20210410 - Maple Syrup Day @ the Farm

20210410 - Up way too early and LJG Hazel and I got everything loaded in the car and headed out. We made a quick pickup at McDs and headed up to the Farm. It was an easy drive and we got there about 8:30. Dale and Roger were there boiling down already and the steam was floating. I helped GpaW get some things set up and Brad and Dave were there helping too. GmaW took L and Dave's girlfriend Tammy up to the house to give her some bday presents and Dave Dylan and I took a walk back through the woods. We ran in to Tim in the woods working on a deer stand and chatted with him a bit. Back to the Farmhouse and more folks were there, all family, unlike years past. J&G took the pug and went up to the pond and all over the Farm. The weather was absolutely perfect and it was a nice small crowd and gave me the chance to talk with folks and not be so busy. The sap boiled down and stories were told. We had a nice lunch and then we poured off the syrup. Folks hung out a bit more and headed up to the camp and we got things cleaned up pretty quickly.

We got things cleaned up and LG&I changed and headed to Galion for baseball. The first game got away from us. G had a good hit and stole a ton of bases but we had a couple bad innings we couldn't recover from. G took the mound for the start of game 2 and did really well pitching, the lessons obviously paid off. He also got a great hit down the 3rd baseline. The rain came in the 4th inning and they called the game. Gma&paW were on their way to the game so we met them at DQ and had dinner and chatted about what a lovely day it was at the Farm and think everything went well and folks were glad to be out and together.

We drove home through some really hard rain. Home, unpacked and L&I sat in the living room with Thunder Force, a new movie, on but were in and out to consciousness... To bed in good time after a very nice long day.

20160409 - Maple Syrup Day @ the Farm

20160409 - L woke up to find a clock in the hall, G was the 1st boy up and ready to go, he headed out with GmaW. J up and explained the clock was ticking too loud so he had to put it in the hall... D&I up and all out to a beautiful crisp snow covered Farm morning. We all headed out and met up with the frozen scouts that were busy making breakfast. D, directing the scouts and I helped GpaW get things ready and things look really good. Roger and Dale had the sap rolling in the old cast iron kettle and the steam melting the falling snow. 

Soon relatives and friends from near and far filled the yard, barn and house. Tours were given, maple syrup making lessons and stories of days gone flowed by while introductions and new connections were made. The Boy Scouts started their side dishes and lunch was prepared on the grill and inside. 

Soon the food was read and with the snow nearly everyone went inside to eat. I walked around and took pictures and thought how happy Great GmaW would be to see her house so full of wonderful people. We had 95 people here, 27 from Troop 98 that spent then night in the barn and tents on the South yard. 

After lunch the sap had boiled down to the right temperature to officially be Maple Syrup. We pour it off and filled the jars of the golden brown glorious goodness, we think it's the best we've ever made!

Things started wrapping up and the Scouts headed off on a hike up through the camp and to the falls peppered with continuous snowball fights. Cold and wet the hikers returned to the Farmhouse to warm up, eat some leftovers for dinner, play games and hangout.

We look forward to this day to start our Spring off with family and friends each year and this year despite the snow was no exception. We are ready for spring with our maple syrup reserves and hearts full ready for the warm weather and crazy busy schedules to kick in. 

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!

4/8/17

20151227 - Winger Christmas

20151227 - UP in the am and boys playing with the cat and their new toys. We loaded up and headed to John & Mary's in Shelby for the Winger Christmas party. It was a very nice time with the family. We had a great meal, sang songs, took a hike (where Grant ran off and got lost...) played bingo, heard stories from everyone about times on the Farm and got goody bags. Home and the boys played with the cat and their toys. We were up late watching TV then a long hysterical game of Tripoli.

20141127 - Thanks for a Great Day

20141127 - UP in the am and D&I out hunting with the guys.  I stepped on one and missed, thought I had the safety on, and had another fly right in front of me, pulled the trigger and nuttin....  I had an empty shell in the chamber... D thought this was hilarious.  Well with a shell in the gun te next bird to pass didn't stand a chance, BLAM got him!  D got one today too!  In all we got 6!  Back to the spring house to clean them and then up to the house to get cleaned up.

Down the Farm House for a Thanksgiving feast and to celebrate GmaW's bday.  It was a much smaller crowd this year, but the food and family were great.  Good conversations and no real melt downs by the boys.  We had a nice relaxing afternoon. playing games and talking with everyone.

We got the Farm House cleaned up and back up to the house for more food, conversation and a movie.