Basil & Butterflies

Today our heater was fixed. Our whole system (heater, air conditioner, and whole house fan) had been down for three full weeks until this morning. During that time, nighttime temperatures have dipped to the low 40s on multiple occasions and we have been chilly.

Here is the real news: we aren’t going to turn the heater back on. “What?!” you might say. “Why make yourself miserable when you have a heater?” And, in spite of my ecologically sensitive inclinations, I might have agreed with you a month ago. But now that my family has tasted autumn without a heater, there is no going back. Since we have been without a heater, here are some things we have discovered and/or remembered:

• Sweaters are warm and cuddly
• Footed pajamas (for kids) are fun for night- and morning-around-the-house wear
• The extra blankets filling our closets have a purpose
• Ditto with the fluffy pink socks in my sock drawer
• Casseroles, pot pies, and other baked items warm the kitchen
• Families congregate in warm kitchens
• Cups of homemade soup with lunch and dinner make the meals feel more satisfying
• Coffee, tea, hot cocoa and hot cider all taste particularly exquisite when they warm your insides as well as your hands
• Warming (and festive) spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and even cayenne pepper make delicious additions to hot drinks
• Lit candles at the dinner table foster conversation as well as warmth
• Fireplace fires beckon all our pets to curl around us as we read stories aloud and to ourselves
• When you are already dressed warmly for the inside, it’s especially easy to scoot outdoors and enjoy changing leaves, autumn breezes, vibrant sunsets, and a shining moon

As you can plainly see, an inside chill can be a lovely thing. So, our family has decided that we will limit ourselves to three instances of using the heater this winter (and perhaps we won’t even need those). Instead of using our heater, as temperatures drop lower, we are going to buy flannel sheets, dress warmly, warm our beds with hot water bottles, and cook slow meals that warm the entire house.

The anticipated benefits extend far beyond financial savings (perhaps $100 per month) and a significantly reduced carbon footprint. We get to more fully experience and appreciate the seasons. Even more importantly, rather than unconsciously reaching for the thermostat on chilled days, we are consciously creating our own cozy environment and enjoying one another’s company.

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Note: We happen to live in an area where the coldest temperatures we will likely see will be in the 30s (F) at night, but as a word of encouragement to those living in colder climates, I have friends who have reported similar experiences living in far colder, snow-laden regions. Here is an article from “The Happy Recessionist” blog, with thoughts about keeping warm in the winter. And from Re-Nest, here is an extremely helpful article called, “14 Ways to Keep Warm Without Turning the Heat On or Up.”

Let me know about your family’s experiences keeping warm and enjoying the seasons. Be well and cozy!

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eco-consciousness, warmth