Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sugar days

by June
Can you tell we've been a little frozen up?




It's been a winter of hugging the woodstove (and one another) as the wind howled, the furnace rumbled, and the snow mounted. I know that somewhere it is already spring. The calendar says so. But here we are still swinging between frigid nights and days that are often bright but bracing. Fortunately, that's perfect weather for gathering maple sap to boil down into syrup.




We have a wedding tree on our place. It was an old New England tradition to plant a sugar maple in the front yard—to celebrate a wedding. Our tree has four trunks—a sugar clump, we call it. It is always gloriously ablaze for our October wedding anniversary, and then in spring it graces us with more sweetness...a bountiful run of sap that pitter pats into the buckets. If we're diligent about keeping the fire going, that clump can give us syrup for a year's worth of pancakes and popovers and lemonade.




When we are at the sugar clump, we notice that even though the taps are often iced up, some signs of spring are here. The light is crisp and warm. Robins hop about on the patches of grass where the snow has retreated. The mourning doves coo to one another in the firs. Daffodil spears are slicing up through the soil and lilac buds are swelling. Spring will come. Summer too. And when it does, some hot afternoon, we'll have a glass of maple lemonade and think of these cold days of almost-spring.




We hope this favorite lemonade recipe of ours will be enough for you to forgive us our long absence here. It's such an easy drink to make, yet it is the most refreshing treat on earth. Squeeze six lemons into a glass pitcher, then add about a half-cup of maple syrup (more or less to taste). You can add a little sugar if you want to boost the sweetness but preserve the precious syrup. Grate a little lemon zest into the pitcher. Add ice and water until it tastes right to you. (We've learned that this recipe is flexible and personal. Each one of us angles it a slightly different way.)




If this tardy missive of ours reaches you (and if you haven't given up on us), please send word back. We've missed our friends, each of you. Is it spring where you are? We welcome reports of buds and blossoms and nesting birds.

35 comments:

Nicole said...

So nice to have you back! Our spring is just arriving, our birds have come back but no buds yet. Snow is melting and the sun feels warmer. Lovely pictures (as always!)

Emily said...

The snow is melting her in NH and today I found an overwintered pansy that decided to bloom! Spring will come.

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

I smile when I see an update from Four Green Acres. I missed you guys! Sometimes life just happens, trust me, I know!

The maple syrup looks amazing. I can just imagine how great it tastes.

Give those beautiful girls a hug form their RI buddy.

from the ozarks said...

Spring is in full swing in the Ozarks. Robins, Purple Martins and Finches are all a flutter. Garden greens are dancing on top of the warming black soil, and grass has been mowed twice.Blackberries, raspberries and blueberries are plumping their buds,and the cherry tree is trying so hard not to bloom before the last frost, so as to keep us in her wonderful fruit again this year.
The spring air is filled with the shufflings of graduates and brides.
Tulips,lillies, and lilacs are opening up to show us their vibrant colors and sweet smells.
Hope spring arrives at your corner of the world as bright, breezy and as brillant as it has at ours.

June said...

Oh, it is so sweet to hear from all of you! And how wonderful to know that spring is making itself known far and wide. We love reports of pansies and tulips and brides!

But watch out, dear Lisa. More snow is headed up the eastern seaboard. We'll be thinking of you Friday! xo

tom | tall clover farm said...

June, so glad to see this new post and hear of your family's latest adventures. I love maple syrup, love it. In fact maple creams are my favorite homemade candy.

Over here on the West Coast of Washington State, we are experiencing torrents of rain like I've never seen--like a giant fire hose off the Pacific pelting us daily. The meteorologists have run out of ways to say it, so today they came up with this for the forecast, " Really, really hard rain." Here's to the coming of spring on both coasts!

Conny said...

It is most definitely Spring today. Although I've neglected my own blog since Christmas, I've still been reading them. :>) Glad to know you and your family survived the winter. Cheers~

J.G. said...

Big rains and winds here in Florida. Not exactly springlike!

Curbstone Valley Farm said...

Good to see you back June. Our weather up to last week was hideous, replete with falling trees, mud and rockslides. Today though...it was 85 degrees. Erratic would be a good word for the weather. But after 14 inches of rain in March, I'm grateful to see the sun.

