Let There Be Fire

Last night, after husband Robert and I enjoyed a steak dinner at The Peddler in Boone, NC, we were thinking "We're cold.".... The day never got above 37 or so despite the nice sunshine! So we dropped in to Lowes and bought a really cute, upright firepit or patio fireplace. (see picture)

Robert is delighted we'll be able to burn all the little branches which seem to keep falling out of the trees all over our three acres here at the inn. (We simply HATE the idea of putting them in the trash.)

I'm looking forward to a weenie roast, or maybe some toasted marshmallows and just hanging out by a nice, warm, crackling fire.

We once had a chimenea (which we dragged home from Atlanta stuffed in the small back seat of a sedan!) But the weather got the best of it and it cracked. This one is metal--think of it as a fireplace with four sides, able to be moved all over the back patio at the inn when the fire is out. I think our guests are going to like it even more than they did old ceramic model. This one also comes with a cover so we won't be draining icky, ash-filled water out of an open dish. It does rain in this climate.

The back patio is a great place to hang out. It is protected from the wind and tends to be a moderate temperature most of the year because the concrete pavers form a microclimate with a sweet heat sink using the paves and the gravel below as the storage mass. Still, those cool summer nights will be enhanced by this little fireplace.

Maybe there's a romantic fire in store as early as tomorrow night. I can't wait.