops, exposed timber and an expanse of porches – 1,700 square feet in all – but perhaps the most important feature in Honest Abe’s... read more Red Quinoa with Roasted Acorn Squash Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 acorn squash (1 to 2 pounds) 1 T. extra virgin olive oil 1 c. red quinoa, rinsed under cold running... read more From the President’s Desk – Log Home Kitchens Log Home Kitchens Inspiring for Honest Abe President by Josh Beasley, President, Honest Abe Log Homes Honest Abe Living, Sept.-Oct. 2014 My passion for our homes was kindled within the warm atmosphere of a small country kitchen many years ago. My aunt and uncle built... read more Crossville Model Features American-made Flooring By Claudia Johnson, Honest Abe Living, July-Aug. 2014 Honest Abe Log Homes’ new model home in Crossville, Tenn., features wide-plank, heart pine floors from Vintage Pine Flooring’s Mill House Select series. Vintage Pine Flooring owner Art Copeland said that the... read more A Home With A View By Claudia Johnson Exciting. Warm. Comfortable. That’s how Richard and Linda Hespe describe their new Honest Abe log home nestled in the foothills of the Carolina Blue... read more Focusing On Fireplaces By Tia Copas, Honest Abe Living It’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. That's why many of Honest Abe Log... read more Honest Abe Log Homes Celebrates 35th Anniversary 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... read more Log Home Lake House Plan Log Home Lake House Overlooking Center Hill Lake, Tennessee Overlooking the waters of Center Hill sits a log home owned by Mike and Christine Cornett. Life on the lake is different. It isn’t fast paced, and there are great neighbors who are willing to help. To Mike... read more Polish Pork And Cabbage Stew Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms 1 cup warm water 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil 5 ounces thick... read more Honest Abe Log Tennessee Home “We learned about Honest Abe from the Realtor and by driving by their plant while looking at properties. We stopped in and grabbed some literature while on the run so we could look at floor plans and dreamed about what we should come up with. After we closed on the... read more Claytons’ Home Photographed By Pros For a gallery of photos from the shoot featured in this story, click here. Seeing a home photographed and published in a magazine represents the journey of how it came to be. Dedication and hard work is visible in every shot. The homeowners feel a sense of pride and... read more Dutch Oven Danish Cake Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients Cake: 3 cups cake flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup vegetable shortening 1... read more Aebleskiver Honest Abe Log Homes and another Tennessee company, Lodge Cast Iron, bring you a recipe by Lodge. Ingredients 4 large eggs, separated 2 cups cake flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, melted Scant 2... read more Customers Praise Construction Crew and Chief by Josh Watson, Construction Coordinator for Honest Abe Log Homes “Joe & his crew did an outstanding job from the time they arrived until they finished. Thanks from the inspector and me on a job well done!” – Tim Johnston We always appreciate feedback from our... read more Practical and Thrifty Log Home Perfect for Young Couple By Josh Beasley, Honest Abe Living Though newlyweds, Nick and April Patterson’s story began long before they knew one another, in fact, before either were born. April is the daughter of Janie and late father Doug Smith, who founded Honest Abe Log Homes over 30 years... read more Rocky-K Log Homes Dealership Celebrates 20 Years Rocky-K Log Homes, an independent dealership of Honest Abe Log Home products, recently celebrated 20 years of business in their hometown of Leitchfield, Kentucky. Owners, Ellis and Sandy Kiper, welcomed the community with food, fellowship, music and fun to help... read more Down a Different Road Maurice and Elfi Fliess didn’t take the same path that most log home owners traverse. It’s common that people will dream for decades and research for years before building their perfect log home. They will visit manufacturers across the country, attend... read more Honest Abe on Cover of Log Cabin Homes Magazine The Honest Abe home of Janet and Grady Wilson just made the cover of Log Cabin Homes November issue! The featured article in the issue deals with trends, and Honest Abe’s Bellewood floor plan (which the Wilson home was based from) is featured specifically. It... read more Grilled Chicken with Citrus Salad Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 1 jalapeno chile, sliced 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive... read