Delayed season

 It's strange, but we will not be cooking this weekend.  The trees have just not 'turned-on' yet.  Enjoy your weekend!

I Spy ......

 I Spy .... a tipped-over bucket.  This was on Sunday when walking the woods.  So when tapping (last week), we set the buckets on what seems to be level ground (snow).  But as the snow melts it reveals uneven ground beneath.

We collected enough yesterday to 'test' the stove, but the ground is still very frozen.  This rain will 'get things movin!'  The forecast looks favorable.

Getting ready...

 After this weekends 'cold blast' it looks like Maple Season will arrive!  We plan to begin tapping on Sunday.  Stay tuned.

Oh that's right........

 The trees run VERY well when they look like this after a snowfall.  1300 gallons from the woods this morning.  Tomorrow will be the same.  Busy cooking this afternoon to make room for tomorrow.

The trees liked yesterday's rain!!

 The trees were definitely happy with yesterday's rain/lightening/thunder.  It was an obvious sign of Spring, and we collected 800 gallons of sap today. The Sugar Shak is ready-to-go!

The MAPLE TREES are awake!

 Who didn't enjoy the great weather this weekend?!  The Maple Trees have awakened from their slumber and we're ready for whatever they send our way.  We collected 600 gallons of sap yesterday and had our first boil of the season last night.  After we get past these next two unseasonably warm days/nights, the next two weeks look perfect for the mapling season!

A few photos from our preparations this week.  

Cleaning our finishing pan.....

Which led to the discovery of a leak in the pan.  So we had a welding project.....

Come in from the Cold!

 Come in from the cold and shop your favorite local farmers market vendors at the Buffalo Community Center today from 9-12.  Lots of homemade goodies to shop.