~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
{pretty}
At last, a gorgeous “spring” day (I mean, we were all bundled and there weren't even any crocuses but SUN! and BLUE SKY!) — just in time to do some maple-syruping!
{happy}
(He hasn't just butchered a hog — that's his painting and all-around mucking about shirt.)
Once you're out by the fire long enough, you can remove your outer layers. Ahhh….
{real}
As an aesthetic exercise, our maple-syruping leaves a bit to be desired. Haven't found any picturesque tin buckets yet (we need to keep an eye on craigslist, because tin would be better anyway)… and no, I have no idea why previous owners put this outlet on this maple…
… and I forgot to take a picture of our jars until they were out in the outside (decidedly un-aesthetic) fridge:
But in other {happy} news, the gallon and a quarter (and a bit more, inside) are nestled there right by the home-brewed beer and under next year's plum pudding! So, while not super attractive, it brings me contentment to look at this!
{funny}
[inlinkz_linkup id=390358 mode=1]
Rebecca says
We are making maple syrup here too! I am using our woodstove in the basement (which is already warming our bodies) to boil it down but now that the sap is really running, I am falling behind. Only so much room on the top of a woodstove and all that! I hope to make an outdoor evaporator this weekend and get things done twice as fast. HOPE.
Not sure if you know this, but if you put the syrup in canning jars while hot and lid them- they will seal by themselves, thus no longer requiring any fridge space.
Have a pretty, happy, funny, real day! 😉
Leila says
Rebecca, good for you to use your woodstove!
Yes, my jars are sealed. After reading up on it, I decided to use my fridge anyway, just because I am not ultra-precise in boiling it down (I use a candy thermometer but not a hydrometer). I would rather not risk getting mold and having to re-boil, so in the fridge it goes. If I need the space, I can take it out, but it’s good there for now! Thanks!
Annie says
What a gorgeous tree! And how fun to have the little people along for the ride!
Leane says
Maple syrup is considered liquid gold around here….and when you make it yourself it is all the more special! You are blessed!
Kathy@9peas says
I have always wanted to make maple syrup, it looks like fun and how exciting to be in the fridge with next years plum pudding and home brewed beer – sounds just about perfect to me!
I could be a general when it comes to moving large troops and barking out orders, after 9 kids (8 of them boys) I feel like a drill sergeant most days.
After a very long blogging break, it makes me incredibly happy to step back into blogging with my favorite link up {P,H,F,R}
Kate says
Mmmm, maple syrup. I would guess the outlet was intended for hanging patio lights or Christmas lights. But it always pains me to see trees used like that. This Northeastern girl finds it strange seeing here (TX) houses with outlets right in the lawn! I guess it beats cords running every where?
Terri says
You’re hilarious. And that red hair in the second pic is beautiful.
Maurisa says
Oh my goodness! What a lovely thing to be able to harvest your own maple syrup! I’ve always dreamed of doing that since reading the Little House books as a girl! Unfortunately, Utah doesn’t have maple trees 🙁 I am hoping to raise honey bees eventually 🙂
Bridget Green says
I would love to have a house with a yard, let all that land. It just looks like such fun, all the things you manage to do there. My kids would be on cloud 9. I’d say we’d never get any schoolwork done, but really, making maple syrup? I think that’s worth a few missed phonics classes.
shyla says
homemade maple syrup? delicioussss and impressive!
Lindsey says
Jealous of the homemade maple syrup! Thankful we have a friend locally that sells it to us fairly cheap. It’s so much work!