This is how Ted makes fire starters. He uses them to get the wood started burning in the fireplace. If you burn wood, you can do this also. There a tote full of wood shaving and sawdust from other jobs done in the shop. You could probably use hamster bedding, since it's similar.
Put shavings into small sized Dixie cups, like you would use in the bathroom when brushing your teeth.
Ted bought a one burner hot plate and an old pan from goodwill. He melts his old candles and wax in this pan.. Ladles wax into the cups of shavings.
Let cool and store by layers in a box. Ted has made many boxes of these and given them to people who burn wood thru winter. Plus we keep some on hand for our use.
You will need lots of piles of this too. Seasoned wood. Meaning dry, no sap...usually 6 months cut, or more. Ted just cut a standing dead ash tree last week, here. This is a pile of wood that Ted and Matt cut a few months back.
Because you know this is coming in a few months. Nasty cold old winter. You can tell I am not a fan. Not that I ever really was. Snow can make a pretty picture, but it is work for people who have to live in it.
Today will be 84 degrees here in central Indiana , October the 17th. Summer temperatures. But rain is in our forecast and then a cool down again. So I better enjoy this pretty day. Wishing all of you a great day. Smile. XO
I think I can beat that temp Susie! It's all of a sudden hot again in Texas...92 today! But, yes. that snow is going to be all too soon up there! Enjoy the outdoors while you can! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteThe wind is blowing steady today..but it's warm and dry like a California breeze. LOL. We will have snow here, but I am hoping it holds off as long as possible. I will say our sunshine is beautiful today. That helps me carrying on. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteI'm with Estelle today - I was going to report on our temps in the 90's. I want some cool, fall weather and while snow would be wonderful for us, I know it is hard for you. Those fire starters are really neat. We could have used them when we had a wood burning fireplace, but alas, no longer. I definitely prefer wood burning to gas logs. Happy Monday, Susie. xoxo
ReplyDeleteNonnie, I would not be able to handle those big 90's...I get too warm outside most times. LOL, I kind of like the gas logs...no soot or dust. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteSusie,
ReplyDeleteYour preparations really send out the Winter Is Coming feeling. It's so good to have a good woodpile waiting, and those "kindlers" are great. We were just talking about "fat lighterd" the other day---that's what's mostly used where we're from---splinters of the pine that catch quickly and burn hot for starting.
This is like having a pantry full of good canned fruit for the Winter---riches, indeed.
r
Racheld, I do believe in being prepared. Canned goods are important thru winter. We can always make some soups and stews. My daughter Karen uses the fire starters with camp fires too.Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteHi Susie,
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe with the great temps we are having that the white stuff will be coming soon.
These fire starters are awesome and what a great gift idea. Bravo Ted these are fabulous.
Happy New Week.
Hugs,
Kris
Kris, I know you can understand how snow can be work at times. When we can't get out...it's good to have hobbies. Ted is really good about sharing the fire starters with our family and friends. We buy up old candles at goodwill , or the girls save odds and ends for us. Let's enjoy our good weather dear friend. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteOh how I remember the days...and am so grateful that I don't have to prepare for cold, wet, freezing winters any longer! But, I love his idea of the fire starters! Blessings, Cindy xo
ReplyDeleteCindy, I am happy for you and sad for me. LOL. I can't leave my home town now...roots are too deep. But I may be moving back to town one day....farm life is rough in winter. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
Deletewow, that is a clever idea, Susie. And to add the candle wax to the shavings is even better. Do you know that I love to see your snow pictures, Susie? I don't get to see the snow much here unless we go up to the mountains about an hour away, so when I see your pics of the snow surrounding your charming home, I SMILE BIG! It's as if I'm there myself. I know the snow can be hard to live with when you're getting in and out, and I was wondering if it's as nice to live with as it is pretty?
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
Sheri, I know you love winter scenes and I will take photos for you this winter. :):) I keep hinting to Ted that we need to think about moving back to town one day. Our wood pile is full and Ted has made everyone some fire starters. Some times they smell good from the scented old candles. Blessings to you, love, xoxo, Susie
DeleteThat is a great idea to make fire starters. No wood fires are allowed here in the city. We would be fined for pollution. But I bet they smell good from the candles. It was 83 degrees here today and felt every degree of it. I am wearing shorts, a t-shirt and no shoes. When we went out today I felt as if I were burning up it was so hot. But I am not complaining one bit. I will enjoy these three days of heat and soak it all up to save until next summer.
