Wood stove memories

Oh, how I miss our old woodstove! I miss the smell and the warm heat that used to radiate off of it while it kept our small home on the lake warm. The snap, crackle and pop of the wood spitting as I fell asleep is one of my favorite childhood memories.

This one is similar to the one we had.

Of course in those days it was my Father that rose early each morning and stirred any remaining embers and started a new fire before my Mother and I got out of bed to start our days. I was sure glad he did because our floor would be icy cold in the mornings. Mom would be the one to stoke the fire during the day while Dad was at work and I was at school.

Our home was a remodeled summer cottage with no foundation under it. It had a crawl space that my Dad and I would bank up with snow each winter to try to keep some of the heat from escaping. It was small with 2 bedrooms at the back and had an open living room/kitchen/dining room in the main part that held the woodstove. When it was really cold, we used a space heater for the back of the house.

When my parents purchased the cottage, it was in dire need of remodelling and we spent many years transforming it into the home I remember so well…but more about that in another post.

The house we’re in now has baseboard heaters that only throw a bit of heat which then goes straight up the wall only to escape out the windows they're under.

This is the one I'd like to have someday.

For now, I have an electric fireplace that I’ve put in the kitchen by my computer desk so I can sit and watch the dancing flames – it throws a bit of heat too.  I’ll have to just settle for that and enjoy the peace and warmth of the woodstove when I go out to the ice hut for winter fishing – which I hope will be soon!

My electric one in my kitchen at Christmas.

Some random memories from MY rocking chair

A year ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism which can in some cases, such as mine, affect your memory. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’m getting older and with that comes memory loss.  I have to have post it notes and lists everywhere so I don’t forget things. That’s what triggered this blog – I wanted to record some of my personal memories as well as make a tribute to the past and the women who worked  hard to provide a loving and caring home for their families by blogging about different eras, challenges, and experiences of keeping a home .

My oldest daughter and I were walking the other night and I, of course, had my camera with me and kept taking pictures of my Granddaughter. My daughter asked why I brought my camera with me everywhere I go – something I never really used to do unless we were on vacation. I told her that it was because with my thyroid problems and forgetfulness it was the best way for me to remember things – taking photos and blogging about them which includes the date and information.

Then tonight when I was sitting in our gazebo with my youngest daughter, I was reading a magazine called Country from Reiman Publications, and it had wonderful photos of mountains that reminded me of The Canadian Rockies and something my youngest said on our drive through them – she was only 9 and was in awe of the mountains as we drove higher and higher into the clouds when she peeped from the back seat of the van - “Who made them?” We asked what she was talking about and she said “ the mountains”. We simply replied “God”. She simply said “cool!”

That’s something I never want to forget :)