A Sweet Maple Tour 2014

I had plans today to go on the Kemble Maple Syrup Tour.  Almost by the time Noon hour was rolling around I was getting the feeling it was not going to be happening.  

Rob was out early this morning on a couple of calls.  The weather was awful this morning here with high winds and blowing snow.  Not something I wanted to venture out in myself.  

My man came through for me after all, and we headed towards Kemble shortly after the Noon hour.  We thought we best start at the Kemble Church and work our way backwards so we wouldn't miss the Luncheon.  

Passport in hand, I directed my driver (thanks Rob) until we arrived at the Kemble Church.  Lots of bright Yellow Signage to guide us along.

We choose to have the lunch of Pulled Pork, Baked Beans, Homemade Coleslaw, Corn Muffin, Apple Slices & Maple Shortbread (Coffee, Tea, Water & Juice were also available), rather then the all day breakfast.  The Church was very busy with other lunch goers.  Lots of volunteers were on-hand on the front lines and behind the scenes.  Pancakes were All day from Breakfast throughout lunch from 10 am til 3 pm..  The Pulled Pork was amazing !!!

After lunch Rob & I headed to the upstairs of the Church to take in the various Artists and their works.  Lovely eye catching creations.  The Sunflower Table Runner was calling my name as I had passed by it, but I was strong continuing right out the door.

Time was going quickly by us, so we bypassed a couple of stops.  There were 7 participating Maple Syrup Producers on the Tour this Year, and we stopped at 4 of them.

First stop was at Miners' Maple Products.  Ha ! Abby spotted me that I was taking her photo.  Russell & Abby Miners have quite the Maple Syrup Production.  The stove that boils the syrup is heated by wood chips.  Russell opened it up to show us, and believe me I was not going to go to close to that heat.  The very bottom photo show the syrup being filtered prior to being transferred into the steel kegs.

Our 2nd stop was to the Van Bilsen Family Farm.  This is close to how I remember Maple Syrup being made when I was a young girl, expect the half steel tub was over top an open wood fire.  The Sugar Shack was about the same size though.  Owner, Mark, was explaining the process to his audience.

Stop #3 was at the Dejong Acres Farm.  The Dejong's also Farm Sheep, who are well guarded by their Maremma dogs.  Anita was in their Sugar Shack explaining their Syrup productions to a group by the time we had arrived.  Dejong Acres Farm has a Farm Store as well where you may purchase a variety of Farm products from Lamb to fresh Eggs.  

Our 4th and last stop was the Regal Point Elk Farm.  Driving back to the Sugar Shack, we first had to pass by the herds of majestic Elk.  They are quite stately, are they not?  On to the Sugar Shack there was a stand where you could buy and experience some Maple Syrup Taffy hardened by fresh snow.  I remember throwing it into the snow to harden as a young girl out on the Smith farm in Tara.  By the way, Light Syrup is good for Pancakes and such, while Amber is stronger and best for baking, so I learned today from Eric at the Regal Point Elk Farm.

Should you have never experienced a Maple Syrup Tour, I would highly recommend the Kemble Maple Syrup Tour.  It is well planned out from Year to Year with a very good turnout I might add.  Next Year it will be on the 11th of April, 2015, so please do mark your Calendars.

I had a great afternoon spent with my husband, however I find myself exhausted (per usual).  I just know it is going to be another early night with me falling asleep while the Food Network watches me sleep, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.

Really Are They Serious ?????

After I had finished up my blog post last night I headed off to bed and was gone, gone, gone ... which was not a bad thing for me considering I was still "pooped" today.

Last night was truly lots of fun and worth the late night for me.  Not getting home until 9 pm is late for me these days.  It was so cool to have a projector screen and a monitor hooked into the laptop to access Facebook, which I was sharing the "basics" on.  Hopefully everyone went home a little bit more knowledgeable then when they arrived.

This morning I had someone call me who wanted to come meet our Aussies, Bandit, Lexus, Mercedes and Buddy, as they are interested in one of Bandit and Lexus' pups which are due mid-April.  When the couple showed they were introduced to each and every one of our Checkerboard Aussies, who they were very impressed with.  I was very proud each one of our four were at their very best behaviour, with barely a one jumping up on our visitors.  It was decided before the couple left that they "signed on" for one of the new pups when the litter arrives.  It is nice when your dogs speak for themselves I find.

Yesterday we had another nasty day with wind and snow.

Our lane way exposed to the west was plugged in pretty dang good with barely a cow path.  Rob spent some time getting it cleared out today, as it was not only plugged it had been very heavy.  Our Tractor has been put through its paces this past Winter ... and really considering today is the first full day of Spring, what's up with that???

Tomorrow Environment Canada has a Snowfall Warning in effect !!!  Really, are they serious ????  Check it out for yourself by *clicking* HERE.  *shaking head*

I so enjoyed the warmth and the full day of Sunshine this day.  It was 5 degrees above freezing, and it actually felt balmy in comparison to what we have been having in prior days.

I had Bandit & Mercedes out for a big romp.  They are so amusing.  Bandit had the stick, finally tuckered out, Mercedes had him where she wanted and off she went, stick in mouth.

One of our Crabby Cabbie vehicles had the battery go in it today.  Rob and I had to go meet our driver to do a vehicle exchange with him.  I enjoyed spending a bit of time together.  When we returned home to retrieve our mail there had been a very pleasant surprise in the mailbox for me.

There I had found a Media "pass" to the Kemble Maple Syrup & Arts Show on the 5th of April.  What a most pleasant surprise.  Rob and I had attended 2 years ago, having an amazing time together that day ... please enjoy it too, by *clicking* HERE.  That post had been a very laborious and extensive post but such an enjoyable memory for both Rob & I.

Should you have a Facebook Account, please check out the Kemble Maple Syrup Event by going HERE, or if you do not you may learn more details by going HERE.  A fun day for anyone to get out and enjoy !!!

I am planning on going, however not too happy as I do not think my Rob will be able to go along with me.  This makes me *sad*.  What does make me happy is I will get to see my friends Anita Dejong of Dejong Acres Farm, and Abby Miners of Miners' Maple Products, whose farms are both included in the Tour.

I had nicely sat down to think about having a nice hot cuppa tea when I glanced up at the clock to realize I had a 3:30 appt with the Chiropractor !!!  YIKES the clock was almost at 3 pm.  I quick gave my neighbour friend, Pari a call to see if she wanted to go along for the ride, picked her up and was off like a shot down the highway towards Sauble Beach.  I was only minutes late.  I really needed the adjustment as I my neck, shoulder and back had been pretty tight from bending this way and that last night.

Returning back home it was time to make our Dinner of broiled T-bone steaks, baked potatoes and Caesar Salad..  I am still "pooped", Rob is "pooped" and we still have to take out our gang out for their last romp of the evening.

I am pretty certain it is going to be an early night here for the two of us here, Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard.