Lilac City Momma

Lynn

5 Reasons to Buy a Log Cabin in North Carolina

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The United States offers a wide variety of amazingly beautiful places where you can choose to live. You can choose a cottage by the ocean, a big farmhouse surrounded by open fields, or a log cabin in the mountains. Each option comes with unique benefits that connect to the heart of the people who choose to live there.

While everyone has their preferences, there are definite advantages in choosing to buy a log cabin in the heights of a mountainous state like North Carolina. Here are five reasons to buy a log cabin in North Carolina.

The weather is fantastic all of the time

While North Carolina still experiences all four seasons and will get snow in the winter, the weather is otherwise moderate year-round. The summers are not overly hot, and the winters are not cold.

The mild climate and the energy efficiency of log cabins ensure the utility costs stay low. You won’t experience the extreme storms you may experience living near the ocean or in the central plains.

The Great Smoky Mountains are majestic

The Great Smoky Mountains run through North Carolina and offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. These mountains are lush with vegetation and animals that add to the overall beauty and appeal of the region. While you can build a log cabin anywhere, they naturally fit into the beauty of the mountains.

Home maintenance is easier with a log cabin

Log cabins are ideal because they’re low maintenance. Log cabins do not need insulation, painting, or finishing. While they are not without maintenance entirely, they require significantly less than other types of houses.

They last longer than other forms of homes, and they are more energy-efficient. Signs of damage are easier to identify early and repair than different types of structures and materials as well.

Additionally, log cabin manufacturers usually follow green building standards, ensuring the practice of sustainable harvesting practices. For those who love the region, it’s essential to know that you are not damaging the area with a large carbon footprint.

Perfect place for outdoor activities

From your cabin, you can go bicycling, fishing, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, and wildlife watching. You can cook over a fire and check out the scenery including waterfalls, rivers, peaks, and endless skies. Living in a log cabin also helps you feel more connected to your natural surroundings by offering a constant reminder of what the land is providing you.

 

Choosing a log cabin can make your dreams come true faster than ever

 

The process of building a log cabin is far more streamlined than more traditional houses and housing materials. The cabin can be built in different weather conditions, so the process will not be slowed down like it would with a conventional frame house. From start to finish, a log cabin can be framed in two weeks. While the interior will take longer to finish, the frame will go up significantly faster than other housing options.

There is something beautiful about living in a log cabin that connects you to not only the land but a simpler way of life. Looking for log homes for sale in NC can allow you to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the natural world around you that you can’t do in densely populated areas. There is a quietness in the mountains that you won’t find anywhere else.

Living in a log cabin doesn’t mean you have to go off the grid. You can still enjoy all the amenities of modern life but do it in a more tranquil atmosphere.

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Leisure Holidays: 3 Finance Tips

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Traveling can be costly, especially if you want to see as much as possible while you are on vacation. But how do you keep the cost down, without compromising on fun and special memories? Here are three tips to stay on track with budget while you’re on vacation.

Plan & Book in Advance

You might think you’ve got a long time to wait until your vacation, but if you start getting organized now, you will reap the rewards later. If you know exactly where you want to go and what you want to do – perfect! You can start writing an itinerary now and booking tickets in advance. According to gocompare.com, it’s been proven that the early bird really does catch the worm when booking ahead. Apparently, the cheapest time to book a vacation is 11 months in advance, but this may not be possible for everyone if you have kids or other responsibilities. In terms of travel, last-minute deals are a lot harder to come across nowadays.

Budget for Everything

Before you’ve even booked the vacation, it’s helpful to save as much as you can to pay for it. Save a portion of your wages every month and place in an account, so you can’t touch it. Once you know where you want to go, it’s time to write a budget that allows for the necessities and fun activities too. Impulse purchases can happen more frequently on vacation, so figure out your budget for the whole trip and create a vacation budget planner. You can then plan what you are doing each day, and split the cost of activities, food, and accommodation.

According to Natalia Lusinski, who was interviewed by Business Insider, it’s quite simple to create a budget for travel. As a digital nomad, Natalia works remotely and has been traveling the world for more than 2 years. So when it comes to making a living and working abroad, she knows how to travel and budget for it too. She claims it’s better to pay in cash so you can track your spending better and research goes a long way. Look up travel options and destination tips in advance. It’s also worth visiting tourist hotspots in the off-peak season.

