Gingerbread Rabbit

HA!  I couldn't believe it when I saw it!  For sometime I had been thinking that I would give gingerbread rabbits to the grand kids for Easter, and then I saw The Gingerbread Rabbit at the used book store.  I was a little shocked, but knew instantly that it was to be mine. 

I am going to coat the cookies with lemon frosting to give brightness to the flavors. 

I can't wait to read the story to the grand kids.  There are parts that make me laugh out loud.

Snow Drops

I am just in love with snow drops.  In early spring I like to take a walk past a nearby house to see their lawn filled with naturalized snow drops.  I have been a little envious and have been thinking about how I wish I had some, then . . . I noticed the other day, in front of the neighbor's house a little clump of snow drops. 

Birthday Posies

Kadie gave me beautiful flowers for my birthday. 

The tulips kept growing and growing.

DUCKS

HA!  Gwen gave me the coolest Ducky tea infuser.  He cracks me up.  Also, he is really easy to use and clean. 

The Coolest Neighbors in the Hood

I sometimes see a thin bearded gentleman in a ski hat and puffy coat walking with his dog's leash thrown over his shoulder.  The heavy tension on the leash gives a subtle incline to his stride.

The dog lumbers along behind looking like he could just take a nap anywhere and now, ocassionally freezing in mule-like obstinance.  The man gives an extra lean forward and if needed scolds the dog to keep him moving.

But most of the time the man's eyes are set forward, though in his expression is the look of distraction, like he is contemplating heavily on a dream or maybe his is still in it. 

Their "dance" gives me smile, and makes me wonder if there are charming and amusing steps unknowlingly choreographed into my day.  

March Pumpkin

Last fall the farmer's wife gave me this big green pumpkin with instructions she was passing on from one of her customers.  "Just let it sit around until it turns orange - about mid February, and then bake it."  Well, I did just that.  After baking I gleaned an overwhelming 19 cups of flesh which drained off about six cups of water.  I have made yummy pumpkin bars, twice. 

After the long ripening of the pumpkin and reading the Long Winter, it occurred to me that the seasons for eating certain foods might not be what we think.  We designate pumpkin eating for the months of October - December, but in reality pumpkin eating could and should go October into late spring.  

I froze the pumpkin, because I don't have a pressure cooker to can with.

Sweet Birthday

 Jacob's birthday was Saturday.  I took him and his family to a sugar shack just about four miles from their house. 

Farmer Bob and the Maple syrup hopper

Farmer/syrup distiller Bob Emery has been making maple syrup in Lenawee County for thirty years.  In spite of his lengthy history and news articles he is still a bit of an unknown in the area.   Although the farmer's operation is "hobby sized" and involves little advertising outside of a sign on Tipton Hwy, lack of public recognition for his craft falls on the shoulders of locals who can't imagine the region has the resources to support this craft. 

Things I learned at the sugar shack.

A hydrometer is used to measure the density of the the syrup.  The syrup is complete when the water is boiled off and the sugar syrup is condensed to 11 lbs per gallon.

When the maples are tapped the liquid (which is mostly water) is sterile as it comes out of the tree.  Some maple syrup producers allow the liquid to freeze; separating the sugar liquid from the water.  This is helpful in reducing the amount of energy needed to boil down the liquid.  Wood is burned to provide the heat. 

The craft of making maple syrup originated with the Native Americans.  It is a labor intensive process and not economical to make at home on the stove top. 

 I don't remember who I told me about Mr. Emery, but I do remember being told and being curious to learn more.
One of my favorite things I saw in the sugar shack was a board with examples of taps.  Every little spigot was designed differently making them look like tiny bits of curious artwork.



The chain of events that supported my interest in maple syrup . . .

In the fall when I was working at the A2 Farmer's Market, farmer Jake swapped maple syrup for produce.  A few weeks later I made sweet potato pies with Karo syrup but thought using maple syrup would be interesting.  After the first of the year I decided I would try to read more Newberry Honor books.  I found the Newberry Honor, Miracles on Maple Hill at a thrift store for fifty cents.  I was reading the book.  Before I was finished with the book I had a conversation with a friend in which I said that parents have forgotten that they are their children's first and most important teacher, this includes academic, historical and cultural teachers.   Holy Smokes!  The last few chapters of the book were about staying home from school to make maple syrup and the local truant officer and superintendent supporting the idea. When I think about teaching my own children I think about our fun and nearly free adventures. 

I was having a difficult time figuring out what to get Jacob for his birthday.  I investigated local maple syrup producers. On Saturday I got lucky and caught farmer Bob at the sugar shack.  This adventure was not free because I bought Jacob (and myself) some Maple syrup, but considering the education we received we did well.

Jake shares his birthday with Dr. Seuss, so Brandy made green eggs and ham for his birthday breakfast.  Next year I bet they have green eggs, ham and birthday Hot cake with syrup.