Campfire

[snowball]

I wanted to thank you as well for the tarp. It is really blocking that wind! I think a cup of hot choc sounds so good tonight think I will join in with a cup of hot choc, later
Sheila

[Fernie]

Thanks Barbzeee for reminding me to check the campfire. I threw a bunch of logs and got it glowing again. We need all the heat to help melt the ice here!! It is melting--just not fast enough for me. We are changing tradition here a little and my brother is fixing Christmas dinner today instead of tomorrow. That way, we will kill the biggest end of the left-overs tomorrow and there won't be as much to get rid of before they leave for Texas Friday. They want to leave as early as possible. They always try to be in Mission, Tx. before the New Year. Have a Merry Christmas. Any of you who are alone or don't have anything else to do, drop by our fire and enjoy the company. We even have hot chocolate going and you can add anything you like. We got plenty of cookies and goodies!!

[Nasoosie]

Campfires in the snow are the bestest!!! There is something so enjoyable about the two extremes....snow all around with a warm dancing fire! I am hoping to have one right here in my own yard next week when my family arrives!

In the meantime, here's some more wood to keep this fire going throughout the holidays! My arm muscles are getting a good workout every day as I carry the heavy logs, not to mention my leg muscles as I heave them up the steps of the front porch!

Pull up a dry chair, cover up with a warm blankie, pour yourself a hot cup of something to warm your innards, and join a singalong:

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire......"

[Redetotry]

I think I need something stronger than beer! I'm one of those people who really gets depressed at Christmas. No particular reason I can pinpoint other than it goes back to the trauma of finding out there really is no Santa. And maybe getting a baby brother the year I was seven just a few days before Christmas. The man down the street offered to trade me my favorite pony for him, an inherited trait no doubt made me quickly reply, will you give me the red saddle too? He spit a big wad of his ever present chewing tobacco and then said 'yep'. Off I raced home to get the trade. I was so out of breath could hardly get out the wonderful news to my Daddy. He listened,at first like he was going along. I gave him all the reasons it was such a good deal, the baby hasn't done much but cry since we got him, my pony will have a baby every year and we can sell it and on and on till he he said no, of course not, you can't trade your baby brother for a pony! Well I wasn't one to give up easy so I kept on until he told me if I didn't stop crying and carrying on he'd give me something to really cry for. So I didn't get my beloved pony. Many years later I found a birthday card that I sent to my 'baby' brother, it had a picture almost identical to' my' pony on the front and inside it said, "After all these years I'm glad I have you for a brother instead of a pony". Maybe I wasn't the only little girl who tried to make a trade.

[Nasoosie]

What a GREAT Christmas story, Rede! Made my day!

I well know the Christmas depression thing, and I, too, can't put my finger on the real reason. This year I am thinking it's really not depression, but just a missing of days gone by with family that I didn't appreciate nearly enough as they were happening. This year I am trying to put things into perspective and remember with a fondness and love rather than a 'poor me' attitude. We'll see how well that works tonight while I am listening to all my favorite Christmas music!

Carry on with the traditions and love, and appreciate each and every minute of your life, y'all.

[avalen]

ahhh, nice and warm here by the fire, hot chocolate is great, love the little marshmallows. Will sit a spell and reflect on past christmas's with fond memories.
No depression for me, I may be alone but I am not lonely, and I have you ladies to
share my life with. Tomorrow I will go over to my first ex's, share some time with
the grandsons and both my children. My son has been found and pulled out of the
woodwork and he will be there too. Daughter says he's cleaned up and looks good
and living with some guy. Although I haven't forgiven him, I still love him, and
can put aside my anger for one day. The boys for sure will be happy to see their
dad. On that note, I hear the carolers coming down the street, will have to get
dressed so I can go out and enjoy their songs. Merry Christmas

[BirdbyBird]

I am ready to sit still and watch the fire for a while. Hey, I actually cleaned this morning before company came. My brother and his family has gone home and the dish washer is finished its work, leftovers are safe until snacking later, the dogs can come back into the living room and take over the couch again. (They aren't to good at ignoring food on low tables...) Hope everyone is enjoying/has enjoyed the holiday today. Take care, be well. This hot choc is wonderful...

Tina and the furry ones who are very pleased to be back on the couch.....

[Cedar518]

Sitting by the fire would be a treat this evening. My poor cat still hasn't come out form under the bed yet after guests, both people and dogs! Let's throw another log on,.... sip some hot chocolate and listen to the quiet sounds of the night.

