Monday, March 31, 2008

sugarin' on the tele

Our sugarin' party is so popular, it's even on TV!



Well, OK, only in a manner of speaking. Ryan had this old tele out to watch one night when he boiling up into the wee hours. The next day I caught this reflection of Abbey, Bryan & Lou hanging 'round the boiling sap.
Posted by Picasa

Friday, March 28, 2008

spring crocuses

Of course, fickle old March could not abide the rousing chorus
of spring peepers that grew in strength and sublime harmony each night this week.

No.

She flings snow on us.

But these crocuses
stand strong. And so do the peepers. I can hear singing even now.






Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Beardyman in maple steam

Ryan pouring off the syrup after a long day of boiling

Posted by Picasa

Poetry in ink & oils

Back in autumn, Carolyn Edlund suggested we collaborate for a National Poetry Month exhibit at the Sherry French Gallery. We both worked off the same scene, she in oils, me in whatever pen and blank book were at hand, sharing some in-progress versions along the way. Thought you might enjoy seeing & reading the end product. Enjoy!


Where Cows Once Grazed by Carolyn Edlund

Afield

Long before the sun cast along the corn silk

or the school bus crunched up the road,

he hurried

through the barn shadows,

murmured to the cows,

and ankled through a swarm

of lean, milk-thirsty cats.

The barn was his for that dark sliver

before the caterwaul

of father and younger brothers:

just cows and cats and boy.

The fence gate clings

by cobwebs and a rust-flaked hinge,

and the barn is a hollow echo of dust

and breeze.

Here are sunny

hours all his own, family scattered

afield—leaves in their own corners now.

An old ache pulls

him back. And in the clean,

gold afternoon, he slows

his pace, feels the heat

through the smooth

of his bare heels.

That old tractor road curves

him along the hayfields,

through the green whorl

of warm tree house branches, and curls

him into its red-dirt cocoon,

leaving his shoes

behind.

Monday, March 24, 2008

Putting the maple to work for us!

After all that hard work, some maple poached pears...

Maple Sugarin Party

Gathered 'round the boiling sap


Toothsome goodies


Wafting whiffs of maple


Mmmmmaple candy!
Zoe & Erica


Zoe & Loretta


Lindsay & Andy


MURPHY!


Nicole, Snookie & Dawn


Mr O chillin...


Aunt B


Sarah & Erica


Gramp Oat


Ivan!


Jenna & Jordan

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

final sugar

pics from canning our first batch of syrup this year...

at a good boil

about to boil over!

filtering

filter spiral

final sample jar...grade A fancy?

boiling

some old spiles


our elegant arch

arch from the other side

Saturday, March 8, 2008

...and sugaring begins

buckets drying in the sun




ZGrrl helping out


ZGrrl & Papa tapping


sap!


sweet & tasty!


Buckets hanging...


Stay tuned for exciting sap-boiling photos! They're pretty sweet!
No more puns. I promise.