buffy said:

kii said:

buffy said:

Perhaps they did just chuck an incense stick on the fire. Which reminds me…I haven’t burnt incense for some time. I used to light a stick in the kitchen at Casterton when I went over there for gardening. Mr buffy doesn’t like the smell. I do, I like the sandalwood ones (never liked patchouli at all). However, now it’s been brought back to my attention, once we are out of the fire restrictions ( posted for 1/5/26), I could light a stick outside the window of the library/office/sewing room and I’d get the drift without the complaints.

It seems that Google coughed up the answer. Scented firestarters are a thing. You can even make your own or buy cute ones from Etsy.
The neighbours had their backyard landscaped over summer, then had their engagement party a month or so ago. The firepit was part of that work..
I can imagine they received gifts that might have included scented firestarters from Etsy.
The smoke was not sandalwood*, it was a floral and musky scent.

*despite roughbarked’s insistence that he knows better than dumb dumb idiot me

Floral and musky sounds like patchouli.

Nope.

I used to wear patchouli or sandalwood.
I have used essential oils daily for various hippy rituals, since I was a teenager.
Many years ago I had weekly massages with an aromatherapist when I was stressed out by my work in early childhood services.
I know my aromas. In fact I have a very acute sense of smell.