Come back bonfires. I miss you

We are a bonfire fam. Mid yard on the way to the farm. The firepit is our favorite gathering spot. Even in the winter, for evening chores, I'll often light a little fire as part of the nights ritual/routine. Feels so magical.

All the kids learned to light one up after learning to walk. Fire. So good. Plus marshmallows. We have a paleo recipe for marshmallows we love to make. We always put on a good fire for the seasons big get togethers as well. Our Halloween fire is one of the kids favorites, mine is the Solstice glow.

I.miss.bonfires.

The restrictions are on full stop, a no fires ban until mid May.

Until then I will keep the doors wide open to the outside and the wood/oil furnace blazing on wood only. I'll sneak to the basement and pretend I'm stocking the fire when I'm really just sitting and staring at it. Breathing. Momcation.

Wood/oil furnace mom hack :

Stack the beautiful birches you find along the way in their own pile to make for easier furnace lighting on the shoulder seasons. During the winter months I love the challenge to keep the furance continuously lit and it has become easy enough to do, but the shoulder seasons need relighting often. The birch is my fire friend. 2 logs on the bottom of the furnace with a piece of paper lit in between, 6 more regular type logs on top and I can close the door and walk away to continue being mom upstairs.