Maple Brussels Sprouts

I know, I know. Brussels sprouts? Gross.  I wasn't a huge fan of them either when I was a kid.  My sister called them baby cabbages, which made them even less desirable.  Yes, I did have to eat them from time to time and I would always try to mask the taste with an immense amount of butter (a stick of butter should be able to make any food edible, right?). 
That being said, my palate has since changed. And I especially enjoy brussels sprouts when they are coated with pure maple syrup (because really, what doesn't taste better with maple?).

 Maple Brussels Sprouts
 1 lb. Brussels Sprouts
 1Tbsp Olive Oil
 3-4 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
Steam brussels sprouts until tender (8-10 min).  Heat olive oil in frying pan over medium-high heat.  Saute brussels sprouts in oil until lightly browned. Pour maple syrup over Brussels sprouts and continue to saute until well coated.

My family loves this savory recipe and it has been the easiest way to get the kiddo to eat them and ask for seconds!
This is the perfect time of year to find Brussels sprouts at your local farmers' market!  I get mine from Abenaki Springs Farm (http://abenakispringsfarm.com/) at The Farmers' Market of Keene (http://www.farmersmarketofkeene.com/).  And of course, our pure maple syrup can be found at the Peterborough Farmer's Market and The Farmers' Market of Keene, as well as online at http://woodardssugarhouse.com/. 

 

Eating Local

With our local Olive Garden closing, I have heard (and read) a lot of comments about eating local.  I do support the eat local movement.  I cringe every time I see someone with a jug of Canadian maple syrup in their cart at the grocery store. Most of the farmers' markets I attend require vendors to have grown, raised, or produced their wares themselves; which I think is important.  I think it is wonderful that some of our local farmers are supported by our local restaurants, where they regularly use their meats and produce in their kitchens.  Being a small business owner that is dependent upon the support from my community, I think it is important to support the local, non-chain restaurants that are around town. 
But, guess what? 
I also eat at the chain restaurants that are abundant in our area.  My family probably does eat out more than we should, and we are working on cutting back on that.  The few times a month we do eat out, chances are at least one of those times is going to be at a chain restaurant.  And I'm okay with that.  Yes, I realize that most of the food is frozen and reheated once ordered.  Yes, I know that I am contributing to whatever big corporation owns the chain. 
But, guess what? 
I am also supporting local.
How? you might ask.
The student who is working there trying to pay their tuition.  The recent college graduate who is working there while trying to find a job in the "real world" and still needs a way to pay their rent.  Those who are working there as their second (or third) job, income for some to pay their bills, and income for others as their Christmas or vacation funds.  These people, the staff at these chain restaurants, are local.  They are part of our community.  And for these local people who worked at our local Olive Garden?  Well, they are now out of a job.  So, for those of you who are bashing Olive Garden and chain restaurants, think about the people who work at these establishments. Because they are local.
I would like to thank the staff from our Olive Garden.  Thank you for riding it out as long as you did with our changing economy.  Thank you for the delicious lunches and dinners over the years.  Thank you for bottles and bottles of that addicting salad dressing.  Thank you for service with a smile, even after I have asked for my umpteenth basket of breadsticks and bowl of salad.  I wish all of the staff the best of luck.  They, as staff at Olive Garden, will be missed in our community.

Oh, Deer!

It was a nice, sunny day.  A perfect farmer's market day.  Until the sky turned black and the downpours stared.  Then it was mass panic and chaos as us vendors tried to quickly pack up our products before they were ruined and take down tables and tents, knowing full well that getting soaked was inevitable.  My 45 minute drive home seemed to take forever, but I was glad it was cool enough outside that I could leave all the product in the car until the next morning.  Luckily, it had stopped raining overnight, and the next morning was sunny and beautiful.  I went out to the car to start unloading the maple products.  I started to head back to the house when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye.  I turned slowly and saw a deer standing about 10 feet or so in front of my car.  How cute, I thought as I gently put down the box of candy and slowly pulled out my phone to snap a picture. The deer, with its head up high looking straight at me, snorted.  I backed up a few feet and picked up my box of maple candy.  The deer continued to eat, so I started back to the house.  Then the deer snorted again.  I turned quickly and saw the deer coming towards me.  I traded the box of candy for two half gallons, one in each hand (for self defense in case the deer decided to charge - a half gallon could hurt, right?), and ran like a girl back to the house.  I slammed the door shut and ran to the window, peering out between the curtains, watching the deer's every move.  The deer circled my car a few times before heading down the driveway towards the road.  I went back to the door and opened it ever so slightly, making sure the killer deer was nowhere in sight.  I ran as fast as I could to my car, grabbed a box of maple candy, and sprinted back to the house.  Then I ran to the window, on the lookout for that monstrous deer.  Coast was clear so the process started over again: opening the door just a crack to scan the yard for the vicious wild animal, dashing to the car to grab the next box of maple products, and rushing back to the house before the ferocious deer returned.  It should have taken about 30 minutes to unload my car, but that day it took me two hours.  Two hours of panicking, worried for my life if that vile deer returned.  I was glad my husband was working and not home to watch the spectacle.  He would have teased me for being scared over a silly little deer.  But, thanks to that deer, I am a lot more cautious before just running out to my car and am aware of the animals that could be around.  And now that we have a dog, our yard, at least, seems to have a lot less wild life in it.  Too bad we didn't get her a few months earlier!

