Last weekend, we hosted a backyard bonfire party on the hottest day of the year. With desert temperatures soaring over 100 degrees well into the evening, it may not have been textbook bonfire weather… but somehow, it turned into one of the most memorable nights of the summer.
There’s nothing like sharing an evening around a fire pit with ten of your favorite people. Summer evenings are the best time for BBQs and Friday night parties. So, after such a wonderful engagement party for The Lovebirds just two weeks prior, we had a great idea to host a Friday Night Fire, inviting friends who wanted to join us. It seemed the perfect idea when the desert temps were still in the high 80s.
Living here in the desert for over five years now, this is the hottest summer yet. Monday, we topped 108. Of course, native desert dwellers like HHH will tell you it’s quite okay, as it’s a dry heat. Dry as the inside of my oven, you can cook an egg on the cement.
After announcing the idea on Sunday morning at church, many accepted the invitation, offering to help in any way they could. That’s normal for our beautiful church family. Everyone was excited to come and share time with us at Winterpast.
No matter how often we host parties, there is always a list of things to do. We went to work, preparing the backyard for another gathering. After replacing the solar lights around the lawn, and the lighting on each tree needed adjustment. Roses waited patiently for grooming while everything needed a heavy dose of water. Before we knew it, it was Friday.
In the afternoon, I pulled out the ice cream maker I bought during my first days as a desert gal in 2020. I made two batches of vanilla, one regular and one sugar-free using Splenda. Both recipes called for heavy whipping cream, sweetener, milk and vanilla extract and were delicious.
Despite the heat, Winterpast was filled with laughter, good conversation, and the delicious smell of roasting marshmallows and s’mores. Gathering around the fire pit after sunset, we enjoyed s’mores, fresh fruit, and, homemade ice cream, (saving us all from spontaneous combustion).
One of the highlights of the night was seeing Miss Buffy, HHH’s octogenarian mom, holding court from a shady corner of the patio. Thrilled to meet so many from our church community, she was charmed by their stories and quick wit.
As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the air cooled just enough for us to pretend sitting around a fire was a good idea. Despite the heat, Winterpast was filled with laughter, good conversation, and the delicious smell of roasting marshmallows and s’mores. Guests gathered around in lawn chairs and folding camp stools, swapping stories, sharing snacks, and soaking in the fellowship. There were sticky fingers, full bellies, and lots of laughter which was exactly the kind of night we all needed.
One of our trees has been a mystery to me. Covered with small, bitter, seeded berries, our chokecherry tree has been great bird food. One guest saw them and immediately asked about our plans for the abundant crop. Plans??? We had none. Soon, he’ll be turning the berries into jelly. Expect a report back on the results.
In the end, despite the heat, everyone had a wonderful time. The fire was hot, the treats were cool, and the company couldn’t have been better.
Next time, we might wait for a forecast below “broil”, but until then, we’re grateful for the memories made, the friendships strengthened, and the joy of gathering under the hot desert sky on these high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.
More tomorrow.