Being cozy inside
One of my northern friends wondered why the heck we'd come to Quebec in the winter in a recent comment. A good question. I was thinking we were rather nuts, myself.
Well, first of all, we're not signing ourselves up for the entire winter, nor through the spring thaw -- I'm not sure what Quebecois call "mud season" but they have it here, just like in the Northeastern U.S. I grew up in Texas and my hubbie in Los Angeles, so we're hardly winter regulars.
So, we're cherry-picking winter, for the snowy month or so that we're here, as I wrote yesterday. And we think we need to experience winter here, since we enjoy summer here so much, and people kept telling us that they "loved" winter as their favorite season. Hmm.
Our house, although originally a historic 1910 schoolhouse, was thoroughly renovated and well-insulated 15 years ago, with replacement, wood-framed double-paned windows presumably replacing the old single-paned ones.
So although the wind howls outside, it's perfectly nice inside, thanks especially to our vintage Berlanger wood stove, acquired by the former owner, an antique dealer who restored this stove, along with another one down in the basement. Here's a dimly light view with the door open.
It requires frequent stoking, but we have LOTS of dry wood out in the solarium/sun porch, so plenty of wood to use. And the electric convection heaters are the background backup, and protection against freezing (pipes and otherwise), while we're not here.
So, it's really the Berlanger that makes it cozy in our main living space. It radiates heat, with a perfect draw that doesn't find smoke coming into the room.
I've yet to try cooking anything on it, or in the oven, but perhaps I will. It would be fun to try.
Well, first of all, we're not signing ourselves up for the entire winter, nor through the spring thaw -- I'm not sure what Quebecois call "mud season" but they have it here, just like in the Northeastern U.S. I grew up in Texas and my hubbie in Los Angeles, so we're hardly winter regulars.
So, we're cherry-picking winter, for the snowy month or so that we're here, as I wrote yesterday. And we think we need to experience winter here, since we enjoy summer here so much, and people kept telling us that they "loved" winter as their favorite season. Hmm.
Our house, although originally a historic 1910 schoolhouse, was thoroughly renovated and well-insulated 15 years ago, with replacement, wood-framed double-paned windows presumably replacing the old single-paned ones.
So although the wind howls outside, it's perfectly nice inside, thanks especially to our vintage Berlanger wood stove, acquired by the former owner, an antique dealer who restored this stove, along with another one down in the basement. Here's a dimly light view with the door open.
It requires frequent stoking, but we have LOTS of dry wood out in the solarium/sun porch, so plenty of wood to use. And the electric convection heaters are the background backup, and protection against freezing (pipes and otherwise), while we're not here.
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| Check out the draw up the chimney! The city cleans it once a year --included in our ample taxes. |
I've yet to try cooking anything on it, or in the oven, but perhaps I will. It would be fun to try.
What an enticing photo. Looks like the perfect place to enjoy a good book. I am glad you are enjoying your trip. Our winter storm threat has turned to pouring rain--not sure about Asheville.
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