Accustomed To The Quiet & Frugal Accomplishments

Hello, friends.  Though there are many wonderful things about wood heat, there's no denying it's a messy business.  From moving the wood itself from outdoors to in-- J has taken to bringing it inside with a wheelbarrow, moving it from copper boiler to stove, and then there's the ash that puffs out and settles on everything.  However, I can't forget a period of time when I was newly separated, and had only the barest of means of keeping warm.  I'm thankful it was brief, and mighty thankful for the wood stove, and a husband who works hard to keep us warm.  On the rare occasions when the electric heat comes on... maybe the wood got wedged in the stove and it cooled off enough for the heat to switch on in the early morning... I'm reminded how thankful I am too that wood heat is quiet, with just the occasional pops and hisses of burning wood.  J & I realized we don't sleep very well when the blower of the electric heat cycles off and on, having grown accustomed to the quiet.

We continue to get orders in our online metal home goods shop, and I'm thankful for that.  Once J fabricates them, I paint the orders, do the final details, and ready them for shipping.  I paid bills online, saving the cost of stamps.  Though I never felt very sick, I believe I ended up with a bout of bronchitis last week.  I'm so thankful I had a bronchial remedy from my herbalist friend, as it saved the day, and quickly.  Hooray for plant medicine, and those who study and share it with the world!  I suppose hygge is a bit passe this year, but I got the idea online to create a hygge box, sort of a care package for a family member who gets the winter doldrums.  Think candles, good cocoa, a pretty magazine, snacks, nail polish, and warm fuzzy socks.  I'm looking forward to gifting it.  Some of what I purchased was marked down at Marshall's, and I picked up the perfect Harry & David wood box for $1 at a thrift store.  I also bought a fitted sheet for .50, a canister I plan to turn into a compost crock for $1, and a Fire King loaf pan for $2 at the thrift store, while supporting the local SPCA.

our frozen pond

There was a reprieve from the cold.  I took advantage of a day in the 40's, did two loads of laundry, and hung them on the line.  It's briefly turning cold again, with nights in the teens, and a possibility of snow midweek.  By next weekend, it will be warming up again.  J & I went to the movies for the first time in years.  I knew this movie would be best enjoyed on the big screen, and it was marvelous.  I gave the correct amount for our tickets, but got change in return.  I guess we got the senior rate, though neither of us is their posted age to get it.  No complaints, though.  We're building our egg supply again, so they've been back on the menu.  Some are boiled for the pups, and some are enjoyed for breakfast.  There will likely be quiche for dinner this coming week.  Some long and short walks were enjoyed with the pups this week.  It felt good to be outside again, and move a bit more.  J's business partner found a sweet bird nest heading to the pond one day, and gifted it to me.  I had not moved the Christmas boxes up to the attic, so it was added to one of the boxes for next year's tree.  A sweet and simple pleasure from this week.  If you've had any sweet and simple pleasures recently, I'd love if you'd share them.  Be well, friends!