Friday, January 10, 2014

Fuel for the Fire

Wood heat can't be beat, as far as I'm concerned.

I grew up on the farm and the wood stove was our only source of heat. My dad loved chopping wood and stoking the fire. We had more trouble being too hot than being too cold. The stove makes a natural place where we all still gravitate on a winter's day. My mom cooked chili and ham and beans on the stove, simmering all day to reach a delicious aroma. The wood stove warmed us inside and out!

My little wood stove - the candle adds a cozy scent.
When I first purchased my home, I was quite leary of the gas furnace. Those things are dangerous - they can explode! A serviceman assured me the late-model unit was one of the safest things on the market. The furnace does have its advantages - it fires up automatically on a cold morning and no chainsaw required.

But it produces only a surface kind of heat compared to the deep-in-your-bones heat of a wood stove. A couple years ago, I purchased my own "wood stove." Just an electric heater with a fake flame, but it warms up the room.

Recently, I snuggled up in front of the fire (with my best reading buddy) to read the fabulous book Lincoln's Battle With God. As I read - on my Kindle Fire, no less - about Lincoln sitting by the fireplace late at night after finishing his chores to read and pursue his studies, it seemed like a connection.

A warm fire is good for the mind and the soul - even if it is just an electric one.

 What have you been reading in front of the fire - figuratively or literally - this cold winter?

Keep warm!

Susan Mires

8 comments:

  1. In front of a fire with hot cocoa is my favorite place to read :-) I am reading Bride Wanted (Love Inspired) by Renee Andrews ~ I think I just found a new favorite author, though Renee is multi-published, which means I have past novels to read, YAY! Right before Christmas break I read my favorite novel of 2013: You Don't Know Me (Deep Haven series) by Susan May Warren, just loved it!

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    1. Heidi, your writing spot sounds wonderful! Thanks for the tips on the books to check out.

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  2. Hi Susan,

    You bring back memories. I grew up with fireplaces so I know you can't get as warm with a furnace. We have a fireplace now, but rarely use it. It doesn't get as cold here as in years past and I guess we've gotten out of the habit. Even with this cold snap, we didn't light a fire. My favorite place to read is in bed, under the covers.

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    1. I'm glad it brought back "warm" memories for you, Elaine.

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  3. I agree with you, Susie. Radiant heat is somehow warmer than forced-air heat. We got new flooring two years ago, and my wonderful husband hasn't had the time and equipment to replace our wood burning stove. I can't wait to get my favorite reading spot back. In the meantime, I've had to make do with an electric heater right next to my favorite chair. I'm currently re-reading the Hannah Swensen mystery series by Joanne Fluke. Fun cozy mysteries about a cookie shop owner who keeps finding dead bodies. I've gotten several good recipes out of these books too. :D

    Thanks for posting!

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    1. I'm jealous that you have a real wood stove! I hope that wonderful husband can get the time to get back in place by next winter. Another friend loves those cookie mysteries and has made several of the recipes.

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  4. Snuggled in front of a fire would be a wonderful place to read! My time and place to read is in my bed at night after everyone else has been tucked in. Of the books I have read recently, THE QUILTED HEART by Mona Hodgson is one of my favorites. I love it and highly recommend it!

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  5. Right now I'm working on Janice Thompson's book titled Picture Perfect. :) I love me a roaring fire in a fireplace; it's better than any propane/natural gas fire around. :)

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