Propane costs what??

At our house in Minneapolis, we replaced a furnace that was over 50 years old and about 50% efficient to a brand new guy, 96% efficient. Our monthly gas bills were about $35 a month. Up here, we once again have a beast of a furnace that will likely run forever, but is about 30% efficient and runs off this little lady:

I've never lived in a place with a propane tank. Just got word that to refill this tank will cost us over $700. $700!

Fortunately, we have a massive fireplace in the living room and a working wood stove in the kitchen, which we'll use for supplemental heat this winter. I am realizing how much wood you go through when using those as actual heat sources, not just for ambiance or entertainment. Before we got the furnace working, I was using the wood stove almost daily, which meant chopping daily. One of our 'prepping for winter' projects: Finding dead trees that aren't punky/rotten, cutting them down, hauling out, splitting and chopping wood*. There was a huge storm up here this summer, and trees are down all over - there is no shortage of wood to be found. We turned the old horse shelter into our little wood haven.

Some of the wood we can use up this winter, but most will have to dry out and wait to be used next year.

And for those who haven't fallen asleep reading about propane and wood:

 Sophie babysat while I unloaded the car.

And to close, a picture (unedited) of a nice little sunset the other night.

*If you come visit, you may be put to work