Last fall we purchased a small cabin to put on our property. It was made by the Amish as a “shed”. We finished the ceilings, floors and insulated it to make it into a cabin our family can use year round!
Living on the farm, it is difficult for us to be away very often. There are animals to tend to, gardens to be worked, grounds to be maintained, canning of foods etc. This little cabin is our way of having a vacation feeling while on our own land.
Here is a glimpse into our little Cabin in the Woods now that it is in full swing and being used every day!!
Let’s start with a look inside:
I wanted a total rustic feeling experience. I love how the exposed wood looks! The ceiling has been insulated and installed. We have 2 comfortable chairs on the one side and a kitchenette area on the other. This cabinet was made by the Man using our old pasture fencing and leftover slate from our woodburner area in the house. The fabric was from a friend of my mothers who made them for us. The table pulls into a 5 foot table when fully opened and the loveseat converts into our bed. The loft has featherbeds on top of foam cushion for extra comfort for the kids and their friends to sleep on. There is no electricity but a few battery operated fixtures work perfectly. We have electricity across at the ice shanty, but I don’t want to add it to the cabin!
A fire area is set up so we can cook our meals. We kick it up to get some nice coals to cook over.
A bug free dining area is also set up to eat under. While I love the outdoors, I am not a person who likes to eat outdoors with bugs around so this is a perfect solution!
A badminton set and cornhole game has been added for some great family fun.
A golf cart was added for “faster” access to the main house when needed and for bringing back supplies. This is the parking area.
My early morning view with coffee. I love the horse pasture right behind us. I can hear the horses softly nuzzle at night.
And while we are on our staycation vacation, we are close enough for our animals to interact with us as normal, I can enjoy my fast paced walks along the river, we can grill at the house if wanted and we can attend local events with the kids and their close friends!
We can drive one street over to where our boat is docked, jump on and enjoy a full day including lunch on the river and head in with a sunset tube ride.
We will do the nightly feeding of the animals and head back under the moonlight to the cabin for some smores or popcorn.
And at the end of a full day we retire into the cabin, play a few card games before getting a great nights rest.
We are beyond blessed and thankful every day for our camping area!!
chase n chance ranch 
Staycations are great! I grew up in the country, but not on a farm. We had a 2 acre wooded lakefront lot. We often had visiting cousins camp out in the yard in the summer, whether in a tent or a camper, and we had a great time together. Later, I would take my kids to the lake to camp out in tents with friends and visit my parents. We had all the fun of camping plus the great convenience of indoor plumbing on demand, and a kitchen to borrow if needed (not to mention plenty of floor space if the weather turned awful). Wonderful memories. 🙂
I can picture in my mind the lakefront you describe! Such great memories for you and your kids I am sure!!
I’m totally loving this post, Tina! Smiling throughout. Writing you this comment intermittently, revisiting the photos and writing again. I’m overcome with admiration for your family, for making this “vacation” home for yourselves on your own land. Woo-hoo!
Thank you Cynthia…it is truly a spot that makes my heart happy!!
I LOVE your little cabin in the big woods. Absolutely love it!
Thank you Laurie…it’s been a dream of ours for a very long time and being able to live it now is truly a dream come true!
What a fantastic cabin! You guys are making a wonderful life for your family, those kids will have such great memories to share as they grow up!
Hi Cristi!!! I’ve read your past few posts but for some reason I am not able to comment on them to you as it states “invalid security token”!! I hope all is well with you, hubby and the boys!! We are making memories and ones I hope the kids will cherish as much as I do! Tina