A Holiday Architectural Lesson :: Why do Some Houses Have No Chimneys?

I adore stone houses!
via Tone on Tone

I've been feeling rather sentimental and nostalgic as of late... my growing children and the Christmas season do that to me, but this year is especially bittersweet. It's a season filled with both joy and sorrow. It's our first Christmas where we're not a complete family. There's something magical about children and the holidays. There's a wonder and excitement that seems to disappear as they get older. There's nothing like seeing their wide eyes when they first see the tree, bulging with ornaments, brimming with presents and bright enough to light up their faces in a dark room. Christmas is really for the little children and this time of year I tend to wish my older chidlren were still little. This afternoon I had a memory that brought me back in time, put a great big smile on my face and had me laughing out loud!

Nine years ago... It was late afternoon one mid-December day we were in the station wagon en route to ballet class on the other side of town. I was the driver and Rebecca, 4, and her brother Christopher, 2, were in their booster seats in back. Rebecca was looking around in her wide-eyed wonder and commenting on all the Christmas decorations and all of the houses, some of which were already lit. Most were adorned with holiday decor, some were not.

With great urgency, Rebecca asked me a question. "Mommy, why do some houses have chimneys but others don't?" I looked quickly out my window and noted that indeed, some of these small Cape Cod style houses had no chimneys. I was about to answer but Rebecca seemed to have her own.

"I know why!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Jewish people live in the ones without chimneys because Santa doesn't need to go into their houses!" 

And with that, we both learned why some houses have chimneys and others do not!

XOXO

It's almost cocktail hour!

Cheers!

Jessica