Mahaska County Conservation had their Maple Syrup Festival today, and we went out to check things out. They actually make the maple syrup in advance, then at the festival show you the process, then feed you ice cream with some of their homemade maple syrup on it. I've been wanting to attend this for a few years and not been able to, so we were excited to go today. The snow was nice, and it was about 38 degrees today, so good weather.
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| Laurel is in her sling, inside Scott's coat. She barely fits. This is the biggest coat we had, and I could not get it zipped around both Laurel and myself, so Scott had to carry her. Sometimes it is a blessing to have a big butt...I guess. Laurel did not seem to mind being bundled inside the coat once we were out in the cold. |
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| sap dripping from the spile |
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| I'm having fun! |
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| This is how the native Americans would have cooked their sap. They hollowed out a log, put the sap in it, and then dropped in rocks that were warmed over a fire until the water steamed out and syrup or even sugar was left. |
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| This is how they do small batches now. There is a wood fire underneath. The cold sap goes in the top trough, then it flows through the 4 lower sections as it thickens and cooks. They want to cook it until it's 66% sugar, and then they strain it and finally cook it in a small pot up to 219 degrees. Scott had a fun time talking "manufacturing practices" with the staff people. |
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| family picture in front of the barn |
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| Laurel actually liked the ice cream and maple syrup. |
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| Some friends from church had been learning about this process in home school, and they also came out to the festival. Elsie and I also made some snow angels and... |
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| ...a snowman! |
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