My Island or Lessons Learned From a Bonfire

At the beginning of last year our family spent a week up at our cottage in the woods. One morning we decided to explore the property length-wise following the creek. The six of us trudged through snow and slush and mushy mud. There was no trail so it was hard going. We came to a fallen log that spanned the creek and single-filed it over to the other side. Or did we? Because when we walked forward a little bit, there was the creek again. As we got our bearings, we discovered something that took my breath away.
We were on an island.
Now, if you were to ask me what I wanted most in the world when I was a little girl, I would say a white kitten. But a close second, would have been an island.
To be surrounded by water, the sound of it in both ears, from each side, is incredible.

So this week, up at the cottage again, we cleared the island. Cleared it of decades of dead wood and leaves and brush. We had bonfires for several days which taught me several interesting lessons. One being, that fires can actually curl and bleach your hair if you get too close. It's true. It's also true that the hair then disintegrates after it's had its moment being curly and blond. Also, if you burn too many fingers too badly then it is difficult to play card games with the kids at night. At one point Grant informed me that I had a lot of black soot on my chin. He said, "Um Mom, you have a beard. But it looks really good on you." I would have never known I look good in a beard if it wasn't for the bonfire.

What was I talking about? Ahh yes, islands. Anyway, so we cleared the island. And I began to decorate it. Did you know you can decorate islands? Mine is going to have a big hammock, I have the lucky trees picked out for it. It's also going to have a pavilion with mesh curtains, a table and chairs, and cots for sleeping at night when there's more people then will fit on the hammock. There is already a fire pit (where I learned the lessons randomly stated in the previous paragraph).

I made a lot of these plans while painting the dining room an intriguing blue-gray. Which leads me to another interesting point. You can decorate an island while decorating another room.
Creativity begets creativity my friends.

When I told my beloved husband my plans for the island he was naturally a little stunned.
But maybe that's because his wife had curly blond hair and a black beard.
I'm not sure.

Anyway, I really like my island.
Just in case you were curious, I got a white kitten several years ago.
I have no plans for growing a permanent beard.

My island...log bridge on left

I love my orange chair in the woods.

Rowan trying to figure out how to cross.

Posy posing with logs.

Brothers on a mossy rock with hair curling fire behind them.

Goofy kids on their Daddy.