Not to be overly dramatic, or a decade behind on references, but winter is coming.

And here at Robins Hollow, that phrase carries more than just a nod to pop culture. It signals a shift in rhythm, a call to care, and a gentle reminder that every season asks something different from an old house—and from us as its stewards.

The Rhythm of Fall at Robins Hollow

Sean’s favorite tool from last year. His GroundWork cart from Tractor Supply

September always feels like a hinge moment. It’s the month Sean and I first met, one of our anniversaries, and also when we learned we would be caretakers of this nearly 200-year-old Queen Anne Victorian property. It’s the perfect time to reflect on change, cycles, and the love and labor that keep this house alive.

Fall’s hustle and muscle are real. With kids back to school and the slow return to routines after summer, the pressure to prep for winter creeps in like the first whispers of Halloween.

Each year, we stack firewood, mulch leaves, and complete outside chores while juggling the mental checklist of what still needs doing inside—the balancing act of slowing down with purposeful action before winter sets in.

Each fall, I hear my dad’s voice asking, “Is the house ready for winter? Are you prepared for the cold?”

His question is a comforting reminder that stewardship means caring for more than just the walls—a loving prod to make sure we stay warm, don’t spend a fortune on heating, and do right by this old home.

Even though he’s no longer with us, when the temperature starts dropping, I hear his question and know he’s still taking care of us.

Embracing the Imperfections

It’s a fool’s errand to think an old house will ever be perfectly sealed against every draft or startling clink from a radiator. But these quirks are part of the charm we bought the house for in the first place. And let’s be honest—who isn’t looking for an excuse to pull on a cozy sweater or hat indoors?

Around this time every year, Sean wanders through the house inspecting doors, windows, and basement entryways, muttering about what needs replacing or tightening. It’s his way of showing care—part energy-saving strategy, part love letter to the house.

And part of me loves it because it’s the same kind of caretaking my dad showed us, tending with love, making sure everything and everyone was ready for the season ahead.

Winters at Robins Hollow: Past and Present

Our first two winters at Robins Hollow brought a few good snowstorms. In fact, the day we closed on the house, the property was blanketed in snow—the perfect December 18th scene to welcome us home.

Early in 2022, we experienced a storm that brought such deep snow, we jumped off the old horse fence into feet of powder. Coming inside from our snow adventures to warm up with fondue and hot cocoa by the fire created a core memory for us—and for Robins Hollow itself. The rich aroma of melting cheese mingled with the crackling of firewood. It’s a story we still tell, one that feels woven into the very fabric of the house, the kind of moment that becomes family lore, passed down through generations.

Since then, we’ve been fortunate to enjoy milder-than-typical New York winters. Usually, there’s a week or two in January or February when the cold bites deep—everything freezes instantly, breath and all. But from 2023 to 2025, winters have been mild. The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting a cold, snowy winter ahead. So, as every year, we begin our ritual: assessing what the season will ask and what preparations we can make.

This means stacking firewood, cleaning chimneys, swapping linens, and making sure all seven bedrooms are ready for colder nights. It means embracing the slow, deliberate pace of tending a house with its own rhythms.

Small Steps, Big Care

For us, winter prep isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence—steady, thoughtful acts of care that layer year after year.

Replacing our old oil tank, installing window stopgaps, adding weatherstripping to doors and windows, adding new basement storm windows, tending to our wood-burning stove, and crafting custom, well-insulated doors. We work with the house, not against it.

And in those moments, as the cold settles in outside and the warm glow of the fire fills the kitchen, we know we’re doing right by Robins Hollow.

Warmth at the Heart: The Wood-Burning Stove

One of the biggest winter upgrades came in December 2022: our new wood-burning stove in the kitchen.

The original stove, likely original to the house, was charming but inefficient—wood burned fast, gave off little heat, and lacked glass to enjoy the cozy flames.

Our new stove is different in more ways than one. With its glass front, we can see the fire glowing warmly in the kitchen — adding comfort you can feel and see.

It’s also remarkably efficient: saving us money, cutting down on hours of wood chopping, and easing our footprint on the environment. In fact, it boasts the highest efficiency rating on the market today and full EPA certification.

Sean’s Labor of Love: Basement Doors

Winter prep isn’t just about heat and draft-proofing. It’s about sealing and protecting every corner.

Sean’s recent work replacing two basement doors is a perfect example. He designed and built both a custom cellar hatch door and a new basement entry. The cellar hatch was long past repair — rotten, drafty, and leaky with every storm.

In 2024, he transformed it with a mahogany replacement, crafted right in our dining room ‘workshop’. The result is less a door than a piece of art. Guests often stop to admire it, asking if he might make one for them too.

Earlier this year, he designed and fitted a new basement entry door at the bottom of the cellar steps — complete with a two-inch insulation core and careful weatherstripping.

This upgrade isn’t just about aesthetics or craftsmanship; it dramatically reduces drafts in my home office, which sits directly above the basement door.

The result is more comfort and warmth during long winter workdays. I’ve never seen him prouder than when he pulled out a temperature gun to show just how well the door kept out the cold.

What’s Next on Our Prep List

Between fence projects, social commitments, and the ebb and flow of daily life, this year’s repairs may be lighter than usual. Still, we plan to tackle some gutter fixes before the heavy rains arrive.

Several sections could use attention — leaky runs here, downspouts that rattle loose in strong winds there. Managing water is critical to keeping an old house’s foundation strong and stable for decades, which makes this a high-priority task for us either this fall or early next spring.

We’ll also add a few rounds of weatherstripping, window stopgaps, and draft-proofing to the windows that still give us trouble.

The truth is, cold prep is never “done” in an old house—it’s a seasonally recurring commitment.

Your Winter Prep Checklist

Here are a few small but impactful steps to consider for your old house this season:

New oil tank: the unsung hero of cozy winters

Stack and season firewood
Clean chimneys and fireplace flues
Inspect and repair gutters and downspouts
Weatherstrip doors and windows
Check and replace old insulation around basement
or cellar doors
Service heating systems
(wood stove, radiators, furnace, oil tank)
Swap out summer linens for warmer bedding
Inspect and secure loose exterior boards or flashing
Check out Our Favorite Things - for Cold Weather

Pick one or two to start with — every bit counts.

What About You?

What’s one ritual or project you never skip before winter? Or maybe a question you’ve been wondering about prepping your old house for the cold?

Share your stories—we’d love to hear what keeps your home warm and cozy when the snow starts falling. We’re here to talk!

Winter Is Coming: How We Prepare Our Nearly 200-Year-Old Old House for the Season