Despite the fact that today started out at 17 degrees, there were definitely some hints of Spring earlier in the week: the pussy willow buds are just starting to show a little peek of white fuzziness, the days seem suddenly longer as it is still light out at dinnertime,our snow cover has dwindled {for now anyway} to random patches...
...and I go no where outdoors without my muck boots...
And, I've resumed my afternoon nature walks with a new purpose...helping to collect sap from our maples...
as tomorrow we will try our hand at making maple syrup for the first time.
...and I go no where outdoors without my muck boots...
And, I've resumed my afternoon nature walks with a new purpose...helping to collect sap from our maples...
as tomorrow we will try our hand at making maple syrup for the first time.Stay tuned...
~Deb
Lucky you! to be able to collect sap.! Maple is one of my favorites! I don't go out without my muckers either! The one thing I dis-like about spring,MUD. Three labradors and mud, don't make for a good match.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to let you know I love your blog. Hope you're enjoying collecting sap-wish we had some sugar maples on our property!
ReplyDeleteI am excited that you are going to collect sap for syrup. I hope you post the whole process. I have never seen it done and know little or nothing about it except it tastes yummy!
ReplyDeleteOoh! That's exciting! I can't wait to hear about the syrup process!
ReplyDeleteHere in central Arkansas we are currently experiencing heavy snow showers!!! It's not that cold, but feels like it! I can't wait for late Spring when the last chill has left the air! I'm curious about the maple syrup making--it's one of my favorite flavors! Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteHow neat! You will have to let us know how it turns out. I would not have any idea on how to do something like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling the same way, can't wait for Spring! We also had a very cold morning (in the teens), but it was a beautiful sunny day!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back!
I took the puppy for a walk out back...he hopped off the flagstone path with ease...I followed and ended up to my knees...MUD!
ReplyDeleteLet us know how the syrup comes out...
Susie
Growing up our parents would let us boil the sap beyond syrup stage to make snow taffy.Spoonfuls of thick syrup were drizzled on the snow then rolled on to a popsicle stick to make the most wonderful treat ever.Wish I could be making syrup this year.We only have 2 maples not enough sap to make it work for our family. Good luck with yours.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the sap collecting - I can't wait to see the results and I hope you share the process!
ReplyDeleteManuela
Loking forward to the syrup experience!
ReplyDeleteWhen we lived upstate NY our neighbors used to make their own maple syrup. And they shared! Yummy!
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ReplyDeleteJust reading you thoughtful musings gives me hope for spring to renew us and erase this looooong winter. I remember making maple syrup with my mother when I was a child and it created so must steam that the wallpaper in the kitchen began to come loose. Be careful . . .
ReplyDeleteYou are so lucky to have definite signs of spring. Here we are still under a few feet of snow, I hope this week brings us signs of spring as well.
ReplyDeleteHave fun collecting sap for maple sugar, and maple syrup.
God bless.
Oooh, maple syrup!! Sounds so good! We don't have maples here in Denmark, but some people tap the birch trees for an exquisite drink! Thanks for a peek of spring!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun making maple syrup...hope it goes well. I love the stuff, but it has gotten very expensive in this country --£5 for a little bottle! :o(
ReplyDeleteThe closest I get to pussy willows here in Tucson is finding them at Michael's craft store. I love your maple syrup outdoor activity and the idea of actually making syrup to use. What a lovely thing to do.
ReplyDeleteoh how I can't wait for spring!!!! I love your muck boots! I definitely need a pair for myself!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDid you receive my thank you note in the mail? :)
i just had to say hello-
ReplyDeleteHow I love pussy willows!!!!! I've never found any growing around here, so would you believe I actually BOUGHT some last year?!!!!! They're still here in a vase keeping me happy.
ReplyDeleteI thought spring was coming here, too. And then, last night, we got 7 inches of the white stuff! LOL Here we go again! hehehehe
I've read your blog for quite a while, just got the Artful Blogger magazine a while ago, and was so pleased to find an article on you and your blog! :-) I thought I'd come out of the shadows and leave a comment! I, too, am awaiting spring... and we just got a dumping of snow that is more than we usually get in this area! Oh well, my daffodils are peeking up, which is a hopeful sign!
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Kate
Oh Jealous...in my previous job I helped tap sugar maples and boil the sap into syrup each year. It was a nature center and we did it for school groups etc. It's cold, boring work at times, but the end result is well worth it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!