Unusual weather...in my last post I described Jack Frost's last stand....or so I thought.
We had spring-like weather for 3 days, then it seemed as if the floor of Heaven's giant storehouse of snow broke wide open! We ended up with 6 or 7 inches over 3 days.
Then, we dramatically swung the other direction, again, and I was grilling burgers on the porch this weekend, while my family boiled sap in the sugarhouse!
We've had another 72 hours of decent sap flow, and we're expecting to collect some sap today, however, for the next 3 or so days, our temps aren't expected to rise above 30 degrees, which means the trees will rest from sap production temporarily.
This is actually working in our favor so far...it's giving us a chance to work out any kinks in our new system.
For example, since purchasing a syrup filter-press is a bit cost-prohibitive at this time, Don and Rosie have engineered a way to filter most of the sediment out of the sap before it even gets to the evaporator...
...And, then, Don runs the syrup through a double-filter made of two different types of fiber as we draw off the syrup! Little, if any, mineral sediment remains and settles to the bottom of the drum or bucket. An inexpensive and easy solution. Another example of how the Westbrooks adapt and overcome!
We're still waiting for the manufacturer to send us the replacement part needed to run Don's RO, reverse osmosis machine. In the meantime, however, our new evaporator is way more efficient than the old one!
Boiling time is reasonable even without the RO. However, Rosie and Don have been experiencing some long evenings in the sugar shack. We're so thankful for some friends that have come by to lend a hand and keep us company. We also enjoyed giving our neighbors a tour this weekend!
Rosie has become quite adept at running all the machinery we have on the farm:
I watch, in wonder, as her natural talents are brought forth by the challenges she faces. I'm quite sure the skills she is developing will be useful in her adult life, and will be a source of blessing for those in her life.
Grace has been facing new challenges as well. With me in cosmetology school every afternoon, she is becoming quite the family chef! She's taken over much of the menu planning and grocery list composition. I'm so proud of both of them!
Another thing we will always remember about this season....
At any given time, you may walk into my dining room and find this on the table next to rows of maple syrup jugs and jars!
I am enjoying my new education very much, although it is adding to the craziness of this maple season!
How this crazy weather will affect the end result - gallons of maple syrup produced - only God knows. We'll keep working at it until the trees begin to bud...
Watch for our 2016 price list in my next blog post, Friends! And, our on-line store will re-open in about two weeks.
For our friends and followers in south-eastern PA, we plan to send along a supply of our delicious maple syrup with Nate (He lives near Parkesburg, PA) upon his next visit. I will gladly put you in touch with him!
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