Season Opener | Chickens in the Road

Oct
6

It’s downright chilly today, wet and a little gray. After this summer’s heat, I don’t really mind. Not saying I’m ready for snow yet, mind you. But. It’s not 90, and I like that. Still, it’s a little cold in the house. I started my first fire in the wood stove today. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to start warming up again and should be a nice weekend, so the fire won’t be going non-stop just yet, though as the weeks tumble over one another, winter is just a homemade firestarter away.

This year, as every year, I am more ready than the last. I know how to start fires now, and keep them going. Also new this year, we won’t have to worry about running out of milk, butter, eggs, or cheese when we’re snowed in. I have a cow. And that’s very nice to know.

More posts you might enjoy:

30 Responses
RSS feed for comments on this post | TrackBack this post

10-6
1:42
pm

Very nice fire. We lit ours for the first time last night. Just wanted to take the chill off of the house. The smell of burning wood in the stove gives me a nice cozy feeling.

SandyCWV

Flag this comment
10-6
1:44
pm

That looks like a good healthy fire. Makes me want to light my fireplace and have a cup of mint tea in my new garage sale china cup (from Scotland)! Too bad its going to be 78 degrees in San Jose.

Michele

Flag this comment
10-6
1:47
pm

We have used are stove 6 or 7 times already…mostly from 5pm until we go to bed. Before you know it, the long underwear will be making an appearance.

Lori Skoog

Flag this comment
10-6
1:56
pm

Waiting to get the chimney cleaned out before we fire one up… we broke out the sweats and hoodies, though. Love this fall weather!

leavesofthefall

Flag this comment
10-6
2:00
pm

Here where I live in South Africa I don’t even have a fireplace in the house, even our winters can be hot during the day! I also want to sit in front of my own fireplace. Remember to stock up on enough alfalfa for BP for the winter! xoxo

Liesl

Flag this comment
10-6
2:00
pm

We are at 3,000′ in North CA, had our fist fire this a.m. Have had touches of frost for a month but this week we had the big one. The kitchen is overflowing with the last bounty from the garden. We laugh, every year we can’t wait to garden and then we are glad to have rest. Mint tea in front of the fire sounds good!

Bev in CA

Flag this comment
10-6
2:03
pm

This is a very nice fire! I wish I had a wood stove in the house as it give a home a warm, cozy feeling. )

Connie Sadowinski

Flag this comment
10-6
2:06
pm

Like you, I adore colder weather and even love snow. I get a trifle testy when there’s cold, snow and high winds though; that wind chill likes to cut to the bone.
Due to health problems, we no longer use a wood stove and that, just about, breaks my heart. But, a time for all things and all things in their time.

Sandra

Flag this comment
10-6
2:10
pm

I am in West Tennessee and it has been down to 33 a couple of nights, We did not use any heat even though it was cold. Determined not to turn the heat on. We burned wood for 20 years in the past and now we are in search of a wood stove again. There is nothing like a nice toasty warm fire! We have gas logs in our fireplace right now and they will be coming out soon, gas is too high to use.

Linda Segerson

Flag this comment
10-6
2:28
pm

You are blessed (and a blessing to us)!

CATRAY44

Flag this comment
10-6
2:36
pm

You are a pioneering woman! Your fire looks warm and inviting. We’re still warm here ~ unseasonably warm.

Julie

Flag this comment
10-6
3:16
pm

Oh, I love a wood fire . . . the closest we get is when we burn the trash! We’ve turned the heat on in the mornings to just take the chill off the house – but it looks like we’ll not need it the next few days. We’re kinda concerned about the winter, though . . . lots of open space and wind!

Sherie Adams

Flag this comment
10-6
3:29
pm

I love that you love your cow so much! Someday, I, too, will have my own cow. I just have to move to the country first.

Shelley

Flag this comment
10-6
4:06
pm

I love having a wood stove, that’s all we heat with except for the occasional space heater. I’ve had a fire in the stove the last two mornings, there hasn’t been any cloud cover so it gets chilly at night.

EBet

Flag this comment
10-6
4:08
pm

Suzanne–what about foil?? Every time I buy foil I think of you!!

JOJO

Flag this comment
10-6
4:18
pm

I have lived in my current home for five years. I have a fireplace in the living room and another in my bedroom and I have never used either one. They scare me! Is that sad?

