I got this interesting email and photos of Jim's cabin in the Stevens Pass area of eastern Washington.
(https://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/countryplans/PB230023.jpg)
(https://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/countryplans/P3150015.jpg)
(https://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/countryplans/PC190009.jpg)
Jim used the Little House plans (http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/29.html) and added an 8' shed porch off the rear. He had planned to have an open deck in the front but found that the snow buildup against the door made getting in and out difficult.
That's when he decided to add the gable porch to the front. As you can see, this is an area of generous snowfalls.
From Jim: "The front porch wasn't originally scheduled, but there are dutch doors on both ends. I got back one winter and the snow was at the top of the bottom dutch door, hence the porch roof the next spring. There is no power or water in it. The back porch has the barbecue and stove."
Makes me 'cabin sick' for ours!