Ok, so its starting to cool off outside....

Sounds like you have it under control!

I'm just used to larger chunks of wood.

 

I have pretty much the same wood available as you. Don’t be afraid of the box elder and cottonwood. I’ll burn a cord or so during shoulder season. I like having it around the most for cold restarts and morning wood. I can fill the stove up first thing in the morning Get it hot then throw in some hard woods before I leave for work