Maple Cream Vinaigrette

I like to cook.  And I love to grill.  But when it is hot and humid I want nothing to do with either of those.  Salad tends to be my go to meal on those unbearably sticky days. I consider myself lucky to be at five different farmers' markets a week - I'm usually able to procure a bag of salad mix, lettuce, or spinach before it is all sold out.  And now that carrots, cucumbers, and radishes are readily available at all of the markets I attend, my salads not only taste amazing, they also look pretty.  I can even score some tasty croutons from Houghton Farm at a few of the farmers markets. This time of year my salads are mouthwatering (how many people can actually say that about salad!).  I am, though, somewhat picky about the dressing.  I am not a fan of heavier dressings and I do not want something that will overpower the garden fresh tastes.  I had often contemplated making my own dressing, but I thought it would be so time consuming and thus never tried.  My dear friend Rebecca, of Holland Homestead Farm (http://hollandhomestead.com/), came up with this fantastic vinaigrette recipe that is both delicious and easy to make. 

Confession: I was skeptical about this at first. I had never made my own dressing. I thought mincing shallots and the prep to put this together would take forever.  I was wrong. It was simple and quick.
I am one for shortcuts - anything that will save time and make things easier.  I do usually "cheat" and purchase lemon infused olive oil from Your Kitchen Store (http://www.yourkitchenstore.com/) since I do not often use lemon juice for anything else and squeezing lemons is a step I would like to avoid. Luckily, I do know a few places where I can get my hands on some award winning pure maple cream (http://woodardssugarhouse.com/).
Still not convinced this is quick enough to make with your busy schedule? That's ok too.  We do sell the vinaigrette already made at our local farmers' markets! Find us at Fresh Chicks Local Outdoor Market in Peterborough, NH; The Farmers' Market of Keene in Keene, NH; Peterborough Farmer's Market in Peterborough, NH; and Hinsdale Farmer's Market in Hinsdale, NH.

The Breakup

It was a rainy Monday morning, and I was rushing around like every other morning trying to get the kiddo to school on time.  She beat the bell and I headed back home to start another batch of our yummy pure maple candy.  That's when I got the text that changed my life. "Video headquarters is closing." Can't be true, I thought.  I was just there the other day.  In fact, I had movies to return and the next disc of 'Bones' to get.  "It's online in the Sentinel," my husband texted when I questioned his source of information.  I was devestated.  How could this be?  What am I going to do now?  I was in a panic - how will I see the rest of 'Bones' and the other tv shows coming out in the fall?  Getting cable was out of the question.  I felt as if they were breaking up with me and I didn't know whether to be angry or sad.  I think I was, in fact, a little (ok, a lot) of both.  Why didn't anyone say anything to me?  I thought I was special.  Don't they care I don't have cable?  I went in on the first day of their sale and told them how I felt, as if I was their only heartbroken customer.  "It's not you, it's us," was the reply I got.  I understand why they are closing.  With digital streaming, Netflix, Red box, etc; it was really only a matter of time before this happened. My feelings are only selfish. I know what you are thinking - what are you so distraught over? It's just a video store.  But that's where you are wrong.  Video Headquarters is so much more than a video store.  In an age where just about everything is automated or done electronically, it was nice to be able to get my dvd rentals with some personal interaction.  Video headquarters was a place where you were greeted by name when you walked through the door.   A place where they gave you their undivided attention if you had a question or even just while checking out. A place where even though you were the only one (ok, one of five) who watched a particular tv show, they would order the next season so you wouldn't be left guessing at what would happen next. A place where they would hold the next disc in a tv series for you because they knew you would be coming in for it that day, whether or not you had asked them to.  A place where they would offer the perfect suggestions when you are bored by the unoriginal movies that seem to be the trend nowadays.  A place that will be truly missed by many in our community.  So, now that I've gotten my feelings off my chest, I think I'll do what happens after every other breakup.  I'll grab a pint of Ben & Jerry's and head off to their 50% off sale to claim what's mine (and maybe cry once more).
I would like to thank everyone at Video Headquarters for their great service over the years.  We will miss you all!

