Since the nights are cooling, I thought I'd share a tip that we like to do some evenings.

We have an old tractor wheel in our back yard as a fire pit. It is propped up on stones to promote air flow, and since it is from a tractor, it is just big enough to put a couple of pieces of wood in for a wienie roast or "marshmallow burn" as Timex calls it. We rarely remember kindling, so in a moment of desparation, we decided to twist paper grocery sacks and use them. Well, they worked, so now I have another use for all my Trader Joe's and Wild Oats bags.

Another tip is to have your s'mores ingredients all laid out on paper plates to be ready for the hot marshmallows. This helps keep things running smoothly so you don't have a backlog of toasted marshmallows (and impatient kids) waiting on the s'mores, and the plates can be burned when you're done without releasing as many chemicals into the air as styrofoam.

Somewhere I read a ton of variations on the traditional S'more, but can't find it now.  Instead, I leave you with a S'more recipe you can have any time!

S'mores Trail Mix (makes a ton!)

2 boxes honey graham cereal

1 bag mini marshmallows

1 bag M&Ms (or choco chips, in a pinch)

Optionals:

nuts

dried fruit

Mix together and store in an airtight container.