Every place, and every home, has its special thing. It might be a certain dish that's been passed along generations, an interesting hobby that's admired by others, or a ritual meant for passing the time with family and friends. An advantage I have living on a river in the wooded north of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the ability to have big bonfires, and no amount of family or friends we have over will exceed capacity of the surrounding area that the fire brings warmth. It wouldn't be a bonfire without s'mores, though … and what an easy, but different, treat I could share with my Dominican friends.
The only place I might find marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers would be the grocery store in Cabrera. So, after work in the hospital, I stopped by and fortunately found everything I'd need. I carried the bulky set of grocery bags filled with other items my family had needed with me on the crowded guagua and on the motorcycle up the hill. I was excited for the night.
Just as it began to get dark, I began collecting small sticks to use as cookers, light pieces to break up as kindling, and larger pieces to form a decent bed of coals. I sought help from one of my friends who returned dragging a large stump … before I could ask any questions, he lifted it and slammed it against the pavement. Sure enough, smaller pieces split off of it; with a few more tries, we soon had a sizable pile of firewood to start our fire.
Along-top the unfinished cement-brick wall of the house, I prepared the assembly-line of the s'more prep station: marshmallows opened to skewer, graham crackers pre-split in half, and the chocolate bars unwrapped.
It didn't take long for the kids to come running and catch onto the marshmallow roasting technique … and the trio of their roasted marshmallow that slightly melted the Hershey's chocolate bar sandwiched inside two honey graham crackers was an absolute hit. They loved them, and I sure loved how it put big smiles on their faces.
The only place I might find marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers would be the grocery store in Cabrera. So, after work in the hospital, I stopped by and fortunately found everything I'd need. I carried the bulky set of grocery bags filled with other items my family had needed with me on the crowded guagua and on the motorcycle up the hill. I was excited for the night.
Just as it began to get dark, I began collecting small sticks to use as cookers, light pieces to break up as kindling, and larger pieces to form a decent bed of coals. I sought help from one of my friends who returned dragging a large stump … before I could ask any questions, he lifted it and slammed it against the pavement. Sure enough, smaller pieces split off of it; with a few more tries, we soon had a sizable pile of firewood to start our fire.
Along-top the unfinished cement-brick wall of the house, I prepared the assembly-line of the s'more prep station: marshmallows opened to skewer, graham crackers pre-split in half, and the chocolate bars unwrapped.
It didn't take long for the kids to come running and catch onto the marshmallow roasting technique … and the trio of their roasted marshmallow that slightly melted the Hershey's chocolate bar sandwiched inside two honey graham crackers was an absolute hit. They loved them, and I sure loved how it put big smiles on their faces.