Smith Siblings 1980
We recently lost my Great Aunt Martha and I wanted to find a photo to share. Aunt Margaret is the only one left from this generation of memorable people. Aunt Irene had already passed when this photo was taken. The occasion was Hue and Orpha’s 40th wedding anniversary. From left to right are Edith Selby, Hue , Martha McAllister, Sheridan, Margaret Kelley, Juliette Wing, Bunk.
Rising sun Stevens Mills Slide, VT
Invariably in January in northern Vermont we get some bone chilling, finger numbing, hurts to breath days. Just as surely, I hear Grampa Hue’s voice saying “as the days begin to lengthen, the cold begins to strengthen”.
Fence posts near Johnson, VT
This has been one of the first days of sunshine in a long time – so no matter what the thermometer says (-4 the last time I looked), the day just doesn’t seem so bad!
Missisquoi River near Richford, VT
I stopped to watch an otter play on the ice this morning on the Missisquoi River then had to stop and take a picture of the railroad crossing.
Now for another cup of coffee sweetened with maple syrup and some birdwatching – from inside the house!
Pinnacle Mountain Canada
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Ian demonstrating maple is naturally good straight from the tree!
Preparing sugar maples to be tapped for the first time.
Vermont Maple Syrup Grades
Delicate Rich Robust
Tree growing on rocks
Brook
Moss covered tree base
Admittedly, it’s been a while since I’ve made it to the woods to do some maintenance. Saturday, however, Dad made sure I made up for it! I had the chance to spend a few hours with Dad (Dale) and Ian (my son). We took the tractor over a mile up in the woods to the new section they’ve been working on – the Hart & Burt lot (more on that later!) before we parked. Dad took Ian with him to add some connections to the sap lines and gave me my orders – walk the line, the property line that is. When the directions he gave me were cross the stream, find the second stream on the other side of the ridge and follow it to the beginning I had a couple of thoughts; glad I wore my good hiking boots and glad I made french toast with lots of #maplesyrup for breakfast!
So over and up I went, up, and up, and……. let’s just say Maverick my Lab was in Heaven!! I literally went to where the stream trickled out of the rocks, then I turned left and headed over, I admit I never found the blaze for the property line but the view at the top of the mountain was cool – not much lives up there but the moose. We did flush out a partridge on the way down, the deer I’m sure were watching.
I met back up with Dad and Ian as they were finishing. Dad suggested I could cut some brush on the way out, did I mention that the correct answer even as a grown up was “Yes Dad”? So, I walked ahead of the tractor with the chainsaw and cut trees and brush that were crowding in to the road or had fallen on the lines. Two birds with one stone – cleaning things up and bringing home firewood – I ended up with a bucket full to add to the woodshed. The best part of cutting wood is that it warms you twice – once when you cut it and once when you burn it!
As I cut my way back down I realized a few things; it felt good being productive, I’d had a good day with my Dad and son, I’d gotten in an unexpected workout, I was tired! I was also grinning from ear to ear and hadn’t felt so relaxed in weeks! #workout #relivingstress #familytime
Later that day, Dad wanted to go back up and fix one more connection and pick up one more line so…….I sent Juliette!!
#maplesyrupforsale
#frenchtoast
French Toast Recipe
Serving for one
2 pieces of bread
2 large eggs (direct from my henhouse!)
butter
cinnamon
Toppings:
Butter
#maplesyrup
Whisk the eggs and add a dash of cinnamon. Soak both sides of the bread. Add a little butter to the pan. Drop the toast in the pan and lightly brown on both sides. Important: HEAT the #maplesyrup – it brings out the flavor. Butter the french toast and pour on the maple syrup. Yum!
