Preparing for Winter Living in the Woods 

I get asked a ton about the coffee straw I use- it’s finally available to the public so here the website link if you’re curious: bit.ly/3Dc9Wh5

Don’t be ashamed or worried about making mistakes Hannah. We’ve all been there. You’ve learned another skill and be proud of that. Thank you for keeping it real, we love you more for it.

Your insulation mistake and the comments about it taught me about ventilation and the proper way to do insulation when I eventually tackle that step on my she shed. So see? You're teaching people. Thank you for being brave enough to make mistakes and publicly share them and what you learned from them. You're awesome!

When putting the wood back down for fixing the insulation, put numbers on it. DIY's always get messy, it'll safe you al lot of frustation knowing which piece has to go where :)

I just wanna give a shout-out to all those people that informed Hannah on the ceiling. You didn't have to say anything but went out of your way to let her know it should be done this way because of x, y, and z. And Hannah, it's okay to make mistakes! That's the beauty of what makes us human. :) Each mistake is just a learning lesson for next time--positive thinking! And don't worry, the task looks daunting but I know you will be happy with the result when everything is finished. The hardest tasks are always the most satisfying in the end.

I just love how mat is inside playing (and accidentally murdering) “butterflies”, while Hannah is out in the forest chopping logs 😂

The sound of Hannah cutting wood while matt shows us a moth 🤗

I have a friend who makes a lot of mistakes while I make very few. The difference is that she's out there making things happen while I'm sitting here analyzing every move before making a step. I'm working toward throwing myself out there and making more mistakes :).

Hannah, you can do so many things that many of us wouldn’t even attempt. And in *this* video you did 3 things that few people ever do. 1. You admitted to everyone that you made a mistake. 2. You thanked everyone for their feedback. 3. Then you told us you love us. Once again I say that you are a beautifully complex person. Thank you. Also, I so enjoy the way you show your love for your sister.

It's hard to get me to literally lol these days but I had quite a chuckle at Matt's commentary while releasing the moth. Matt is precious.

Here is a tip you've probably already heard but thought I would share since it changed my life with regard to chopping wood: When you are about to swing, envision the axe hitting the base that the log is resting on...not the top of of the log. It sounds weird but aiming for and envisioning the axe hitting the stump it is resting on really helps you drive through the wood.

Hannah, don't worry about getting it wrong. You have to learn somehow. And your my hero. For being a woman who does literally everything DIY yourself. Incredibly inspirational. I know it's not the same. But years ago I didn't realise I was Dyspraxic. And failed my first module on a Open University course. I felt such a failure. Worn out. However, I shortly afterwards discovered I have been Dyspraxic all my life. And though even the thought of retaking the whole year again was so daunting, like carrying the weight over another year. I knew it would be worth it. What I'm saying is. Though the thought of ripping all that insulation out of the walls. Feels like a huge weight to bare. Imagine how incredible you are going to feel after achieving it. Knowing that you have also learned a new skill. So DON'T BE SO HARD ON YOURSELF. YOUR AMAZING!!🙂

Omg dropping the moth!!!! What a pure reaction he had too 🥺🥺 Hearing what he was saying my jaw was literally open it shock though 😩😋

You’re building character not just a house… proud of you girl💪

Anybody ever thought, "if we had a zombie apocalypse. Hannah would be someone, I want in my camp." lol

I appreciate how you addressed the mistake and the struggles of being on the spotlight and the simplicity of it.

I actually got teary when you talked about the insulation mistake. Building is not even remotely easy, and it's a massive learning curve, and there is NOTHING so difficult as feeling you are nearing an end only to realize you did it wrong and have to undo and redo it again. I feel so much for you. You have put so much work and time in and I think it speaks to what a hard worker you are that you are even considering redoing it. You've got this, Hannah. You're a boss 🧡 And this reroute just proves it.

