Spring?

That's what the calendar says anyway. We have had a crazy March, our priority of course getting Brian ready for Haiti. He is there now enjoying the beautiful weather while we sit here watching the heavy, wet snow fall. We have managed to squeeze in a few fun family events....a hiking trip to Wolf Neck Woods in Freeport and a Maple Syrup day @ Juniper Hill Farms. Both events were a lot of fun.

Here we are @ Wolf Neck Woods...

Maple Syrup Sunday

Is a big deal here in Maine, as all the maple syrup houses are open to the public. We have gone someplace different every year and this year we received an invitation from a homeschooling family whose house we have been to for nature walks. This is only their second year doing maple syrup and their first year opening it to the public. It was the funnest place we have been for maple syrup. There were not a lot of people which was wonderful. Then, because there were not a lot of people, we were really able to talk and ask questions about the maple syrup process. Angela had some fun games for the kids and Mary took us on a barn tour-- it was a great time.

this is the evaporator...the sap drips into this and has to boil for a long time.

A tongue in cheek maple syrup hauler (yes it really works)

Yummy maple syrup popcorn.....
so how much sap do you need to make maple syrup? you need all these buckets full to make one gallon (the two containers on the top are 1/2 gallon jugs)

checking the buckets for sap on the maple syrup trail