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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Maple Sap

the maple tree is so bountiful....the smallest nick, and sweet watery sap comes trickling out
Pounding the spile (yes, it has a name! And yes, that's how it's spelled)

duct tape to deter squirrels and curious pedestrians
awaiting the first maple syrup harvest on our urban farm!
Every year in late February and early March, we begin to think about maple syrup. Our one and only maple tree has a permanent gash partway up the trunk which leaks sap onto the sidewalk. The insects love it. Seeing it dripping from the tree, I always think, "What a waste, what a waste!"

This year we decided that no matter how few scant tablespoons of syrup we get, we're going to harvest our sap. After all, it's ours!

We'll see how it goes. It's been such a warm spring, I worried that the sap will spoil before we can pour it off.

12 comments:

  1. This makes me wish I lived further north!

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  2. Wow! It's been so warm here that it is already past time for the maple sap. I always say I'm going to do this so my kids can see where syrup comes from. At least we have our veggie garden.

    DeeDee
    www.KidNeedsAKidney.blogspot.com

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  3. Hi,
    I found out about you via Margaret Ryland at TAC who told me about your magazine. I'm Leo D's wife, who tells me stories about playing with all of your siblings as a child. Nice to meet you :) You can always come to my blog to hear all about our crazy adventures in family life. Looking forward to reading more.

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    1. Oh wow! I only know one Leo....

      And one Margaret Ryland....

      What a small world! Yes, Leo's family was even less conventional than ours — they were wild! We always had a great time together. Say hi to Leo and congratulations on your beautiful little family! Mary

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  4. I remember my granddad doing this, it brings back memories from when I was a kid. I had almost forgot about this, I think I should do this before it's to late, thanks for the post.

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  5. Nothing better than homemade maple syrup, cream and candy...

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  6. How lovely, to have your very own syrup! Here in Australia we don't really have Maple trees - I wish we did! I love maple syrup.

    Katie x

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! You have a delightful blog. So nice to see little families (and couples) making that shift to the simple life! Good luck!

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  7. Hello! I follow your very cute and sweet blog. Please follow mine, and, if you do, please tell your followers about mine! Oh, and how did you get on blogs of note?

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ruby. I don't know how I got on blogs of note. I think the blogger employees just haphazardly select blogs they like. Don't worry about your membership, and keep working on your writing! The world needs good writers.

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  8. Thank you... Smply' just because.

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