Water

As the Summer season approaches its peak, and the news concerning safe water in our schools, homes as well as our beaches are becoming more relevant than ever. Here in Chicago, quite a few of our schools have had the drinking fountains shut off until they can bring down the lead levels; Our lakefront, at times also has had high levels of bacteria forcing them to close until they reach safety requirements for swimming; Our older homes often fall victim to hazardous minerals due to older pipes…  

This dilemma is just not only in my neck of the woods—Flint Michigan has been front-page news for some time, as well as several developing countries seeking safe drinking water. Just the other day I had turned on the television and caught “Trouble in the Water” an HBO documentary that really got me thinking, “How safe is our water?” 

In addition, an article by Virginia Sole-Smith in the latest Martha Stewart Magazine addresses this issue in Healthy Living. She suggests, becoming your own inspector of the home alongside sharing a neighborhood-activist level of involvement with members of the community to prevent, conserve and become proactive. The excerpt is below.

Take the Test:

“If you want to be more assured, there are loads of easy at home kits that will analyze the amount of minerals (including lead) and bacteria in your water… They are readily available through your local hardware store… You can also request one from the nonprofit alliance for Healthy Babies Bright Future (hbbf.org) its fee based on what you can afford to pay.” 

During this Sumer we all know how water plays an important role in the season and in our lives. Take the time to ensure the safety of your water. I have requested the test and hope you’ll do the same. It’s better to know and take action. 

Cabin Fever

The season always started with four to five full cords of aged wood. In the beginning, we had a fire everyday, which lasted for ten glorious hours of warmth and comfort. 

Warming up

 Come March, running on limited fuel we only light it in the frigid evenings as the midday temperatures rose to the thirties. 

Schoolhouse doors and snow

This was my first experience with Cabin Fever, and it wouldn't be the last. The anxiousness and excitement that arose from seeing the first snow of the season could make any person hear sleigh bells. But now that the snow had overstayed its welcome, and the overwhelming lack of possible snow days that followed the first few big storms made my mentality ache for the sunshine of spring. 

Settling in 

An afternoon with a great book 

I stepped into too many snowdrifts and slipped on too much black ice to have any empathy left for the winter. 

Casa Fendi

Comforts of home

I, along with my family, still experience the Cabin Fever symptoms of my youth but with a new backdrop. By March, we've traded in cords of wood for gas fireplaces, mountains for skyscrapers, and have arrived to the same frustration of the lack of escape that snow-days provide. To put it simply, I couldn't be more tired of sporting sweaters and the idea of ‘layering’. 

Beautiful view

Stealth Barn - an 800-square-foot structure in Norfolk County, England with interior clad in OSB wood particle board by Carl Turner Architects.

Photographs by Tim Crocker and Jeremy Phillips.

Fresh, New Kitchen Sinks from Native Trails contemporary with Historical appeal

So while I gaze out my living room window, day dreaming in the artificial warmth of the sunlight indoors, I imagine snowdrops beginning to bloom and the daffodils on either side of my walkway guiding me outdoors to enjoy the newly warm temperatures of the season. 

Cabin details Bringing the outdoors in; Cabin via Sunset magazine Washington State

Clean and neutral 

Wolfhound and color via Farrow and Ball

To momentarily remedy the lack of spring outdoors, we bring the season indoors with cherry blossoms and violets proudly serving as both centerpieces and accents to the furnishings around us.

The ultimate in year round living

Handcrafted comfort

Hand forged lighting via Troy Lighting

A room with a view

Warm woods and plenty of afternoon sun

Yet, I still remain indoors—trapped by the polar vortexes of the winter. The Cabin Fever anxiety of my youth remains as I await impatiently for the signs of spring to pop up around me, reminding me of the new adventures to come with the welcoming of the season. 

Making the most of the season