As soon as I open my mouth about bringing Spring things in, Mother Nature tells me to curb my enthusiasm.
Snow falling on Cedars - My chicken coop pictured below with the cedar forest a very philanthropic woman named Elizabeth and her husband Ed planted many moons ago here on this little farm. It was upon her death at the age of 95 about 16 years ago at the estate sale that I first laid eyes on the inside of our 1835 farm house and the surrounding grounds and fell in love. A lot has changed here in the ten years we've owned the farm - including the complete resurrection of the house. One thing that is absolutely as it was - are the cedar forest on the left of us and Pine forest on the right, minus a few trees lost in storms. I love them 💗 they remind me every day of the thoughtfulness and generosity of the previous occupants of Grace - (This Old House) We've paid it forward, so to speak - by planting many sugar maples along the dirt roads on the property. Someday someone will enjoy the shade and glorious colors and perhaps the syrup made from the the sap of the Mighty Maples we've planted. We will at least get to enjoy them as juvenile trees.
Speaking of Maple Syrup - I've been collecting the sap from some of our ancient maples when the weather conditions encourage the sap run, and the boys have been dropping the buckets off at the Sugar House at Parmelee Farm. It's balm for the soul, this community project. Residents of our little town have been collecting sap from their trees to add to the big barrels at Parmelee, helping to fill the distiller, they've been volunteering to fill and label bottles, some even dropping off cookies and snacks for the volunteer force to enjoy while they work. The Boyscouts and Girlscouts have visited to learn the ancient art of syrup making, as have science classes from the middle school. All sales of the limited supply of syrup are applied to sustaining the farm and sugar house.
That label being applied is one I designed for the project - I'm no professional, but I think it came out pretty darn good in the -winging it- department.
That label being applied is one I designed for the project - I'm no professional, but I think it came out pretty darn good in the -winging it- department.
In these times of truly ugly politics, this community effort for a worthy cause is a beautiful thing indeed. If you're feeling discouraged for whatever the reason, I strongly recommend finding a project or organization in a field of your interest that is doing something good in the world - no effort is too small, the commitment does not have to be huge, so don't let work commitments and the lack of free time discourage you. It's balm for the weary soul. 💗
Till soon, friends...
I would love to visit your maple sugar project, what a fantastic community project. preserving the past and helping others and all that yummy syrup.. the label is perfect... love the firs snow photo of your home.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra!
DeleteYour snow looks beautiful. What a wonderful community you live in.
ReplyDeleteWe are blessed with a good hearted town.
DeleteI envy the community spirit surrounding you guys.
ReplyDeleteKaren, the label is beautiful; you are a PRO!
Love the photo's!
xoxo
We have the Mr. McKranky's around here too - but for the most part, a very nice little town full of decent people.
Deleteand thank you, Miss Sally! my birthday bud.
DeleteThe maple syrup project sounds like a great community coming together. Also, the label is very nice.
ReplyDeletethank you :-)
DeleteIt's straight out of the Little House in the Big Woods! I love your label.
ReplyDeleteYour chicken coop photo is worthy of being next year's Christmas card.
That was one of my favorite book series when I was a child! and thank you
DeleteWhat a wonderful project - and your label is PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!! The scent around your house must be heavenly with all those gorgeous cedars!
ReplyDeleteThe cedar grove is absolutely glorious. And I think you did an excellent job on that syrup bottle label! So wonderful to be able to make your own syrup. I don't think we could do that here in the south. Our weather wouldn't cooperate consistently enough.
ReplyDeleteHello, your photos are lovely. I like your chicken house. The community project is awesome and I love your label. The french toast looks yummy! Wishing you a happy day!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post and I am glad the cedars remain as they were.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun it is to make maple syrup. It was one of my favorite times of the year when I was a kid. I would go to my cousins' house and Uncle Paddy would haul the sap in and pour it into these big open half barrels with a wood fire build underneath them. We were in charge of stirring with huge paddles as the sap cooked down into syrup. One of us would steal a pail and take it up to the kitchen to make maple sugar...oh my...the best thing in the world to a kid. It's funny- I remember every single thing except how Uncle dipped the syrup out into containers. I can remember seeing them lined up and gleaming though. Maybe our job was done once the stirring part was over and we took off to just play games.
This post was a great memory jogger for me. xo Diana
Love that you bought an old farmhouse and property and appreciate all the beauty and history that comes with it. Thank you for sharing it with us. When we lived in Ohio for a bit we loved the fresh maple syrup we used to go and get, nothing like it :-) Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
I love, love, love what you do with the sap. That's just wonderful -- really binds a community together, too. I was at the sugar shack in Pittsfield, MA this weekend. Happy to come home with a new batch of syrup! And I love your label and hearing about your forest, too.
ReplyDelete