Thursday morning it was minus 5 degrees F. (—20.55 C.) when I got up around 7 a.m. I just can't get warm, even though the days have been quite sunny and we have big south-facing windows. It's so cold that I've been wearing my flannel-lined Japanese winter gardening pants, a long-sleeved turtleneck top under a wool turtleneck sweater, heavy socks and one of my many pairs of fingerless gloves — indoors!
When the sun goes down I crank up the heat literally and figuratively. The fireplace is lit to add heat to the living room and candles add visual warmth. If you're going to have candles scattered around the room you need lots of matches. I've got them — but they're souvenirs from different cities, countries and long-gone local establishments.
I use one of those butane thingamajigs to actually light my candles. I wouldn't dream of striking these mementoes. Most of the time they live in this antique bowl in my china cupboard. But I thought they would add an amusing and colorful note to the altar table with the Lohan and my big Mark Skudlarek candlestick.
Recognize any of your favorite places? There's matches here from Toronto, NYC, D.C., Seattle, Rhinebeck and on and on.
And there are also these charming little boxes decorated with images of the original covers of famous books. Every time I visit Arcadia Books in Spring Green, I buy one of these literary match "books".
Once I warm up a little more, I can turn my mind to gardening. I will admit to checking the web to be sure none of my favorite nurseries have gone live with their 2018 catalogs. But the cold and lack of snow have had me worrying more about my current garden than looking forward to the planting and playing season. Since there's nothing any of us can do about the weather, I guess I need to ignore what's happening outside and think Spring!
Brr! Too cold. Love the match books and indeed recognize Wild Ginger from Seattle. Keep warm and keep dreaming of spring!
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 09:17 AM
Supposed to warm up next week. I certainly hope we get a break from this cold weather. Mark and I were in Seattle in 2000 for a newspaper conf. for me. Went to Asian gardens, Asian antique stores and ate fabulous food.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 09:38 AM
I agree completely. There's nothing you can do, and by May when there's so much green and growing you won't even remember the cold!
Love the match collection, keep warm!
Posted by: Frank | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 09:46 AM
My eyes went right to the Wild Ginger and Dahlia Lounge matches. I have a few old matchboxes that I too wouldn't dream of using. Oh and I have a matchbook from a hotel in Florence that's actually a sewing kit.
Hope your garden isn't suffering too much. What a horrible state of affairs.
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Before we went to Seattle, a longtime friend who was a respected Madison restauranteur told us where we should be sure to eat. Great meals all and great memories.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 10:47 AM
I can feel your cold down here. What goes through your area eventually gets here. It is somewhat warmer here today. 15 and supposed to get to 19. I have given up and have jacked up the heat a little. I am sitting here in my office thinking about all the things I want to do in the garden this year. I think this year I am going for color. I want more color in the garden. My brain is in a strain figuring out what all I want to incorporate. If I am able to achieve even half of what I am thinking it will be nice. I love the matches. I remember when you could pick them up at any nice restaurant, even some dives. Back when everyone smoked and it was promoted. It does sort of make you feel warmer just thinking about those little chits of flame. Hang in there...it will get warmer.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 11:48 AM
I'm trying to remember how many times lately I have still seen matches in restaurants. I always loved them even though I did not smoke. Supposedly in the teens and twenties here next week. Maybe we are just swapping weather.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 12:29 PM
Oh, how I miss Ovens of Brittany! My grandma would take the bus from her side of town and meet me for lunch at Ovens when I was at UW. It was a favorite spot for most of my family members and many friends. I haven't seen many matchbooks lately, though I do try to keep half an eye out.
Posted by: Kristin | Friday, January 05, 2018 at 01:49 PM
I understand. I wear long underwear and double socks from November through February. It seems to help, but sometimes I still feel chilled. But today I actually felt warm when I pulled on my parka and went outside to put more water in the heated birdbath. The high was only 12, so I guess that shows how cold it has been until now--that I felt warm today! LOL.
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | Saturday, January 06, 2018 at 10:36 PM
Behind as usual - it's Sunday here and our cold spell is breaking, at least for a few days. I'll be so happy not to drip the faucets overnight anymore. I like your match collection. It's very colorful and evocative of so many things in the past. I hope you warm up soon.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Sunday, January 07, 2018 at 09:56 AM
LOL is right! You would not think that amount of difference would be noticeable but it certainly is.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Sunday, January 07, 2018 at 10:41 AM