The days are getting considerably shorter and even though we have had some gorgeous fall weather so far, full of sunshine and blue skies - today Lady Autumn shows her darker, more menacing side. Her melancholy can be felt in the wind and the low, threatening clouds. Indeed, fierce fall storms will soon be our reality.This is thus the time when my fireplace becomes once again the center point of my house. In the evenings and in the weekends, the crackling and the scent of the fire creates the most relaxing atmosphere. The dancing warm light creates shadows on the walls and the orange flames makes me pause, having my mind wander in time and space. I relish those moments when everything feels still and tranquil...
And safe. Despite the weather conditions outside.
In those times I can not help but feel a connection with my primitive ancestors, to whom fire was vital; a source of protections as well as unity, sitting around ancient campfires, feeling a sense of familiarity and home...
oh i love a fire...i wish we had a fireplace...i lived ina house once heated only by fire...loved it...except on winter mornings that the fire went out...
ReplyDeleteAlready into fires, Zuzana. The cold weather comes fast. It seems like only yesterday you spoke of summer's heat.
ReplyDeleteYour house is so beautiful and that fireplace is great. We will do a fire in the pit out back for my birthday tonight.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that will be the case her soon as well...A fire in the fireplace, hot tea and a good book1 Cathy
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanna!
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in a home without a fireplace, I always longed for one--of course I wanted to hang my Christmas stocking from the mantle--and how would St. Nicholas get into our house with no chimney? lol
Well, for the last ten + years we have enjoyed a huge woodburning fireplace and I never ever want to live in a house without one!! Next week it will be cool enough in the evenings for a fire, so I'm eagerly waiting! Love your fireplace in your lovely home!
Love having a fireplace in our home, although the heat rises and makes it so hot up in our loft area that sometimes I have to ask Hubby to turn off the fireplace.
ReplyDeleteWe have had both wood burning and gas fireplaces and prefer the gas just because it's less mess in the house without having to haul in firewood.
Loved the video!
Di
I think that fire and water (ocean, lake, river.. etc) both bring out our primitive nature. Both draw us and hypnotize us in a way that nothing else quite can.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful, Zuzana! We cleaned our woodstove & chimney, and our wood is stacked for the season - we're just waiting for that first perfect fall day to have our first fire!
ReplyDeleteStay warm, dear friend!
Zuzu
Wish we had a fireplace but we don't. So I just gaze at your beautiful pictures and know that you are allright.
ReplyDeleteLove love a fire going in late autumn and winter, so cozy and also so inspiring! So happy to find you!
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena
I will miss not having a fire when it gets colder here. I have already smelt woodsmoke from some of the houses in the village though.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a great fire to stare into! Lovely memories! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI wandered over here from Gaelika's realm to find myself beside a warm and welcoming wood fire that instantly made me feel comfortable.
ReplyDeleteMemories of autumn and winter evenings with chestnuts roasting were stirred by those words of yours. Yet those days were hard for us in so many ways living as we did in the wilds of Norfolk, England and other places.
May I drop by again?
The days are gorgeous here - but the nights are dropping to below zero and many people have lit fire. There is nothing more delicious than the smell of burning wood.
ReplyDeleteYour fireplace looks like a wonderful place to be.
What's nicer than a pretty fire on a raw autumn day? I love your fireplace. :-)
ReplyDeleteFor me a fireplace is always attached to romance and love. Many times I have imagined dancing by the fireplace but alas! we don't need a fireplace at all! Sigh.
ReplyDeleteConnecting with ancestors is something most of us have forgotten. I am glad that you feel that connection. As I always say, you are one unique woman: wise, lovely and brave. I admire you dear Zuzana.
Joy and much love,
Susan
Lovely...a fireplace is one of my favorite things!
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of my great grandfather, who lived into his 90s, I can see and smell his hearth fire. It seems like it burned year round, although I doubt that since summers can be quite fierce here. Chairs were arranged in a semi-circle around that fire. Most conversations were held while looking at the fire instead of on another. That was over 40 years ago, but the memory comes back vividly.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your fire and the memories it conjures up for you!
I love a fire too, though we light it for effect, not usually for heat, as ours is old and most of the heat goes up the chimney. I don't care though, it's my little indulgence, and compensation for the cold wintry days.
