Winter Indoor Fires

Posted on August 9, 2012 by thecompletebook

We seem to go through stages of lovely winter days and nights and then the temperatures drop drastically to what I call un-liveable temperatures. Anything below 20°C falls into the un-liveable category for me.

This is how, when Pete is not away on business, we enjoy our evenings when the un-liveable temperatures hover outside.

We start like this

Work our way up to this

Got to burn the grid before braaing

Keeping things nice and toasty

It’s lovely sitting in the lounge all toasty while enjoying a braai for supper and watching some telly with your better half and toasting just being together.

49 thoughts on “Winter Indoor Fires”

hotlyspiced on August 9, 2012 at 07:11 said:

I agree with you that anything under 20C is not life sustaining. I’m definitely not a winter person. How lovely to have an open fire. There’s nothing better than sitting near a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night and enjoying a risotto and a glass of red while watching something fabulous on TV xx

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 11:37 said:
  
  Good to know I am not the only non-winter person Charlie. Right, next time Pete is home, risotto it is! Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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- sybaritica on August 9, 2012 at 16:01 said:
  
  something fabulous on TV … I vaguely recall that from days long gone 🙂
  
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Vidya Sury on August 9, 2012 at 07:29 said:

Mandy, these photos are just gorgeous. Love them!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 11:39 said:
  
  Hi Vidya, thanks for stopping by and for your lovely compliment. Have a great day. 🙂
  
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Choc Chip Uru on August 9, 2012 at 07:46 said:

Toasty warm just sitting here near the screen 😉

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 11:41 said:
  
  That great CCU! I could enjoy a serving of your lovely cobbler next to the fire. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Tandy on August 9, 2012 at 08:04 said:

We have been hovering under 10 for the past week or so!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 11:43 said:
  
  Isn’t it too dreadful for words Tandy! I feel so for the animals and people who aren’t in homes like ours. Stay warm. 🙂
  
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Spoon Feast on August 9, 2012 at 12:38 said:

Great fire! Our summer has been as hot as you winter has been cold. I think we are all ready for a shift.
There is nothing quite like snuggling around a fire with your sweetie. 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 14:39 said:
  
  I will gladly blow our cold weather your way and take your heat in a heart beat. Its amazing how warmth is so calming. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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ChgoJohn on August 9, 2012 at 15:04 said:

How I would love to experience a winter like yours, Mandy. Here, if we have a daytime temperature higher that 10˚C in winter, you’ll see people running along the Lake in shorts. No, I won’t be among them. We’ll just have to make sure you visit here between June and September.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 16:57 said:
  
  Hee hee, right, duly noted John – June through September it is then. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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ceciliag on August 9, 2012 at 15:09 said:

Just lovely, the best thing about winter is sitting in front of the fire! c

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 16:58 said:
  
  Thanks C – just wish Pete was home at the moment to build one for us this evening. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on August 9, 2012 at 15:36 said:

That sounds like a romantic evening 😉

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 16:59 said:
  
  Absolutely Angie. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
  
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sybaritica on August 9, 2012 at 16:00 said:

I *so* miss a hardwood fire … not just in my home, but the smell of woodsmoke in the air in fall when the weather starts to change. I have to say though, I have a bit of a different perspective in 20 degree weather 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 17:02 said:
  
  It is a lovely smell John. Pete says that “real” fires are made with wood, not charcoal and the likes. 😉 I can only imagine what it must be like living in the temperatures that you do! Have a great weekend ahead. 🙂
  
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Jed Gray (sportsglutton) on August 9, 2012 at 17:12 said:

When Liz and I finally settle down from our semi-nomadic lifestyle I’ll demand that we have at least one fireplace. Nothing like it.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 17:24 said:
  
  I am sure Liz won’t argue Jed. Sadly no crackling fire this evening as Pete is away! Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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Sarah on August 9, 2012 at 17:16 said:

I love these photos, and I can’t wait until it’s time for a fire in the fireplace again. Thanks for giving me some hope for the cooler days I know are coming. It is nice here today though, 70 F….that’s about perfect for me 🙂 Have a wonderful day Mandy!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 9, 2012 at 17:28 said:
  
  Thanks Sarah. Amazing how we start wishing for different weather, although I would gladly accept summer all year around. Pete can still build his fires outside for a braai (barbecue). 😀 Have a super weekend ahead. 🙂
  
