Fireside chat... please join us!

Come sit by the fire and chat...

This day started off with dropping temps and high winds. Another front and no rain to speak of. Boy ~ are we dry. I bundled up and let Podster and Ralph take me for a walk and am constantly amazed at how well the new weatherproof clothing works. If they had made it years ago, I might never have gotten to experience the wonders of Texas! 8 )

So, I came and built a hot fire in the fireplace and am building a pot of chili. My intention is to stay indoors and toasty today. What do you have planned?

I've done my good deed today. I have an enclosed porch for the washer, dryer and freezer. I bring my more tender plants in to overwinter as it drops no lower than 50 and usually stays warmer. I walked out this morning to tend to the washer and found a wren on the porch. It was flying at the windows and hopping from plant to plant. I guess it came in thru the pet door. I hated to prop the outside door open and let the cold air in but that was the only way I could herd her back outside. I just couldn't catch this little birdie. Outside, tons of little birds are covering up the feeder and the ground.

I opened the plant shelter this a.m. to check the temp and the plants and found the first and probably the last blooms for the season on my white NOID Brug. It smelled wonderful. Citrusy, soapy clean! lol

A nice warm fire in the fireplace or wood stove would be nice, except I'd just fall asleep.LOL

I need to be working on the garden fence (see photo), but it's 40* out with a brisk North wind and overcast skies. It hard to get motivated to do any work today, so, guess I'll just stay indoors and read DG.

Ahhhh ~ I fall asleep only when I sit down. I need to go thru life standing up. I actually enjoy the days that force me to stay inside. It makes me get some things done that normally sit on the back burner.

Fencing is needed here but I am never a willing worker. It is either too hot or too cold or I have something better to do! If I remember right, you are building a special type of fence?

I held my hands up the fireplace picture and they did feel warmer! 43° here...too windy outside. It's late, but I guess I should send out some cards so people will know I'm alive. Maybe I'll work on that today. I made a cup of hot chai tea and added a few small pieces of cinnamon stick. Mmm...

Just put another log on the fire and thought I'd check in. Glad someone else is enjoying the fire and the day inside. Its' a heat wave here... up to 47.. ( how in the world do you make that degree thingy?)

I am stalling as I am doing bookwork today. Sales and cash disbursements journals. It is my intention to have it all ready for the accountant at years end. But I am dragging my feet.

I wish I had a fireplace! I'd certainly be parked in front of it today. Brrr!! Had to go out to pick up my truck from the repair shop and I'm not going out again. We'll be having some nice warm tortilla soup for dinner tonight.

Stephanie

I would be dragging my feet in front of that fire if I had one!! LOL!
I know what you mean for the outside work.
I just sat down from putting on a pan of cornbread and starting to heat up some Mexican Chicken Chowder. It is a spicy black bean soup...good stuff! Just what the doctor ordered for a cold day. DH and I did get up and out this morning and went to the mall and walked until after the stores opened, still didn't buy anything. It was pretty empty that early. We went to the Dollar Tree and got some boxes and bags for next year. That will probably be it for our outtings today!

Gives me shivers just thinking about getting in a cold vehicle. We are shameless, we crank it and let it warm before we leave home... lol

I started a 2nd fire in the bedroom fireplace just to take the chill off. Still pretty airish and that wind coming thru here feels like it just left north TX.

Yep....spoiled, we let it warm up too. I can remember when I was younger Momma didn't have heaters in some of the old cars she drove as a single Mom.

I braved no heater in a VW one winter. I drove 50 miles one way to work and crossed a reservior. The fog would freeze on the windshield and the wipers couldn't quite keep it clean. I was young and foolish in those days. Today the thought of not having a heater in a car makes me cringe... bad enough not having a/c. 8 )

Hold down the Alt key and then 0176 (number side of keyboard) = ° (degrees).

Lets try it ~ 86­ ° ~ thank you! much warmer now ~ LOL

Lord have mercy, that is a number combination I'll never remember. Have to stash that one some where.

I went to church this morning, very cold but sunny. We had our Christmas presentation and sang many beautiful songs. I can't believe it, but I have been singing in that choir for 33 years.
On the way back I stopped at the wildscape to see what the cold had done to the plants, but surprisingly enough the Salvia greggii is still green, that is one tough plant.

