Fires and Fireplaces

It's getting frigid out there! This morning I woke up and it was 15 degrees. YES! Now that's a temperature that will wake you up when you step out that door. Watch your breath freeze in front of you as your fingers and toes begin to numb. Now, how does that feel? Okay, so it probably doesn't feel or sound too appealing. Luckily we have great ways to keep warm. When we're outdoors, it's our high-tech clothing, but when we're indoors it's fires and fireplaces. This is what it's all about. The forced central heat is great and all, but I prefer a nice crackling wood fireplace. These babies can pour out the heat.

You really shouldn't dismiss a wood-burning fireplace until you've tried one. I hear a lot of people do this and it irks me. They go on and on about fires and fireplaces, and how it's so much better to have gas. Okay, that's certainly one opinion. I don't dislike a gas or electric fireplace, but sometimes I want something more. Ah, who am I kidding? I always want something more. Something only a wood-burning fireplace can provide. Sure, gas fireplaces are appealing to most, because of the clean-up issue. You don't have one. You simply turn on the gas and light the pilot. All it takes to start and stop your fire is the flip of a switch. I enjoyed this for several years, but then cam a time when I wanted my wood-burning fireplace back. I love the option of roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. I can curl up by popping wood and a roaring flame. This is a very relaxing way to lounge in the family room.

For those who've never dealt with fires and fireplaces, you should keep a few things in mind when deciding on one. If you want simplicity, aesthetics and heat, but without any hassle, then electric or gas fireplaces are perfect for you. If you want a real flame blazing before you, and don't mind a little cleanup, then maybe you'd prefer a wood-burning fireplace. Just to give you an idea, when you go with wood-burning fires and fireplaces, you will need wood and you will have to scoop ashes regularly. But, these old-fashioned fireplaces are cheaper now days. The price of gas has gone up, while wood is still fairly inexpensive.

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