Over the centuries, tradition took its place in passing down lifestyle patterns - how to cook, hunt, build, parent - in short, survive. Some of those traditions have lasted through time and now bring us wonderful memories that we want to share with our loved ones - things like when your family opens Christmas gifts - do you do it on Christmas eve or Christmas day? Or, how about which foods are an institution at family gatherings? Gramma's Buns, Aunt Lucie's Chocolate Pie, or Grampa's Juice?

Just as traditions are interesting ways to hold families together, how a tradition got started often becomes part of the family folklore.

Take for example, the Grampa's Juice mentioned above. This wonderful holiday punch came about because one holiday, someone had forgotten to assign a family member to provide a beverage for the meal. At the last minute, Grampa noted that there was a large bottle of grape juice in the cupboard and some frozen lemonade in the freezer - why not try combining them? Although there were skeptics among the adults, the kids thought it was a great idea (you know how kids are - they'll try anything that sounds too exotic to taste good as long as it's their creation!). Anyway, the grape juice and lemonade were combined, a little ice added and !Voila! a new holiday tradition began! Now at every family gathering, Grampa's Juice is always among the beverage choices, and yes, even the adults ask for it! And every year, as new members to the family gathering are introduced to Grampa's Juice, the story of how it came to be is told again!

That's the beauty of tradition. It carries forward the wonderful legacy our forebears have handed down to us across the great gulf of time. Just as children check their Christmas stocking on Christmas morning, or adults gather to sing carols and enjoy Wassail, these traditions warm our hearts and help us remember that we come from a special heritage that is all our own.

Whether it's celebrating St. Lucia or lighting the Menorrah, we hand down to our children a precious sense of self, of belonging to something greater and broader than just their tiny family group. They gain a sense of pride in who they are and the culture they come from - even if that culture has largely been assilimated into the larger global montage of modern life.

So, consider your family and what traditions you want them to take away from your home. It may be gathering in front of the TV for Bowl Games on New Year's Day, or hot cocoa in a thermos after ice skating. No matter what the tradition, make sure you hand down or build something new to keep your family legacy and love alive!

by Cabin Girl at Cabinlifestyles.com

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You must be sitting in my den!
Born of necessity... As I write this article, it is 24 degrees outside my window, but toasty warm inside our log home on this late November Montana evening. Although we haven't yet seen much snow, 'ol man winter has had his grip on us for a couple of months. What is interesting is that our furnace has not yet been called-up for duty - and yes, the thermostat is working. We have a woodstove. In fact, we have one of those popular Canadian models that burn incredibly efficiently, keeps the glass clean and has a temperature controlled fan that directs heat throughout the house. Our stove isn't for show,
nor is its purpose to create a sense of romantic ambiance, in season it works 24 hours a day keeping my family warm.

I like everything about using a woodstove. I cut, split and stack my own firewood because I really enjoy the exercise that provides. I like the ritual of starting a fire and nursing it back to life in the morning from the overnight coals. I like walking into our home on a cold winter's day and feeling that natural warmth that no furnace can duplicate. I also happen to like saving thousands of dollars each year on LP gas.

The only thing I didn't like (past tense) about our circumstance is that our stove is located in a corner of our den that is not convenient to the door. Although I have an ample supply of firewood just outside the door, hauling it to the woodstove was a chore. If you keep the home fire burning 24/7, you're talking about a lot of trips to the door. I had been pondering a solution to this dilemma for a couple of years and even proposed an idea on my blog in September of '06.

In lieu of cutting a hole on the wall for easier access to the firewood supply, I decided that the best way to address my problem was to increase the amount of wood I stored inside - and improve my method of firewood 'transportation'. I simply needed a bigger firewood rack - mounted on wheels! An oh yeah, it had to look good to please my bride's fastidious taste in furniture, and it would be nice to have a place to store matches and fire starters.

Functionality in the entire design was my primary rationale when planning this piece. I wanted it to serve its purpose, and look like a piece of custom furniture.

1. The slab top blends with our rustic decor, adds strength and offers a place for a lamp, photos or flower vase, etc.

2. Wrought iron frame surrounds the firewood preventing scratches to the base and looks rustically terrific.

3. Holds enough firewood for days of continuous burning.

4. The base houses one drawer and conceals the casters.

5. The large drawer stores matches, fire starters and gloves. The drawer has an authentic antler pull and hidden latches to keep it from opening when the unit is being moved.

How this evolved...
I love log furniture, and have built much of the furniture in our home (see the log and slab china closet I made for my bride). Thus, my original intent was to create this piece using logs for the side rails. I went as far as to peel the logs and cut the tenons before I decided to scrap that plan. My concern was that over time, the logs would get too banged-up from the constant firewood in/out activity. I considered inlaying steel 'runners' in the logs and base, but chose to construct a wrought iron 'cage', which would serve my purpose.

