Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Is That Love I Smell in the Air?

Oh wait.  No.  That's woodsmoke.  From the evaporator. Burning outside to reduce our maple sap to syrup.

What?  Doesn't everyone celebrate Valentine's Day by subjecting large quantities of liquid to scorching flames?

No, I guess not.  And it would probably not be how I would celebrate it, either, were I married to any other man.  But as it is, the evaporator is going, A.'s friend Jason is here, and by the end of the day we will once again have maple syrup.  Good thing, because I ran out last week.

Maple syrup is better than roses, in my opinion.  And now I think you can see why A. and I have managed to stay married for almost nine strange years now.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all, poppets!  Anyone doing anything good to celebrate love today?
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11 comments:

  1. jive turkeyFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    I don't think I've ever had REAL maple syrup. It always costs a billion dollars at the store, and I don't think I've ever ordered pancakes or waffles at a fancy enough breakfast place. I suppose I'm missing out?

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    If the forecast holds we will have a week of sap run. We have made some already but there has been a lull with temps too cold for sap to run.
    The sap is a little weak this year...it took more to cook down to get the usual gallon.
    How many gallons of sap are you cooking today?
    Have fun. Happy Valentine's Day !
    Beth

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  3. JoellenFebruary 14, 2012 at 8:17 AM

    Happy Valentine's Day to you and your's. I will be making several batches of cheese straws today to give to those I love.

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  4. Kristin @ Going CountryFebruary 14, 2012 at 8:23 AM

    Fraid so, J.T. Git you to the store and get some real syrup. It's a totally different foodstuff. And the stuff you get at the store, unlike any other food product I can think of, is actually exactly the same as what you can make at home.

    Beth: About 50 gallons, so we'll probably end up with about a gallon. Half of the sap is from swamp maples, which isn't as concentrated as the sap from real sugar maples.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    It hasn't started here yet but it won't be long. We are at the fringe of Mennonite country..big maple syrup and candy producers.

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  6. sheilaFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    Maple syrup is way better than roses and even crappy Valentine's candy.

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  7. Tina - Our Rustic RootsFebruary 14, 2012 at 10:47 AM

    Please take lots of pictures!

    As for me, my Valentine's present is (hopefully) being able to afford to get my car back from the shop!

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  8. Lindsey at NW Backyard VeggiesFebruary 14, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    I get to spend the day doing therapy at my office.
    Nothin' says lovin' like post traumatic stress disorder.

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  9. milFebruary 14, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    For Jive Turkey: It's cheaper than good single malt scotch. So get yourself a small bottle of the real stuff. Try it on good vanilla ice cream.

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  10. milFebruary 14, 2012 at 8:15 PM

    Oh yes, I forgot. Marcella Hazen recommends ground espresso coffee (not brewed the actual grounds) plus scotch whiskey on icecream. Sounds wierd. I tried it once, and it's very, very good. That's for those of you who don't have maple syrup.

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  11. FinnyKnitsFebruary 17, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Sounds perfectly appropriate to me - gallons of sweet syrup and all...

    I love your guys's weirdness.

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