KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

The days are getting longer and warmer.

Just like a bear coming out of hibernation, the change in season

encourages us to stay outside, enjoy the rising temperatures and bask in

the sunshine. Whether it’s the warm sidewalk beneath our feet or the

longer evening hours, spring and summer are filled with chances to enjoy

the heat.

In addition to the warmth in the air, there are a few simple luxuries

that you can add to your home to raise the temperature, your mood, and

your quality of life.

Many years ago, I read an article, “Jackie O: and her homes.” She had

quite a few idiosyncrasies, like having the sheets of her bed changed

every day (it sounds exhausting, though I’m sure she wasn’t doing it

herself).

But the one thing that stuck in my mind was the heated towel bars in the

bathrooms. That was something attainable: warm towels. A simple pleasure

that I could pull off. This was several years ago -- before these items

started popping up in catalogs like weeds. It took me quite a while to

locate a heated towel bar, but I did it. And even though it didn’t change

my life, it heated my towels and provided a little affordable luxury.

Another great heating idea came from a house on Little Balboa Island:

radiant floor heating. Underneath the stone and carpet on the bottom

level of my friend’s parents’ house was a network of heating coils that

warmed the floor. Being able to walk on a stone kitchen floor in the

middle of January with bare feet was sybaritic. Lying on the carpet to

watch TV was heaven.

Radiant floor heating has become more popular over the years, though it

needs to be installed under the flooring, so this is a “plan way ahead”

item.

Outdoor heating has become increasingly popular and available. It is no

longer necessary to rent heaters from party companies. For a price, warm

evenings can be yours. Outdoor heaters are sold through Costco, mail

order and online catalogs.

Another form of outdoor comfort, infrared heating, is picking up steam.

Infrared heating units are installed overhead in a covered outdoor area.

They have been popular with restaurants for years, keeping patios

comfortable despite the weather. These units are available through

manufacturers or some electrical supply companies. Infrared heating units

have some special requirements, so professional installation is

necessary, but they’re worth the extra effort.

Outdoor fire pits are back on the scene as well. We had a 1960s-style

fire pit in our backyard when I was growing up and it saw plenty of s’

mores action over the years.

The “mistakes” weren’t too good for the lava rock, though. When the

marshmallows would hit the hot rocks, they puffed up like loaves of

bread. This form of entertainment was as much fun as making the gooey

desserts, and it satisfied our adolescent pyrotechnic tendencies. A fire

pit combined with comfortable seating (even without marshmallows) is a

year-round hit.

One more toasty little luxury that makes life grand: warm finger towels.

I think warm finger towels are a great way to end a meal, particularly a

messy one.

Have you been to Newport Rib Company where they present you with warm

finger towels at the end of the meal? This elevates ribs to a new level

for me. Think of a summer evening. All the guests are finishing dinner,

enjoying the conversation, not wanting to move from their comfort zones

and you present them with warm towels for their hands. You are a Goddess.

And it’s easy.

Buy a package of inexpensive white washcloths. You don’t want them too

thick -- thin is good. Run them under some tap water roll them up and pop

them in the microwave for half a minute or so, depending on how fast your

oven works. Serve the heated finger towels from a small tray and you are

the hit of the party.

Heat things up around your home. Everyone loves a hot idea.