S'more Fun

The collection has begun. Thursday was a warm and rainy day. Gary and I met for the woods right after work.
One of the buckets at the creek. Right to the top with an ice cube to keep it chilled.
Back at the creek, the road was starting to break open.
By Friday evening, the road was flooded. Really wanted to be sure to have your rubber boots on crossing. Pretty swift coming across.
Saturday after boiling, letting the hot coals burn down.
Just right for an after dinner desert.
Just like the syrup, golden!
Done for the day and ready for a treat.
Yummy!!!

First Boil

March 6th was the season's first boil in the sap shack. The day started with warmer temps but quickly dropped.
Front pan, finishing the sap to syrup.
The first draw off the pan. A good maple flavor and light amber color.
Gary making an adjustment to some of the logs for the evaporator.
Waiting for the next draw. A good game of Uno. Laura's favorite.
Ready to bottle the syrup.

The Spreader That Spread No More

The ole John Deere spreader has served many purposes. This piece of equipment holds "special" memories. After Gary and I were married we came home from our honeymoon to pick it up from the farm. Once here it served as the wood wagon for years. With the addition of other wood hauling equipment, Gary thought it would be a good idea to convert it over to a sap wagon.
First step, get the snow and ice out of the back end by any means.


Back to the barn with one side off. After cutting the bolts it was the second side that caused a little more work.
If you can't get at the bolts that you want, flip it upside down on a snow bank. Then climb on top with a pry bar.
Finally the sides are off. Taking them to the grave yard until spring. (Pictures of this post may or may not have been approved at the time of taking. Happy to say the sap tank is on and so far so good. Will post some pictures in action later)

Snow Fun

While we had a pile of snow to play in, the girls took advantage of it. Gary even helped with rolling the snow.
Kelly enjoyed climbing on top and jumping from them. Laura used hers to make a snowman.
Or should I say, Snow Family?

I forgot I had this picture. Over winter break, daycare had a Wacky Wednesday. These are our wacky girls. Laura wore Gary's John Deere shirt, while Kelly wore mine.

First Sign of Spring

As I write this we are in the midst of a winter storm watch. However, the early sign of spring has started. We have tapped our trees.
With a warm up of 33, the sap already started flowing.
Gary drills the first hole of the season.
Limited tubing up and in.
Planning the route. Look at that bright blue sky we had above us. A fabulous day.
Jimmie was in town for the weekend with us. He even brought his sled for a visit.
Kelly marked the trail to follow with her stick she found. It was handy for me to follow until she got distracted by testing the ice with the stick.
Checking the lines as we go.
Laura getting ready to hang her bucket.
Kelly just couldn't wait to taste the final product. She had to have some right away.
Hammer time.
Learning the angle of tapping and grooming the next generation.
Even "cousin Eddie" showed up for the day. I love my hick!

How do you celebrate V-Day?

What says love more than going to a hockey game and watching the action! That's how this family spent Valentine's weekend. The top ranked SUNY Oswego team was upset 5-2 by the Morrisville Mustang's. The game attendance was 2,650+.
Face off of the second period.
Gary and Laura in the crowd. Sunday was the first day in six weeks with a temperature above freezing. We peaked at 43! This prompted us to break the trail to the woods as we start maple syrup season. Won't be long before we start tapping trees.
What better way to mark Valentines Day than with baking. The whole family participated in making strawberry cupcakes. Here is Kelly frosting the cakes with her own special touch of love for decorating. Extra, extra sprinkles.

Winter Weekend 2011

This weekend was Winter Weekend at Brandy Brook. It is an annual snowmobile fun weekend at Tug Hill. This year we decided to drive the snowmobiles instead of taking the truck and trailer. It was a 230 mile trip for the weekend. A special "Thank You" to Eric and Amanda for keeping the girls while we took this adventure.
Ready to leave from the front yard!
One of the perks of leaving first thing in the morning...
Leaving the first tracks.
We came across this accident around 9 am.
These guys hit a steel deck bridge and the sleds flew about 75' before landing. It appears one hit the other before landing. We came across it shortly after it happened. Both drivers were lucky to be alive and fortunately no injuries. The sleds appear to be totaled.
All trails were flat heading north.
Gary checked the map just once. We had a timeline to meet and didn't want to make a wrong turn.
We did stop for a "quickie", picture that is.
Almost to Lowville, a stop along the windmills.
Sunday morning breakfast. One sausage link short of a full pancake man.
Just because it's camp doesn't mean we don't use a broom.
The gang for Winter Weekend! All the members and the camp dog, Sadie who rides in with the snowmobile.
Sunday after the snow storm that dropped a foot of snow.
Made for a pretty ride home with the snow on the trees. Trails were just as good home.