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Karen on August 9, 2012 at 17:35 said:

Oh my goodness, Mandy…New England would not be a place for you to visit. Nights in the summer in Maine are cooler than 20. I must agree that there is nothing nicer than sitting in front of a fire.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2012 at 08:35 said:
  
  I bet the days are lovely though – I could always bring a jersey. Have a super weekend Karen. 🙂
  
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dianeskitchentable on August 9, 2012 at 20:20 said:

Very “cool” photos. We’ve been at scorching temps for quite a while & although I’m not a cold weather person, I could use a little less of the hot & humid right about now.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2012 at 08:38 said:
  
  Hee hee, thanks Diane! Must say, it is the humidity that is a wee bit draining during the summer months but I will gladly have that over the cold any day. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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Natalie on August 10, 2012 at 00:42 said:

How lovely – I do like an open fire. We are having a bit of weather here too – the sunny kind – no need for a fire, unless it’s for BBQ-ing!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2012 at 08:39 said:
  
  Thanks Natalie. Enjoy your sunny weather and have a lovely weekend. 🙂
  
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Promenade Claire on August 10, 2012 at 12:07 said:

I only have one thing to say. 20 degrees, I wish !!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2012 at 15:18 said:
  
  Youc an always come and spend your winters here with us Claire. Have a super weekend. 🙂 xo
  
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Bluejellybeans on August 10, 2012 at 21:01 said:

What a lovely soiree!
I will keep it in mind for our winter nights (+105 f right now… Uff!)

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- thecompletecookbook on August 10, 2012 at 21:25 said:
  
  Thanks so much Giovanna. I would love to swap weather with you. Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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moi du toi photography on August 11, 2012 at 16:51 said:

I only have one word, JEALOUS!!!!! I love a fire especially an indoor one, it’s my Irishness rearing it’s head. Fantastic shots Mands, really fabulous! XXXX

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- thecompletecookbook on August 12, 2012 at 11:19 said:
  
  Aah my friendy, thank you! It really means a lot when you like my shots – then I know I am doing something right with the camera. 😉 Next fire will be just for you! xo
  
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My Inner Chick on August 12, 2012 at 03:28 said:

Mandy.
So cozzzzy 🙂 Just looking at the photos makes me feel
all warm inside. Xxxxx

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- thecompletecookbook on August 12, 2012 at 11:20 said:
  
  Kim you are so kind, thank you! Have a beautiful week ahead. 🙂 xo
  
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Kristy on August 13, 2012 at 00:58 said:

Looks like a perfect evening to me! 🙂

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2012 at 08:47 said:
  
  Thanks Kristy. Have a lovely week ahead. 🙂
  
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Yudith @ Blissfully Delicious on August 13, 2012 at 02:02 said:

We love our fireplace as well, it gets a lot of use at our house.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2012 at 08:47 said:
  
  It’s incredible what a difference it makes having one! Have a super week Yudith. 🙂
  
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rsmacaalay on August 13, 2012 at 10:15 said:

If 20 is unbearable for you then you will not like NZ, at summer that the average temperature but in winter it drops to 10 average and sometime it goes low as 2 at least in Auckland

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2012 at 12:06 said:
  
  I am a big ninny when it comes to the weather Raymund! Have a good week. 🙂
  
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Norma Chang on August 13, 2012 at 13:14 said:

Gorgeous photos. Nothing like sitting in front of the fireplace, warm and cozy, when it is cold outside.

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2012 at 13:47 said:
  
  Thanks Norma. There is also something so hypnotising about looking at the flames. Have a lovely day. 🙂
  
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Kelly @ Inspired Edibles on August 13, 2012 at 13:59 said:

Hi Mandy! Although I’ll admit I’m nowhere near ready for winter, this does paint a very warm and cozy picture… Brilliant fire!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 13, 2012 at 14:04 said:
  
  Hi Kelly. I am never ready for winter – must say though the lovely evening fires do help. Hope you are well. Have a happy week. 🙂
  
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Ashlee@ABpetite on August 13, 2012 at 22:41 said:

Wow what an awesome blog!! LOVING it so glad i found it!!

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- thecompletecookbook on August 14, 2012 at 08:59 said:
  
  Hi Ashlee, welcome and thanks for stopping by! I am thrilled you found me too. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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