Travel
When I lived in Ireland my house was always cold - no central heat. I had a portable oil heater I could move around the kitchen, but the small living room was warmed by a fireplace. I loved that fireplace and got pretty good at making fire with coal and peat. The last year I bought a big load of wood and sometimes burned that as well. I also had a portable electric heater that I would keep in the bathroom so that I could take a shower and not freeze to death.
One Christmas Jeannie, Donald and Ara sent me presents that would keep me warm - a wonderful fleece bathrobe (I'm wearing it right now), a thermal blanket, and I can't remember the 3rd thing. Last night I put the thermal blanket on my bed, and combined with the lightweight down comforter I was toasty warm all night. In fact, it was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time, and I woke up in the best of moods.
I think my former landlady eventually put central heat in the house after I moved, but the cost of running it would have made it unlikely I would have used it all that much. So I am not as uncomfortable as most folks would be with the chilly house, as I've been there and done that, and actually didn't mind it all that much. But a friend (who also didn't have central heat) used to come and visit me, and we would laugh about how we could see our breath in the cold room. Also, my fingers never seemed to warm up completely.
The experience of living in Ireland taught me that I can deal with just about any situation, and I faced many such situations that I had no experience with, but I learned how tough I can be. The thing I doubt I could ever get used to is the extreme heat in California summers, and perish the thought of the desert. I'd take snow any day over excessive heat!
The pubs in Ireland were always warm enough, and they all had fireplaces where a person could warm up quickly coming in from the cold.
I think I've posted pictures of my house in Ireland but I'll do it again. The living room is to the lower right, and my bedroom was just above it. I loved that house.
View from the house:
I made cranberry sauce this morning from scratch. I had no idea how easy it is, and from the taste test, it is very good. It is supposed to thicken as it cools, and I really hope it does. I have half a bag of cranberries left so I can experiment another time with adding spices, pecans, etc. I did grate a little nutmeg into the cranberry mixture, but not enough to overpower it. In fact, probably no one but me will know it's in there.
I need to get a few things done so I will publish this early. Have to decide what I will take to Jeannie's since I'll be staying overnight.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
- Back To My Routine
I got away from the routine when I was immobilized with sciatica, but last night Jeannie and I went to the gym together. It is so much more fun when working out with someone rather than alone. I covered almost twice the distance on the treadmill...
- We Finaly Got Rain!
Probably not much rainfall, but what we got is sure welcome. The temps won't get out of the upper 50's today and I'm chilled, but when I go out in a few minutes I will be able to wear a new rain jacket I bought. It is warm even...
- The Only Way To Go Is Up!
I started the morning off by bringing my bowl of fruit & nuts along with a BIG mug of coffee into the living room. I am most comfortable in my big recliner, and I keep a portable heater in front of me to stay warm. I don't think I...
- Heat Wave
It is 90F just a little before 4pm, and will probably go a bit higher. It will get hotter during the next two days, maybe even hitting 100! I can barely stand this kind of heat although my swamp cooler plus a fan and several open windows...
- Have Dinner In South Africa
Voulezvousdiner Have just launched a new special offer. ...
Travel
Keeping warm
When I lived in Ireland my house was always cold - no central heat. I had a portable oil heater I could move around the kitchen, but the small living room was warmed by a fireplace. I loved that fireplace and got pretty good at making fire with coal and peat. The last year I bought a big load of wood and sometimes burned that as well. I also had a portable electric heater that I would keep in the bathroom so that I could take a shower and not freeze to death.
One Christmas Jeannie, Donald and Ara sent me presents that would keep me warm - a wonderful fleece bathrobe (I'm wearing it right now), a thermal blanket, and I can't remember the 3rd thing. Last night I put the thermal blanket on my bed, and combined with the lightweight down comforter I was toasty warm all night. In fact, it was the best night's sleep I've had in a long time, and I woke up in the best of moods.
I think my former landlady eventually put central heat in the house after I moved, but the cost of running it would have made it unlikely I would have used it all that much. So I am not as uncomfortable as most folks would be with the chilly house, as I've been there and done that, and actually didn't mind it all that much. But a friend (who also didn't have central heat) used to come and visit me, and we would laugh about how we could see our breath in the cold room. Also, my fingers never seemed to warm up completely.
The experience of living in Ireland taught me that I can deal with just about any situation, and I faced many such situations that I had no experience with, but I learned how tough I can be. The thing I doubt I could ever get used to is the extreme heat in California summers, and perish the thought of the desert. I'd take snow any day over excessive heat!
The pubs in Ireland were always warm enough, and they all had fireplaces where a person could warm up quickly coming in from the cold.
I think I've posted pictures of my house in Ireland but I'll do it again. The living room is to the lower right, and my bedroom was just above it. I loved that house.
View from the house:
I made cranberry sauce this morning from scratch. I had no idea how easy it is, and from the taste test, it is very good. It is supposed to thicken as it cools, and I really hope it does. I have half a bag of cranberries left so I can experiment another time with adding spices, pecans, etc. I did grate a little nutmeg into the cranberry mixture, but not enough to overpower it. In fact, probably no one but me will know it's in there.
I need to get a few things done so I will publish this early. Have to decide what I will take to Jeannie's since I'll be staying overnight.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
- Back To My Routine
I got away from the routine when I was immobilized with sciatica, but last night Jeannie and I went to the gym together. It is so much more fun when working out with someone rather than alone. I covered almost twice the distance on the treadmill...
- We Finaly Got Rain!
Probably not much rainfall, but what we got is sure welcome. The temps won't get out of the upper 50's today and I'm chilled, but when I go out in a few minutes I will be able to wear a new rain jacket I bought. It is warm even...
- The Only Way To Go Is Up!
I started the morning off by bringing my bowl of fruit & nuts along with a BIG mug of coffee into the living room. I am most comfortable in my big recliner, and I keep a portable heater in front of me to stay warm. I don't think I...
- Heat Wave
It is 90F just a little before 4pm, and will probably go a bit higher. It will get hotter during the next two days, maybe even hitting 100! I can barely stand this kind of heat although my swamp cooler plus a fan and several open windows...
- Have Dinner In South Africa
Voulezvousdiner Have just launched a new special offer. ...