Family Matters

Fire Magic

smores-night

The other night the kids talked us into having a s’mores outside. This is actually a really good idea because we are the outside fire experts. We have not one, but three barbecues.  One is a classic gas-operated grill, another is an Weber that Payam has rigged into a standing fire pit and the third is this pot-bellied chiminea thing that we found discarded on the side of the road.

I know! What can I say, we like outside fires. It doesn’t get cold enough here very often for us to enjoy them but when it does we really, really do. Don’t worry though, all fires are well contained and not dangerous.

When Payam and I were first dating I kinda fell in love with him while sitting outside by his many fires, drinking wine and talking late into the night. It’s a sentimental thing for us now.

smores-night2

I’m not as big a fan of actual s’mores as I am to fires outside but it was fun thing for the kids. S’mores are just too super sweet for me even with dark chocolate. And what is the deal with graham crackers and chocolate and roasted marshmallows? The marshmallows never quite melt the chocolate enough and then it all crunches into a gooey mess in your hands. But I keep trying because they sound really good and fires outside are just so, sentimental!

We set up a little table with a bowl of marshmallows, some sprinkles, chocolate and graham crackers of course and some carmel dolce de leche I had sitting around from that brownie bar post I wrote a while back. I also had some pretzels on hand that I crunched up in a small bowl. They were my favorite. I love sweet and salty mixed up.

After the kids had their fill they ran off to play (Minecraft) and Payam and I stayed out to enjoy the fire a bit longer.

fire-magic-2

It was so nice, I even brought out my big camera and tried to capture some fire art.

fire-fire

It’s hard to capture but I think you get the idea.

It’s been really really nice to have some cold weather for a change. It almost feels like we’re having a real winter!

4 Comments

  • Michelle

    Last year my then four year old came up with the best s’mores. She asked for Nutella on the graham cracker and we had the thin square like marshmallows. Now I just make up a platter of graham crackers ready to go with Nutella and a stack for toppers before we go outside. It’s so easy and unbelievably good. The thinner marshmallows really help because they melt before burning. Love your fire pics. We are here in Florida and it’s been in the upper 80’s. A cool front is coming through tomorrow and we are so excited.

  • Deanna

    The s’mores game all changed for me when my husband taught me the “pre-roast.” Place your chocolate on half a graham cracker, then find a log or something close to the fire to set it down on. The fire will then melt your chocolate enough so that when you add your marshmallow it is all a sticky, ooey-gooey, delicious mess. Try it next time, you just might convert!

  • lynne

    I love that you and Payam got together over open fires. How romantic! There is something so primeval and ancient about sitting around an open fire, watching the flames flicker. As a child I had an Uncle who had a coal fire ( I was brought up in an all mod cons house after the age of 4) and I sued to stare at the blue flames and imagine all sorts of things inside the flames. At Matt’s parents place in Wales we have log
    fires which i need to get the hang of. I know how to lay a fire but I’m not totally confident yet. In the Summer we had a marvelous family barbecue at the family farm amongst the woods ( which I later learnt had been planted by Matt’s parents 30 years ago) where we made smores, it was my first time tasting them and I did think they were yummy. I am glad you are happy dearest one. Sparkle on. xxxx

    P.s. My exhibition is over now, people bought my work eek! :)

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