No sweat on the redo. You will have it nailed. You will learn. To spend a bit of research or be ok with redo. Excellent learning and training process. Congratulations on being all you can be in home renovating. You truly are rocking. Go get that rework like a boss.

your humility in admitting mistakes is so refreshing. I have watched channels where people living similar lifestyles get offended at advice and call everyone trolls. While I am not one who contributed any of the advice, It was awesome that you responded so graciously. Well done.

You are so inspiring to me that I quit my corporate job on Friday and I've never been so happy. Thank you for being a light of hope and happiness in so many peoples lives and for sharing your deep understanding of what life is truly about...being free and happy.

I love Hannah's community, its warm and cozy like the cabin. Everybody share their support, and trying to help giving advice. I love it ❤️

If you have extra soil, you build some raised beds and use the soil in it.

The way I see it, re-doing the ceiling/insulation will just give Hannah even more experience and make her super knowledgeable for future projects!

Awe don’t feel bad about the mistake in the other cabin. Some people may actually just be concerned and want to help out and many others are just being assholes but they could never do half of the things you’ve done. You are doing just fine ❤️

It might be cool to make several hammock type shelves for the “sticks”.

When he dropped the moth and ruined his own day I couldn’t help but laugh. He’s really adorable.

A suggestion: hammock for the kindle wood. Take a piece of cloth about 2x1' and put a small board along both 1' sides, wrap the cloth around it a little for strength, then hang it in a U shape and screw through the boards and the cloth. Much easier to grab kindling off a small pile that reach down a long bag.

Before you put the second cabin back together, try adding windows to the 2 blank walls. You'll really appreciate sleeping up high in a tree cabin. There's so much more to see when you're high above the ground - it would be similar to a lookout fort. Attached to my upstairs bedroom, I have a deck with sliding glass doors. It overlooks our forested backyard and hillside. Bear, deer, turkeys, fox, squirrels, chipmunks and all their babies. Plus an occasional fisher cat, moose or coyotes. I live in New Hampshire adjacent to a state forest.

I know it can be hard, but knowing you make mistakes with things like renovating a cabin on your own is actually really comforting as a viewer. RU-vid can sometimes feel like everyone knows what they're doing all the time, and when I make mistakes trying things, it feels like I'm the only one. So, although it's obviously very frustrating for you, it does make me (and probably other people) feel okay trying things and knowing others make mistakes as well.

Thank you for addressing the elephant in the room. I was concerned that you wouldn't redo it and end up with a mold problem. Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never done anything. Hope you and Matt are having a beautiful day. God bless you always.

Loved today's video..Im 63 and live alone. Ive been doing projects for years. I do know how to properly hang insulation NOW. But trust me that was not always the case. I still do things a bit imperfect. But it has become the moto here at the farm. Its all perfectly IMPERFECT. Just as I am. Love you spirit girl . You go girl.

LMAO - Poor Matt and the butterfly/moth! He's so tenderhearted.

Personal opinion: I really like Matt, he matches your energy really well

I was telling my fiancé how Hannah is the real-life Disney princess and now I realized that Matt looks exactly like a Disney prince too. What a perfect match 💕

1. please when you have to take out the boards in the second cabin, number them on the back, so you can easily put them back on in the right order. 2. yeah the cinematic effect on the new phone hurts my eyes for some reason...anyone else?

Hannah: chopping wood and building things Matt: collecting butterfly moths and unintentionally leading them to their fiery demise

Have watched you for months because would have loved to do this when I was young. At 65 it is harder these days to be impressed. I so admire your spirit of learning and how you take it, suck it up and get to it. Maybe keep the extra dirt in a pile til spring....then use as layer on garden spot. Look forward to your future.❤

Hi, Hannah! I just learned how to use a hydraulic log splitter yesterday and thought of you! It’s a wonderful thing if wood is your main heat source 🔥 You amaze me at how you’re such a “let’s get it done” girl 😊

You amaze me Hannah. You really do it all. You sew, chop wood, make your home beautiful, rough it, sing, so many things. You are so great.

