Even though Si and I are a fairly new couple and it's only our second Christmas together, we established some firsts last year that we'd like to make sure we do a second time around, and with any luck, for years to come.
One of my favorite things about the holiday season is that people seem to fill up with hope and love for their family. And though I love Si all year long, there was something special about standing together on December 1st last year, in the glow of our freshly decorated Christmas tree. It was, hands down, my favorite moment of the last year. All year long, we've been collecting ornaments based on where we've been throughout the year. Our Christmas Tree was kind of bare last year, but this year, it will be full of memories and stories from the year.
So, as you might imagine, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow. Feel free to share any of your own Christmas traditions!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Winterproofing
I'm unsure whether winterproofing is an actual word, but I'm taking it and running with it! I firmly believe that Si and I live in a townhouse with the most drafts of all time (except perhaps that 18th century castle we initally looked at). That being said, I've made it my personal mission to "winterproof".
Some things that I've undertaken include:
Clear plastic sheeting on all the windows (you can buy them at Lowes or Home Depot), and they look very clear. I've had hours of amusement already watching the cat attempt to jump into the window behind the couch and being confronted with the plastic. NOTE: A good seal around the plastic is what this is all about. It acts like a double pane window.
Replacement of the weather stripping in the doors. I looked at our front door, and noticed that I could see light coming through the door frame, so I had maintenance replace it, under threat that I'd do it myself.
Small heater. We've turned down the heat, and move a small heater with us from room to room to save on energy costs. We're warmer than we would be with the heat on, because it's more direct, and it saves a bundle!
Thermal curtains. In addition to adding the clear sheeting to the windows, we've also made our own thermal curtains, by adding thermal material to the backs of our curtains now. It's extremely easy, and it lessens the amount of heat that you lose to the windows! (Post on how to, to come)
Some things that I've undertaken include:
Clear plastic sheeting on all the windows (you can buy them at Lowes or Home Depot), and they look very clear. I've had hours of amusement already watching the cat attempt to jump into the window behind the couch and being confronted with the plastic. NOTE: A good seal around the plastic is what this is all about. It acts like a double pane window.
Replacement of the weather stripping in the doors. I looked at our front door, and noticed that I could see light coming through the door frame, so I had maintenance replace it, under threat that I'd do it myself.
Small heater. We've turned down the heat, and move a small heater with us from room to room to save on energy costs. We're warmer than we would be with the heat on, because it's more direct, and it saves a bundle!
Thermal curtains. In addition to adding the clear sheeting to the windows, we've also made our own thermal curtains, by adding thermal material to the backs of our curtains now. It's extremely easy, and it lessens the amount of heat that you lose to the windows! (Post on how to, to come)
Let us know your best "winterproofing" tricks and tips!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Starting to Feel A Lot Like Christmas
I'm sure that you, along with Si and I, have been feeling the Christmas season barreling up on us with super speed quickness. I thought a little change of theme was in order, as we're about to get into the Christmas crafting season. We'll be posting on here about things we're making, including cookies and great to eat treats, as well as homemade crafts perfect for gift giving, along with a few of our favorite Christmas traditions.
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