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.
SandyCWV says:
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. 8)
On October 6, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Michele says:
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. :shimmy: :shimmy:
On October 6, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Lori Skoog says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 1:47 pm
leavesofthefall says:
Waiting to get the chimney cleaned out before we fire one up… we broke out the sweats and hoodies, though. Love this fall weather!
On October 6, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Liesl says:
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
On October 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Bev in CA says:
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!
On October 6, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Connie Sadowinski says:
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. :o)
On October 6, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Sandra says:
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. :sheep:
On October 6, 2010 at 2:06 pm
Linda Segerson says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 2:10 pm
CATRAY44 says:
You are blessed (and a blessing to us)!
On October 6, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Julie says:
You are a pioneering woman! Your fire looks warm and inviting. We’re still warm here ~ unseasonably warm.
On October 6, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Sherie Adams says:
Oh, I love a wood fire . . . the closest we get is when we burn the trash! :no: 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!
On October 6, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Shelley says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 3:29 pm
EBet says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 4:06 pm
JOJO says:
:woof:
Suzanne–what about foil?? Every time I buy foil I think of you!!
On October 6, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
JoJo, I’ll be checking my stock of foil before it snows!!!!!
On October 6, 2010 at 4:40 pm
Karo says:
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?
On October 6, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Grammie Earth says:
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!
On October 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm
JOJO says:
:woof:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm
CindyP says:
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 🙂
On October 6, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Rosanne says:
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!!!
On October 6, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Estella says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Nancy says:
This year will be the year!! I want a wood stove! Just curious, where will the bovine ladies be sleeping this winter??
On October 6, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Nancy, they have a shelter.
On October 6, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Phyllis Ryan says:
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.
On October 6, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Blessings says:
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!
On October 7, 2010 at 12:34 am
Tina says:
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???
On October 7, 2010 at 10:20 am
JOJO says:
:woof:
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
On October 7, 2010 at 11:37 am
Ramona says:
We’ve had several nights down in the 40’s, which is pretty darn cold for Mississippi at this time of the year.
On October 7, 2010 at 12:20 pm
jodee says:
:purpleflower:
Nothing smells like a crackling fire, and the sound!
On October 11, 2010 at 4:20 pm