Karo

Flag this comment
10-6
4:40
pm

JoJo, I’ll be checking my stock of foil before it snows!!!!!

Suzanne McMinn

Flag this comment
10-6
6:58
pm

So far, in my lil spot in Nova Scotia…nothing has succumed to frost. Still picking pole beans!

I had some renos going on this summer, AND HAVE NOT had time to procure a decent supply of WOOD. In the ‘city’ I rely on the people that have the tools and the trucks to haul. I do have a cord of (overly expensive) dry (cracked, light, YAY) hardwood lined up for late delivery. If need be, it will get me through the super cold days or a power outage.

I also have yeast, flour and foil. I think I am well stocked!

Grammie Earth

Flag this comment
10-6
6:58
pm

Very good, get that foil in, load up on the firewood, and let the snow fly!
Think of how far you have come–remember last year and trying to make fire? Mountain Mama has come full circle.
It amazes me how much you have done this last year, you can go into winter feeling comfortable–just be careful with that driveway and road.

JOJO

Flag this comment
10-6
7:18
pm

Oh that fire looks so nice and warm right now! It was COLD this morning, HOT during the day, and now it’s back to COLD! I’m not turning the heat on yet, just keep adding layers

CindyP

Flag this comment
10-6
7:24
pm

Your wood stove fire really looks inviting. We no longer burn wood due to my husband’s health problems. We really miss it. There is nothing like backing up to a wood stove in the weather. I always dread the winter cold. But love our West Virginia hills to much to leave for the winter. Who would take us in with all our animals in tow?
I also have finished canning for this year as of yesterday.
Time to think about wood working in our shop.
Still have a few fall chores to do, clean out the barn, mow the lawn one more time and winterize my flower beds.
Such is life on the farm. I love it!!!

Rosanne

Flag this comment
10-6
7:34
pm

Have been starting a fire in the morning for a few days now. Let it go out around 10 am.
supposed to rain this weekend.

Estella

Flag this comment
10-6
7:46
pm

This year will be the year!! I want a wood stove! Just curious, where will the bovine ladies be sleeping this winter??

Nancy

Flag this comment
10-6
9:00
pm

Weather is changing. Down in the 50′s at night and the air conditioner is no longer needed. We have a chimenia on the back porch and it won’t be long before we will be firing it up. No need to stock up as the Winn Dixie is just down the street, but I am looking forward to the cooler weather.

Phyllis Ryan

Flag this comment
10-6
9:20
pm

Nancy, they have a shelter.

Suzanne McMinn

Flag this comment
10-7
12:34
am

Southwestern Michigan had a few 32 degree morningslast week, but we didn’t feel it as our bed has a heated matress pad….toasty….as long as I’m warm sleeping I’m good to go with a sweatshirt or sweater during the day….But today it’s back to Indian Summer and the 70′s!

Blessings

Flag this comment
10-7
10:20
am

Lovely looking fire; I wish I had a wood stove or fireplace in my home! I’m loving this fall-ish weather!
You know, I love foil and all but, is there some vital reason to have a good supply of it for winter that I don’t know about???

Tina

Flag this comment
10-7
11:37
am

Tina–look for the electric fireplaces that have the realistic looking flames, they look so real and also have a feature that will put out heat–they also make them to look like the old black stoves (I have one of those in my kitchen) We have a fire place in the livingroom, but I have put the evectric ones in all of the other rooms in our home. they are wonderful for those of you that rent apt. or such. Most all home stores carry them. Turn off the lights–light a candle or two, maybe a little glass of wine, soft music, and you are in heaven–almost!
Thank you

JOJO

Flag this comment
10-7
12:20
pm

We’ve had several nights down in the 40′s, which is pretty darn cold for Mississippi at this time of the year.

Ramona

Flag this comment
10-11
4:20
pm

Nothing smells like a crackling fire, and the sound!

jodee

Flag this comment

Registration is required to leave a comment on this site. You may register here. (You can use this same username on the forum as well.) Already registered? Login here.

Discussion is encouraged, and differing opinions are welcome. However, please don't say anything your grandmother would be ashamed to read. If you see an objectionable comment, you may flag it for moderation. If you write an objectionable comment, be aware that it may be flagged--and deleted. I'm glad you're here. Welcome to our community!