Savoring Fall With a Mini Bonfire & Mary Oliver

Soon enough we’ll be waking to grey skies with a dusting of snow, so now is the time to savor autumn’s charms. Sweater weather seems to be the favorite of most folks I know, and I’m looking forward to watching the landscape change here at the new house. Today’s Savoring Fall With a Mini Bonfire shares glimpses of last Fall and our little firepit. It also has a solution if you have no room or patio for a fire. But mostly it is a reminder to unplug and get out into nature. S’mores are on the menu as well as poetry from Mary Oliver, who wisely explains “poems are not words after all, but fires for the cold.”

Mini Bonfire + Mini S’mores

It’s Fireplace Season!

What is better than the smell of a campfire? Fall and winter are always the right time for crackling fires.

Whether you love your current one or are in the market for a fire pit, ’tis the season! (If you don’t have time to read this post, use the little white arrow on the right of this video slide deck below for the summary.)

Cool & Cozy Autumn Evening Fires

When we bought this one, we re-discovered time away from technology and screens to linger a little longer outdoors.

It can be easily moved between the front yard to the back and also comes with a cover.

If extraterrestrials ever arrived to the Midwest in Fall, I would have to point them to deep dish Chicago style pizza, turning leaves in Lake Geneva, and a bonfire with friends roasting marshmallows for s’mores.

BELOW: Here’s our steel wood burning fire pit, and its understated design and size are just right.

Bring flameless candles into the courtyard to enjoy a fire under the moon…here’s a peek of ours along with sounds from the coyotes in the forest:

Did someone say MOON?

Back to business.

Seating & Side Table Idea

I also love our wood farmhouse stools which make sweet side tables as well as perches for everything. They are table height and not counter or bar height, btw.

Bowls Perfect for Everyday & Entertaining

I love a shallow 40 oz. bowl that can live large as a pasta, popcorn, or whatever bowl, and here’s one to consider.

Roasted Marshmallows on the Fire

When I couldn’t find gluten-free graham crackers at the market, I improvised so my husband could enjoy s’mores too.

The easiest recipe in the world is comin’ at ya! I bought readymade Rice Krispy treats and whipped up homemade g-free chocolate chip cookies to sandwich itty bitty bricks of fun-sized chocolate and gooey marshmallows.

You could also buy cookies or dough, and I bet there will be no complaints. However, with my restricted diet, I must be mindful of every ingredient. Too busy to even fuss with s’more making?

My favorite energy bars are from Verb, and S’mores is one of their popular choices with its charred marshmallow flavor. If you haven’t tried ’em (the caffeine in the bars comes from good-for-you green tea!), try these Delicious Energy Bars HERE.

My homemade cookies have coconut oil (a good fat I can break down) and less chocolate chips since more chocolate went inside. Sweet cozy Moses, I can’t even remember when the two of us could eat anything we wanted! These s’mores are g-free for him and low-fat for me.

What’s the secret to not consuming too much sugar or fat as you get cozy ’round a mini bonfire under the harvest moon? See actual size above…keep those s’mores mini!

My little oval plates are very early Rae Dunn, but Wayfair offers so many equally adorable Rae Dunn options with that hand-thrown look:

Can you spot my lace-up boots?

Even without the grahams, the s’mores made me feel like a kid again!

As you can see below, I couldn’t wait to sample ’em before I snapped a photo inside!

What if You Have No Patio or Space for a Firepit?

Should you be craving s’mores and firelight and find yourself bonfire-less, have you considered a mini tabletop fireplace that is smokeless yet cozy to use inside or out?

This is the one we own, and it’s pretty perfect for apartment dwellers or for enjoying on a balcony or porch. You add Iso-propyl alcohol as fuel, and there’s no mess or cleanup. I shared this little firepit and gift ideas thinking about fathers, but girls and guys alike would enjoy ’em!

Sorry, Martha, but my mindful minis are far lovelier than your traditional plain ones:

Feel like smacking me for suggesting a sacred s’more could be made without grahams?

Fall Decor for Casual Gatherings

The very Scandi lantern with flameless candle is vintage RH. I also showed you the versatility of these Turkish cotton towels from Wayfair HERE.

You can of course reserve them for the beach, but I use them as tablecloths and in early fall, they can be brought into service as wraps/shawls on the patio or deck.

Above: Yep, that’s a pumpkin that has yet to be painted or carved. Which is your preference?

More Praise for this Wood Burning Fire Pit

One of the features I appreciate about this firepit’s design is the steel’s open weave. Glowing embers as well as warmth can be enjoyed through the little mesh windows.

While the steel may appear brown in some of the night photos, in daylight you can see it is indeed black.

S’more Tips for Alternative S’mores

I have decided buying pre-made Rice Krispy treats beats making them…mine are never memorable. For these s’mores, I divided each treat into two thin rectangles…worked like a dream.

I picked up the cloth napkins in the killer pumpkin color at the grocery store, and here’s a set of groovy dishtowels/napkins I own, perfect for casual shindigs:

Cozy Fall Fireside Ingredients

Find shopping resources below for a few casual pieces mentioned above, and do PIN THIS POST to spread the word.

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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