Maple Sugaring (How Maple Syrup is Born)

A dozen youtube videos and few weekends ago, Dylan decided to tap some maple trees on a very particular weekend--a freezing day followed by the first not freezing days when sap starts to melt. I thought this was a very unique idea, but it turns out most people you talk to around here are connected to at least one person who has tried to tap a tree. Dylan picked some maples in his parent's woods, but we've seen bags of sap hanging off trees in residential neighborhoods…

After gallons of collection and enough boiling to make everything in the house soggy, Dylan had half a liter of the most delicious syrup I have ever tasted. Before this, the only syrup I'd experienced cost  $2.99 and was mainly made of high fructose corn syrup and artificial caramel coloring.

Dylan's collection buckets--I think we were all surprised to find these full of sap on a daily basis. I thought sap would be thicker and sticky, but actually it looks and tastes like water.

Dylan didn't think this photo should be included

Boiling off the water

Filtering

 Sanitizing Jars

 Concentrating

 Bottling

 Ta-da!

As Dylan's Dad puts it:  "thats really cool…..but that was a lot of work."

On the Cat Walk

Two mornings ago, Astor Park woke up to snow, which was the perfect opportunity to take Desmond for a walk…

Dylan has a vision of the three of us (Desmond, he, and I) going to the farmer's market this summer, so we need to get some practice in. Desmond spent the first part of this walk sitting on Dylan's shoulder like loyal Bengal Cats do. Then he was introduced to the snow, and who could blame him for his shock.

First there was some resistance

But then he gave in (isn't Astor beautiful, it's a historic neighborhood in Green Bay)

Desmond spends most of his time watching squirrels and bunnies out the window--we really think he has an itch to get out there with them, run wild with the animals. The photo below is a moment of honesty, Desmond saying, yes, I am an inside Cat, yes I walk on two legs, I drink people's tea when they're not looking, now let me in.

Happy Birthday Kamry

I have lived in Wisconsin for 9 months now! Nine months! I've been having so much fun here…and with this blog I wanted share a peak of what one could do in their free time in the friendly city of Green Bay (….and mainly for the excuse of making a new blog). Also, I wanted to show off some of the most amazing friends! And how appropriate that I had planned my first post to be these photos of Kamry….and it is her birthday today!

Meet Kamry: I'm always inspired by talented academic/career people who have an appreciation for the spontaneous and artistic side of life :: Two weeks ago she let her friend cut off 10 inches of her hair on a whim, and she looks great :: learned to sew 5 months ago and made 8 of the same dress in 8 different  thrift store fabrics…..including a curtain and an unwashed bed sheet :: named her sewing machine connor, because it is a brother :: is a business major but is taking a photography class and teaching me awesome things about composition :: the most expressive celebrator I have ever seen when a craft project turns out and also the most expressive person I have seen when a craft project doesn't turn out……I can relate :: Will accompany you on an hour long drive to a sheep and llama farm :: a radar for all cool concerts in the greater Green Bay/ Wisconsin area (we have seen Head & the Heart and Ingrid Michelson…both in Green Bay!!) :: Follower of Christ :: Dylan's Cousin :: My dear friend who feels like a third sister

Happy Birthday Kamry, I count my blessings when I think of friends like you!

Kamry and I like to take photos, here is one of our impromptu photo shoots

Desmond admiring art:

Painted feathers from Springfield, MO