Hello Still-Sleepy-From-Too-Much-Turkey Bloggers,

I hope that everyone had a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving holiday. I don’t know about you, but I ate too much - on purpose! I love Thanksgiving because it’s the one true time of the year where overeating is actually encouraged. And those delectable leftovers, yum - but I digress.

As voting for Blog Cabin 2009 approaches (we are shooting for a Jan. 3 launch - right around the corner!), I wanted to get your opinion of past voting features. What is your favorite thing to vote on? What features are not so important for you? What features would you like to vote on that we haven’t put up for a vote?

To give you a little inside scoop, voting features are a very intricate, fluid aspect of Blog Cabin, involving producers, builders, sponsors and a myriad of other considerations, you being one of them. Your voice is always important in our decision making, so let us know how you feel about the process and what you’d like to see.  

Your intrepid blog host,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Patricia “Gayle” Donaldson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana! You can read about Gayle’s reaction and the answers to many of your selected questions here. Also, be sure to visit the Blog Cabin Video Center for all seven clips from her Q & A session.

Everyone at DIY Network and DIYnetwork.com wants to wish Gayle our warmest congratulations! Take the opportunity to let her and everyone know your thoughts below … she has some very kind things to say about our dedicated band of bloggers in one of her video clips. We’re so excited for you, Gayle!

Hello Ever-Patient Bloggers,

Thank you guys so much for all the questions for the future Blog Cabin winner - who has been selected, by the way … As we approach the November 13 announcement, another question struck me that I would like your opinion on: where should the next Blog Cabin be, and why?

Let’s keep the locations here in the good ol’ USA (because I know for a fact it will be somewhere here in the lower 48 for production purposes). Where would you love for it to be? I’m eager to hear (and make an attempt to keep us somewhat topic-oriented during Blog Cabin “down time”).

Best,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

P.S. Everyone at DIY Network and DIYnetwork.com, our thoughts are with blogger A. Muse’s family.

Hello Dedicated Band of Enthusiastic Bloggers,

Your aloof-but-faithful blog manager Watson here. I hope everyone is well and has successfully dealt with the Blog Cabin Withdrawl Symptoms that are prevalent this time of year. The only known cure for “Blog Cabin Withdrawl” is another year of Blog Cabin - which will (tentatively) begin Jan. 1, 2009. There are steps you can take, however, such as watching Blog Cabin 2008 as it re-airs or take a trip down memory lane.

In the meantime, I was curious about something. If you had the chance to ask the winner of Blog Cabin 2008 one question, what would it be? Please tell me below - and yes, if you need to, include more than one question!

Cheers,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Faithful and Articulate Bloggers,

Although I loved the Blog Cabin finale, I have to say I was a little sad that it was over. The great thing about this series is seeing Ahmed and all the guest experts do their thing … and then I realized it’s happening all over again. That’s right, Blog Cabin 2008 will start over with the first episode on Thursday, Oct. 2 @ 9pm ET. So for everyone who wasn’t able to watch from the beginning, next Thursday is your chance!

The series will wrap up on Thursday, November 13 which will be around the same time that we announce the winner of the Blog Cabin! So keep watching and blogging, and in the meantime keep an eye on our newest series Project Xtreme. Did you catch the debut last night? I think it’s going to be a lot of fun. Even better, if you’ve ever been involved in your own personally “xtreme” project, you can upload videos and photos so others can check it out.

Happy Blogging / Relax this Weekend,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Salutations Devoted Bloggers,

I hope everyone got the chance to see Jimmy DiResta’s incredible, one-of-a-kind trundle boat bed assembled last night. How cool is this? I loved how the Twins put together the space-saving Tulip Poplar bookshelf as well. The guys just make it look so easy.  

Anyway, it was a great show and has me really looking forward to the finale that airs next Thursday, Sept. 25 @ 9pm ET. I also wanted to remind you that time is running out on your chance to enter to win Blog Cabin! You’ve got until 5pm Monday, Sept. 29. Enter every day!

Warm wishes for a wonderful weekend,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Awesome Bloggers,

Just wanted to make you aware of a couple things. First off, I think that BlognBob’s contribution of Old Glory to the Blog Cabin looks especially beautiful today. On DIY Network tonight, Kevin and Roger from This Old House stop by the cabin at 9pm ET, bringing their unique home improvement expertise. Amy Matthews stops by at 9:30pm ET, and then we follow up her visit with her own cool show, Sweat Equity at 10 - so don’t miss it!

Also, something very cool is happening with our friends at Boyles Distinctive Furniture: a Blog Cabin Bedroom Furniture Giveaway! On November 1, our furniture partners are giving away the beautiful master bedroom suite, valued at over $12,000. Entering is FREE, so head on over and register to win!

Talk to you soon,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

Hello Post-Labor-Day Bloggers!

It is my pleasure to announce that the 2008 Blog Cabin online tour is up and running! (Navigation tip: Position your cursor in the center of the tour window, right click and HOLD, then move your mouse and drag the cursor around the room.) Be sure to check out all the videos that are featured inside the tour, click on sponsor info and stroll through the home by using the blue arrows to guide you (or select a highlighted area on our interactive floor plan).

Other special features include room details from our Editor, David Haynes, brand-new slide shows and even shopping. So extend your Labor Day weekend, take another day off work and get lost in the Blog Cabin …

Happy Touring,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

P.S. I almost forgot to remind you - you have to enter the giveaway in order to be eligible to win Blog Cabin 2008. Enter every day through Sept. 29.

Hello Ever-Loving Bloggers!

So I have to share with you some thoughts I had about watching Blog Cabin 2008 last night (I missed the premiere while traveling - a fireable offense, right?). I thought they were great episodes - what about John DiResta from Hammered trying to get up that ladder? And Matt Blashaw, our new host of Deconstruction - I loved the enthusiasm he brought to the Cabin.

I admit it - I’m a huge fan of movie mistakes, so I couldn’t help but notice when one of the twins, Chris, checked his watch when he found out the stone masons weren’t showing … but there was no watch on his wrist (anybody else catch that one?). Then the ballistics potato test? Outrageous. You know you are in Tennessee when the potato cannon comes out!

Okay, so maybe I’m biased, I work here. But you, fellow viewers and bloggers, don’t. So tell me what you thought about the show. And don’t forget, you should enter the Blog Cabin Giveaway every single day. Keep your eyes peeled for our 360-degree online tour (take a look at the 2007 Blog Cabin) - our web designers are pouring sweat over hot computers to deliver this stunning tour before August is a memory.

Cheers and have a great weekend,

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager

P.S. My long-awaited vacation to New York City recently has precluded me from responding personally to your comments - now that I’m back, I hope to change that.

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to bring your attention to some various details of both the Blog Cabin and our Blog Cabin “Central” online area.

• Our Cabin Cam is officially off. Since most construction on the Blog Cabin has ceased, we’ve ended daily updates. Please feel free to review the entire construction in this area, and stay tuned for an updated time lapse video!
• We are televising brand-new, back-to-back episodes of Blog Cabin 2008 every Thursday evening at 9pm and 9:30pm ET (through Sept. 18). Each 9:30pm episode features a DIY expert showcasing their very own show at 10pm ET, so be sure to tune in.
• For an easy way to navigate to all things Blog Cabin, there is a small “Blog Cabin” link directly to the right of our ubiquitous search window found on 99% of our site.

That’s all for now - take care and see you back here every day, right?

Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager