Friday, March 5, 2010

Maple sugaring

Yesterday, we went to our neighbors (remember them from the vine planting?) to collect the maple sap with them. They are collecting the sap from 300 trees by hand. That's a lot of work!

Hier, nous sommes allés chez nos voisins (vous vous souvenez d'eux?) pour ramasser la sève avec eux. Ils recueillent la sève de 300 érables à la main. C'est beaucoup de travail!





Good to the last drop!

Bon jusqu'à la dernière goutte!



Maple sap popsicle

Popsicle à la sève d'érable







God we will miss that family!

Mon Dieu qu'on va s'ennuyer d'eux!



The smell that comes out of a sugar shack is to die for!

L'arôme qui s'échappe d'une cabane à sucre est incroyable!



And the reward of our hard work : maple reduction (how do you say this in English - mid-way between the sap and syrup). Pure bliss.

Et la récompense de notre dur labeur : du réduit d'érable. Un pur délice.

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8 comments:

  1. indigomummaMarch 5, 2010 at 10:56 PM

    I love seeing everybody's maple sugaring experiences, it is not something I have ever been a part of - I don't even know if anyone around here does it? I guess it is something that can only be done in certain areas/regions etc, is it? Kind of like growing organic therapeutic lavender - can only be done in areas with certain climate conditions? Anyway - it looks like such an amazing experience. Thanks for sharing. And much love, support and strength to all as you move to the new branch of your life path. It must be very hard to leave the love and friendship of such wonderful neighbours, but I am sure you will remain in contact and the children, and yourselves will continue to enjoy this family's friendship. xxx

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  2. CatherineMarch 6, 2010 at 8:00 AM

    Yes, Elke, you need certain conditions to be able to obtain maple sap (freezing at night and warm during the day). And you need sugar maple (not other kinds). I hope our children will remain in contact, but we will be quite far away and you know how it is...

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  3. cathie63March 6, 2010 at 8:16 AM

    Que c'est bon le sirop d'érable....Bien sur en France il ne doit pas avoir le même gout,mais de temps en temps je fais des pan cakes avec ,mes enfants adorent.Toujours de si belles photos.Un grand merci

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  4. MelissaMarch 6, 2010 at 9:06 PM

    This looks so deliciously yummy! Melting that syrup seems like such a a nurturing and warm thing to do after a day in the snow. I love your blog and your inspiring adventures with your beautiful fairies:)

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  5. gardenmamaMarch 7, 2010 at 1:00 PM

    It truly is such a beautiful and very magical process! I love keeping the fires burning and the sweet smell of the sugar house! Last year my little one kept asking "where are the pancakes" as the sap was boiling : ) Have fun!!

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  6. valeriaMarch 8, 2010 at 11:21 AM

    I SO miss maple syrup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    and also your wonderful homemade oatmeal, this morning I do the moroccan version of it (well actually I made it up!), sweet cous cous with honey and milk....ok completely different but the idea of it reminds me of Canada...I think everything reminds me of Canada at the moment...

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  7. NadineMarch 9, 2010 at 10:40 AM

    Oh I miss this time of year in Quebec and Ontario...
    We do not have this in central Alberta...no maple syrup...no wild blueberries...Makes me want to move back to Ontario....closer to my roots....but hubby won't go...born in Saskatchewan , Alberta is as far as he will go :)) Enjoy that beautiful liquid gold!

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  8. CatherineMarch 9, 2010 at 12:20 PM

    Valeria, that's another version of our morning oatmeal that we really enjoy! It was a while since I made honey couscous. Your message reminds me about it! Enjoy Spain!

    Nadine, where are you originally from? I so miss our yearly trip to the sugar shack when we lived in the Yukon!

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