Last Boil

Rosie worked hard this season!  I'm so proud of her!

Well, it seems that today is the day....it's 65 degrees and sunny...there are signs of spring's arrival everywhere...





It's our last boil of 2016.  This batch of syrup has a dark, rich color and robust maple flavor!

Rosebush needed a haircut!

We still have a bunch of bottling to do, but we won't be collecting sap any longer.  In fact, Nate is coming up tomorrow, just in time to help pull the taps from the trees.

Sadly, he was hoping to catch at least one weekend of boiling, but that just wasn't meant to be this season.

Each year that we've made maple syrup so far has been an extraordinary learning experience!  Unique challenges, weather, people, equipment....But, now that we have the majority of the "kinks" worked out of our own system, we'll definitely be well prepared for next year...although, I am quite sure it will present novel challenges and successes of its own.

The geese have been visiting our pond again!

Did we make as much syrup as we planned?

Well, not quite. 

The weather, as crazy as it was, allowed us the time we needed to adjust new equipment and make our operation more efficient, however, it was not conducive, for us small producers at least, to making a large quantity of syrup.











We really hoped to make about 35-40 gallons of syrup for direct retail sales, as well as fill this 33-gallon drum for bulk sale, which would have almost paid for all the parts Don needs to build our own cream machine - to make that luxurious, creamy spread for your bagels, toast, scones and more.


So, we have PLENTY of syrup to sell to all of you, but...







Unfortunately, we are about 20-some gallons short of filling the drum for our local bulk buyer...Darn....However, Don may, yet, come up with another plan for building that cream machine, knowing my incredibly resourceful husband....we shall see...

In the meantime, we have lots of delicious syrup to bottle!

Our 2016 price list looks like this:

1/2 gal. jars:                $30  (These went fast!  Only a few left!)
Quart jars and jugs:     $16
Pint mason jars:          $10.00
Large glass flask         $9.00  (Great for gift-giving!)
(12.5oz)
Small glass flask        $6.00  (Great for gift-giving or party favors!)
(8.5oz)

Maple Vinegar           $8.00  (New item!  Makes awesome vinaigrette!)

Let's hope we get to add maple cream to this list by summertime!

Wishing you all a Happy Easter this Sunday!  Christ Has Risen, Amen!