Sunday February 28, 2021

A very unseasonably warm day, but still cold and damp enough to be certain it is February in Ohio! What a difference a day can make in the snow pack! The north path is still 80% covered by 3-4 inches, the rest is gone! 

Evan made a trip to the woods while Kelsey made some breakfast. He reported back that there are 2-3 inches in a lot of buckets. Full steam ahead. This has a been a big weekend. Beginning to put out buckets and lids on Friday after work to having sap to boil Sunday afternoon is a lot for one weekend!  We appreciate everyone's help!!

Everyone spent the morning scrubbing out the tanks and the tubing and the evaporator pain. We took a lasagna break about 1230. While there were 5 or 6 people present we put the pans back in place since this takes some muscles.

The first day is always like putting a jigsaw puzzle together that you have done a hundred times...and still can't figure out. Lots of pieces. The missing pieces today were one bolt for Walle's stairs, the filters for the canner, the canner itself for a short time, the water to rinse the upper tank, the wrench to loosen the odd shaped bolt on the bowl, Bob's patience with the missing list..and on and on. Eventually we got our act together to start nearly as promised at 245 ish. 

We corralled Pastor Brian into spending the afternoon with us, bribed him with food. It worked. He was good help and hopefully does not hurt in too many places...although he is likely in better shape that the rest of us!

Walle has become a rather 4 season helper so cleaning out the bed, putting the tank back on and attatching the stairs is a bit of a chore as well!

Gathering was warm and fun as usual for the first day. It took a little over 2 hours to grab 650 gallons of chrystal clear sap. Walle made three trips to dump today. Dale drove while Brian, Brad, Muff, Gerri, Evan, Kelsey and Adam collected. Katie babysat Bob in the camp. Michael arrived with fresh legs about half way through which was really appreciated despite the grief he was given for being late. Newt made an appearance for a short time to visit as well. 

Clearly taken on the north side of the woods with the snow! This is the tree that fell Saturday. Look at the foot prints! 

This was the first day of 4-H so we gobbled down some sloppy joe's and took the muddy dogs home to the bathtub. 

Dale was very popular with the pets as he tried maple pork sticks for the first time! Shout out to Ryan Nottke for making those!

Brad, Adam and Bob finished up boiling at 10pm tonight. 

The above is a small chimney fire ....this occurred when Brad advised Bob that he put "enough" wood in the firebox. Bob said there was not room for another stick in there!

Total sap today: 650 gallons

Total syrup off today: 7.5 gallons