Season Recap

I would like to apologize for not keeping up with this blog.  It was a busy sugaring season, and while it would have been optimal to write about it as it was happening, there was just never enough time.  With classes, the kiddo and family, and the long days and nights of boiling all keeping me busy, any "spare" time was spent sleeping.  Now that I am somewhat caught up on sleep (and everything else) I suppose I should recall the highlights of our season.
I have had a lot of "firsts" in our sugar house.  My first "date" with my husband, my first time bottling syrup, and, this season, my first time boiling without the hubby home.  I never thought the day would come.  I had set up, run the evaporator, and shut down everything in the sugar house successfully many times without incident.  I have never burned pans, boiled over, or run out of sap.  The hubby is just really particular about how things are done and nervous about letting go of the reigns.  The slow start to the season didn't help.  Most of the sap we gathered had to be saved to boil on the weekends when we had our open sugar house, as the temperatures would drop and the sap wouldn't run when we had visitors.  In April that all changed.  We had added 150 or so taps on our vacuum line for this season and once mother nature finally started cooperating, we were inundated with sap.  Unable to keep up just boiling at night after the hubby was home from work, he finally gave in and let me boil during the day.  The first day was nerve wracking and liberating at the same time.  I was confident, yet worried, knowing how nervous my husband was.  He would text me every ten minutes or so to see how things were going.  Every siren he heard throughout the day put him in a panic and he would call to make sure the sugar house wasn't burning down.  I had it under control.  We run a pretty efficient operation and have many fail-safes in case something should go wrong.  Luckily, I never had to hit the emergency shut off switch.  Boiling is my favorite part of sugaring, so I was pretty excited to run the show all by myself.  There's something about the steam, the sweet smell, and the transformation from sap to syrup that makes boiling so fascinating.  There was no way I would screw up my chances of being able to do something I love so much.  I followed all of the hubby's rules to a t.  My husband became more and more comfortable with me boiling during the day as the season went on.  Which was great, because there would have been no way we would have kept up with the amount of sap we had otherwise. 
NH started adopting the new syrup grade changes this year.  Everything will now be considered grade A (no more grade B). This new system will be used throughout the maple industry, including Canada, Vermont, New York, and others. This season we produced a lot of light grade (or golden delicate) syrup, which is good for us since we use the light to make our yummy maple candy and maple cream with.  Luckily, we also made some medium (amber rich), dark (dark robust), and b (very dark strong) for all of our customers to enjoy!  Confused by the new grading system or not sure which grade you would like? Just ask! We are always happy to help others enjoy our pure maple syrup and maple products!
http://woodardssugarhouse.com/

Snow much fun!

Last sugaring season we barely had any snow in the woods.  My husband and I both hoped for more snow for this year.  Well, we got it.  There are a lot of fun activities that come with the snow.  I would have loved to take advantage of the fresh powder and go snowboarding.  Or join my daughter when she went sledding down our hill.  However, when we are getting snowfall on a weekly basis, we really didn't have time for such activities.  Instead, we had activities like shoveling (and when I say we what I really mean is my husband sat in the nice warm truck and plowed while I was out in the cold and shoveled the walkways around the property).  After one such evening of plowing my husband went to start shoveling off the roof.  I had finished my shoveling and offered to help, hoping he would say no.  He said yes.  I bravely climbed my way up the ladder, shovel in hand.  He helped me onto the roof.  I shuffled my way back from the edge, terrified of falling off.  Then I got the tutorial on how to shovel the roof.  You start at one side, push off only at certain areas, make sure it's nice and smooth with no bumps, etc.  I think I heard the phrase 'work smarter, not harder' at least a dozen times.  I was thinking he should have just been grateful I got on the roof and if he didn't stop talking and just get to shoveling I was going to push him off with the snow. In retrospect I'm glad he had it all figured out as it made the next time all that much easier. We finally finished after about an hour.  He quickly climbed back down the ladder and I started having a panic attack.  What was I thinking climbing up here?  I threw my shovel and tried to climb on the ladder.  First attempt didn't go so well. I had sat on my butt and tried to scooch my way onto the ladder.  All I could see was myself falling what seemed like ten stories to the ground.  Second attempt I clung to the ladder rings for dear life.  I inched my feet from rung to rung; the longest ten inches I would travel for each step.  I reached the ground, thankful I made it down without breaking a limb.  Looking back, I could have easily jumped the few feet from the roof into the pile off snow we had just shoveled off.  But, at least now I'm not afraid to help shovel off the roof.  I just hope we don't get too much more snow so I don't have to venture up there again.

