Two weeks ago we went to Maine and were able to be in that fine state on "Maple Sugar Sunday", where we were able to sample the fruits...er, that would be syrups, I guess, of these dilegent, hardy farmers. We had maple syrup on ice cream, maple sugar candy, and maple sugar 'straight up' in a shot glass! There was a pretty stiff breeze blowing which kept it cool, but once inside the shed where the sugar was being boiled down it was lovely and warm. Outside, we had the chance to see maple sugar being boiled down in H*U*G*E kettles over an open fire...it was an amazing sight, and truly gives one an appreciation for our forebears who worked so hard for their syrup. The boys were excited to see oxen, as we have been studying westward expansion, including how oxen were often used to pull the prairie schooners on their journeys. Seeing them plod past gave Robbie a fine appreciation for just how long it would take to go somewhere being pulled by the ox, rather than being transported in mere hours to a place 100 miles away in a Dodge Caravan!
And for all of you who are still shoveling, some pictures from the garden here in Massachusetts, where we have had an unusually early spring, yay!
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