Maple Syrup

We met with the Byrnes at the Farmparks today to learn how to make maple syrup. Well, we watched how they make it in a hugemongus steamer thing (yeah, I missed the name of it during the demonstration - too busy taking pictures). So, below we have the sap bucket in the Maple tree...40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup (sold for $42.00 at the store). I think Rania will have me tapping the sugar Maples soon. It was pretty cool....The steaming machine below is fueled by wood and flows out the sugary sweetness once it hits 179 degrees. I dipped Cecilia's pha-phu (pacifier) in it and she loved it.

After the steaming syrup machine display, we took a wander to taste the free pancakes..then off to see the new baby lambs which were very very cute. I never knew that they liked to sleep & stand on their mothers...
Check out the big mama pig down below...who couldn't love a face like that?..................z

3.13.08

Our 17 week old unborn child is now about the size of a turnip. He/She can move his/her joints, and skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone...and now is about 5oz.

So, I tried to take a picture....this is the best one I could get. Still don't know if it's a boy or a girl.

3.12.08

The pics above are from Ninah & I going snowshoeing with Sasha from last weekend. Ninah did awesome! I am serious, she made it up some really tough hills and told me she was not going to give up until she made it to the top. Sasha is so at home in the snow that she actually likes to lay down and rest in it.

We have had a few busy days for sure....Over the weekend, we accumulated 14-16" of snow..Sasha the dog got lost and ended up a couple of towns over. A very nice lady picked her up right at the top of our driveway and took her to her sister's house where Sasha spent the night. I looked for her until 2:30am and then again in the morning after calling nearly all the residents in our neighborhood. Anyhow, she was at Dina & John's house in Chesterland. I picked her up, picked up the cake for Ninah's party and came home to have the Princess & Pirate party. Which was great! It all made for a very exciting weekend.

Rania did an awesome job of activities at the party, there was a trasure hunt ending with a treasure pinyatta (spelling?), treasure chest decorating, cake, ice cream, musical chairs (which was hilarious), drawing, and of course the dress-up. The snow storm reduced the party in 1/2 but it was great. Ninah was so very excited.

Left to Right...Cecilia, Patrick, Josie, Ninah, & Ella.

Below....Um, nice snowsuit, Cia......

...Sasha looking down at me after I took a 25 foot jump into the snow filled ravine on the property. I jumped down and called her to follow me, she just looked at me like I was an idiot. I kinda was...but it sure was fun. I love snowshoeing, so does Sasha.......z

02.05.08

Well, sorry I have not been able to update over the past week....I took on a new role at UPS in Operations Managment. The hours are still pitiful but the opportunity is greater and it adds a few extra stripes to my collection.

I gotta say, the weather here has been absolutely out of control. This Monday it reached a scorching 63 degrees, then Tuesday to a high around 30 with literally 1/4" of ice to scrape off the car on the way home, I warmed it up for 15 minutes and still was scraping for a good 15 minutes. People were sliding all over the roads, it was crazy. This global warming thing has got to get a little more consistant. Bring on Spring! We need sunlight!

Since Ninah was sick during the week of her planned B'day....we re-scheduled for this Saturday. Rania has put together a really awesome Pirates & Princess theme. She is way too creative and has put together a slew of activities, decorations, food, etc....It's impressive. She is way too creative. So, we are prepping for the party and so forth, it will be a lot of fun.

I've got some more pics to add...get to them next time....need sleep.............z