Those Pants

We all have that pair of pants. That pair of pants you only wear in the comfort of your own home.  No, I'm not talking about yoga pants or pajama pants (but, for the love of God, please only wear pajama pants in your home!).  I'm talking about that pair of pants that are, or were at some point in time, the favorite.  I actually have several pairs.  Over time they either become too loose or too tight, faded or torn; thus being designated to the home only.  Today, being a snow day and not having to go anywhere, was one of those glorious days in which I could slide (ok, it's more like jump up and down a few times to get them over my thighs and hips) into one of my most comfy pairs of jeans.  I was truly distressed when I tore a small hole in the crotch of them two years ago while working in the woods putting up mainline and tubing.  There are a few other small holes in the legs where they got caught on something, but that's what gives them their character.  They are so soft and, besides having to jump my way into them, have a comfy waist band.  Gap sure knows how to make a good pair of jeans.  Unfortunately, I'm not always the brightest when wearing these fragile pants.  I had already done my morning workout, showered, got into these comfy jeans, and was in the process of cooking syrup to make some of our famous maple cream.  I have no idea what came over me, but apparently I was still in workout mode and decided to do sumo squats in front of the stove while I was waiting for the syrup to boil.  I was mid squat when I heard the ominous sound.  I knew right away that squats were a bad idea when wearing jeans, never mind ones that already had a hole in them.  I quickly glanced at the thermometer to check the syrup, and then bent halfway over to check out the damage.  The "little" hole that was previously in my jeans was now about two inches in length and a half inch wide.  I stood in shock for a moment; gone were the far off hopes that these pants would one day magically repair themselves and make it back to the hangers in the closet.  I decided not to do any more "exercising" and pondered what possessed me to do that in the first place.  I stood still until the syrup reached the designated temperature, and then poured it into the bowls.  I figured what the heck, they can't get any better, so I wore them out for another round of shoveling with no further damage.  I will still keep and wear these pants, but only in my home when no one else is around.  Good thing I have a few pairs.

Squeak, Squeak

It was a lovely Sunday morning.  My husband was outside pulling snow off the roof and shoveling. I had settled on the couch with my A&P book, attempting to do some reading.  I had read the first two pages of the chapter for the third time when I heard that unmistakable sound - "squeak, squeak."  I froze, listening for any noise.  Nothing.  Phew.  I hunkered back into my book, relieved that the noise was just in my head.  I flipped the page and heard it again. "Squeak, squeak."  I got up off the couch, carrying my book with me (you never know when you need something for defense), and went to the bedroom where I thought the squeaking noise came from.  I crept in the room, trying not to make a sound and hoping not to see anything.  "Squeak, squeak." There it was again, but coming from the other side of the house.  I tiptoed past the living room and peered inside the kiddo's room.  I couldn't see anything, but maybe it was in the closet....  I opened the door and jumped back, just in case.  A huge sigh of relief when I couldn't find anything.  "Squeak, squeak." A panic fell over me as I realized I hadn't seen our cat in a while.  Find the cat, find the mouse.  I looked in all the usual places: the bath tubs, her food dish, litter box, bed.... Nothing.  "Squeak, squeak."  The living room.  It was definitely coming from the living room.  What if all this time while I was on the couch Lily was right behind me toying with a mouse?  I shuddered at the thought.  I jumped on the couch, just in case, and cautiously glanced behind.  There was Lily, on the windowsill, no mouse in sight.  "Squeak, squeak." I raised my gaze out the window.  There was my husband, diligently putting up mainline on the wire we replaced out front.  "Squeak, squeak."  The sound of the wire ties being twisted to hold up the mainline mimicked that of a mouse.  I was both relieved and embarrassed, having let my imagination get the better of me, and also thankful that my husband had no idea I was going through the house like a crazy woman searching for the imaginary mouse.  He would have never let me live it down.  My distaste and fear for rodents had gotten the better of me this time, but I'm glad I can say they are not in my home. 

