Maple Syrup Farm

 

This past Saturday we had the opportunity to go to a Maple Syrup Farm.  A family in our church farms syrup, and with the more mild winter, the trees were running (usually this is mid March), so buckets had to be put out. Josh got to tap several trees.  Can you believe 40 of these buckets to yield 1 gallon of syrup!  It is a lot of work.  This bucket can be full by the end of the day and need changed out.  They also have lids as needed to keep out bugs, dirt, rain water, etc.

This is the outhouse.

Here we are messing around on a frozen pond.  Of course, we don't own skates, but we could sure slide!  We also found a north facing hill with plenty of snow for some sledding fun.

Inside the "Sugar Shack".  The large contraption behind Josh is where they cook down the sap.  We had venison chili and hot chocolate.

Gunner is Ammon's age, but Ivan and Gunner have February birthdays.  Ivan got to be part of this cool birthday cake!  We had a great time and learned some things too.  I can't wait to go out for the pancake breakfast and have the fresh maple syrup!!

The Life in Marshfield

Wow. Marshfield. You can see the whole town in one day. Well, in ten minutes if you drive straight through. It would probably take longer to walk through the clinic then drive through the town. Cell coverage is awful. Apparently some stubborn company owned all the cell towers when Alltel was bought out by Verizon. Verizon didn't want to pay what this company wanted, so the ONLY place in the US where cell coverage doesn't work for ATT is right here for a hundred miles or so. Not that it NEVER works, it just doesn't work OFTEN.

Lots of Amish, Menonite, and Dairy farmers. Some paper mill workers, sugar plant workers. Big Land O Lakes plant not too far. Snow (but not much, the warm winter is everywhere).

I love the elementary being a block away. Kids like their teachers, and are making quick friends. I've joined the YMCA. It is very friendly. People talk and get to know you. Not like the snooty gyms in OH, where it was a fashion show. (Nice gyms but an all about ME kinda place). This YMCA is very people oriented. I like it a lot. At least 5 lbs worth. Hopefully more.

Besides the Y, not much keeping me busy. Tried to make some curtains for bedroom, but it was a fail. I did the Roman shades from blinds. They ended up short and uneven. I am such a goof ball. Maybe I should just buy some.

I'll probably check out the public library soon. I've been saving that as a place to go.

That's all. Just thought I would give a quick report.