This has been/is one laazzzyyy day. Coffee and biscotti late morning, read some more on my book (just doesn't seem to hold my attention), watched the birds for hours, took a nap (doing nothing really tires me out), had a left overs from a fabulous dish Mike cooked....and watched the birds some more. Have been so thrilled and surprised that this little baby greenhouse has stayed warm and toasty. If it were big enough to turn around in I might do a bit of seed starting but not quite enough room. The tool/shed barn must have at least 20 very large plants all crammed together with another heater. I wouldn't say everything is thriving and growing, but it is holding its own. Just checked the weather and it says 19-20 by tomorrow morning. I really count my blessings when I am so warm and comfortable with more than enough to eat. And another blessing is this magical machine that I can communicate with all of you from every corner and even see pictures, all the while sitting here by the fire.

8 )) I am glad everyone has had a wonderful day. Frostweed, I admire those that are blessed with a musical talent. I am tone deaf but love the church music and especially the Christmas music. You are so fortunate to be able to participate. DH won't even let me sing in the shower... lol

LouC ~ I agree on counting our blessings. We need to never lose sight of them. Supposed to be 22 here in the morning but this too will pass. Although I don't enjoy the short days of winter, today is special as our daylight tomorrow will begin to grow longer. What book are you reading?

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd, same author of The Secret Life of Bees. Now I went through Bees in 2-3 days. Couldn't put it down. At the insistence of DH we went to see the movie (SLofB), as was expected, the book was the best. Somehow the Mermaid is just a little too "something" for me. I usually go straight through a book and I started this in October and am half way. Could be I am a little long in the tooth for the story line. hahaha
Now don't get me wrong. I am not so old that I don't remember a lot of emotions but this one just catch me. Guess if I am not "caught" by page 133 it is time to find another read.

Anything you could recommend?

Christi

LOL ~ I suffer the same thing with some books. Just can't seem to get involved. Right now, I've no recommendations. I haven't picked up a book in a while. If I am going sit in a Drs office or waiting room, I take my gardening magazines or plant books. Others might say how boring but it is a welcome distraction for me. The most reading I did was when DH was in the hospital for 3 months. I read lots. I have a box of fiction paperbacks stashed in case I am put in that position again. What type of story line do you enjoy, I can't say I've read either of the two you mentioned.

That fire looks so inviting. I have always had fireplaces but my new home I am building won't have one as it didn't fit into the budget. I will probably get a wood burning stove just for days like today. There's something about lighting a fire that I love. I am a peasant at heart and always will be. I drove to my new property of 8 acres I recently purchased to take before and after photos of the house. Friday I staked it and tomorrow the contractor will be putting down a pad to raise it 4 feet. Requirement of the town and FEMA. I walked around it all excited and gathered a large bag of pecans. My sister-in-law will be making pecan pies for Christmas. It was windy but I didn't care. Too excited!! Anyways I moved here from Boston and have you heard what their weather is right now? Snow, ice and lots of homes without power. I'll take Texas, thank you very much....

Congrats on your new home. I know you can hardly wait. Do consider an alternative source for warmth just in case of a power outage. We did that when we built. Our home is small but we put prefab fireplaces in the main living area and our bedroom. I have kept them both going today and maintained a temp between 68° and 72° and the furnace has never cut on. Firewood is readily available for us as we are in the woods and harvest only downed timber from storms. As DH is no longer able with a chainsaw, we just had a man come and cut a couple of cords of wood. I am wanting an easy start smaller chainsaw for myself. Bet I win this argument... 8 )

I never heard of prefab fireplaces. I've heard of wood stoves but not prefab. What makes them run. Do you put wood in them?

Not sure if prefab is what they are called but they are complete from firebox up to the raincap. They include triple wall chimney pipe, roof jack, etc. Many of the builders supply stores stock or can order them. When they are installed, they can be bricked or rocked in or paneled around. Showing this link for photos only. There are some a whole lot cheaper than this... phhttp://www.fireplacewarehouses.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10_34&zenid=48fb2b2d8485571d645600d026debcfc
We had ours installed in a corner of the room with brick hearths and had them set at about 2 feet high. That height helps them radiate heat into the room far better. It is also easier to tend to the firebox at that height. These are lined with firebrick so they radiate and retain heat well. Ours are smaller so take shorter cuts of firewood but that too is easier to handle.

Well, I got my 'green' fix yesterday. I had a Hoya lacunosa plant that was in boggy soil that needed repotting. Also had some cuttings and succulents that I potted up. Always makes me feel better to play in the dirt.