Boots

Being a woman, I have quite a few options for footwear.  Winter months limit the selection somewhat, but there are still plenty to choose from.  However, not all of these footwear options are really all that practical.  I suppose your profession also plays a part as to the functionality of your footwear choices.  Such as when I worked at the hospital I was most often seen in my Danskos, which I rarely wear now (let's just forget the fact that I live in my slippers now when I'm at home).  There are plenty of practical winter footwear choices: sneakers, muck boots, work boots, winter boots, snowshoes....  One I have yet to mention that I find no real functionality are the pretty boots.  All of us women have them.  Yes, they look cute with skinny jeans, skirts, dresses, etc., but they are just not practical in this winter weather.  They do not keep our feet warm and are no match for ice and snow.  So, after wearing my winter boots to shovel the walkways while my car warmed up last night, what was it that I grabbed to wear out to dinner with the girls? Yup, my pretty boots.  I threw them on (ok, really I took about 10 minutes unzipping and zipping about 7 different zippers to get them on) and marched out the door.  I started down the steps and immediately went down all four and onto my butt.  I yelled out a certain four letter word and then cursed my decision to wear skinny jeans thus requiring my pretty boots. I gingerly got up, dusted off the snow, and walked cautiously to the car. I debated calling to cancel.  My hip and wrist were throbbing, but I decided not to let my poor choice of shoes ruin a night out with friends.  I was glad I didn't cancel.  It was a great night- delicious food, fantastic drink (also my first scorpion bowl!), and fabulous company celebrating a dear friend.  I guess it is true that we learn something (new) everyday, and for me that was to definitely be more aware of the functionality of my attire!

Weather Obsessed

This time of year we tend to check the weather a little obsessively.  Yes, we like to know what to expect for the next couple days, whether a storm is coming, what we will have to deal with.  With the cold weather and many of us with cabin fever, we are hoping for sun and soaring temps.  I could now care less about the amounts of snow we will get, unless it's a few feet and I have to go out and clear off the mainline. My main reason as of late to check the forecast constantly, even a month out, is because I am ready for sugaring.  When I say I am ready it just means I want to boil.  I've got the itch.  It has come to be one of my most favorite things to do, and there is only a short time frame in which I can. And, I want to use my new drill I got for Christmas.  We still have a lot to do before we are "ready."  We are in the process of getting a dry line put up, we have a few taps on the new 3/16" tubing to get out, and possibly adding more taps in another section of woods.  We are by no means "ready" to tap and boil.  I just want to.  Last year I would have been more worried about the weather for work reasons.  What would the conditions be for delivering the mail?  I still worry about that for my husband's sake, but I am more concerned about when the temps are going to raise enough, consistently, so we can start making syrup.  I'm ready for some sun and 40 degree temps.  It's hard being in an industry that is dependent upon the weather.  So, Mother Nature, what do you say?  Please don't let us have to wait too much longer!

