warmth

While the wood stove is amazing at keeping the house warm it doesn't always make sense to build a fire. 
1) It can be a little time consuming, especially if you need to gather kindling or chop
2) if the high for the day is going to be higher than say 60*, might as well don a sweater and some slippers and then open the doors when it warms up, why waste the wood?
3) More fires means more ashes to scoop, and I still haven't decided what to with all the ashes
4) If I wake up only an hour before work chances are eating breakfast and washing my face will win out over fire building

note the slight bluish tinge of toenails

So I have started digging out my sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies and slippers to get me through the fireless times. This time of year always makes me want to buy more hoodies and slippers. The stores are sure to be stocked with appealing new colors and designs. But I have more than I need as it is. And I am trying to get rid of stuff, not add to the heap. This means I will also be mending and patching items that are otherwise perfectly good. I want to wear things to pieces. 

note the healthy pink color of toenails, indicating warmth
also? I need a pedicure

Right now I am in a favorite hole-mended big brown wool sweater from college. I had on regular flipflops before but my toes were cold. So I put on my fuzzy shearling flipflops. For reasons I don't completely understand they keep my feet a lot warmer. In both cases my toes are exposed to cold air. Is it the friction with the fuzz? I don't know but it doesn't really matter. My feet are happier.