Take a Staycation

Staycations are fast becoming the new trend for people who want to explore more of the country they live in. A lot of people have turned to staying closer to home for many reasons, such as cost, fear of flying, and responsibilities like pets and children.

With the idea of home comforts, more and more people are finding ways to finance a leisure vehicle so that they can travel and explore their own country. You can take an amazing break and unwind in the comfort of motorhome or caravan.

We’ve all had the dream of packing up and driving off to explore wherever you want. In the long run, it may be well worth the investment, as you will save money on eating out all the time, traveling to the destination and accommodation, which can be a chunk of your budget while you’re on vacation.

 

A Complete Guide To Surviving Winter

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Winter is now just around the corner, which means that now is an excellent time to start preparing for this time of year. Winter can be a lovely season, and it is particularly special around Christmas, but it can also be one of the most challenging, uncomfortable and even unsafe seasons if you are not careful. The harsh conditions that arrive at this time of the year can create a host of issues to deal with so it is important that you are well-prepared and know how to stay safe so that you can enjoy everything that is so special about this season.

Clothing Tips

First, you need to make sure that you have suitable clothing for the winter months so that you can stay warm, dry, and comfortable throughout the season. The essential items to invest in for winter are:

  • Sturdy boots
  • A waterproof jacket
  • A large winter coat
  • Knitwear
  • Gloves
  • Scarf
  • Beanie

Driving Advice

The biggest concern that people have when winter arrives is driving because the conditions can make this much more dangerous. There are many more accidents and breakdowns in winter compared to the rest of the year, which means that you need to be careful and only drive when necessary.

  • Car Maintenance: It is a good idea to get the vehicle serviced when the weather starts to turn to make sure that it is in good working condition. You then need to carry out maintenance tasks like topping up the tire pressure, replacing the oil and changing the windscreen wipers.
  • Keeping the car running: Although you should avoid driving when the conditions are poor, you shouldn’t let the car sit idle for too long, so it is worth taking it round the block or changing its parking position if it has been left for a few days and the temperature has dropped. You should also keep the vehicle parked under cover or purchase a cover for the car to protect it from the elements and falling debris.
  • Emergency kit: It is a smart idea to have an emergency kit in the car in case you have an accident or if the vehicle breaks down. This needs to include items like a flashlight, first-aid kit, high-visibility jacket, phone charger, food and water, blankets and a spare change of clothes.
  • Driving in hazardous conditions: If you do have to drive when the conditions are hazardous, you must be careful. You need to maintain a sensible speed, keep your distance from vehicles ahead, avoid sharp turns and gently accelerate and brake.

Property Tips

The weather can also take its toll on your property, so you need to know how to maintain your home during winter so that it remains a warm, comfortable, and safe refuge.

  • Roof & gutters: Check the roof for any signs of damage and call out an experienced roofer if there is any work that needs doing. You also need to get up on a ladder and clean your gutters out, which can become filled with debris after autumn.
  • Boiler: You will be relying heavily on your boiler during winter so you should get this serviced before the weather turns so that you know that it will work as it should throughout the coldest months of the year.
  • Pipes: Pipes can often burst or leak during this time of the year, so you need to know how to shut off the main water valve. You will also need the number of a good plumber who you can call out in an emergency. You can go online and search for “plumbing companies near me” if you have not got one already.
  • Chimney: If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace, then you should always hire a chimney sweep before starting a fire. This is to avoid carbon monoxide coming back into the home and to make sure that the chimney works as it should.
  • Insulation: Insulation is important because it can help to keep the warmth inside the house and the cold out. In addition to making the property a comfortable temperature, this is also a great way to reduce your energy bills, which can be much higher during winter.
  • Drafts: Drafts are frustrating because they can let the cold in even if you have insulation. You need to find these drafts and fix them so that you can keep the cold out and maintain a comfortable temperature inside the home.

Winter can be a tricky time of year as the weather and conditions can interfere with your daily life. These are the main areas that you will need to consider so that you can enjoy all the positives that this season can bring.

 

How Anti-Fogging Helmets Work

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When you are flying down the road on your motorcycle, the very most important thing is safety. It is impossible to be safe if your vision is impaired, which is why having some kind of anti-fogging strategy is so vital. The lens on your helmet can fog up for many different reason, but essentially it is always because of water droplets forming on the glass. There are just as many ways to prevent or remove fogging as there are ways the fog can form in the first place. Learn how your motorcycle riding gear fogs up in the first place, and what you can do about it.