Matt's smile in the beginning is such major golden retriever energy

Whenever my depression reaches a low, a video of you makes me feel warm and at home. Thank you Hannah

Genuine, sweet, cute, funny, thoughtful and not afraid of being you are or attempting new things. all of which you are.

My Sunday‘s are about Hannah dancing in her overalls ✌🏼

HANNAH, I wanted to say, I saw a guy who kept his fire going all night by putting whole logs in, he said it kelp him from having to get up in the middle of the night to add more chopped wood! You should try and see of that help keep it going over night for you guys.

I'm seriously in awe of how far this cabin has come in your short time with it. I finally found a piece of land to get creative with, and I'm trying to channel your sense of adventure as I tackle some of the first projects. I've always been one to look for direction, or have someone else come do things for me, and then I end up feeling trapped or like my creativity has been stifled. I'm looking forward to having free reign to try (and sometimes fail) all the things.

You are amazing. Homesteading is hard and it is good to watch you getting stuff done with help sometimes. Good on you. Love from New Zealand.

At least you’ve already made all the cuts for the siding/ceiling on the second cabin! Hope the reinstallation goes well. Maybe you can make it fun somehow like have a work party or something.

Hannah, love how well you accept help from folks, e.g. you tubers, friends, family. The fact that you ask for help too when you feel overwhelmed is so great!!! You're doing great...really!!!!

Glad Hannah asked our opinion on the "cinematic setting" on her new phone camera, I am not a fan. It makes close up shots look all hazy and blurry and not in a "shallow depth of field" professional camera kind of way. Kind of looks foggy and like when people put bad face filters on their photos, not gonna lie. Maybe its because I'm a photographer haha but I hope she uses the regular setting in the future! Anyone agree?

As a quick fix for the double vapor issue you can get a hole saw and drill in 3" soffit vents on your ceiling boards. It should give it some airflow and then you don't have to tear down all of the hard work you've put in. They are normally used on the outside of a house for the parts that overhang the sides to give some airflow to the areas that don't have the attic space but should work to get air into the interior side of the insulation. You will need more than one per beam section.

Invest in some safety glasses before you chop wood next time. From the guy who has had a small piece of wood fly into his eye. It’s the best winter activity, just try to be safe.

I loved watching all the woodchopping. I'm laying here, feeling ill, my whole family is sick but I still had to take care of everybody before I could take a break. I really enjoyed watching this tonight thank you. I laughed loud 💛💜💚💛💜💚

You look so Happy when you are at your cabin. Happy for you! Matt is a doll. You have me trying to talk my husband into living that way. Your a pretty good inspiration to this old lady! LoL always wishing you the best sweet girl. ❤️

Oh my gosh Hannah. Anyone who DIYs around their house has totally been there and we get it. Those of us not posting it online are living with their mold having no idea we messed up and I’m not sure which is worse 😂 we’re just all so proud of you for doing it yourself and now it’ll be twice as great knowing it’s done correctly.

We've all been there! Instead of seeing it as failure, look at it as a learning opportunity! You'll nail it on the next go around! Spray foam insulation is amazing!!! Works great for those small cracks and filling in dead space.

Your collection of work overalls & warm wool sweaters is so impressive! Loved the wood chopping montage :)

I love the fact you’re being all practical and my idea of preparing for winter is buying a door 😂

If you want to retain some additional heat and protect your furnishings on the porch, go to Hobby Lobby and get the clear vinyl and staple it upon the exterior of your porch. It will act like a radiant barrier warmed by the sun doing the day and keeps snow, I’ve and breezes out. I sewed mine with hook part of Velcro along the top and alternate hook & nap along the sides. I then glued with clear construction adhesive the nap up along the tub if the wall as I reuse them every year to protect my tropical plants. Spring , I just take them down roll and store.

Geez Hannah! You are so amazing. I wouldn't have lasted a night in your cabin. I'm just in awe of all you can do and I bet most is self-taught. Don't apologise for making a mistake, you have incredible life and work skills.

