Sights and Smells of Fall

The Good Ole Bonfire

We haven’t had a bonfire in a few years, mostly because between work, heavy summer rains, and new babies the back yard had gotten away from us. But this year our gas mower died and Nick got an electric one (the neighbor thought Nick had finally lost it because it’s so quiet it looked like Nick was just pushing around a dead mower). Well, this new mower has one of those self-driving things and it makes mowing fun; so Nick was able to tame the jungle this summer. And fall is perfect for bonfires.

First we had to clear away all of the leaves from the two massive oak trees. They’re huge, and ugly, but they provide a nice separation between the open back yard and the adventure back yard. They also drop enough leaves to make the biggest leaf pile you’ve ever seen!

Then we had to cut and gather the firewood. The twins had the important job of carrying the logs that Nick cut. Between that and the leaf pile they were occupied for the whole afternoon.

Now, this is a new development, and I have mixed feelings about it. Building the fire was always my job, Nick said he wasn’t very good at it (but that is an awesome log structure) and since I had worked in a restaurant with a wood oven I had gotten good at fires. But now the oldest two are old enough to learn how to start fires, and Nick is teaching them to use flint and steel.

Maximus got the fire lit in three tries. He was so excited, and I am really proud of him. And I told Minimus several times to get long pants, but he’s one of those crazy southerners that will wear shorts all year round. It makes my Minnesota blood freeze.

Minimus got to try making sparks, and I think the next bonfire will be his to light. The dudes have not really had the chance to go to a bonfire before, so this was a new and exciting thing for them.

I did get to poke the fire and bit, and get it nice and hot for cooking on. then Little Ohmu woke up and sat with me until all of the littles were ready to go in.

Nice and hot coals for cooking on!