18-year-old Helena Muffly wrote exactly 100 years ago today:
Monday, November 10, 1913: The first snow of the Winter lay upon the ground this morning. I was rather surprised when I looked out of my window and saw that the earth was clothed in white. Was pretty cold today. Hugged the stove part of the time.

Her middle-aged granddaughter’s comments 100 years later:
Brrr. . . Sometimes I wish I had an old-fashioned stove to hug. 🙂
Love the table in that photo. So practical.
I remember that my grandparents used to have such a stove in a little dependance, quite practical for that place
I like grandma’s description “clothed in white”.
It brings back many memories of winter on the farm. brrrrrrr
I love wood heat – it truly warms you up!
Early snowfall! Hoping we dont see this a hundred years later : )
I enjoy reading everyday. What a treasure to have this diary…
very poetic
Yes, the kitchen was probably the warmest room in the house.
I had a little cast iron model of a stove like that as a kid. Imagine my surprise when one day I realized that it was just like the real one at my great-grandpa’s farm!
Love backing up to a wood stove or fireplace!
So interesting to experience your Grandma’s winter 100 years ago. I love our wood stove today, but wish I had a fuzzy furry pup to hug too.
I can relate. I am always hugging stoves. I love radiant heat. I caught up on your grandmother’s entries. She seems to be writing more.
Definitely brings back memories of cold winter days in Iowa. We had friends who had a big pot-belly stove. I don’t think I would have wanted to hug it, but it was really nice to stand right up close to it.
I love hat expression: hugging the stove!
Hi Sheryl. Sitting in front of my wood stove (or even my fake living room stove) is still my favorite way to pass an evening. Jane