Staying Chilled

I picked up the New York Times this morning and I found this story fascinating (and undeniably a little crazy). Penelope Green interviewed people who keep no heat source or the heat off even in the bitter cold. For some, it's to save money, or because they love their unheated spaces too much to move, and for others it is to keep the integrity of the acoustics in the house (proper insulation would ruin the ceilings) or to be eco-warriors. Then there are the Filenes in Maine who blog about their frigid abode in the Cold House Journal. Today's report? Perfectly happy and 25° which seems warm since some of these igloo-dwellers live at 15°. Hmm, no. While I am all for green and saving some energy, I'm going with Crunchy Chicken and her Freeze Yer Buns Challenge on this one. Turn your thermostat to 58° at night and 65° during the day. Gather blankets, sweaters and socks and drink some tea. But for pete's sake, don't freeze. . .

Winter

Out here in bright LA, we never see the snow nor feel the cold. Nope. We celebrate the holidays whether with fireworks or decorated trees in temperate weather. And though I'm not complaining that we have it sunny year-round, I do sometimes want to be reminded that there are seasons. . .somewhere. And so my brother did just that. He ventured out on his first big trip to the East to welcome in the new year bundled up and to capture (a real) January on camera so that we know. . .what winter looks like.