The Log Cabin Years- One Couple Builds a Home from Scratch and Creates a Life

by Cindy Ross

"Cindy Ross is one of today's most eloquent and thoughtful writers on the connection between humans and the natural world."—Richard Louv, New York Times bestselling author

The Log Cabin Years is the inspiring story of how award-winning author Cindy Ross and her husband, artist Todd Gladfelter—a young couple totally inexperienced in construction—built a log home using raw trees and without the use of power, how they recycled and used salvage to supplement their materials, and how the home went on to become a living, breathing part of their lives together.

With a perfect mix of memoir and practical information, The Log Cabin Years explores the ways the couple not only developed their building skills but defined the values and virtues by which they would continue to live—self-confidence, freedom, and independence. As the cabin walls grew, so, too, did Cindy and Todd—as individuals and as partners. Building a home forced the couple to learn to argue constructively, communicate openly, and work within the parameters of each person’s unique personality. The Log Cabin Years is a great example of how two people can learn to work together through difficult times, both mental and physical.

For their efforts, they were able to build, and then live in, a beautiful home—debt free.

From hosting Appalachian Trail hikers to offering a sanctuary for recovering veterans, from providing a place to homeschool and teach their children to launching Todd’s very successful career as a chainsaw carving artist, the cabin has given back, fostering creativity, learning, and healing.

Building your own home has long been an American dream. The desire and need to live more sustainably has seeped into all aspects of our lives. The Log Cabin Years will speak to all people who wish to live a more sustainable life, empower themselves, build relationships, learn skills, and perhaps create a hand-built home of their own.

Genres: Memoir

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter were both outdoors people and long distance hikers. From a young age Cindy read an article about a school for building log cabins and saved it - she and Todd would eventually attend there before starting the process of building their own log cabin. Both dreamed of living a minimalist lifestyle, close to the land, and working to live instead of living to work. But, building a log cabin home from scratch by two semi-inexperienced people (who are also married to each other) is definitely a labor of love. Cindy does a great job of detailing the years they spent building their log cabin home without getting too technical. What I thought was the most interesting is how attuned she was to their relationship and how the cabin build both strengthened and tested their marriage. She also had several interesting interactions with other men who came to help and didn't like being shown up or managed by a woman in the more "manly" field of construction. Overall, it was definitely an interesting book, but all the work they did was incredibly hard both physically and mentally and sometimes it was exhausting just to read about how hard they were working. There were some drawings to illustrate some things in the book, but I would have loved to have had some photos included as well.

[Janie O · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! What an undertaking! I really could not fathom having the strength and vision to stay so focused on the mammoth goal they had set before them to hand build their own 2500 square foot log cabin, doing nearly all the work themselves and, thus, also staying out of debt. The author was honest about the rough times, and I loved the insight to the importance of their marriage and communication in that as she would become aware of a struggle coming between them she brought it to the open and he would meet her in finding the solution. It was an inspiring book to read.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a testament to the strength and tenacity of this couple that they built their own log cabin and stayed married. The author details their preparation and execution of the building process for 5 years in the 1980s. I like reading books like this because I would never do this but I admire people who have the determination and ingenuity to complete a Herculean task. I also liked all the descriptions people who helped them. Thanks to Edelweiss and Skyhorse publishing for the advance read.