Anyone with determination can split kindling for a wood stove or fireplace, and yes that includes women. In fact this article was prompted by a woman recently widowed, who asked for advice on preparing for winter. She has a wood stove and there is some wood cut but no kindling as her husband generated the kindling from his woodworking.

The question made me realize some questions, or rather answers to questions, need to be specifically geared for women … although most of our library at HomeTips4Women.com is useful to women and men. It was rather fun researching this answer as it involved talking to several women, including one woman builder. Please share your ideas too for similar Q&As (just leave a comment below) as we will all benefit. READ MORE

Fireplaces used to heat our homes and cook our food but today, fireplaces are more about creating an environment for relaxing at home. Strangely fireplaces aren’t very good at heating a house because most of the heat goes up the flue, and draws more of your furnace heated air up the flue too.

Today’s fireplaces are more efficient but wood stoves are better at heating your home. The National Association of Home Builders says a fireplace is one of the top three features home buyers want so lets look at the many different ways  fireplaces have been integrated into our homes and lifestyles. READ MORE