Sweet Campfire....

There is something absolutely comforting to me about the smell of fire.  I love campfires, the fires from our woodstove, and even how my husband smells after being out on a wildfire.  I think I connect it to the outdoors and the memories of adventures and vacations. 

When I was growing up in Alaska, we often spent weekends out at our family cabin.  It is a “real” cabin (no electricity, running water or plumbing.)  Built in the 50s it was one of the very first cabins on a secluded lake. 

There are plenty now all accessible by plane, snowmachine (AKA snowmobile), hiking, or canoe (depending on the season.)  For some reason I was never really fond of visiting in the summer (the mosquitoes could be vicious), but loved it in the winter.  I loved the copious amounts of snow that was always there, I loved sledding, I loved trudging through the woods and I loved feeling cozy beside the woodstove keeping warm.  I am quite sure that is where that comforting smell leads me back to. 

One of my favorite memories is riding out to the cabin at -20 degrees (F) with my dad.  We were both bundled up, but the sky was amazing and the mountains glowing in the feeble winter daylight.

We spent a rare day there just the two of us without any worries of doing work at the cabin.  I remember reading, sleeping (it is amazing how well I could sleep there) and just being. 

These are the sorts of memories I want to make with my own children now.  I want them to find comfort in the smell of fire and the smell of snow.  I hope they share the love of winter that my husband and I both cling to after busy summer months. 

What sort of memories do you make in the winter with your families?