The fireplace

I have always been a purist when it comes to fireplaces: I love the smell of a roaring fire as well as the snapping and crackling sounds that nice dry wood makes. I spent years fighting my husband's attempts to insert a wood burning stove in our living room fireplace because I just felt it wouldn't be the same. He finally gave up.

I lay that foundation of information so you understand that what I am about to reveal is pretty amazing: we just had a gas insert installed in our fireplace(gasp!). Honestly I have a difficult time even writing that down - I feel as though I'm in a confessional or something and I am filled with guilt.

We've been toying with the idea of a gas insert for a couple years now but I, naturally, have resisted it all this time. But then I attended a forum at Town Hall in September regarding energy alternatives, and home heating efficiency, and in looking ahead to the upcoming winter (and current fuel prices) I finally gave in. The idea of all that (expensive) heated room air being sucked out of my house and up through the chimney finally brought me to my senses.

So, we bit the bullet and the gas insert is now installed. I'm pleased with the way it looks - (pretty darn realistic actually) - and the ease of turning it on with a nice little remote control (which also allows me to raise and lower the flame height - so cute!). And I'm looking forward to some nice cold nights this winter when we can sit enjoying the fireplace without the need to bring in wood from outside or clean up any mess afterward.

But I feel really, really old for thinking that way. Next thing you know I'll be buying a fake Christmas tree...