A CBC Visit and Making Maple Syrup

We have had a very long and cold winter here... and I loved every bit of it! :)

Yes, I prefer snow to summer. Go ahead, judge me.

Anywho, the time for sugaring has come- and gone now. We didn't get to start boiling down sap to make maple syrup until the end of March! Usually we start at the end of February or the beginning of March, and boil until the middle-ish or the end of March. 

But, no. 

 This year was quite different. It was too cold for the sap to flow into buckets. Then it got too warm and we were losing sap because it was turning brown... that's not good, people! Good maple sap should look like water; we want it to turn brown only after we have it boiling.

The good thing about this year-- the VERY good thing-- is that our cousins by contract got to come for a visit and assist with sugaring!

Unfortunately, Beth and Kathryn were not able to join us as they are both far away right now. We did miss them terribly!

OK, on to sugaring! :)

The guys rebuilding the sugaring pit.

Our classy blood cousins came over, too!

There was a good deal of chopping, er.. attempting to chop wood going on.

Molgum trying to make the chunk of frozen sap to melt faster while Count Bob doesn't look so certain it is going to work.

Count Bob, I'm sure you really enjoyed your hotdog because it took so long to get done. :)

KT Bugs all bundled up!

UJ built a small "pit" behind the big one where the sap was boiling. In this picture Cherry and UJ are toasting marshmallows.

Apparently Doofus got smoke in his eyes while roasting his hotdog. Who knew making lunch would make you cry?

Kiri talking to Beth on the phone.

Well, there are a few pictures from our day of sugaring with the cousins by contract. We were very sad to see them go.

But life goes on.

 I will add a few more random pictures before I go on to explain how we work.

 Doofus, my brother, on lunch break.

KT Bugs is ready for some wiffle ball.

Cherry roasting a hotdog.

Doofus chopping wood.

KT and I.

KT makes the oddest faces sometimes....

And this is what happens when I get bored.

Not sure if that is steam or heat waves making the picture this way. Same difference, anyway.

Now for our operation:



Here is where the magic happens!

This is where we make the fire. As you can see, there are a few hot coals left from the day before.

We use paper as a base to start the fire.

Next are the little sticks to help the fire get going.

Then add some bigger pieces of wood.

Ah, a roaring fire!

Putting the grate over the fire is a very hot job.

And so is getting on the pot. Yes, this is different than the pans that are pictured earlier. We borrowed the pot from some friends, it makes boiling easier.

We put bricks around the pot to better keep the heat and flames inside the pit.

And here is the sap boiled down into maple syrup!

We strain the syrup to get any "floaters" out.

Maple syrup!!!

Finally, the syrup is poured into canning jars- strained again, of course! :)

I hope you enjoyed seeing how we make maple syrup!

Until next time!

The Completely Random and Useless Tag

Oh, yay! Tag questions! I love doing these, but I never make the time to do them... bother! Well, now I am.

Congratulate me!

*blasts me in the face with confetti*

Er, thank you.

Ahem.

Anywho, this tag, as you can see from the title, is the Completely Random and Useless Tag. Which means it contains a bunch a random and useless questions. Which means you have to answer all the random and useless questions I give to you (and you can even use one word answers). Which means I will congratulate you on answering all the random and useless questions. :)

Yeah...

 Rules:
1. Copy this tag and answer all of the questions... obviously.
2.  Mention me, Jessa Bri (oh, I mentioned myself!), and link back to my blog.
3. Comment on this post and leave a link to your post with the tag.
4. Feel free to tag people... or don't tag anyone at all!

Favorite color?
Green, green, green! :)

What book you are currently reading?
Laylie's Daring Quest

Popcorn or pickles?
Um... both? But I must admit that I could eat a whole big bowl of popcorn by myself. Don't believe me? I have witnesses....

What is your favorite way to eat raisins?
Dried. Wait, what? Oh, in oatmeal cookies or with peanut butter and celery.

Do you like to wear socks to bed?
No, no, no! Yuck!


Pick the main character from the last book you read-- he/she is now your best friend. Who is it, which book is he/she from, and what is one similar thing- something odd or unusual- about the both of you that makes you best friends?
Millie Keith from Millie's Fiery Trial. We both have strong Christian parents and many goofy siblings! :)

Spring, summer, autumn, or winter?
Yes, yes, yes, yes.


Favorite musical (any production or movie counts)?
Oh, I LOVE the 2013 Broadway production of Cinderella with Laura Osnes and Santino Fontana! The music is epic!!! Impossible is the best song... just sayin'. :)

Lefty or righty?
Left. Yes, we're special.

Sausage or bacon?
Uh... I like sausage just a tick more. *sheepish grin*

 Would you rather spend the afternoon on Pinterest or reading a good book?
I do enjoy Pinterest, but I would much rather read a book!

White socks or "fun" socks?
Fun socks all the way! I only own three pairs of white socks, anyway (but I never wear them).

Coffee or tea?
Yes. What? I can't pick just one! Don't judge me!!!


Are you shy or outgoing?
Shy. No doubt about it.

What is the goofiest thing you do with your friends/cousins/siblings (whichever it may be)?
Boy, probably reenacting movies and songs from musicals. We're pretty talented. ;)

Would you rather read a good book; bake up a storm (a good storm) in the kitchen; ride your horse across the fields; spend hours updating your wardrobe; watch your favorite movie/show all day; or simply sit in a tree daydreaming?
 Oh, either read a good book or bake up a storm!

What do you like to eat for breakfast?
Oatmeal is my go-to breakfast. I make so many different flavors and combinations with it that oatmeal never gets old!

Would you rather be behind or in front of a camera?
Uh, behind! I not photogenic, but I am a photographer... well, sort of.

Foot size?
"Foot size doesn't matter!" Oh! 7 or 7 1/2.

Truthfully, did you enjoy this tag?
Well, of course I did! I wrote it!!! I'm obligated to like it. ;)

Thank you for lasting this long- all the way to the end! And I tag... YOU!

Here is the list of questions:
Favorite color?


What book you are currently reading?

Popcorn or pickles?


What is your favorite way to eat raisins?

Do you like to wear socks to bed?

Pick the main character from the last book you read-- he/she is now your best friend. Who is it, 
which book is he/she from, and what is one similar thing- something odd or unusual- about the 
both of you that makes you best friends?

Spring, summer, autumn, or winter?

Favorite musical (any production or movie counts)?


Lefty or righty?

Sausage or bacon?

Would you rather spend the afternoon on Pinterest or reading a good book?

White socks or "fun" socks?


Coffee or tea?


Are you shy or outgoing?

What is the goofiest thing you do with your friends/cousins/siblings (whichever it may be)?

Would you rather read a good book; bake up a storm (a good storm) in the kitchen; ride your horse across the fields; spend hours updating your wardrobe; watch your favorite movie/show all day; or simply sit in a tree daydreaming?

What do you like to eat for breakfast?

Would you rather be behind or in front of a camera?

Foot size?

Truthfully, did you enjoy this tag?


Well, that's all for now, folks! :)