Maple sugaring time is here!

A certain herald of spring, the sap is flowing in the sugar maples with low temps at night and days just above freezing. Perfect weather for tapping the trees and gathering the sweet sap to boil down into sugar-on-snow and maple syrup. I'm hoping to get my taps out in the next day or so. Maple sugaring is always a great time with lots of fun memories of staying up until the wee hours keeping the fire going; drinking maple "tea" from the evaporator.
Last year we had a group of students here for a demo. They tapped trees, gathered sap and sampled the thickening syrup. We also made individual size homemade ice cream and my favorite, sugar-on-snow. What a way to start off the spring season.
I'm expecting Gimbledorf to show up at some point to give me an update on the mountain folk now that things are beginning to thaw a little. You know, he has a good heart but sometimes he can be a little bit of a bully to the brownies. Robin usually puts him in his place. Fairies are good at that!

Thoughts

As I look back over the past year, I can see a story unfolding that warms my heart. A wish that has been floating around in my mind for a couple of years. Rather than say a taunting, "I told you so.", I'll just thank God that He has directed and encouraged and opened doors to bring about a lovely relationship that is like a storybook tale written about two people I care about very much. One my own and one adopted. And I've been especially blessed to be a part of the tale in various ways and watch it take shape. Sometimes things have to be learned the hard way or at least the long way around, and that's alright because no matter how much someone else can see what they believe is the "best" thing for you, you have to find it yourself. So many times we pass an opportunity by thinking that when we find what we're looking for we'll know it right away. An instant spark...true love's kiss...a look that tells all. But often the battles and hurtles and hoops that we have to go through to reach that destination bring us right back to where we started. And then we know. And we never want it to end. So I've been told. :)

Blessings

God is always good to us and has our best interests at heart but this week
He has blessed our family greatly. Let's just say that the fairytale is unfolding nicely and we've had a chance to get to know a very interesting family just a little better this week.
Now, I don't know how the story will end but more doors are opening as the plot unfolds. Maybe it's time for a new chapter of the tale to be recorded in fairytale style. Of course, those of you who know the story are welcome to write your own retelling here as well.