I'm sure I'm not he only one to give you props for taking the criticism and turning it into a learning experience. I'm sure it was incredibly difficult knowing you have to take it all down and start over. Good for you young lady. Wish I could help, but you are better suited for the job than I. Sending you good vibes and lots of love.

You should put in a shelf roughly half way up om the kindling stick side for other items. Great video! A raised planter bed would be fun with the extra dirt. The cinema screen works. With big logs, split a part of the side off first and keep working it down to a middle split.

Weve been off grid 6 years and built our homestead here in northern Minnesota alone (husband and kiddos) ..... you are NOT ALONE in the "oops" department. Its hard because you dont know what you dont know and sometimes we dont even know what question to ask.... Take heart Hannah (I am a Hanna too tho olllld lol ;) without the H) this is ok, the goofs and the oops...... it sucks but its ok. You are so brave for even attempting to tackle all of these projects alone....... I am so proud of you.

I sure do appreciate starting my Sundays with your uploads, Hannah (and Matt) - happen to be the first like this time - cool. Happy Wintering, you two!

Hey Hannah, can I let ya in on a lil secret? EVERYBODY ON THIS PLANET, MAKES MISTAKES...AND NOT JUST OCCASIONALLY EITHER!!! WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES ALL OF THE TIME!!! Never be ashamed of making a mistake... The trick is to just learn from our mistakes. Btw, you have a lot to be proud of as well, young lady, and don't you forget that!!! 🍃😁🤗🍃

OMG Matt, I love you. That was soooo funny. Laughed my head off. He must’ve felt so bad. Poor guy.

When I was a young fellow we lived in a fairly primitive cabin all summer. We had of course a wood burning stone fireplace. We had stacked firewood and we had a thing called a kindling box. My job was to keep the kindling box full at all times. What might work here is a tall box open to put and take kindling from.

Could have just used the drop cloth stapled to both sides of the supports, it would be like a hammock in between.

I wanted to bawl for you when you discussed the vapor barrier situation. I am amazed by your tenacity and humility. I’d be so discouraged and ready to quit the whole thing. Way to press on through the disappointments and frustration

Now that Isabel posted her LAST story, we are fully counting on you to supply us with beautiful cabin life videos :)

Use the extra dirt to make a couple of small raised gardens. Flowers or veg, they work well for both.

Ive been watching your videos for a while now and honestly I genuinely wait every week for you to post a video because your videos are very calming for me and exactly what I need before my hectic week ahead! its a great Sunday refreshing moments I have watching your videos! Love you Hannah, don't be worried about making mistakes, its the Real, raw content that I admire! :)

If you are going to be spending the winter in your cabin, you should give some consideration to getting a air tight wood stove. They burn much more efficiently, giving a more even, constant heat. If stoked properly in the evening and the and air throttled down, they can burn through the night, reddy for restoking in the morning.

Hannah, I admire your willingness to tackle any circumstance!! You are amazing.

please always stay YOU! You make me smile like no other! thank you stay safe

Oh man, my heart broke for you when you said you had to rip all of your hard work out!! It’s gonna be ok dude, once it’s all done, it will be something you can laugh about in the future. Hang in there and good luck!

Omg, painful revisions, you are a Queen for publicly admitting your shortcomings, but WTH, you have accomplished more than most, so good on you. Love your persistence and sweetness.

Hannah, I remember you saying you need to get a cover for your big mesh windows to keep the rain out. You should got some plastic waterproof heavy duty tarpaulin plastic for the sides so you can sill see out, but you don't need to move your desk inside....just a thought..good vlog..x

Your videos give me that serotonin that ive been missing for a while and idk i cant explain it

I love how you helped your sister get into the moment at the end. To live in the present can get difficult when you've been bogged down with over thinking.

Hearing someone admit their mistakes is refreshing. The true challenge is not repeating them. It looks good on paper, but somehow, somewhere we end up repeating some kind of mistake at some moment. That's where remembering the lesson learned from the first time mistake comes in handy. She who does not move does not make a mistake. You're moving. You're doing great, Sweetie. Keep up the amazing work. Your videos are a true joy to watch, and you just got a new subscriber.

