Cabin Mistakes Fixed, Property Walk & Coffee Chat (Episode 857)
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In Episode 857 of The LOTS Project Morning Show, I share a full update on life, projects, and a few lessons learned along the way. From a weeklong visit with the in-laws to progress on the cabin build, this episode digs into the cabin mistakes and fixes we’ve already had to tackle, plus a property walk with Kerry Brown and some upcoming product reviews you won’t want to miss.
Coffee Corner: A Happy Accident Blend + Telegram-Only Sale
This morning’s cup was a tasty accident—light Colombian blended with medium-dark Peruvian from FoodForestFarms.com. I finished off an FTO Blonde Espresso and brewed a single mug of the new blend to top it off. Great mouthfeel, clean finish, and it plays surprisingly well together. I’m still curious to try a dark Brazilian + light Colombian remix soon.
👉 Exclusive Coffee Sale: There’s a limited-time Food Forest Farms sale for the LOTS crew exclusively in our Telegram chat. Join t.me/lotsprojectchat (pinned post). If you don’t see it after joining, just say “here for the coffee sale” and I’ll drop it for you.
General site code still works: LOTS10 for 10% off + free shipping.
Why I Switched to the AeroPress (and Don’t Miss the French Press)
After years of being a stainless French press guy, I moved to the AeroPress and haven’t looked back. It’s basically a clean hybrid of French press + pour-over + drip:
- Cleaner cup and way easier cleanup—the spent puck just pops out.
- Dial in your ratio by weight, press a concentrate, then top with hot water to taste.
- Inverted method FTW: assemble upside down, steep, cap, flip, swirl, press.
You can find the AeroPress on my Product Reviews page on TheLOTSProject.com (top row). It’s become my everyday brewer.
Week-in-Review: In-Laws, Off-Screens, and Shop Class in the Mud
We had a great visit with the in-laws—lots of time off-screens, plenty of cabin work days, and one gorgeous evening cookout at the property. We also took a quick trip to Pickwick Dam (couldn’t tour due to security restrictions), spotted some raptors at the park enclosure, played cornhole, and learned a new card game: Five Crowns. Solid week.
Cabin Build: The Mistakes We Made and How We Fixed Them
We pushed the build forward and—keeping it real—made a couple mistakes we had to untangle. Here’s the transparent breakdown so you can avoid the same pain:
The Plan:
- Center support: 35′ two-ply 2×12 beam on new footers, supported by 6×6 posts.
- Outside girders already hung using interior screw hangers (tight clearances).
- Beam built in place (laminated with construction adhesive + structural screws) to avoid lifting a 500–600 lb monster into position.
The First “Uh-Oh”
After laminating the beam and locking it to posts, one end looked too high. Measurements confirmed it: ~3 inches high relative to the outside girders. We weighed two bad options:
- Lower the beam: risky lifts, working under weight, and re-trimming post tops.
- Adjust all exterior girders up to match the beam height.
We initially chose #2 and moved four exterior girders upward to the “high” end.
The Second “Wait… What?”
While finishing the other side, we realized only one end of the center beam was high—not both. Over 35 feet, 3″ can hide in the bubble if your string isn’t dead-on. Result: one set of exterior girders matched the high end, the other matched the correct end. Awesome. 😅
The Final Fix
- We dropped the high end of the center beam back to spec.
- Used ratchet straps for safety/stability and bottle jacks for a controlled, precise drop into the hangers.
- Re-trimmed and reattached at the proper level.
- Returned the four exterior girders we moved back to their original height.
Back on Track: Joists Going Up
After the fix, we hung 19 of 52 joists and found our rhythm. The next sprint: finish joists and lay 3/4″ subfloor. Target: floor system wrapped by early October, then walls, windows/doors, and on toward being livable by year’s end.
Property Walk with Kerry Brown from Strong Roots Resources
Kerry Brown—from Strong Roots Resources—joined us for a property walk at Delinquents Gully.
Wins & To-Dos:
- Mushroom logs (Shiitake) finally flushing after the big rains. Oyster varieties should follow as temps drop. If needed later, we’ll soak & shock—but signs are good.
- Hops-on-a-Hill Experiment: No flat ground? No problem. We’re setting a tree-to-tree highline with pulleys 20′ up, then lowering it to ground level for harvest and re-tying every spring. Bonus: seasonal shade screen for propagation beds below.
- Comfrey Production Patch: Converting a cleared slope into on-contour swales with rows of Bocking #4 comfrey. Passive water capture + drought resilience + propagation at scale.
- Springhead Hunt: After a 7″+ flash flood wiped our temporary creek catch, we’re cutting a trail into the “inaccessible” ravine to find and properly box the springhead—potentially serving both properties.
Sponsor Spotlight
🔒 Blockstream Jade & Jade Plus
If you’re stacking sats, don’t leave them in hot wallets. The Blockstream Jade is open-source, affordable, and beginner-friendly; the Jade Plus upgrades to a larger screen, easier navigation, and optional metal case. They pair with the new Blockstream App for a smooth setup.
👉 Grab yours here: https://store.blockstream.com/?code=TheLOTSProject
🌱 ComfreyRoots.com
Bocking #4 comfrey for soil building, chop-and-drop, compost acceleration, and salves—shipping Mondays now that the brutal heat has passed. Fall and post-frost planting both work great; the crowns will sleep and explode in spring.
👉 Order at ComfreyRoots.com
Join the Conversation
- Telegram: t.me/thelotsprojectchat (coffee sale pinned; ask if you can’t see it)
- Coffee: FoodForestFarms.com — code LOTS10
- Support the Show: Like, share, and subscribe. Comments and questions fuel next week’s episode.
