Bonfires and Babies

I love bonfires! There's just something about the smell of an open fire...smoke drifting, flames flickering back and forth...the warmth from within and the love of a family around it.

It is mandatory that we have at least one or two bonfires a year at our house. One of these days I'll break down and buy a fancy fire pit, but for now Tim's stuck with roughing it. He is a firefighter after all, so I figure he has the knowledge anyway - and we're safe if it spreads!

This afternoon, I stepped onto the back deck, looked up at the beautiful blue sky and felt the wind on my face. The sun played peek-a-boo among the puffy cotton ball clouds above. I knew immediately it would be the perfect opportunity to invite the family over for some food and fun.

I love impromptu get-togethers, when you don't have to prep and plan or clean the house. Family loves you and doesn't care if there are crumbs on your floor or dishes in the sink. We set the time, I thawed out some hot dogs, and waited for them to arrive.

Looking in, I'm sure we appeared pretty ordinary. Just a family cookout, complete with burgers on the grill and cornhole in the yard. To me though it was anything but average, for anytime I'm with family, I'm filled with comfort and delight. In fact, my heart was as warm as the blazing bonfire we sat around.

Grins and giggles...chocolate and marshmallow stickiness...twilight...watching the babies dance among the shadows from the flames...surrounded by people I love. What joy!