Lighting the Fire

Yesterday was finally cold enough to light the first fire--such a cozy event. When we moved into this house we were clueless about how to start a fire in the woodstove, how to keep one going, and how to manage a wood supply. Now I take much satisfaction in the *generous* stack of hardwood that was delivered last spring, to season all summer and be ready to burn this fall. We have a wonderful wood man named Jamie who works very hard cutting, delivering, and stacking logs. He is so dedicated to doing a good job that he even photographs the woodpile after he's done stacking the wood for us (this is true).

Although I would love a stove where the burning fire is visible, I do love ours a lot. It is a Fisher, long from front to back, and It sits in the living room, burning very efficiently and heating the front of the house with the best heat ever. It does prompt many visitors to ask if we have heat and air (of course we do! Dad, do you hear that? We do!).

I love having the fire going when the I call the kids down in the morning. They all sit around it in pajamas having breakfast and I feel like a good mother.