Keeping Warm in New England

Sitting by the fire to conserve fuel oil, 1942. LOC.

 

I was called away from home, early one morning. One of the grandbabies was sick and his mother needed to do a necessary errand. I was happy to stay with the little one, cozy in his home, and take good care of him.  His mother returned in good time, and I was able to go back to the coziness of my own house. 

The weather here has been incredibly cold. There are freezing temperatures near zero and, at times, below zero.  This is uncommon for this time of year.  It does not usually get this cold until January or February. It makes one want to stay home and wait out the winter!

All this cold weather is increasing the cost of heating this place. We have a specific amount available for the season.  With the higher costs, I need to try to make the kerosene last longer.  We are trying to use our wood stove more often. But the fuel supply for this has come from fallen trees on our property, over the previous summer months. It is limited. I have been saving newspapers and scrap paper as a contribution to the warmth of the fireside. 

In my childhood home, here in New England, I remember my mother standing in the hallway. She would quietly adjust the thermostat on the wall to just a touch higher than it was to bring the heat up. She was never one to waste anything. She wanted us to be warm, but she expected us to dress in seasonal clothing, wearing sweaters and such to do our part. The oil had to be conserved so that it was affordable to maintain the household expenses. 

My father often had a fire in the fireplace, especially in the evenings and on weekends throughout the winter months.  It was so cozy and comforting to sit with the family and just talk or read by the warmth of the fire.

The light of home, shining through the window on a snowy night, is a welcoming sight. Inside there is the comfort of family prayer in the evenings. To gather together at day's end in the retreat of one's own home is such a blessing. A peaceful home with good food to eat and a warm hearth is so encouraging when coming in from the cold.  The evening prayers and Bible reading remind us of how very thankful we are for each and every day.

Blessings

Mrs. White

* Note: For those who are following our medical issues, there is an update:

https://thelegacyofhome.blogspot.com/p/help-with-our-medical-trips.html

From the Archives -

A Blessing - The Light in a Messy House.

Beautiful Living - Feminine Grace.

What many of us crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

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For happiness and cheer in the kitchen:

Mrs. White's old fashioned cookbook focuses on serving meals and setting the table in a humble home.

"Serving in the Kitchen: Cookbook with Recipes, Advice, and Encouragement for the Christian Home"

152 pages, paperback