Home fires burning

For the past two years, we have been contemplating which upgrades we need/want to make to our home. We waffle back and forth with different ideas; which ones will we get the most bang for our buck. Or do we want to go more with what is going to make our lives more comfortable, and with the current state of the housing market, should we even care about resale value at this point? One of the upgrades we decided on for sure this past weekend would be a gas insert in our fireplace. Our home is a newer one, so fireplaces were only put in for aesthetics, not as a source of heat. They are far from efficient, not to mention the mess that comes with burning wood, as well as the thought that another tree was taken down. Scooter has spent huge amounts of time researching, and at first, thought a pellet stove might be the way to go...until he learned that they are not good for the respiratory system. The pellets create a fine dust so for anyone with allergies or asthma, it's not a good thing. Myself and several of my grandchildren have asthma, so pellet stove is out of the running. We have never used our fireplace because of the mess, but for some ambiance, I keep candles in it. I love the look, but I have a feeling I'm going to love the efficiency and warmth of an insert this winter just as much, if not more! The next county over from us has already adopted an ordinance that the people who live there can only burn wood on certain days. We know we are next, it's only a matter of time. We will be one step ahead....

My Oregon vest is coming right along once again, and as long as I have it completed before fall arrives, I'm okay with that. I took a slight break from it to get some other things done, and I'm so glad to be back on it! I need to get some socks done too, so maybe I can cast on for the second sock of the ones I call Leaping Leprechauns, aka Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt. I have also signed up to do some scarves for the Special Olympics Winter Games again this year, but I have until February to get those done and mailed off. With all of the home improvements we're starting (painting the guest room this week), I am hoping to sneak in some good blocks of time to knit!!!

p.s. we have chosen the second style of insert from the bottom of the brochure above, but that's not in stone yet. The glass door fronts are an accessory that you really should choose when you buy the insert. Otherwise, if you decide you want them later, the whole front of your insert has to be changed, which requires an installer to come back out, which is an added charge. There are four to choose from; black, black onyx, Swedish nickel, and gold/brass. We are leaning towards the Swedish nickel, but we will see...