Wednesday 22 October 2008

the stove stays


I love my stove. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's a Findlay stove from the 1950's, converted at some point from wood (and coal, we think) to propane, and a graceful and beautiful thing to see each morning. It was the first thing I liked about this house, and it's remained my favorite.

Unfortunately, it's at least fifty years old now, and the last time we had it fixed, the technician shook his head and said something about borrowed time. He has no idea where to find parts for it anymore.

Last night the oven wouldn't light. B fussed with it for awhile and then came out to the living room, frowning.

'It won't work, Jess. I think we're going to have to think about a new stove soon.'

I shot him a pleading look and he shrugged. 'I'll go try to fix it, but....'

Crashing and swearing soon were heard from the kitchen, along with a (loudly) muttered 'If you didn't love this thing so much, I'd...'

'You'd what??'

'Nothing, dear. You realize the only reason this is still here is because you love it, right?'

B appeared in the doorway to emphasize his point, wiping his hands. 'It's working. For now.'

I was appreciative, I was, and I smiled sweetly and thanked him, adding:

'You realize that you're still here because I love you, right?'

(He shakes his head at me a lot. Wonder why??)


Today he started looking on the internet to try and find out if he can gut the interior and replace everything.

Because he's sweet like that. And like my husband, the stove stays.

20 comments:

Chantal said...

that things looks awesome. I hate my new stove. They just dont make em like they used to.

barbra said...

He probably found these sites already, but:

here is a place in Michigan:
http://www.antiquestoves.com/index.htm

here is a place in California:
http://www.antiquegasstoves.com/

I bought knobs for my 1940's Wedgewood from the one in California (by mail order).

The Wedgewood stove is totally impractical, but so beautiful!

Moms At Work said...

It reminds me of the stove we had when I was a kid. The one before the lovely 1970s avocado green one that replaced it. And you should keep your hubby around. He sounds like a sweetie.

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

What a nice hubby and a vintage stove (love it!)

Anonymous said...

WOW-You do have a nice hubby and a great stove.

Anonymous said...

Now that is True Love with staying power! Love it!

Linda said...

It is gorgeous stove! I love that look.

Speaking of gorgeous, I also love the picture of R. sleeping on the left sidebar. She's adorable!

Mike said...

"It's working for now" is a term I've used with my wife before. Sometimes duct tape and wire can only go so far...

Suzanne said...

I don't blame you one bit for loving that stove!

Debbie said...

Hang on to both of them - husband and stove. Sounds like they are both keepers.

Stomper Girl said...

That is a great stove. And a great husband too.

Magpie said...

we put a bid on a house a few years ago because it had the same Chambers stove that had been in my grandparents house... house fell through, but i think about that great stove...

crazymumma said...

it is a beautiful stove, I don't blame you.

Good on him.

Anonymous said...

It certainly is a gorgeous stove. I'd want to keep it, too.

M&Co. said...

What a great stove.

And the husband is even better.

Better keep them both.

Run ANC said...

Oh, it's lovely. We have an ancient stove too, but unlike yours, it's awful. The stove goes. When we get a new kitchen, the stove finally goes. I can't wait.

Woman in a Window said...

Sweet stove. Oh, the man too!

Ever check out the Heartlands. Oh, my dream stove. Some day if I ever get rich.

SUEB0B said...

I was way more in love with my 1946 Okeefe & Merritt until it burst a gas line last week and caught fire...now I am a bit terrified.

The antique gas stoves place is in my town.

kittenpie said...

OMG I LOVE that stove! What a good man to try to save it for you.

Pam said...

Hmm, it's certainly pretty, but does remind me of the stove in the holiday cottage we've just come home from and frankly it didn't work too well. Something new and whizzy would have been equally acceptable.

Love the roots and wings story, but just you wait till your offspring try the wings bit. It's ok in theory. But in practice...

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