ReplyDeleteWe get firelogs here, a euro each, and they're great! Throw a couple of logs over it, and you're set for the night!!
Lovely pictures of your beautiful fire, Zuzana.
Your home is very beautiful, and your fire, very warm.
ReplyDeleteYour fire looks so warm and inviting. Looks like Batcat is enjoying it too!
ReplyDeleteIt's been getting chillier here too. This past week has been beautiful and today was in the 90's. It's supposed to turn chilly tomorrow night though and continue through the coming week. I guess fall really is here, as much as I don't want it to be.
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, Zuzana.
Thoughts of fire and hearth already Zuzana - how time races by, it seems only yesterday you were enjoying the wonderful Scandinavian summer!
ReplyDeleteBatcat looks happy in front of the crackling fire - how like Bobbi he is:-)
Jeanne
xox
Oh yes we have had fires here all weekend, it has been blustery and rainy today. Our neighbour cut down some trees for us over the weekend and we were able to burn the dead one which was already dry and seasoned. I can hear it popping now!
ReplyDeleteYou are a lucky girl to have a fireplace! I have to content myself with candles this time of year. Funny thing is, now when I light them, I also think of candle-loving friends, like you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like it how your writing gives feelings to colors and seasons.
ReplyDeleteFireplaces are enchanting.
I like it how your writing gives feelings to colors and seasons.
ReplyDeleteFireplaces are enchanting.
everyday is another reminder that the cold is on it's way.. quite depressing
ReplyDeleteTwo words jumped out at me in this posting..."and safe."
ReplyDelete-
I know you love summer, but I would be in '7th Heaven' spending the nights of fall and winter in front of that fire with a cold glass of wine in my hands.
Oh, how I love a fire with its glowing embers of yellow, red and blue. Your fireplace is lovely and I see Batcat is a fan.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a fireplace in our current home and the previous one. Both woodburning...which we like but it is messy and more work for hubby to get the wood ready. Last year we discovered the firelogs - Duraflame - and use them now. They are so easy I can light them byself and they don't leave as much ash as wood does. It hasn't been cold enough here yet to use the fireplace but we are looking forward to it. We use the fireplace more now that we have the firelogs.
Enjoyed your video Zuzana!
Brian, Elisabeth, Nessa, Cathy, V or C, Di, Hilary, Zuzu, Elizabeth, Karena (welcome), Lynne, Betty, magpie11 (welcome), ladyfi, Fireblossom (welcome), Susan, Betsy, Stevie, Mimi, Sandy, sprinkles, Jeanne, Kath, Keera, JBT, SY (welcome), Scribe and Sandy; thank you all kindly for your wonderful words. I am glad I could share with you the warmth of my fire and I enjoyed reading your sentiments and memories tied to the dancing flames.
ReplyDeleteI do recognize those premade logs some of you are describing; and used those a lot while living in the US and I miss them. In Denmark we use wood only, but in some way it makes the experience a bit more authentic.
Thank you as always for your returning visits and all the great comments I so enjoy reading.
Xoxo
Zuzana
A cold front from the north made its way into the country over the weekend. The rain is gone (thank goodness!!) for at least two more days, and the temperatures went down considerably. It feels so nice!! Cold, which is not my favorite, but I can handle it better than ther rain :o) Soon, though, we will be back to rain, again!, until early November, when hopefully, the rain-less, cold environment will be here to stay for a long while.
ReplyDeleteBe cozy! and have a lovely day.
Zuzana: I have a fireplace here in the Phoenix desert that has never been used. But fires as you have outlined are useful in bringing together loved ones ina way that is comforting! lol! :)
ReplyDeleteLIKE ALL POST...LOVE THE FIRE IN A COLL DAY...
ReplyDeleteKISESS
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ReplyDeleteYeah ... fire will make connected us to our primitive ancestor which perhaps was a vital needs in their life...
ReplyDeleteAlways love your post, Zuzana!
Sending my warmest hugs to you and your loved family,
nensa
Claudia, Michael, Alberto and Nensa, thank you for your visits and your kind words about the cosy fire and the sentiments in this post.;)
ReplyDeletexo