Firestarters

There are a few obvious charms about 3430 -- things we noticed when we looked at the first pictures of it online, before we even set foot inside. The 'signature feature' may be the beautiful exposed beams of the ceiling, but not far behind it in terms of charm is the expansive fireplace, nestled prominently in the front room.

Flames aroaring

We knew as soon as we got the keys that many fires would be in our future, and we prepared for the arson this summer by scheduling a chimney sweep and buying a truckload of wood from a neighborhood retiree with a 'FIREWOOD' sign on his pickup.*

Mere weeks into fall, we decided to christen our fireplace and ignite our first flames. SK and CR have lit the occasional fire in our pasts but are far from experts, so we consulted our handy fire-starting pamphlet and quickly were on our way.

Better safe than sorry at 3430

The wood box SK found in a neighborhood free pile has served as both an ample wood-storing nook and a vital piece of furniture in our ultra-sparse living room, and it held more than enough hardwood, kindling and newspaper for our purposes this evening.

Don't get too comfortable wood box, we'll be burning you soon enough

The opened flue let in a cool breeze and sprinklings of rain, but a single ignited Portland Tribune page sent hot flames upward and quickly covered the cold outside air.

Where there's smoke...

And now it rages

Before we knew it, nascent flames were ablaze in our cozy confines, and much-needed heat began trickling into 3430. There was nothing left to do but celebrate with a couple of Dark and Stormys...

There's no blues where there's booze

We strolled outside to see the smoke pour from the chimney and disappear into the night. We quickly returned to our warm abode and cuddled in the cozy living room to enjoy the remnants of our first fire. The smoke will always billow, the fires constantly burning, as we continue on with our happy lives at 3430.

* A resounding shout-out goes to Irina Linetskaya; she knows why.  May we 'spiritually nourish' each other always!