Enjoying the fire...

Willow trees are beautiful, right?

I used to think so.

Until I had six of them in my back yard.

Every time we have a storm, they drop hundreds of whispy branches.

I have to pick them up.

They have to go somewhere, right?

So we put them to use as kindling in our "new" fire pit.

The kids loved snuggling next to each other...for a little while anyway.

At least it made for a couple of cute pictures.

...if only they were smiling... :)

Sitting next to the fire with my husband takes me back to our college days,

sitting next to the fire at Whispering Pines.

Ah, the memories.

So while I don't appreciate the work our willows give us,

I do love sitting next to my family next to the fire.