How Anti-Fogging Works

There are essentially two ways for motorcycle helmets to deal with fogging. The most common option is ventilation. It is most effective to heat a surface to remove the fog, but this is not easy to achieve in a motorcycle helmet. Allowing air to pass over the visor has a very similar effect, even if it is not quite as good as heat. Any motorcycle helmet that is worth using will have vents built in, which helps you stay cool and comfortable while riding. In many helmets, the vents can be opened and closed. If your visor is fogging up, check if your vents are closed. It can be inconvenient in the winter to open them up and let the warm air out, but it is much better than not being able to see. Another option is to crack open the visor a tiny amount to get better ventilation. Keep in mind that this method will only work for fogging on the inside of the helmet, although this is by far the most common kind. If the outside of your visor fogs up, it is probably because you are riding in the rain or a very humid environment. You can find anti-fog motorcycle helmets online. Aside from ventilation, another method of anti-fogging is to prevent water droplets from forming in the first place. There are actually many different options that employ this strategy.

Other Options

  • Face Mask – Most of the time, the inside of the visor fogs up due to your breath. Wearing a face mask under your helmet can direct your breath away from the visor, which prevents fogging altogether. Make sure you are comfortable with your mask and that it does not accidentally direct your breath toward the visor.
  • Inserts – Some helmet inserts can block the water vapor entirely. Not all helmets have the pinholes needed to attach an insert, however. If this is the strategy you hope for, look for a helmet that is marked as “Pinlock-ready.”
  • External Products – Did you ever do the science experiment of putting soap on your mirror before taking a shower? The soap keeps water droplets from grouping together and the mirror does not fog up. The same principle can be used with your helmet. There are products you can spray or rub on your visor to keep it clear.

Before you start riding, make sure you have all the dual sport riding gear and accessories you need to stay safe.

To read more on topics like this, check out the DIY category.

Filed Under: DIY

How to Make the Most Out of a Florida Family Holiday

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When travelling to Florida for a family holiday, you want to make the most of the limited time you have in the Sunshine State. You may be on holiday for a week or a month, but when the trip is finite, you want to get as much in as possible without breaking the bank. Here are some ideas you may want to explore.

Book Your Travel Plans Early

One thing you should really know before planning a family holiday to the State of Florida is that rates are seasonal. Not only are flights in and out of the state cheaper off-season, but so is just about everything else. From accommodation to attractions, there are peak-season and off-season rates, so if your budget is as finite as your stay, you will want to book everything as early as possible, and off-season travel is the best deal you’ll get.

Get Advance Tickets for Florida Parks

Even off-season, some of the theme parks are quite expensive, so it pays to get advance tickets on a site like American Attractions in the UK, where you can choose between every major attraction in the Orlando area. This way, choosing Florida park tickets is a matter of browsing the theme parks available (and finding the best deals!). Be forewarned, though, that there are lots to choose from, so have the family there to get input as to what everyone would like to see and do!

Spend Time at the Many Beaches in the Sunshine State

Stepping away from those attractions for just a moment, you wouldn’t want to visit the Sunshine State without taking in some of that glorious sunshine, would you? There are many beaches both on the Atlantic Coast as well as on the Gulf side and most are open 12 months of the year. Actually, they are always ‘open’, but some amenities may be closed, and lifeguards may not be on duty. Even so, if it’s sun you’re after, Florida beaches are a must!

Odd Things You Won’t See at Home in the UK

No matter where you go in the world, there are going to be theme parks – that’s a given. However, Florida does have some amazing attractions you simply won’t find elsewhere. Take, for example, Gatorland, which is located quite close to Walt Disney World. Here, you will be able to see gators up close and personal, but don’t get too close, because they are still alligators after all! You will see live shows, watch gators eating out of the hands of their keepers, and enjoy the themed rides all inside this one attraction. Now, that’s something you wouldn’t see at home!

Even on a budget, you can enjoy much of what Florida has to offer on your family holiday, because there is plenty to do at no cost, such as visiting those glorious beaches, as well as the availability of advance ticketing and off-season pricing. Take the time to plan well, and this will be the best family holiday ever.