Saturday, March 21, 2009
So Much Work For So Little
Last week, Dave and I had the idea to help a friend of ours who started again to make maple syrup. It will be our first time helping in the bush if they need us.
The first batch was well under way since one o'clock. It was then three by the time we arrived.
We were told that it will take at least another two hours before the syrup will be done. The first batch takes longer.
At the entrance, we could smell the aroma of the maple syrup in the air. Full speed boiling that's what it takes and a lot of work along the way as you will see.
A lot of wood is needed for that little stove.
The wood beside the building will need to be chopped with an ax.
And more for the coming days and maybe more dead trees elsewhere to collect and bring to the barn as it is also cleaning the yard at the same time.
Have to check the temperature and test the different chambers where the syrup is going through these vats until the last chamber where it's done. We can chat but work still has to be done.
This kind of wood was burning pretty quickly. I would say that every 20-25 minutes, we had to put more wood into the stove.
And it was really hot if you stayed there to warm up. You had to move aside pretty quickly.
Then it was time to check the sap.
There was another field with more pails that we will go and collect later.
I noticed smaller trees had one bucket, bigger ones three and this size had two.
Some buckets had less maple water and this one is ready to be collected later.
It was time to go into the bush to collect the sap.
Pour the maple water into that bucket from tree to tree.
Dave emptied that container into the big tub as we move along the 50 or 80 other buckets we did. Then we returned back to the sugar shack.
Even if it was so much work for so little syrup, it's the fun of it all really. It was quite an experience which we will repeat again.
The first batch was well under way since one o'clock. It was then three by the time we arrived.We were told that it will take at least another two hours before the syrup will be done. The first batch takes longer.
At the entrance, we could smell the aroma of the maple syrup in the air. Full speed boiling that's what it takes and a lot of work along the way as you will see.
A lot of wood is needed for that little stove.
The wood beside the building will need to be chopped with an ax.
And more for the coming days and maybe more dead trees elsewhere to collect and bring to the barn as it is also cleaning the yard at the same time.
Have to check the temperature and test the different chambers where the syrup is going through these vats until the last chamber where it's done. We can chat but work still has to be done.
This kind of wood was burning pretty quickly. I would say that every 20-25 minutes, we had to put more wood into the stove.And it was really hot if you stayed there to warm up. You had to move aside pretty quickly.
Then it was time to check the sap.
There was another field with more pails that we will go and collect later.
I noticed smaller trees had one bucket, bigger ones three and this size had two.
Some buckets had less maple water and this one is ready to be collected later.
It was time to go into the bush to collect the sap.
Pour the maple water into that bucket from tree to tree.
Dave emptied that container into the big tub as we move along the 50 or 80 other buckets we did. Then we returned back to the sugar shack.Even if it was so much work for so little syrup, it's the fun of it all really. It was quite an experience which we will repeat again.
Monday, March 09, 2009
A Lovely Weekend
What a memorable weekend we had! All because we had a bonus of a visit from Winston. Was I ever glad!
Nara and her boyfriend Mike, came down for the weekend with Eric and Jane from the big city of Montreal. Everyone was home Saturday night for supper along with Eric and Jane and Ans.
All are chatting in the kitchen while having a bit of wine along with goat cheese dip and cheese.
Dave made homemade beans Saturday night for the brunch the next day. What was exciting too was having another visitor for brunch. Melissa is a long time friend and it was nice to catch up with her.
Before everyone arrived from brunch we had both Osker and Napkin at their usual spot when we prepare meals. And just for the record, Napkin is now 17 years old.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Nara and Mike into Montreal ourselves instead of going back with our friends. Winston decided to come along with us and to see Nara's apartment. As I was talking to Winston while we were waiting for Dave, Nara and Mike at a book store, here is what we saw.
A mommy dog at the front, and you could tell that she was feeding them still, and at the back are her pups, four or five of them in a wagon with the blue blanket. haha Too cute!!!! The temptation was there to get a pup let me tell you!
It's nice also to be able to stop somewhere especially in Montreal and have something to eat and drink. We decided to make a stop for coffee and cake.
Nara had a cappuccino, Winston a mocha and Mike a latté.
Dave had a chai tea with a cinnamon stick into it and I had a café au lait. All were delicious. It was then close to 6:00 by the time we were near Chinatown. We decided to have supper there before heading home.
This is the kind of weekend I wouldn't mind repeating again and again.
Nara and her boyfriend Mike, came down for the weekend with Eric and Jane from the big city of Montreal. Everyone was home Saturday night for supper along with Eric and Jane and Ans.
All are chatting in the kitchen while having a bit of wine along with goat cheese dip and cheese.
Dave made homemade beans Saturday night for the brunch the next day. What was exciting too was having another visitor for brunch. Melissa is a long time friend and it was nice to catch up with her.
Before everyone arrived from brunch we had both Osker and Napkin at their usual spot when we prepare meals. And just for the record, Napkin is now 17 years old.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take Nara and Mike into Montreal ourselves instead of going back with our friends. Winston decided to come along with us and to see Nara's apartment. As I was talking to Winston while we were waiting for Dave, Nara and Mike at a book store, here is what we saw.
A mommy dog at the front, and you could tell that she was feeding them still, and at the back are her pups, four or five of them in a wagon with the blue blanket. haha Too cute!!!! The temptation was there to get a pup let me tell you!It's nice also to be able to stop somewhere especially in Montreal and have something to eat and drink. We decided to make a stop for coffee and cake.
Nara had a cappuccino, Winston a mocha and Mike a latté.
Dave had a chai tea with a cinnamon stick into it and I had a café au lait. All were delicious. It was then close to 6:00 by the time we were near Chinatown. We decided to have supper there before heading home.This is the kind of weekend I wouldn't mind repeating again and again.
