Maple Syrple!!

For the last couple years, we have been tapping our maple trees. We have about 7 trees we have been tapping. We collect the sap in 5 gallon white buckets. As they get full, we bring it in to start cooking down. From 50 gallons of this thin watery sap, we get about 1 quart of syrup, depending on how thick we want the syrup to get. IT TAKES HOURS!!
We started this on a fluke!! We had put a screw into one of the trees to put a dog runner on. I was outside with the dogs, and one kept going up to the tree, licking and licking!! Well, OK, I know you have food, water, what the heck are you doing????!!!
I went to the tree, saw it leaking, put my finger in it, TASTED It, and WOW!!!! That was so neat!! Well, the seed of an idea was planted! During that winter, I studied and looked into the how's and what's about maple syrup!
The local county parks department was having a seminar on collecting and making maple syrup. They also had the taps, hoses and buckets for sale at the seminar.
Well, that's all I needed to know. I bought the supplies and away we went!!!



Rule of thumb, you start February 15 to collect the sap and collect for about a month. We've found it goes faster outside on an open fire, so we do some in the house on the stove and some outside over a wood fire.



Here is a recipe that is oh sooooo easy!!! It's a great dessert for every occasion.
FRENCH SILK CHOCOLATE PIE
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 sqs. chocolate, melted
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
10 inch graham cracker crust
Cream butter; gradually add sugar. Cream well. Blend in chocolate and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 5 minutes after each addition at medium speed. Pour into crust. Refrigerate at least 2 hours; better if it sets overnight. Garnish with whipped cream and nuts. Serves 6.

Here is a great soap:
SLEEPY TIME SOOTHER=soothing chamomile, spearmint, rose petals hints of orange and lemon
It's soothing with the chamomile, refreshing with the spearmint, and it has real rose petals in it, with a touch of orange and lemon essential oils!!!

REMEMBER OUR ANNIVERSARY SOAP SALE: 3/$10 GET YOUR BYE BYE BUGZ, BARNEY'S BUBBLES, AND ANY OTHER SCENTS YOU LOVE!!!BUY 6 BARS/FREE SHIPPING : TO GET THESE SPECIALS SELECT FROM LIST AND WRITE BURLAPBABESSOAP@AOL.COM / MOM5MILLER@AOL

http://burlapbabessoap.com/store/