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.