The 'ch ch ch" in the title is supposed to be the chattering of my teeth... not the song. Although the song is what is stuck in my head now, and not the chattering of my teeth.
Now those of you from colder climates will probably laugh at me from great distances (and through a computer screen, so it really does lose its impact I'm sorry to say), but over the past few days here, I've noticed a distinct chill in the air. It's slight, but it's there, and the worst thing is, it's here to stay for a bit.
I hate the cold. No, let's correct that, I loathe the cold. Loathe it so much that it merits italics. Last night it was down to 21 degrees (stop laughing now), and it's only going to get worse.
While I have disliked the cold intensely from my childhood, the reason I continue to detest it to such an extent now, is because of our house. I love our house. Adore it. It's old, and it's wooden, with fabulous VJs and polished floors. It's elevated right up off the ground and has super high ceilings, and just like all the houses of its period in my area (postwar), it has tons of windows. Tons of them. To catch all the breezes you see. Because it gets very hot here.
But no one seemed to think of the cold. And while you are allowed to laugh at 21 degrees, 10 degrees at night in a home with gaps in the floorboards is no fun at all. And what's worse, the house seems to store the cold. At 6am it's warmer out than in. I have many a memory of swaddling up in my doona, and shivering and chattering my way around the yard, trying to find a patch of sunlight to that out in.
As I have said, no fun at all.
But this year I am going into battle. I have a reverse cycle air conditioner, oil heaters for every room, and even a little fan forced heater in my own room for when it gets really bad. This season, I am determined not to be caught out hopping on cold floors on my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
And to further try to get into the spirit of things, I have even made myself a warm winter handbag. I had been wanting to try felting for ages, and pictured is the result of my first try.
17 comments:
Hahaha well Ali we went for a drive today and folks have already fired the wood heaters lol but thats tassie weather for ya .... your night time temp is probley warmer than our day time lol and even know i was born and breed here you never get used to the cold brrrrr i carn't seem to function as good when it's cold i need warmth to charge my batterys :-) oh and that little felt bag looks fantastic thats something iv always wonted to learn ,i should look in to over these colder months :-)
Frugal mumma, I'll bet Tassie gets blooming FREEZING! I'd never last :)
The felting was really very simple, I found a good tutorial that I could email you if you are interested.
Poor Ali. I love the cold, nothing better than sitting by the wood fire with a hot drink and book. I'm sure that felted bag will keep you warm tho (hands over mouth, trying not to laugh out loud). Now you just need to make a felted hat, socks and jacket to go with it. :)
Judith, loving the cold in front of a wood fire is sensible! Loving it in a high ceilinged, gappy floor boarded house is something else altogether! And am I getting the impression that you are having a giggle at a Brisbane winter???
I'd love to have a fire place though, although I don't know that I'd be a bit worried with the entire house made of wood.
Oh and I did also felt a teeny little scarf, more like a neck warmer really. I will call it "autumn wear".
I am from NZ(christchurch) and when my oldest was a baby his cloth nappies use to freeze stiff on the clothes line..As you get older and go thru the change of life you will love the cold cause your always so darn hot.. i have a feeling its going to be an icy cold winter this year
I love your blog, I can always count on a good giggle.
Not sure if I'd have a wood fire in an all wood house either, especially given that we live in an area that relies on volunteer fire fighters ;)
It's OK Ali. I will keep you warm. LOL
...when you collect your prizes.
I hate the cold too but I am about to head down to Tassie to work - I hope they have the heaters on for the pathetic Queenslander. Coming down in May Tassie so please heat the place up for me.
I do like Autumn and Spring much nicer than winter and summer. I like constant temps.
Enjoy your handbag Ali - it looks awesome.
It's a hot clime where I am, in Kuala lumpur. I prefer the heat to the cold. Nevertheless I'm fine with the cold 'coz it's holiday time , wherever that place may be:)
Haha! It's our turn (in the UK) to be smug now. We'll be quite please when (if) the temp gets UP to 21 degrees even in the Summer!!!
P.S. The gloves look ripe, Ali....
I understand how you feel because I also hate cold temperature. In winter I always wear socks when I sleep.
What happen to you if you are in Japan in winter!
I recommend I visit Japan in summer if you trip there.
Felt bags are awesome! I have one that I use in winter when I go out because it keeps the lap so warm!!!
I cant wait for the winter! I LOVE IT in my little earth house with cups of tea and the wood fire! But a cold Queenslander with millions of windows and louvers? That would be crap. Maybe you need a full body felt bag?
Lol Ali - you poor wee thing! I loathe the summer! can't wait for those crisp mornings, it's the only time I get really really enthused about gardening. I do love your felted bag. I have one knitted up ready to try myself. BTW before we moved here we lived in a timber house and had a fireplace installed. Lovely toasty warm. (No problems as long as installed correctly!)
Ooo Wendy, you wouldn't have to try too hard to convince me, I love a good fire. What kind did you have?
Phoebe I just recently bought a full length dress that looks remarkably like a sleeping bag with the bottom cut out. And I'm going to use it!
Takaeko, Japan would be blooming freezing in winter! I actually visited Japan when I was much younger, in September, and I remember being surprised at how hot and humid it was... I just want to see the cherry blossoms now. That will be soon, won't it?
Mark, you can't even begin to laugh yet. I've seen your weather window, it's blooming freezing over there!
Farm Girl - icy, cold, not words I want to hear!
Elsie May, Tassie is going to be the end of you. The absolute end.
Keats good on you, yes, the hot weather wins for me every time... and if you combine hot weather and holidays, I'm a happy young thing!
Hazel, we are going to need lots of straw for that shed!!!
Ali - re the fire - I can't remember the brand it was years ago, but it was one of the square type with big glass front. It did work really well. In this house we have a Maleny Hot Drum (which I just googled and they are still in existence). It is awesome and a great source of heat. Much much better than a pot belly IMHO.
I will take a look at it Wendy, although how hot was it today?! Just the thought of a fire is quite dreadful right now. An icebox would be wonderful though.
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