I can just imagine how truly wonderful it would be to put up your own maple syrup each year! That's not something we'll ever manage here. The lemonade recipe sounds delightful. I've never had lemonade with maple syrup, and now I'm very curious!

Laurie said...

Happy to see your post! It is spring here, though a bit erratic yet. The daffodils, peaches and cherry have bloomed, followed by a frost :o( Picked my first lilacs yesterday, and brought them in the house. Birds are busy, and I delight in seeing the perennials pushing up.

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Oh I love the photo of the close up bucket and your beautiful daughter in the background! Really great..I've nver tasted the maple lemmonade, but you sure have piqued my attention!
today, but we're expecitng to inches of snow tomorrow..Love lvining in the Rockies! Happy Spring to you all and hug the goats and the chickies for me :-)

Love from Utah!

tom | tall clover farm said...

June I just found out from a friend we can make birch syrup here, only thing is he told me it takes twice as much sap. ;-)

Unknown said...

We never really freeze around here, but I feel for you! This is really cool, the whole process. I love the photo with the kid-bokeh too!

Kris said...

Glad to see you posting again, June. I wish I could regale you with spring stories, but winter continues to overstay its welcome here at the gardens. I hope your sweet syrup brings you lots of treats this year. Hopefully we'll both see some better weather ... eventually. :-D

Garden Girl said...

Hi there June! Spring has been in England for a good long while now, and looking out of the window today I can see our apple trees in blossom and tulips all over. And the most telling sign? The lawnmowers are out! Hope it doesn't take too long getting to you, but enjoy your syrup days while you have them :-)

Anonymous said...

I just like the valuable info you supply for your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here frequently.
I am moderately certain I will learn plenty of new
stuff right here! best dating sites of luck for the next!

Unknown said...

atlanta falcons
canada goose coats
canada goose outlet
nike running shoes
louis vuitton handbags
juicy couture tracksuit
hollister clothing
pittsburgh steelers
seattle seahawks
belstaff outlet
michael kors handbags outlet
michael kors outlet online
canada goose outelt
prada sneakers
mlb jerseys
adidas wings shoes
polo shirts
michael kors uk
mulberry outlet store
cheap ugg boots
1110minko

柯云 said...

2015-12-07keyun
timberlands
cheap oakley sunglasses
mulberry uk
coach outlet online
coach factory outlet
jordan 11s
louis vuitton purses
mont blanc mountain
ugg boots
chanel handbags
louis vuitton bags
true religion jeans outlet
michael kors outlet
prada
coach outlet
michael kors outlet online
uggs for sale
air force 1 trainers
uggs on sale
uggs for chea
ugg sale
nike trainers sale
cheap toms
the north face jackets
cheap air jordans
uggs on sale
michaek kors outlet
louis vuitton handbags
michael kors outlet
canada goose outlet
michael kors outlet
nike air huarache
ray-ban sunglasses
cheap ugg boots
instyler
ralph lauren sale
louis vuitton outlet stores
abercrombie and fitch
toms outlet
north face jackets

cara menggugurkan kandungan said...

This blog is so nice to me. I will continue to come here again and again. Visit my link as well.
Good luck

oakleyses said...

kate spade, louboutin pas cher, north face, timberland pas cher, nike air max, michael kors, nike air force, oakley pas cher, michael kors, michael kors pas cher, air max, vans pas cher, sac longchamp pas cher, ray ban uk, coach outlet, north face uk, coach outlet store online, guess pas cher, coach purses, ray ban pas cher, nike air max uk, polo lacoste, nike free uk, abercrombie and fitch uk, hollister pas cher, true religion outlet, burberry pas cher, nike roshe run uk, nike free run, jordan pas cher, ralph lauren uk, new balance, mulberry uk, true religion outlet, converse pas cher, nike air max uk, replica handbags, hollister uk, michael kors outlet, true religion jeans, polo ralph lauren, nike blazer pas cher, nike roshe, longchamp pas cher, lululemon canada, hogan outlet, nike tn, sac hermes, sac vanessa bruno, true religion outlet

oakleyses said...