Hope all have their Christmas preparations done and can stay in and warm today. So far, we are down to 25°! Have a good one!

podster, Still got that fire burning? It's a cloudy 32º with a predicted high for today of 37º and 34º in the morning. By the way the wind has blown from this Norther for the past two days, I can only imagine how cold it would be in the morning if it were to be clear skies...burrrrr! At least the wind has subsided somewhat.

I am not sure I can take two days indoors. I may go out this afternoon and work on the fence some. If I do, I will build a fire in a fire ring out in the garden area, so I can go stand by it ever so often to warm up my hands. There is nothing like hitting a cold finger with a hammer trying to nail a staple into a post.

How did everybody's plants fair last night?

Just think, Friday it's supposed to be 78º here - no place like Texas. I wouldn't live any place else. (smile)

One can't help but feel a little sorry for all the folks who have to live under so much snow and ice all winter long up North. Yeah, snow and ice is beautiful to look at, but I could never take all the cold and wet that follows the snow and ice....and then there is the salt and tire chains. Wow! I don't know.

Y'all try to stay warm today, hear.

Jerry

You couldn't pay me to live up north. I hate what little ice we have and get really depressed in a long rainy season. I can't imagine living anywhere other than the south...Tx in perticular!

Morning, all. I missed yesterday's chat. I was out playing in the dirt! We put a bit more mulch out since we ran out last week before we finished all the beds. I've been out this morning doing some weeding and refilling bird feeders. Lots and lots of birds this morning; goldfinches, cardinals, house finches, woodpeckers and of course, the grackles. So far all my plants have made it through our couple of freezes without any visible damage. Sitting in front of the fireplace sounds really nice. I have one, but it's never been used. In fact, we've never turned the heat on since we've been here, which is 5 years now. I just love cold weather, but don't think I'd like living in the north with all the snow and ice. I'm such a Texas girl that one winter when I lived in Holland, I was going in to work and the tiled area outside the entry doors had what I thought was soap suds on them. I commented "who on earth would be out in this cold cleaning the tile" and just as I got that out, I slipped on the "soap suds" and busted my bottom. Of course the soap suds weren't soap at all, but ice crystals. Friends who saw me said I looked like Bambi skidding across that ice. Being from Texas, it just didn't occur to me that it was ice.

Hope y'all are all having a great day today.

Oh, if anyone on here reads a lot, I'd be very interested in any titles and authors that are your favorites. I'm a voracious reader and usually read 3 or 4 books a week. I'll read just about anything with mysteries being the current favorite. If anyone reads a lot and is near me (west Houston), I'd be happy to swap or just give books. I have given up on taking them to Half Price Books to sell since you only get about a nickel per book. I'd rather give them to someone or donate them to nujrsing homes or rehab centers. My favorite authors are: Carrol O'Connell, Lee Child, Janet Evanovich, Charles de Lint, and Tess Gerritsen. I typically find an author I like and then read everything they've written. My problem is that I read faster than they write.

Crow

Crow, if you live anywhere near a VA hospital, they can always use any magazines or books that anyone can donate. Our veterans deserve to have something to read.

I'm a big reader, and LouC, I love Secret... Bees but The Mermaid's Chair never clicked with me, either. It's like she was trying too hard to recreate the magic of Bees. I felt she had a publishing deadline. I did finish it, but it's not one I'd read again or buy for someone else.

Usually I read mind candy (Diane Mott Davidson mysteries and things like that) because I have to read so much on the job and just want to relax when I read at home. But I've made myself a promise to get caught up on literature I "should have read" and the ones I would really recommend VERY highly include "Call of the Wild," "White Fang," and "East of Eden." Anything at all by Jane Austen. But for entertainment, Davidson is good, and so is Susan Wittig Albert (her heroine grows herbs in the hill country and solves murders).

I enjoy Susan Wittig Albert too. Have you read the mysteries she writes under the name Robin Paige. Very different from her China Bayles character.
Diane Mott Davidson is another favorite too. Waiting for a new one to come out.
I just started The mermaid's Chair. It is a book that isn't gripping me totally but more like watching an exotic animal you'd see in the zoo. Totally unrelated to anything I see in my life but interesting enough on a cold day....I haven't read Secret life of Bees yet. Waiting for a friend to finish it so I can borrow the book.
My daughter asked for Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" for Christmas so I guess she is the classics reader in the family....

There's another for my list of "should have read" books...

