NOT for the Selectively Squeamish-

Today was the first day of spring...  it was in the lower 40's it was terribly windy, 

and wet, and cloudy and cold. 

Last night it rained most of the night with blustery winds. 

Knowing this was coming...

 I hesitated to clear out the left over firewood and get the wood stove cleaned for next FALL. 

Which is a good thing- because today- we needed a fire to take the chill out of the house! 

 What I am about to show you is the method I use to make fire starters for our Wood Burning Stove. 

There are lots of products marketed out there that sell for a pretty penny. 

And! they work pretty well at starting a fire. 

Now out there somewhere there is a product called *JAVA LOGS - 

These are logs made from coffee grounds and who knows what else

and they are used to start a fire. 

What is about to follow is the process I use to make COFFEE - LOGS (more like sticks) and they work just as well - they are leftover from my own coffee pot and so the cost is relatively nothing (seeing how I've already paid for and used the coffee and filters for the intended purpose- and would otherwise toss these, since I don't have a compost bin)   *edit:  since originally posting this, we do compost during the spring and summer months. Coffee grounds are great for the garden, etc. But once it starts cooling off, we save our filters.

This is melted wax in a coffee can - melting it on the pilot light - on my cook stove. 

I purchase used candles at garage sales, thrift stores, flea-markets, and they are given to me at times. 

They usually aren't attractive or the wick is lost somewhere in the candle 

Making it virtually impossible to keep it lit. 

This is dryer lint.  

'NUFF said. 

This is a picture of several coffee filters drying on the griddle of my stove- takes a few days for one to dry completely. (OR A FEW HOURS IF YOU LAY IT CLOSER TO THE WOOD STOVE WITH THE FIRE IS BURNING.) :)  That white stuff is melted wax poured on and then (sorry I didn't get a picture of this step) you place a piece of dryer lint inside. 

Fold it over like a taco. 

Fold the ends over like you're making a burrito. 

Then begin to roll it up until it is closed . 

Once you get to the edge you pour a little more wax 

on the edge and seal it like an envelope. 

Here are Six Coffee logs ready to make a fire. 

Now since it is Officially Spring and I didn't make enough of these last year to last the winter months

I decided to store these differently. 

I had to throw some out last year 

they molded. 

I know gross right? 

Well, this year. 

I am freezing them. 

This is a picture of a wax bag from a box of cereal. 

Again- I recycled here. 

(not bragging- just stating the facts, ma'am) 

I put the coffee logs inside rolled it up 

and put a rubber band around it. 

I CLEARLY MARKED IT

As I continue to make them through out the year 

I can add to the bag. 

Now this won't be as easy 

because I line dry our clothes 

(when ever possible) 

and dryer lint won't be as plentiful. 

However- 

I have daughters that have central heat and a/c 

and won't be needing their dryer lint for anything but the garbage, 

(and they know how there mom is about saving a penny)

So-- they'll be saving their lint for me ! 

**people will give you their dryer lint. Just ask. 

That's it. 

It is just a frugal tip- 

No glitz, (except for the reflective aluminum foil in some of the photos) 

No glamor-( my finger nails aren't even painted) 

No need to thank me. Really. 

It's just an idea I had and thought I'd share it. 

It was truly gross- 

and to some the thought of freezing my garbage in until the next cold snap

may sound a little bit nuts! 

But- 

YOU  WERE WARNED!  

Thanks for visiting. 

After a gentle nudge

I've linked to :