I am one of those DIY-type of guys who knows enough about enough things to be... 'dangerous'. My acetylene torch is one of those things. I know how to do basic brazing and shape heated steel with my vise and maul. And as my firewood rack will attest, my proficiency is enough to get by. I don't own a welding unit, which would be my first choice for such a project, but a good brazing job can yield acceptable results.

With this open design, one could built such a unit to any dimensions that works for your surroundings. Although the rack is mounted on casters, it would be difficult to maneuver this around tight corners with a full load of wood. In our home, we have to wheel this around a couch and table, and it works splendidly. What makes this so useful is that the rack holds about 10 - 12 arm loads of wood saving me about 300+ cumulative steps fetching wood every few hours. Mission accomplished!

Want to buy one for your home?
Until I hear otherwise, I intend to claim full credit as the inventor of the "Ultimate Firewood Rack - Butler - Storage - Time Saver - Furniture - Thing" (catchy name, huh?). I may be the inventor, but I must report that I have no plans to produce such a product for sale... sorry. However, if you are the DIY type and would like to build such a piece for your home, you can get my step-by-step plans with pictures and all kinds of tips and helpful hints.

How much?
How about FREE? All I ask in return is that you tell a friend (or 2 or 10 friends) about this website and bookmark us for future visits. We are always adding new articles such as this and would be pleased to call you a 'FOLD' (Friend of the Log Directory)

This article graciously provided by Tom Heatherington at LogCabinDirectory.com

The festive season more than any other time of year can mean more stress rather than more fun. Now is the time to use some quick stress busting tips to keep you sane and bring back the joy.

People can feel stressed at any time of year but when you already have a busy schedule and enough stress in work, add in the Christmas merry-go-round and the pressure can reach breaking point.

Buying presents can stretch the budget way beyond the bounds of credibility, demands on time increase, and family gatherings can be a challenge. If you are facing the holiday period alone, that can feel very daunting and may bring a lot of sadness.

This year simplify your life with these tips and enjoy the season more: Decide now that you are not going to get into debt (or increase your debt) over Christmas. It really is the thought that counts and that starts with using your brain and the internet for gift shopping. Choosing a theme e.g books, films, music, slipper socks, means that everyone gets a different gift but you only have to look and buy in one place. It makes it easier to stick to your budget and sometimes you can get discounts on multiple purchases.

Practice breathing exercises. Breathe deeply and easily, letting your shoulders, neck, and back relax and let go. You can do this wherever you are, sitting at your desk works well.

During the holidays the average person gains 5 pounds and then comes yet another New Years Resolution to lose them. Why do that to yourself? Eat less the day before you are going to a party or big meal. Do simple things to move more, like dancing to your favorite songs or parking further away from work or the shops.

With friends, rather than buying gifts suggest that you spend time with each other instead. You could all go and see a film and have a break from the madness. You will save hours of trying to decide what they want, shopping, wrapping, etc.

Family gatherings are great if they are something you look forward to. However, if they tend to be a challenge, prepare emotionally ahead of time. Visualize yourself staying calm. Try to be detached, know that the party, day or whatever, will come to an end and you may not see the family for a while.

Release the need to make judgements or get pulled into those of others. It helps to have a well developed sense of humour.

If you are planning and hosting a family event then consider reducing the amount of alcohol available as people are rarely at their best after a skinful.

Know that you deserve to have fun too so make sure you ask for and accept other peoples help.

Plan ahead. Make a list of priorities and stay focused on them. Spend a few minutes at night deciding what is most important to get done the next day. Be reasonable in your expectations!

Set boundaries for yourself. Its OK to say no to something you do not want to do. Respect your own need for time.

If you are spending the holiday period alone then do not set yourself up for sadness. It is easy to get into the poor me mindset. There are many who would envy you the peace and freedom.

Make this a special time for you. Visualise and plan the treat you are giving yourself. Get in some delightful foods, maybe some favourite films or books, pamper yourself.

Consider inviting someone to join you, you would be amazed how many people spend the holiday period alone.

Volunteers are usually in demand during this period and it can be very rewarding and sociable but only get involved if it is what you really want to do.

However you spend the holiday period,remember that letting someone know you care is the greatest gift of all. This season, say I love you as much as possible to family and friends. Let people know why they are special to you. Then remember to love and appreciate yourself.

Article Source: http://articlesgalore.info

Gillian is an internationally renowned metaphysical teacher, international workshop leader, speaker and author. For more information visit www.aplacefortheheart.co.uk

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