I remember reading "Atlas Shrugged" years ago :o) when I was in my thirties. It is a very thick book and I didn't want it to end. I have been thinking I would go back and read it again as I don't really remember much about it other than the fact that I couldn't put it down!

My all-time favorite is Pat Conroy. He has quit writing and I have been so sorry. Great Santini, Prince of Tides, Beach Music, etc. If you have seen the films, just forget them. The books are nothing, nothing like the movie.

Years ago I read every word James Michener wrote, that is until I started "Texas". That was so far off the beaten path that was the end for me. The last books with his name were actually put together by his assistants and it showed.

Same thing happened with Tom Clancy. Red October was SOOOO good, and so were the next few. Now I wouldn't bother picking up one with his name on it.

Have any of you read Dear Senator by Essie Mae Williams? That is one of the most amazing books. It's one of a few non fiction titles I've read recently. Like I said, I read a lot of different things, including some science fiction and fantasy. About the only thing I'm not too keen on is romance novels. I will read them though if I run out of anything else. I prefer that the hero be a good looking Scotsman in a kilt :) My own Scotsman calls them "hysterical" novels rather than historical.

My thermometer said it was 22 this morning. I can't believe that's right. It's hanging on an outside brick wall, so maybe it's registering colder due to the brick?

Brrr!! No, I need to get that fire going. We left home early and in the sleet. Thought we had lost our minds. Wasting a perfectly good day away from home. The lowest I saw here this morning was 25° but right now it is only 32°. I am NOT a cold weather fan.

Some of the reading I have done is rather mindless. DD says try this author and she starts me on a series. I usually read thru them all too. Patricia Cornwall, John Sanford, Nevada Barr, Greg Illes (who is really off the wall) to name a few.
A fire and a good book sounds like a good way to spend the day. Hot chocolate anyone? With a peppermint stick? Marshmallows? Cool Whip? Let me go get that fire going!

Ooh...hot chocolate sounds good...gotta go get a cup! You couldn't have made me go anywhere today unless the place caughte fire! And that reminds me...my country hasn't banned fireworks, so I only hope there isn't a fire around here later. Bexar Co. has a ban...good for them!

Walked away and all these thoughts popped in my head. Yes to Ayn Rand. DH has told me time and again I need to read it. This may be a good New Years resolution for me. But what if I can't put it down???

Fireworks need to be a no,no here too. We are too dry and after DHs' shop burned this past summer, I was almost nervous about lighting this fireplace.

Jerry your comment

made me both chuckle and cringe. Been there and done that and it hurts bigtime. Hope the fingers survived the day for you. lol

Teacup, Bobyrd, Brigidlily, Crowelli & everyone ~ glad to have you all! Pull up a chair by the fire. I'll get some more rockers out. (I have always been acused of having too many rocking chairs.) The more the merrier or at least warmer. Playing in the dirt yesterday must not have been too cold for you Crowelli. I played in the potted plant dirt inside instead. Fair weather gardener here.

Anyone surprised by their outside plants after these freezing temps? I had a couple that amazed me. I was given a Senna by Placenciarita and it has not even shed leaves with these temps. Amazing as it looks tender, almost tropical. The Soapwort is still green and thriving and my sweet olive is BLOOMING! and it smells wonderful.

Stoke that fire Podster!! Pull up a foot stool and grab a lap quilt too. Weatherman is calling for freezing rain here. Glad we have the hot chocolate to keep us warm!

I don't read much, but love a tear jerking movie. DH and I watched "Bucket List" the other night and both had a few tears when it was over. Two great actors Morgan Freeman and Jack Nickolas.

I'll have some of that hot chocolate, podster. I like mine with a dollup of marshmellow fluff. I need to go and do the rest of my wrapping now but a fire here would sure make it much more enjoyable.

Bucket List comes highly recommended. It just takes awhile for new movies to find their way to our house... we live too deep in the woods.

On the hot chocolate, a friend insisted I try it with cool whip. Didn't sound great but tasted wonderful. I had always been a marshmallow fan myself. Now, I take my long handled fork and toast them over the fire instead.

Stay warm everyone...

Now you have me scrambling around looking through the bookcase for something to read tonight. We have a fireplace in the den but put in gas logs several years ago. This is the first time in a long time that it has been cold enough to have a fire. The two electric heaters in the greenhouse and the "barn" are on the same circuit as my pc....yep, you got it, blows the circuit about twice a day. When this house was built in 1965, no one ever dreamed of all these electronics. What was sufficient then doesn't even start today.