[Echo]

I'm with ya'll on this. That fire feels so blissful. Ahhhhhhhh Today was so freaking awesome! I have basically done nothing all dang day. I have spent almost the whole freaking day in my jammies. And loved every minute of it.

We did our Christmas deal last night. Jenny had to go into work this morning and then was suppose to go to her Mom's so I knew she and David wouldn't be around. Kelly and I got off work by 5pm, grabbed pizza for Christmas eve dinner and then opened presents. We all made out good. Jenny got the biggest present of the 4 of us. David bought her a Honda duel sport motorcycle. OMG she cried and blubbered all over David's shoulder. LOL When everything was done they had to get out of here and go to her Aunts. Kelly and I just kicked back.

I went to bed at midnight and had planned to sleep in. Yeah right! I woke up at 5am. Potty run of course and I do me RUN! LOL But to Shade it was 'normal' time to be up so she started bugging me. I got my jammies on then took her and Honey out to P. I ended up just staying up. Played on the the laptop for awhile but then started falling asleep here at the table. I gave up and went back to bed sometime just aftrer 7am. I was conked out until about 11am. Didn't take my shower and get dressed until after 5pm. Then Kelly and I went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for the buffet. First thing back in the door I got back in my jammies. Tomorrow is house cleaning day.

Opps got to get me some more coffee and Baileys. Yummmmmm And to think! I don't have to go into work tomorrow, I actually get to have what's suppose to be my regular day off. WooHoo I think I'll throw a couple more pieces of wood on the fire.

Hope ya'll had a great day. Hey? If I fall asleep please send me to bed by midnight. Thanks!

[snowball]

Wow Echo enjoy that day off!!! we had a really good day enjoyed ourselves have talked with most of the kids and went into one of the rv parks and enjoyed a dinner with the members of that park. Had the neighbors come over for pie and other than that just sat around a vegged out. took a long nap. Son called told of this unusual shoplifter in one of the grocery stores....a four legged one came in went to the pet food asle helped himself to what he wanted and left had to laugh.
So enjoy the campfire throwing another couple of logs on love the flames going to just sit back and be mesermized ny the flames. Think will have hot Chocolate as well
Have a wonderful evening and don't shop too much tomorrow
Sheila

[Nasoosie]

So nice to see so many enjoying the campfire! As I will be gone for tonight, visiting family, I am going to leave a fresh pile of firewood for you all until I get back. When I bring in wood for my stove here, I'll cart in some extra for this fire! Nothing beats sitting around a campfire with a cup of hot something, a guitar or two, perhaps a harmonica, and human voices singing old familiar songs!

I can't WAIT for the first summer's fire, which I usually have down at my pond while camping in my leanto during the first warmer days of spring. It's usually accompanied by the chorus of spring peeper tree frogs----one of my most favorite sounds in this world! Sigh......that's a while off yet! In the meantime, I'll be joining you tomorrow night if someone will keep the fire stoked!

[BirdbyBird]

A lot warmer in SW Ohio tonight, thick fog covering every thing. Two of the pups and I have just made it back from out Nursing Home visit - we go every few days. (Then they agree to wait quietly in the car so I can check out what falls off the recent truck/delivery at Goodwill on 50% off days) The pups deserved the visit after having to be so good yesterday because of company in the house. They love their visits with their friends - more attention than they get at home with silly woman on computer, working or reading.......Adding more wood for those who are busy tonite - It is just nice to know the fire is here and waiting for us all when we get a quiet moment, even if we don't actually have a moment at the time. Having re-retired at the end of October I have really appreciated the added moments in my schedule available to stare into welcoming campfires. Sometime in the year to come I will eventually hit the roads again and sooner or later there will be a different campfire to find and sit around....till them I will keep tending this one and the dreams.......

Tina and the furry ones who like to visit friends....and campfires

[Cedar518]

Tina,
I'm pulling up a camp chair and will sit here with you and watch the fire for a while. Snap and crackle, must be some hemlock wood in there!

if you get to the northeast contact me and we'll get-together when you hit the road.

[Liz]

Did you bring your guitar, Cedar? A little campfire music would be fun tonight... I bought a little cheap guitar to practice on, so if you'll lead, I'll pick along with you.

[Cedar518]

Sorry Liz, it's a little cold out here for the guitar,.... but as soon as it's warmer weather again we'll do that.