What makes Christmas special for me: Fire

There are just a few things that say "Christmas" to me. I think this is the case with most people. Those things can be varied and obscure, but are often rooted in tradition, nostalgia, and fond memories. Over the next few days, I'm going to attempt to write about a few of the things that make Christmas truly Christmas-y for me simply because of the nostalgia with which they are imbued in my mind.

Years ago when I was only 6 years old, my parents decided to buy 2 1/2 acres of forest in the Rocky Mountains of the state of Colorado and build a home. At an elevation of about 8500 ft above sea level, Mom used to joke that there were three seasons--Winter, July, and August. Needless to say, it was critical that Mom knew how to build a good fire in the fireplace not only as a supplemental source of heat in the winter but sometimes as the only source of heat when winter storms would take out power that wouldn't be restored for days. From Mom, I learned how to build a fire, stoke and tend a fire, and how to respect fire. [DISCLAIMER: My siblings will quickly tell anyone willing to listen that I am a "pyro" and then regale them with funny stories of my escapades and mishaps with fire.] Moving on...

When the chill of winter settles in around Rosehaven Cottage, my burning desire to have a fire is kindled (all puns intended). Rosehaven Cottage is a drafty little cottage built in the late 1940's. It's nothing like the air-tight, super-insulated modern homes of today. So the hearth becomes a very important heat source in the winter. And during the Christmas holidays, it also becomes a decorated focal point with small Christmas trees on the mantel, a green garland swagged across the vintage red brick, and little scented Christmas-y and knick-knacks sprinkled in depending on our mood that year.

On Christmas morning, it was always a tradition in our home to start a fire burning and then throw the wads of wrapping paper into the flames as they were discarded from the presents. For those sitting further from the fireplace, it became a test of skill and aim. Hubby and I still do this today. Christmas morning just wouldn't be the same without a fire in the fireplace and mis-thrown wads of wrapping paper laying around on the hearth (some being batted around by kitties).

Now with all this talk about fire, I need to go get away from this computer and go tend the fire.

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