Maple Syrup Farm

When I was a kid and found out what pancake syrup (maple syrup) was made of I was so a surprised that it came from a tree and that it's made right here in the north east.
Today we went on a field trip to Lock's Maple Farm for an Open House. My daughter blogged about it here and added her pretty photos. I think it was one of the most interesting experiences we've ever had as a family. It was cold, but it was educational and fun. We got to see the whole process of making syrup. You can see it here. Below is where they boil and filter the sap.


There were 3 other attractions at the farm. There was a husband wife team. The wife was making soap and the husband was demonstrating blacksmith skills with tools and a vintage looking fire stoker. A craft table was full of things for children to do a long with a lady spinning wool on a wheel and selling her treasures.




Also on the farm we got to see how the farmers wife creates spools of wool yarn for customers. She has a mini wool mill in one of her barns. You can take a virtual tour here. Having worked in a factory that used natural fibers, I have to say, I am impressed with how well she runs her little mill, it is very clean and efficient. Below, is the machine that first twists the product into single ply yarn.

Today I was thinking. How amazing is creation? There are so many things we can do with a maple tree and that is just one single type of tree. Our world is filled with so much more than maple trees.
I just finished reading Little House on the Prairie to my youngest (and my oldest was always with in earshot because she enjoyed it as well). The Ingall's had to be extremely resourceful people in order to survive and they survived well. Some nights, I had read the book in my youngest bedroom. After closing the book, saying prayers, and giving good night kissed I've looked around to see more in my daughter's bedroom than the Ingalls probably had with them as a family when they moved across the states from Wisconsin to Kansas, (besides food).
On another note :) I've started on a diet. I am 5 days in so far and doing well. It was tempting not to have something sweet today, but I made it :)