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Firewood 201

I live in the northern part of the United States and currently we have been experiencing winter-like temperatures (surprise, surprise). I don’t know where you live, but I’m freezing. Which is why I decided to blog about firewood. In my previous blog: Firewood 101, I discussed some basic considerations to keep in mind when shopping for firewood. Even if you are no where near the point where you would consider lighting a fire in your fireplace, believe me, your Indian Summer could bottom out before you know it and you too will be longing to get toasty in front of … Continue reading →

Firewood 101

I live in the Great Lakes region of the United States, where the majority of homes have at least one fireplace. This is in stark contrast to the real estate featured in the state where I was born and raised—Hawaii. Needless to say, the only fireplaces I saw there were in books. When I moved to Wisconsin I got a crash course in fireplaces and in firewood. For those of you who buy supermarket bundles and presto-type logs, this blog’s for you: Types of Firewood One of the first things I learned about fireplaces in Midwestern homes is that they … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Light That First Fire Of The Season

It’s in the 30’s today in the Upper Midwest—a lot of residents here are recovering from a moderate storm that dumped up to 14 inches of snow in some spots. With chilly temperatures and a fresh blanket of snow outside, nothing is better than coming indoors to warm up in front of a roaring fire. Sounds inviting, but without taking the proper precautions, that warm and toasty fire can come back to burn you. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there are approximately 11,000 chimney fires in the United States every year, which cause more than $7 million in … Continue reading →

Decorating Tips: Your Fireplace and Mantel

During the spring and summer months they may be two of the most overlooked items in your home. But once winter rolls around the fireplace and mantel become the center of attention. If you have a fireplace then you know–home is where the hearth is. And, with the amount of time friends and family members spend warning their hands and feet by the flames, you are almost guaranteed that they will be looking at your mantel. Long before you haul your Christmas tree indoors your fireplace and mantel can kick-start the holiday season. A mantel may be small (which makes … Continue reading →

Poinsettias Already?

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Halloween is over. But, I must admit I was a bit stunned when I entered a hardware store today and saw a line of LIVE poinsettias in the greenhouse area. Poinsettias so soon? How would they survive past Thanksgiving? Moreover, could there be people out there who were actually decorating their homes for the holidays when the Halloween candy was still fresh? I came home, did some research and found that poinsettias are hearty plants, which can survive for long periods of time under the right conditions. For example, poinsettias thrive in … Continue reading →

Home: Week in Review, October 16-22

This week we had some themes and a little bit of everything else. Michele gave us a great winterizing article with ten ways to lower your gas bill. I offered five more tips for winterizing your home. I guess you can never get started too early. Marjorie gave us even more terrific ideas for entertaining guests, including articles on everything from the party bathroom to giving buffet parties on a budget. She knows how to throw a party! We also talked about safety, and Michele gave great advice on how not to become a statistic when decorating for the holidays. … Continue reading →