A spell of unseasonably warm weather in mid-March derailed any blogging attempts. Suddenly, we were able to work outside, take nice long walks in dry fields, free of bugs and stifling heat, and enjoy shedding our winter wardrobe along the way. It was a renaissance of the finest order.
March also features Eric's birthday, and the honours go to me for opening the party season with a big bash. It always seems to take me a few days to get the house in order, prep my plan, and let the good times roll. A good time was had by all, once again, and I drift on the fumes of "hostess with the mostess" for at least a week longer. Once my light-headedness wears off, it's back to the old grind again.
We've been enjoying lots of bright, sunny days, and although it's not as warm as it was in mid-March by a long shot, Cooper has been motivating me to get off my duff and take long walks in the fields again. Let's just say I've embraced this beautiful weather as a sign that I'm meant to shed a few post-winter pounds. So, after dinner, the dog and I head out, making our rounds, some evenings coming back after nightfall, but invigorated by the cool air, the fresh, growing grass, and the chirps of returning birds as we make our way home. It's the perfect time of year, and even if I need to wear a hat and gloves and long-johns to be comfortable, it's the high-point of my day. When the sun sets, we turn back and watch the sky as it turns orange and pink and purple, finally making our way home.
Everyone should own at least one Aladdin lamp. We were lucky this past winter, and didn't have one power failure worth getting the generator out for. We took the opportunity of Earth Hour to break out the lamp and dust it off, post-photo, I regretfully add. It's amazing how much light these Aladdin lamps give off, and how much heat as well. We also have 2 candle chandeliers that we regularly use, one in the kitchen and one in the living room, so the concept of turning off all the lights and basking by the glow of candles is not foreign to us, but we don't give the Aladdin lamp the use it really deserves. Hopefully, we're good for at least another year.
8 comments:
Glad you've been awol for good reasons. I've been basking in the just-right, bug-free weather too.
I know, I know...I've been very lazy on the blogging front! But it's been so glorious outside, that I've taken advantage of walking every, every evening. Unfortunately, that cuts into my blogging time tremendously. I'll try and do a bit better!
I know what you mean about nice weather. When it's nice here suddenly I don't want to be inside and when I do come in I'm too tired to want to sit down and write on our blog. When we got back from vacation we had a stretch of warm days and it was awesome. Now its raining and I'm desperate for some nice days again because there is so much stuff I want to do. ARGGGG!
By the way I love your Aladdin lamp. Where did you get it? When our place gets a little more finished I know Lee would love to get one.
Happy Bday to Eric!! Lee has his 30th this year and I am trying to figure out what to do. I'm just glad that he finally caught up with me so I'm not alone in my 30ies now. hehe
Hi Robin, of course I jinxed the weather with that post, with 7 days of rain in the forecast for the coming week. I've always looked at the US radar loop ('cause, invariably, our weather comes up from the US 90% of the time), and have noticed rain over the PNW for the past few weeks now. Poor you! Poor us! Oh well, it is spring, and it beats snow, but I might be changing my tune in the next week LOL!
We bought our Aladdin lamp at a local dealer, but I remember getting parts from someone in either NC or SC, can't remember which. They are NOT cheap - I had an old B&H model I bought for a song at a flea market eons ago, and Eric INSISTED on having a second one. Check out local dealers here:
http://www.aladdinlamps.com/mapclick.asp?State=OREGON
They are expensive - no doubts - but it's a lifetime purchase, and if you know what to look out for, they can be had for a song at garage sales and flea markets. Old ones are easy to clean and refurb with new parts. The brightest Aladdins have what's referred to as a Lox-on mantle, basically this mantle glows (thanks to thorium and cerium, wiki it, because it's a cool story...) and most give off light equivalent to about a 60W incandescent. Might be radioactive, LOL, but beats today's CFL's that I can't tolerate in the house.
Yup. Eric turned 45 this year. I told him he can use the term "mid forties" for 2 more years now, then it's all downhill from there LOL. This year, I feted him on St-Patrick's day, which is always a big brouhaha here in Montreal, given the huge Irish population. The fact we had an absolutely gorgeous day brightened everyone's mood, and it was THE first year we were able to go outside in T-shirts and have a beer. Normally, it's snowing, sleeting, or down-right freezing. It's a big effort, but lots of fun. (Any excuse for a party in this house, can you tell?)
Ahhh...you and Lee are but babes in the woods...just make sure you keep cracking that whip, or you'll still have plywood floors in your 40's like me LOL!
I'm so glad you mentioned your Aladdin lamp, because I had been thinking we need something around here for power failures other than candles, which are good for making sure you don't walk into a wall, but not much else! I'll start keeping my eye out for a used one.
Hi Miriam! Yes, most definitely, keep your eyes out for anything Aladdin! Most parts are easy to find and readily interchangeable. Try and find one with a glass shade, as it's quite necessary to diffuse the light. Most Aladdins can be adapted to accept a shade. If you have a look at the newer models in stores, you'll know what to look for at garage or estate sales. Happy hunting!
I have an aladdan lamp but I want an all stainless steel one with a reflector!..someday. We had a nice(ish) spell of weather here..followed by rain..proabably the same you got!
Oops, Hi Beav, missed replying to your comment! Yeah, invariably, we end up with crappy weather and send it your way about 24 to 36 hours later! I've never seen an Aladdin lamp with the reflector, but I know which kind you are referring to - my dad has some from his old days on sailing ships. The Aladdin lamp with the Lox-on mantle gives off more than enough light, especially with the shade to diffuse it. Without the shade, it's almost painful to look at.
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