Hammer and Tongs

Well, chainsaw and log splitter really. Yesterday the stove was pretty much out and the house was an iceberg. (Except in the Peggy space where there is extra heat.) 
 
See there is this thing where I would tend the darned stove if I could  lift the logs, but if they are the size of my torso I cannot put them in the stove. I started tending a wood and coal stove the winter I turned EIGHT, and lived many years with only a wood fire as a source of heat in very cold domiciles where it was build a fire or freeze.

 The stove is supposed to run at 184-6 degrees and it was languishing at 126. I went out to deal.

Broke up tiny dry box elder twigs. And then bigger ones. A broken bird feeder....my how lovely that cedar smells when burning. An old lilac bush that fell in the horse yard..... Dang, that stuff is stringy. After I went at it for a while Liz sent Jade out with the little chainsaw to cut up some apple, bigger box elder...too big to stomp on to break....and sundry other odds and ends.

Farm Show Fox

Then the boss brought down some excellent hickory...best firewood in the world...and the fellas brought the tractor over and split it. Splitting the firewood so the womens can lift it is a tradition not much honored around here.

Then there was some actual dry box elder brought in too. I tended stove all day and even oversaw the night time stuffing of same. 

This morning I got up to a warm house! Actually had to take my down vest off when I came in from filling it again. I now have it topped up for the day and the place is toasty.

I have explained to the boss that this is what he can look forward to if he makes the wood small enough for me to lift and toss......all he has to do is bring it and split it and throw it in a pile. .