coach outlet, barbour, canada goose jackets, juicy couture outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, louis vuitton, swarovski, marc jacobs, pandora charms, moncler, canada goose uk, juicy couture outlet, links of london, karen millen uk, moncler uk, louis vuitton, hollister, gucci, pandora jewelry, vans, replica watches, doudoune moncler, canada goose, pandora uk, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, ray ban, moncler, ugg, lancel, thomas sabo, supra shoes, moncler outlet, montre pas cher, louis vuitton, moncler, converse outlet, toms shoes, canada goose outlet, moncler, louis vuitton, canada goose, louis vuitton, pandora jewelry, converse, ugg uk, canada goose outlet, nike air max, ugg pas cher, hollister, moncler outlet, canada goose, wedding dresses

Digital Marketing Agency said...


Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Phone Number
Quicken Support Number
Quicken Technical Support Phone Number
Quicken Technical Support Number
Quicken Tech Support Phone Number
Quicken Tech Support Number
Customer Service Phone Number
Customer Service Number

Unknown said...

air force 1 shoes
michael kors outlet
pittsburgh steelers jersey
nike free 5
nike blazer
tiffany and co
jaguars jersey
ray ban sunglasses
ed hardy
michael kors

Unknown said...

Best Support Service Sage Support Sage Help Sage Tech Support Phone Number Sage Technical Support Phone Number Sage 50 Support Phone Number Sage Pro Support Phone Number Sage Payroll Support Phone Number Sage Peachtree Support Phone Number Sage Support Number

raybanoutlet001 said...

nba jerseys
michael kors handbags
jordan shoes
mont blanc pens outlet
chargers jerseys
ralph lauren outlet
skechers shoes
san francisco 49ers jerseys
jaguars jersey
michael kors

Unknown said...

yeezy boost 350 v2
nike air max thea
pandora jewelry
nike zoom
michael kors outlet
nike air max 2017
chrome hearts
kobe basketball shoes
nike huarache
lebron 14

Unknown said...

cheap oakley sunglasses
polo ralph lauren outlet
cheap mlb jerseys
christian louboutin shoes
pandora rings
coach outlet online
ralph lauren outlet
adidas yeezy 350 boost
adidas nmd
caterpillar work boots
2017.5.15chenlixiang

raybanoutlet001 said...

nike tn
cheap nike shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses
oakley sunglasses wholesale
nike air max 90
ugg boots
jordan 4
michael kors handbags
true religion outlet

jeje said...

balenciaga sneakers
nike huarache
pandora jewelry
yeezy boost
true religion
yeezy boost 350
gucci belt
michael kors handbags
pandora bracelet
air jordan

QnC Jelly Gamat said...

I can only express a word of thanks, nothing else. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge Thank you very much has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
obat gudik paling ampuh
obat balas bogo
cara mengobati neuropati
cara mengobati sakit pinggang

Unknown said...

adidas nmd r1
ray ban sunglasses outlet
adidas iniki
van cleef arpels
kobe 9
yeezy 700
yeezy boost 350
nike air max 2017
jordan 4
http://www.kobebasketballshoes.us.com

Unknown said...

20180608 xiaoou
coach outlet online
giuseppe zanotti shoes
fitflops sale clearance
asics running shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
michael kors outlet online
polo ralph lauren outlet
valentino shoes
canada goose outlet store
fred perry polo

Unknown said...

zzzzz2018.6.27
coach outlet
nike shoes
polo ralph lauren
michael kors handbags
ray ban sunglasses
cheap basketball shoes
bottega veneta
ultra boost
ralph lauren uk
off white

John said...

coach factorty outlet online
oakley sunglasses outlet
pandora jewelry outlet
nike dunks
fendi handbags
michael kors outlet store
coach factory outlet online
adidas outlet
yeezy shoes
astros jerseys
20180829yuanyuan

Juliana Kho said...

http://143.95.158.89/
http://www.scr888casino.net/
http://www.joker777.org/
http://www.daftarjoker123.asia/
http://www.daftarosg777.net/
http://www.s1288apk.com/
http://www.osg777mobile.com/
http://www.sabungayam-s128.com/
http://www.daftarcemeidnplay.com/
http://www.dragon688.online/