20140412 - Up in the am, little boys already out of the house. I can see the smoke rising and the Boy Scout moving around down in the South yard. I have my cup of coffee and head down to help get the last things in place for the day. Uncle Roger and Dale are there, already hard at work boiling down the sap in the ancient cast iron kettle. The morning is perfect, a bit windy but no chill, the sound of the fire and the running spring fill my ears with memories. Soon family and friends start showing up and conversations, history lessons and new friendships are formed. Kids are in the barn swinging from the rope, building hay forts, feeding the ponies treats and exploring in the woods. The Scouts are cooking over open fires and the pot-luck food is overflowing on the table inside. Tours of the house and building, friends all around and the sun blessing us with a perfect afternoon. Lunch was served and everyone had plenty to eat; the Boy Scouts had their potato dish competition and everything was excellent. Back out to the fire and the sap is almost syrup. The samples demonstrate the pure goodness in the real syrup. We pull the kettle from the fire at just the right time and pour the syrup through the filters, then take it into the springhouse to bottle. Every family got a small sample to take home with smiles all around. After the syrup event we headed up to Camp Mowana for a trip to Flemming Falls and a meandering walk past Hoppy's grave, the Indian fire ring and through the pines. The kids stopped for a game of basketball and then back to the farm. Things wound down and friends headed home with memories they will have forever. The Scouts helped us clean up and we relaxed by the fire as the sun went down. The Scouts then headed out on a night hike and G came back a bit early scared by the coyote sounds. The Scouts settled back in their tents and the barn for another night of camping out. Up to the house and everyone exhausted. What a perfect day!
No matter where you travel from.
When you get to the Farm,
you know you're home.
Thanks to all who helped prepare, those who came to share, those that came to play.
Because of all of you, it was a wonderful day.
See you next year!
