There were probably many people having outdoor fireplace fun before we discovered it, but it is like having grandchildren: You only pay attention to them once you have one of your own. Then you begin bragging about it.
Our backyard became significant when we added a fireplace and grill, set up a picnic table and benches, and installed amber stick-up lights in the petunia borders along the fence.
We put our grill and fireplace back to back, so our cooking equipment is out of sight of the guests. This consists of a grill, an oven, and a removable spit.
A high picket fence covered with Paul Scarlet climbers cuts off the alley view, and our house and neighbors wall the other sides of the yard.
It is surprising how easy it is to get people to come for an outdoor supper and even more wonderful how they insist on bringing half the food and working their heads off to help prepare it.
We feel like Tom Sawyer when he got his fence whitewashed for free and had a pocketful of gifts beside him.
Of course, there are things to attend to beforehand, such as spraying the yard for flies and mosquitoes, giving the lawn a fresh shave and haircut, and piling a goodly supply of wood and kindling nearby.
Be Ready For A Feast And Tales
The hot or cold drinks must be ready, hamburgers patted out or steaks trimmed, onions sliced, sauces and seasonings spread out. Hot pad holders, pancake turner, long fork, swabbing brush, etc., made handy for the chef.
But we are getting these tasks down to a science.
You feel well compensated for them when your guests go into rhapsodies over the steaks, the coffee, and the salad and then afterward when they “oh” and “ah” over your pansy bed, your espaliered trees spreading peacock fashion against a wall, your little bird house set on a stump among the Heavenly Blue morning-glories and your hardy Paul Starlets.
It is surprising, too, how flickering firelight can cause fellows who would sit silent and bored in a lighted room to conjure up fascinating hunting and fishing stories and other tall tales.
It is a delight to the children, who can romp and wrestle all over the yard without constant scolding from their elders until they are exhausted enough to drop on a blanket before the fire and dream.
The young folk can find a bit of seclusion for exchanging confidences and holding hands. The perfect host must only know when it is time to put another log on the fire.
It becomes an evening without time. The moon rides high, and the leaves on the nearby poplars whisper sweet nothings. Suddenly someone discovers that it is nearly midnight and tomorrow is another day.
Then there is the little flurry of putting out the fire, picking up the debris, carrying the extra chairs, pillows, and blankets indoors, and washing up the silverware at the kitchen sink.
44659 by Bess Foster Smith