Now That's A Fire!

It was a great weekend here, but Sat night was a bit chilly. It got down to the high 50's in some areas and we had invited some friends over for a cookout. After we had feasted on just about every grillable delicacy imaginable, we retired to the fire pit for some fun not knowing if the cooler temps would keep us at bay. The fire pit pictured above is almost identical to ours and every seat was taken as we piled on the wood to create the heat that would allow us to enjoy the elements. It did not disappoint. It was perfect fire pit weather and everyone enjoyed the relaxing vibe and great conversation.

I love a nice fire and My Guy and I really love our fire pit. We labored a bit over the decision to make it natural gas or wood burning and I'm so glad we went old school. I'm a pyro, by nature, and My Guy laughs at me when I pile on the wood and stir and stoke the fire like it's a bowl of homemade soup. He enjoys stacking the wood and keeping it supplied and he's even added a bluetooth device that plays Pandora from his phone that sets the mood and keeps us all entertained.

The interesting thing about a fire is that it brings out the good in people. My kids love to sit out there with their friends and sometimes they will even invite us! It's amazing, the things the kids will talk about when we are sitting around the fire, and some of our best memories have been made out there. I've had heart to heart talks with some people and we've even solved a few problems and dreamed some big dreams while sitting out back at the fire pit. It's also the ideal place to create a perfect s'more. We have gotten to be  s'more connoisseur's, as we have tried them every way possible. 
(QUICK TIP*the smaller the marshmallow, the better the toast and the better the "ooze" when you eat it. The big marshmallows look amazing and aren't bad, but they are really messy and take longer to toast all the way through) 

Fire is good, and I'm happy to be able to enjoy a night under the stars with the hum of the crickets, a roaring fire and the people I love. I ask you, what could be better than that?

Sign Of Fire

I recently found out that I am a fire sign. I'm sure I knew this fact a long time ago, but I must have filed it away under Z in my brain. I should say that I recently realized that, yes, I was born under the sign of fire. It was then that it clicked. The fact that I am a fire sign explains alot.

This summer, my cousin and I were with our kids at the beach house on Cape Cod to enjoy some bonding time for a few days. Every night we would go down to the beach and light a small bon fire. We had it all set up. We had beach chairs, a cooler, all the fixin's for smores, and a rock pit and every night at dusk we would head down to the beach to light the fire. The kids loved it, but after about an hour, they had enough and retreated back up the house. My cousin and I would stay for hours, till the last of the wood was burned, having cocktails and talking. We still talk about how great those evening fires were and she often comments on my amazing "fire stoking" abilities. It was during one of those evenings that she reminded me that I am a fire sign.

I have always loved a fire. As a little girl, I was a Girl Scout and have fond memories of the camp fire. My outdoor fire pit is my favorite way to entertain my guests, sharing stories and cocktails. There is nothing more satisfying to me than, on a cold winter's night, lighting a fire in the fireplace and cozying up under a blanket in front of it. The flames put me under a trance and I could sit for hours, doing nothing more than watching the fire burn. Am I a pyro? Absolutely. My fire stoking skills go unmatched. I am constantly prodding and stoking the fire, adding just the right amount of wood to keep the flames alive. Now that I know where the love of the flame comes from, the puzzle is complete.

There are three fire signs in astrology: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. My son, my daughter and myself, respectively. (now I know why we fight each other on every little thing)

Wikipedia says, "According to astrological theory, fire signs represent the life-giving and vital force of the zodiac. The fire signs are termed positive and extroverted, and are supposed to be active, creative, ingenious, dynamic, and highly energetic. They are seen as the leaders and pioneers within humanity, possessing an assertive quality that allows them to act upon the thoughts of others extremely quickly."

In matters of the heart, fire signs are more passionate and committed than other signs. My guy is a water sign. Does this mean we cancel each other out? I don't think so. My water sign guy cut down a ton of dying trees last year in our backyard and had them chopped up into multiple piles of wood, so that his little "pyro" would always be ready to burn. He lights me fires all the time. I love that.

Like my sign, I am outspoken, anger quickly, and extremely passionate about things and people I care about. I am gregarious and friendly, with a competitive streak. I am loyal to a fault, and committed.

But since this past summer, I realized for me what it's all about. If you really want to win me over and get into my heart and my soul, just light me a fire.