Sap Boil #2 of 2017

This weekend was a vast improvement on the bone chilling cold first sap boil of 2017. This boil yielded just about 3 gallons syrup from ~ 130 gallons of sap. A lot of the storage containers had their walls lined with ice which, when melted and tested with a hygrometer, showed a zero on the Brix scale which means it had no sugar in it. SP pitched the ice out into the woods and was ready to fill the bins back up come Sunday, and when SP and Lukey collected today, we had sixty gallons already. There will be a 3rd boil of 2017!
It was a fun weekend had by all, enjoying the warmer temperatures and sunshine we so deserve at this time of year.
Happy Maple Syrup Sunday everyone!

Maine Facial = Macial

Our peaceful kingdom where both humans, canines, and chickens coexist. 

Baby is our little helper

neighbors came over to visit and admire the mapron

poser

The best news is that we have half the "starter wood" left, and more sap in storage!

2nd Finish, Sunday 3/13

There was something almost exhilarating about waking up knowing that our next boil would be on stainless steel.

With over 15 gallons of sap to finish, we knew it would be a fairly long day so we got to start and ate breakfast outside.

SP got to use his fancy new wireless thermometer.

I am a huge fan of the copper ladle cup that Shane uses.

Baby had a fantastic idea while drinking his daily cup of sap - why not give a cup of sap to the chickens? SO we did and boy was Slip a happy chicken!

SP got a bit of his goofy side out when he fetched the filters!

Time to gather more sap and prepare the syrup buckets.

The weather had been so warm that all the snow had melted which is a bad thing for the sap. All the snow packing around the storage bins melted as well, so we needed to drive out into the woods and find some.

Creating use of styrafoam award goes to SP! Bravo!

When the gummy bears come out you know that we are getting close. Tradition is what tradition does.

The tools of the trade in use:

And the clean up begins: