Tis the season for sitting next to the fire with a cozy blanket while roasting marshmallows, making s’mores and sipping hot chocolate! It’s one of my favorite things to do, how about you? Roasting marshmallows brings back a nostalgic feeling and a moment of slowing down to enjoy the simple beauty around me.

Last year, I filled our outdoor fireplace with pumpkins, but this year I went with a more simple style (photo below). I get so many questions about the brick that’s accented around our home, outside and inside. It’s a reclaimed brick that’s known as Old Chicago brick. It was so fascinating to me to learn the history of our reclaimed brick by the markings that are etched into the brick. Our brick came from a brick yard in Chicago that was around in 1930. These bricks were used to mason other structures way back then. That is why you will see some black bricks and white bricks and other colors mixed in. No two are perfect and that’s exactly what I love. It gives the space so much character and texture. It was a splurge for us to choose this brick, but well worth it. Being the builder of our home, it was so fun to layout and design all the brick features we have. However, it came with challenges constructing a double fireplace. We have another fireplace that’s directly inside but they are completely separate, of course for efficiency.

This firewood log holder is one of my favorites on the back porch. To me it creates a farmhouse country feel while having so much purpose and practical use. This one was just right for this little nook. We have used it since last fall and it’s held up great. More wood is kept on our barn porch, ready to be refilled here when needed.

I can’t wait to hear the crackling sounds of the fire and feel the warmth this winter. Soon, I will be enjoying roasting marshmallows and hope you will too.

I pulled together some of the featured items on my back porch, plus others to help you kick off your marshmallow roasting coziness around the fire this winter. I also use birch logs which are great to decorate with inside the home (not to be burned).

Enjoy!