Last Maple Syrup

April 13, 2019

It was a beautiful sunny day for winding up maple syrup production. When Grandpa, Barbara and Grant arrived at the boys’ house to help, Sam, David, Ross and Fiona were having fun playing outside.

Barbara manned the boiling sap for awhile and Grandpa dug out the fire pit. Maman and Papa worked in the kitchen to complete the boiling and fill the jars.

Boots rested in the sun and the boys moved inside for playtime.

Maman brought some refreshments outside and Grandpa and Barbara hiked down the road to bird and to cut some pussy willows.

David decided he wanted to bike so Grant followed him.  We all ended up at the Fire Station where Grandpa, Barbara and Grant got into their car to leave and David biked home with his parents and Boots.  Sam was playing a game over at Ross and Fiona’s house.  It had been a fun afternoon for everyone.

Year 10 for Maple Syrup

April 6, 2019

This beautiful warm Saturday was a peak day for maple syrup production at the boys’ house.  Once they were old enough to help, they had been involved in helping Maman and Papa tap their maple trees.

Barbara and Grant came over on Saturday morning and brought 5 new translucent blue buckets and spigots.  Papa helped the boys install them and the sap started dripping right away.

As well the boys had to check the boiling sap supply and stoke the fire in the wood stove.

 Maman and Papa worked in the kitchen, running the finished sap through a sieve, completing the final boil on their stove, and pouring the finished syrup into glass jars.

The boys also enjoyed some play time outside and Grant took them for a hike on their bikes with Boots.

After their bike ride, they were ready for a snack followed by lunch inside.

The number of finished bottles was getting higher.  Maman said they should finish boiling all the collected sap by nighttime.  Barbara and Grant left with a jar of very fresh bright amber syrup to share with Grandpa.