The Woolley Farm

Here it is. My favorite winter sport. Woodstove-hugging. Yup, this old beauty and I make quite the team. I keep chucking in the wood and she keeps putting out the heat. I love her. She cooks for me, keeps me warm, dries my mitts, warms up my jackets, and stores tons of ’stuff’. I got her some antique enamel canisters and a beautiful copper pot to simmer water in. Throw in a handful of cloves and anise and maybe an apple or orange, and she smells wonderful. I love sitting next to her and reading. OK, so maybe I don’t sit. Maybe I just wrap my arms around her and put my face about 4″ from the top, until steam comes off my (flame-retardant) clothing.  I only leave her side to run to the computer or to run out to the woodshed to get some more wood for her. Isn’t she a beauty?

I am always cold in the winter. My 2 pairs of socks and slippers on top just wasn’t enough once the temp got below 0.  So yesterday I wore my “Maine Winter Slippers” all day in the house. These are Sorels, rated to -70, which is just about the temp 4 rooms away from the wood stove. God bless wool, as the felted liners kept my little tootsies toasty warm all day. I looked rather silly with my jammies on and sitting in my wing-back chair, knitting & watching TV last night but THIS IS WINTER IN MAINE and one must adapt. Like the sheep. They have very thick fleece and are happily munching away in the barn, laying on their feet to keep them warm.