Winter woes

(1958 December 14)

Well, just as L, M and I were going out the door - he to work at Kiwanis Pancake Day, M and I to shop, there was a loud rumble and I think the furnace exploded. So I sent them on and I am waiting for Holly [Strang, electrician].

Last night I made a fruit cake and put 1/2# butter in it and put it in a leaky pan, so butter leaked out and caught afire inside oven - all aflame. After we coped with fire and I cleaned oven, put cake back, and outside of being a little crisp is not so bad, but it does look a little rescued.

Plumber here all morning yesterday thwing laundry pipes. Frozen again today and can't wash. Yesterday when I did wash one batch, all turned light blue - robe faded. That is about all the news from home - our tree is here and the lights are up. Have ordered goose and quills [for pens]. Wish Holly would come. Getting colder & colder.