first fires

A new season at the little blue house!  Fall is looking pretty good on us.  

Of course, when we first visited our house almost a year ago, we were totally enchanted by the outdoor fireplace.  It's beautiful, noble, mysterious, and proud.  We pictured outdoor dining and strung lights and a fire gathering us together.  This past week, with a little encouragement from dear friends, we took big leaps forward toward that vision.  

Two Saturdays ago one of our friends scrambled up the mound of rocks to check and make sure the chimney was open. Check.  Then we worked together to rearrange some of the field stones into a more substantial hearth with balanced support around the fireplace.  We pulled twigs and logs and old boards from the "burn" pile down the hill.  We had a stash of "enviro logs" to get things going if we needed the help.  

That Saturday night, our first fire outside came together.  It worked out just fine.  Warm, crackling, and totally manageable (with a hose nearby just in case). We even got the hammock up so we could relax and enjoy the view.  

The next weekend, my best friend came to visit from Charleston with her sweet family.  The leaves were starting to turn but rain was expected.  All of us were overjoyed to have the weather clear up and have a fire two nights in a row.  It was a dream.  My friend's husband disappeared in the woods to clear a path for us to the river and camp.  Her kids played happily with ours in the fields and jumping in the hammock.  We snacked outside on the deck and by the fire.  We all still went to bed early.  Having them with us for that celebration made the whole adventure feel more worthwhile, more attainable, and more joyful.  

Thank you, dear friends, for allowing us to be your destination and cheering us on week after week.  You lend us your enthusiasm, you contribute your ideas and your strength, you validate our efforts, and you share our joy.  We are so grateful because you make this dream possible for us.