end of the sap season

Sometimes life gets in the way, in the 12 hour shifts. I ended up loosing about 20 gallons of sap. I will have to come up with a more propane burners for next year. All that is left is the clean up.

Syrup looks good

My syrup has the nicest amber color it has ever had. I hope the weather holds so I can get more sap.
I boiled up 7 pints today.
I need someone to look in my bay window at night to see if I need to make my curtains double thickness. I am pretty sure I do.
Only worked 10.5 hours today at St Mary's, census. I have so much to learn, even though I have been "trained".
Tomorrow I go to see my nieces play.

I better get finished with my brother's sweater. Just a little bit more.

On a roll

I hope that St Mary's practices what it preaches, so to speak. I think it will be a great match for me. I will have 30 hours this week. Working Friday.
I am so happy about our new pope, Pope Frances, from Argentina.

First day at St Mary's

My first day of orientation was today for my new CNA job at St. Mary's. I was really impressed. If they really do and are the way they profess, I think this job will be a great match for me.
I work tomorrow, orientation until 3:30 and then I can work getting the policy reading and testing done until 7 pm.  Friday I will be working on C-3.
I also went into to sign for my tax return. Happy about that too.
Sap is flowing, slower than yesterday but it is what it is.
Great day.

Best times with best friends.

I am watching " Doc Martin" with Sue.

Chicks

I ordered 12 chicks. I am going in with Kat and Rob. The chicks are going to be housed at my house. It will be easier. Rob is going to build the coop. I am nervous and excited at the same time. The class is April 4th to learn about caring for them. They come in May at one day old.

blazeandcrochet.com 

I have been reading up on them. This is the one I am getting. Golden Comet

The two websites I have been reading and found helpful are

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/droppings-boards-because-poop-happens.html

and

http://lifeatcobblehillfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/chicken-coop-101-thirteen-lessons-weve.html

burnt my sap

Totally bummed. I know it wasn't a lot, but I burned my sap for the first time. I have been doing this for 5 years.
I have gotten no sap for the last two days so I as finishing up the 5 gallons I had gotten. At 40 : 1, it was  not too much more than a cup or two.
I called Slattery's. They said not to give up, I should get lots of sap this weekend. They do vacuum pump theirs.
I am going to set a friend up to Sap too. That should be fun.

This set up is great. I got the idea from Mr. Ken Baker, biology and A&P teacher extraordinare.

 I really should be using stainless steel. I will from now on, especially as the pan you see now is a blackened mess.

time to start Sapping

Tapped three trees with my brother. Finish tapping the rest this weekend.

It is only for those who Love God

I hear so often that God can't exist because bad things happen.
God gives us free will.
It does say in Scripture Romans 8:28  "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose."

In today's reading Joseph is sold by his brothers into slavery. Because of that bad thing happening, God set it up that Joseph's family would be provided food for in the coming years of famine and drought.

If one does not love God, then all things do not work together for good.

For me this is a consolation.