but the fire is so delightful...

Looks warm and cosy nice to come in from the cold snow. I use to love sitting by an open fire scraping the ash of the burning coal or wood with the poker and cooking off and in the Arga the meat use to be very tender.

It's a bit dusty...I sneeze sometimes, but it's sure is a comfort. I have only cooked eggs and boiled water for tea when the power was out. That's when I really appreciate it the most!

Yes they come in handy when the power fails.

That's looks so cosy Lori , all your months of collecting & storing wood have been worth it ...

I owe my friend Pat a great deal, Amy. She's a veteran of northern winters and wood stoves. I have pledged to help in her garden next summer since she helped me split and pile most of this wood. It's good to have friends to help and we sure appreciate the warmth now that it is so cold. Had to take stock...it looks like we have enough to make it through to April... fingers crossed.