Petey
I'm in fla now so no fireplace, but I do have a wood burning fire pit. I burn the cut offs there.
I hope your husband makes a full recovery. 
 Many thanks for the encouraging words.   I've got siblings in Florida for the winter and they said they had temps in the 20s, had to cover their plants, and were afraid of losing tropical trees.  Are you far enough south to have missed that cold snap?  
L/W

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Benjamin Franklin