more Traveling the Barn Quilt Trail These days, a family getaway often means a trip close to home. Heading into the countryside to visit historic towns and sites along the way, stopping for a country-cooked meal, and perhaps spending the night where the sounds of nature lull us to sleep are as relaxing... read more Written Endorsement from the Job Site Often times, short and simple is better. Honest Abe Log Home’s Construction Coordinator, Josh Watson, received an unexpected note of gratitude and endorsement recently from a customer. The unsolicited note was quickly written on the back of a check-off sheet used as... read more Building Pines Point Planning 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... read more Lasting Memories by Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes Security, warmth, stability; these are just a few feelings and memories Rachel Meadows took away from a visit to her grandfather’s homeplace as a small child. “I remember Daddy walking us through the log cabin he grew up in,”... read more America’s State Parks by Joshua Beasley, Honest Abe Log Homes Hidden treasure is spread across our great United States of America, just waiting to be discovered. Are you ready for the hunt? We’re not searching for fine jewels, or the luster of gold. There’s no need... read more Lemon-Lavender Pound Cakes Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 2 lemons 1 1/2 cups sugar, preferably superfine 1 1/2 cups cake flour (whisk it first before... read more KarSan Log Home Blog Blogs have become an incredible way for those building a log home to share their experience with family, friends and the world. One customer of independent dealer Arkansas Log Home Connection took full advantage of this tool. The KarSan Log Home blog has documented... read more Outdoor Ideas: A Look at Porches & Decks Now more than ever, porches, decks and outdoor living spaces are essential to new home construction. They provide superior protection to doors, windows and exterior walls. They help with a home’s energy efficiency, and have many other positive benefits. While all... read more Pan-Fried Fajita Steaks Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons kosher... read more 2011 Dealer of the Year Log Homes of West Virginia Named 2011 Dealer of the Year Honest Abe Log Homes Regional Dealer Manager David Everitt traveled to West Virginia on Feb. 9, 2011, to visit with Russ Saunders of Log Homes of WV. While there, they presented Russ with Honest Abe’s... read more Duck Breast with Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms Duck Breast with Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms – Honest Abe Living Magazine features Cooking with Lodge Cast Iron recipes in each issue along with photos of log cabins, log homes and timber frame homes. Ingredients 4 duck breasts (6 to 8 ounces each) Salt and... read more Get Answers at Log Home Shows, But Go Prepared So you’re planning your dream log home. All of a sudden, reality hits and you’re faced with a barrage of questions. What floor plan do I want? Which company do I chose? Do I want a round or square log? Is one wood species better than the rest? How will I match my... read more “Apples to Apples” Comparison Helps Lead Couple to Begin Construction Tucked away at the end of an almost mile long driveway lies the foundations of a dream that has been birthing in the hearts and minds of Eddie and Tonya Decker for many years. They are beginning to see this dream become a reality. In the last couple of months a lot... read more Construction of the Sears Home By Josh Watson, Construction Coordinator for Honest Abe Log Homes Coming in from the cold weather of Coventry, Connecticut, the Sears chose the warmth of an Honest Abe Log Home built in Tennessee. Upon completion of the design process this past April, the... read more Creating Affordable Log Homes You rarely hear these days “money is no object.” "No matter what your net worth, chances are you’re interested in making smart investments and getting the most for your money," said Josh Beasley, president of Honest Abe Log Homes. "Building a log home is no exception.... read more Get Free Information! Sign-up to receive free information from Honest Abe log home by mail and e-mail here! Read Honest Abe Living Read our free monthly online, interactive magazine here. Customer Stories Cater’s Cabin in the Woods Dealer Projects & Homes, Featured Homes « Older Entries ABOUT FLOOR PLANS GALLERY PACKAGES CONTACT PROJECTS SALES LOCATIONS VISIT MODEL EVENTS WEB CREDITS PRIVACY POLICY & GDPR FACEBOOK PINTEREST TWITTER YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM 800-231-3695 info@honestabe.com please log in Lost Your Password? 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