Preventing Cabin Fever, Kismet Cabin Exterior

Now that winter is setting in, which means cooler weather and longer, darker days - I can feel the beginnings of cabin fever starting to brew. So it's time to turn my attention to the outside of the cabin because once spring gets here, I'm going to want to enjoy the sun on my face.

I spent quite a bit of time this fall cleaning the exterior of the cabin. I kinda wish I'd taken a before picture to show all the vines growing across the cabin which were starting to work their way under the clap board siding and the seams of windows, which is why they had to be removed. There's a few places along the roof line that I need to work on but over all the cabin exterior cleaned up very nicely.

There's still things to be done though. The cabin is in desperate need of new coats of paint, which of course means lots and sanding and scraping in my future. I'd like to give it some charm and character by painting it a light blue with a light green trim. Then I could use purple as accents for trellis and the screen door (I'm still looking for an old wooden one to install).

Also, the ground has been very wet every since the torrential rains began in May and carried through to Thanksgiving. This means lots of mud especially right in front of the cabin which sees the most traffic so there's no grass growing, just a dirty slushy mush. There are a few flagstones right around the stoop under the porch cover and I'd like to extend that out entirely in front of the cabin.

Right now the stoop is a stacked pile of cinder blocks. My plan is to build a wooden stoop that would act as storage for my ladder, rake and other garden supplies. I also want to put a kitchen cabinet outside to the left of the door. The lower cabinet would hide the propane tank that currently sits on the ground. Then I could use the upper cabinets for my "Little Free Library & Trading Post."

I also want to build the garden beds back up. The Herb and Edible garden would go in the front since it gets the most sunlight. The butterfly and bird garden would go on the right with a bird bath since there's a window on the side that I like to look through when I'm writing. The left side and back would be shade gardens since the trees provide so much cover.

So... that's my spring plans, but since I'm renting I need to get approval from the manager first. I'm hoping the graphics I provide will help me convince her.