Snap, Crackle, Pop.

Could you EVER live in a location that didn't have a change of season?

My answer to that would be NO! Just about the time that I am fed up with the heat of summer or the piles and piles of snow, it is time for a season change. Season changes mark the change of seasonal decor on the main floor of my house, pulling out my cozy socks, fannel PJs, and warm sweaters. The last few weeks, we have been 'winterizing' the outside of our home, putting away our outdoor patio, moving the wood pile, putting the last of the lawn applications down, moving the snow blower from the back of the garage to the front, as we get ready to 'hunker' down for snow and cold. Living in Iowa, one never can quite predict just how harsh our winter will be, however I must admit I LOVE a good blizzard; especially the kind where you rush to the store to stock up on your basics, anticipate no school, and just get ready to be socked in for a few days!

Yesterday I did my weekly run to Walmart and Sams Club to restock for the week. I declare that EVERY resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa was either at Walmart or Sams doing the same! So what was suppose to take about an hour, turned into a 2 hour adventure, weaving in and out of the crowded isles. One saving grace was I have left the stage of life, where I would also have had two crying toddlers hanging on the cart.

So with stress hanging in the medium to high range, I pulled into the garage to unload my weekly stock. As I opened the door, I was greeted with the aroma and sound of our fireplace! Immediately I relaxed and savored that moment. Our FIRST indoor fire of the season. ahhhh

Milo is the master fire builder. The beautiful fire quickly warmed my frozen fingers, as I haven't yet succomb to the outdoor gear appropiate for the season.

When we built out home 5 years ago, the builder convinced us that a gas fireplace was the way to go. His pitch was he didn't want us calling mid-winter to have him stand in front of it, to take in the cold wind blowing in through the chimmey. At the last moment we took the risk and changed to a wood burning and NOT one chilly winter day goes by that we regret our decision!

Snap, crackle, pop...we are READY for old man winter!

Jill