Gratitude Reflected

I stood by the stream, facing west toward the sun hidden below the horizon, eyes closed, heart filled with gratitude for the 20 gallons of sweet sap we have collected from the red maples since we put the taps in last week (2-15-13).  Quiet, I listened to the drip, drip of the sap flowing into the empty bucket at my side.  The stream bubbled merrily, singing the praises of the arrival of spring.  As I sent my thanks out into the world, a turkey saw fit to call back its thanks.  Twice.  I guess you get back what you put out.

I am so fortunate to lead a wonder-filled, wonderful life.

8th Annual Knap In

I have just been informed (thank you, Mike H) that the 8th Annual Knap In, at the University of Southern Maine Gorham campus, is March 16th.  This is a great event with a lot of incredible displays and demos.  If you live close by, you should definitely try to stop in.  Here is a link, 8th Annual Knap In.

And The 2013 TapMyTrees.com Give-Away Winner Is...

I am so grateful to TapMyTrees.com for once again offering a fantastic gift for my blog readers.  This year I added the bonus of offering an extra entry for those who follow my blog.  Luckily for our winner, she decided to follow.

The 4 Bushel Farmgal has won!  You have 24 hours to respond to this post.  Comments are moderated, so please send your mailing address so that I can have the starter kit sent to you.  Enjoy!

Maple Season Is Upon Us Again

It is official!  Wendy and I have completed, and submitted, the manuscript for the book we have written together about our foraging adventures over the last year.  As such, there is only one thing to do ... give something away!

Joe, TapMyTrees.com, has graciously agreed to do another give-away here on MooseBoots.  This year, he is offering a starter kit with aluminum buckets.  Here are the specific rules:

• Leave a comment here, on my blog.  Comments left on Facebook are appreciated, but will not entered into the running.
• Anyone who follows my page and enters will get an additional entry.  If you follow but do not comment, you will not be entered because I don't know if you are interested.  If you don't follow yet, click the button for the extra shot.
• The kit can only be shipped to a US address, because of shipping costs.

This is a chance for some of you to get started, or expand your operation.  Share this and get your friends to enter, too. This is a very generous offer from TapMyTrees.com. 

The winner will be selected at 17:00 (Eastern Time) on February 14th.

Good Luck!


Some Notes:

• All maple trees can be tapped.  Birches and some nut trees can be too.
• Approximately 40 gallons of sap makes 1 gallon of syrup.
• As a courtesy to Joe at TapMyTrees.com, the winner will have 24 hours to respond after the announcement.  If he/she does not, another winner will be selected.