Waiting for a screen

We still can't have a fire in the fireplace. We took the screen that we bought in Birmingham, back to the fireplace store. Now, we have a blacksmith who lives down the road, making us one to fit the opening of the fireplace. He might have it done for Christmas. He had to order the screening for it. Meantime, Chuck has been lighting candles in the opening. He says it heats the inside of the fireplace 3 or 4 degrees. We have the heater set on 68 degrees but inside of the fireplace, it's been 49 or 50 degrees. Can't wait to be able to have a real fire in it. Chuck went walking through our back woods yesterday looking for firewood but he said all the downed trees are too old for us to cut and use, so looks like we are going to have to "buy!" fire wood!!! Can you believe it?....we live on 22 acres of trees and we have to buy wood. ..lol. Too bad we can't burn "pine" inside...we certainly have plenty of that. ...oh yeah ...and empty cardboard boxes. ...a whole barn of those. I think it's time for a big bon fire outside. We've just got to figure out a clearing for it. I've already got the makings for peanut butter cup smores!