Spring Tea
Category: Nature
Maple Syrup Update
It has been a crazy year for syrup. We started tapping in January, but then the weather turned very cold and we did not get any sap for a few weeks. It warmed up and we brought in a few gallons of sap before the weather froze up again! We still have buckets out, but we have not had enough cold nights and warm days to collect sap.
We are often asked how much sap is needed to make syrup. We usually boil down around 35 gallons of sap for each gallon of syrup. The kids check the trees most days to make sure the buckets do not have mold. They empty the sap collected to store in the shade so it does not spoil. Once we collect enough sap, we do most of the boiling down outside.
Even with the crazy weather, we were able to can 6 1/2 pints of syrup. We are hoping for more, because that won’t last very long. But we are all thankful for what we were able to get.
Crocuses
Our neighbor has a garden full of crocuses. His flowers are usually the first up every spring. Yesterday, the kids noticed that the crocuses were blooming, and went over to ask permission to go over and admire them during the day.
We went over this morning when the flowers were still closed. We discussed why the crocuses “sleep”. Then we returned later when we thought they would be opened.
Not only did we learn a little science, we also spent some photographing them. If you want to check out Adrian’s picture, his turned out the best!
Spring!
We discovered our first spring flowers at the park today.
Spring is officially here!
Squirrel
I think this is an American Red Squirrel. I love to watch his antics by the feeder!
First Rose
Sign of Spring?
The weather has been warm during the day and below freezing at night. On Monday, Mark started tapping our seven trees. Adrian likes to check the buckets and said that our best tree has almost filled a half bucket already.
The kids and I are hoping for some more really good snow days. We are not quite ready for spring! We have not got our fill of snowmen, sledding or hot chocolate this winter.
Frosted Bubbles
The last few days have been very cold! I have tried to do frosted bubbles a few times, but it has been too windy. When the wind finally calmed down for a little bit today, we attempted bubbles in a protected spot.
Sepia Rose
Winter Rose
I am so spoiled! Allan came home yesterday with a beautiful bouquet of daisies for me. He added a unique blue rose as a special surprise. Then today, the kids spoiled me by letting me take a break and have some fun taking pictures of the rose.
I have a wonderful family! They do a great job of spoiling me 🙂 .