ReplyDeleteOh Kathy, I know what you are saying about soaking up all this good weather. It's 6:30here and still 80 degrees. That's hot for October. Hope you and Joe enjoyed some back yard time. I sat on the porch a few times today. Too windy to truly enjoy that. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteGreat ideas! So cozy to sit by the fire in winter.
ReplyDeleteKaren, There has been many times that I am thankful for this fire place.I complain about the dust and clean up at times.:):) Blessings for a good day there. xoxo, Susie
DeleteGood use of that sawdust and old candles. We dip pine cones in candle wax, too. Firestarters are much needed in these parts, too.
ReplyDeleteVee, we used to buy fire starters from the store....they are not as good as these home made ones. Plus these smell great when old scented candles have been used. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteThis is a great idea...I'd love using these for our fire pit, too!
ReplyDeleteLinda, We gave our daughter Karen some of these fire starters for camp fires...even though her son was a boy scout. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteThat final picture of yours was certainly disturbing! Glad it wasn't an actual depiction of your weather right now. We still have to order a load of wood!! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn, I would be crying already if we had that much snow here at October.LOL. I am thankful that Ted and our son in law have stocked up on wood. The hardest winter out here...we use the whole supply in the wood bin. As you know some wood give better BTU's than others. So Ted won't use soft woods. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteHey, that's quite a smart fire starter!! I use fatwood and newspaper, which works well. I also save kindling from the bottom of the wood pile, of course. It's time for my wood delivery....two cords coming this week, you know what my workout will be!!
ReplyDeleteI do not know what "fatwood " is...can you explain...I love learning.:):) I thought of you when Ted was making those starters. :) I have thought of just piling shavings in a newspaper and drizzling wax over it and twisting the paper...that would work as a starter too. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteHi there, Glad that last picture isn't your current conditions. We've never had a wood burning stove and while friends would give us pinecones dipped in wax, hubby never would use them for our fireplace-said there would be too much mess. We have gas fireplaces now; hubby misses the wood, but I like how clean they are. Thanks for sharing; your hubby certainly is handy!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Noreen
Noreen, The weatherman did say yesterday that we have had snow at this time before...oh please...I do not even want to think of that. Our leaf turning seems to be delayed about a week or so. Yes, wood burning is messy and I would prefer gas logs. :):) Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteOur fireplace was originally a wood burning one. We had it converted to gas a few years ago. We used it so much more..as it was always a job getting wood, storing it and bringing it in etc. But we (or should I say "I" loved the smell of it and the crackling of the wood! Great idea with the firestarters:) I too dread winter... I'm afraid I'll be in all winter. Uggg But as you say, the joys of living in the Midwest!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Gert
Gert, We had gas logs when we lived in town. I wish we did out here . Burning wood is a dirty heat for handling wood and ashes. Gert, I feel for you...those winter days of feeling stuck in the house...those get to me at times. My daughter told me to start making journals for all the grands of my memories of them. :) Blessings, love you, xoxo, Susie
DeleteSusie, there is nothing like a fire in the fireplace. We used to heat like that but now we have gas and I certainly don't miss the work involved, but you look like a warm winter is in your future..Happy Tuesday.xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteJudy, the really warm feeling of the fires on super windy cold days makes it worth all the preparing for winter. I still hate the dust involved. Can't wait to see your doggie in costume. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
Deletevery cool and practical too!
ReplyDeleteHI Carrie, The fire starters are very cheap to make. We have made them with newspaper cups also. Thank you for dropping in. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteI liked reading about Ted's fire starters. We do not burn wood but wish we had known someone who did because Alan threw many bags of sawdust away from his sawing this summer. We tried to think how it would benefit someone but we didn't know about making fire starters. We will know next time.
ReplyDeleteYou and your hubby may want to throw in some shavings, my husband used to use just saw dust but the wax flows into the air pockets with the shavings. You will love these fire starters. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
DeleteIt's so hot here! I hope we at least get a few sweater weather days before Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteLinda, LD could whip up some of these fire starters for you to use in the fireplace there. I think the Midwest is going to be a snowy winter and I am not happy. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, love, Susie
DeleteI love my firestarters! and Ted.
ReplyDeleteHi Honey, I know you truly appreciate the fire starters. I sure did the last two years , as I was the one keeping the fires going while ted worked. LOL. Are you home today ? Love you sweetheart, mommy
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