Does your sister make videos about her boat renovation? We never got an update after you helped her clean it out

You have such great friends and family, which affirms what a good person you are!!

Oh how I loved this video! The watching of a scary movie while camping was a bit questionable, (although I LOVE scary movies behind locked doors, lol), and seeing the snow fall was delightful! Watching your sister learn how to chop wood was so sweet. She did get the hang of it! You entertain me on my Sunday mornings. Thank you!

Trust..you are not the first to make that mistake, and you won't be the last. Keep up the good work!

Absolutely adore you both, always looking forward to more videos of the cabin, peaceful vibes, and adventure!

Making mistakes is part of being a human. Why should anyone bring you down about it? & why do you feel ashamed or embarrassed about it? It’s literally OKAY! Also, I love you so so much! & I hope you know that your videos keep me calm & collected. You being so much joy to my heart & I just love your content! Keep it up girl

I’m so glad you addressed it, we were worried for you! I understand it sucks when people point out the mistakes, but it’s for your own good in situations like this! Sometimes we have to learn hard way, but gladly you have people here that are able to warn you before something goes horribly wrong. Mold is no fun, it will be worth to redo it now than find out you made a mistake after you get ill and having rotten wood that you’d have to change. You did an amazing job at the exterior, go Hannah! Don’t hesitate to ask for help and advice next time, you’re a smart gal, but it will save you a lot of nerves 😄❤️

Don't knock yourself down. That's how we all learn new things, by making mistakes. The lesson here is that next time you'll do research and seek advice from those who are experienced on whatever task you need to accomplish. Think of it as a learning curve and forge on. You're doing great!!! 😘

I love the gung ho Ariesness in you. This how we learn! Just so excited to get something done and then takes a bit to get back into redoing the project. All good boo! Was still good content 😊

This Vlog was like drinking a bottle of fine wine. It just keeps getting better with every glass. Your story telling is really getting good Hannah. Thank you for sharing your beautiful space with us. The snowfall was gorgeous. So good I never thought about the loft.❤

A wood splitting awl would make those big logs much easier to split.

I love watching you and Matt hang out. It’s very cute.

I definitely would have cried when I realized I had to take that whole insulating job apart and re-do!!! I have done a ton of renovations here with my fair share of mistakes, so I totally know the feeling. I have permanent heel marks in my butt from kicking myself! :)

We used to have dirt spreading parties. You invite a bunch of friends with wheelbarrows and shovels and cook a bunch of food and in an afternoon the dirt if spread and it's a fun time!

Hope you are ok.

It takes a very mature person to take feedback and improve and not take it personally! I know people twice your age who have yet to learn that lesson... Love you Hannah!

As an archaeologist who just finished digging in the rain, the dirt scene/comment was hilarious 😆

Don't worry...you are learning. When you take the wood down number your pieces. Row 1, #1, Row 2 #4, etc. This will make it easier to put them back up instead of trying to piece a puzzle. Plus you got all winter to fix it. Everyone just loves you and wants to help you out! I bought my first home, a 110 year old Victorian and had to do a lot of the work myself because I didn't have lots of money to pay others. I did learn to call in the professionals where it mattered. And I was lucky to be surrounded by neighbors that were masons, electricians and plumbers that would answer my questions and offer their help. You are even luckier because you have the internet now. I'm sure you will make mistakes along the way...we all do. And there will always be new and better ways of doing things as technology grows. The key is to be flexible and don't let it get you down and give up. Stay healthy and happy my friend! And Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey, kudos for taking on your own projects! The more you do the more you learn about all that stuff and that’s awesome. Keep plowing forward and keep improving!!

I just love my Sunday Lazy day routine. I always cuddle up with my dog, watch a Hannah Lee Duggan video as it's released & enjoy 🥰🤗💕 It's just my Sunday thing ❄