Cone of Shame

Our puppy got spayed and is now sporting that hideous cone of shame.  And it is a sad sight.  She hated the cone since it was put on when we picked her up at the vets.  Her head hung low, as if the cone weighed a gazillion pounds.  It was hard for her to walk at first.  The cone would get stuck on the floor, my daughter picking up the cone so we could get her to the car.  Getting in the car was another ordeal.  Having a low sports car would have been ideal for this situation.  However, we have a SUV, which is not low and is hard for a puppy who just had surgery to get into.  Thank God I didn't have to take the truck that day.  After the kiddo and I were able to maneuver the cone, I was able to pick up Sadie's back legs and tuck her inside the car.  We must have been a sight to see in the parking lot.  The ride home was pretty uneventful (thankfully), Sadie holding her head low, unable to figure out where exactly to put it.  Getting out of the car was another task.  It was like Sadie was unable to figure out what to do with her hind legs.  The kiddo finally coaxed her out of the car and walked her over to the front steps.  The cone hit the step and Sadie froze.  The kiddo lifted the cone over the steps as I lifted her front paws and then back paws on each step.  Thankfully there are only 4.  I open the door and Sadie attempts to enter the house, her cone getting stuck on the door frame.  I push her cone over and lift it up, seeing the look of contempt in Sadie's sad glazed eyes.  We all finally mosey into the house and get Sadie into the living room.  She stands there, not knowing what to do.  I put her bed and blanket on the floor.  If she can't make it up the stairs, she is not going to get on her couch.  It takes a while, but she finally figures out how to lay down.  She is not impressed with any of this.  The kiddo laid on the floor next to her and colored her a "get well" picture.  Sadie gets back up and tries to move.  She's stuck.  Her head is on the floor, unable to move the cone forward on the carpet.  "Pick your head up," we tell her as we both go to lift her cone.  Sadie is having none of this and puts her head back down.  The kiddo keeps working with her to lift the cone and her head.  After a while, we try to get Sadie to eat a little.  She walks into the wall near the laundry room where her food is kept.  I straighten her out and try to coax her in with some food in my hand.  She eats it, but won't come any closer to her dish.  I let her out of my hand again, and push the bowl closer to her.  With the next handful of food, I bring my hand down to the bowl. Visions of hand feeding her for the next ten days went through my head.  "Please use your dish," I pleaded with her. She then proceeded to eat from her bowl. Success! I let her be for a bit.  Every time we heard her whine she was stuck.  Whether on the rug with her head down or on a wall or door frame, we would have to go rescue her.  Taking her out to do her business was another endeavor.  Sadie was used to going out without a leash, but we didn't want her taking off and pulling out any stitches.  I, apparently, was the designated dog walker.  It is January.  It is cold.  There is snow.  And I have a dog with a cone on her head.  Poor Sadie kept trying the sniff the ground unsuccessfully, getting snow in her cone in the process.  Every chunk of frozen snow we came across she somehow managed to get stuck on. Every little noise she would stop, not sure what it was or where it is coming from; lost without her peripheral vision. The longest, coldest 15 minutes of my life went by until she finally eliminated.  I thought that job to be finally done as we headed back inside.  Until we reached those dreaded steps.  Another five minutes until we were back inside.  Sadie spent the rest of the night trying to get comfortable and whining whenever she was stuck until she finally fell asleep.  As the days went on, Sadie learned to pick her head up and maneuver more easily.  The cone is in rough shape, banged up on all sides from her walking into things.  Our puppy loves attention and needs lots of loving.  Unfortunately, with a cone that is so much harder to do.  She will follow us around, banging into our calves with the cone.  Or if she is in front of us, she'll turn abruptly, banging into our shins.  I'm thinking about putting a layer of foam around the edge of it so my legs will have less bruising.  Our cat has been enjoying the cone head Sadie, as she is unable to reach Lily under the coffee table and beds with the cone on.  I think the rest of us are ready for the ten days to come to an end.  Sadie is getting used to the cone for the most part, figuring out how to get herself unstuck, making her way up the steps, and only slamming into my shins or calves a few times a day.  But I know she'll be just as happy as us when that darned cone can come off.

Of Mice and Men

We live in the sticks. There are spiders, snakes, rodents, bugs. None of which I am particularly fond of.  It has been nice to not see any of those creatures since the cold weather and snow have come.  Last night my husband and I had settled into bed, drifting to sleep, when the cat started racing around erratically.  My whole body tensed.  Was she chasing a mouse?  God, I hoped not.  My husband rolled over and asked if I had locked the door.  "Umm, no." I laid still hoping he would get up to lock it.  He asked if I could get it.  I shot straight up.  "No!  There could be a mouse! Lily is running around all crazy!"  He groaned.  Told me I was being ridiculous and I should get up and lock the door.  "Grab your phone for me! I need to see!" My phone was out of reach, as was the light switch.  My husband mumbled something and gave me his phone so I could use it as a light.  I quickly scanned the room for both Lily and the potential mouse.  No sign of a mouse.  I ran to the light switch and rescanned the room with the light on.  Still in the clear.  I ran to the front door, locked it, and ran back to bed.  My husband poked fun at me.  "Remember what happened a couple years ago?" I asked him.  He nodded and laughed. 
A few years ago we were in bed, sound asleep.  I woke when I heard the cat, but didn't think anything of it, and rolled over with my back to the door, falling back to sleep.  Apparently Lily was playing with a mouse, tossing it around and then retrieving it.  Well, she threw that mouse pretty forcefully and I felt it hit me with a thump in the middle of my back.  I freaked.  I screamed.  I sat straight up, waking my husband.  He jumped out of bed asking what was wrong. "A MOUSE!" I screamed.  "IT'S ON THE BED!"  Like a good husband, he started ripping the covers off until the mouse fell to the floor.  He told me it was just a little mouse. I shivered.  It didn't matter how big or small it was,  "It hit me in the back!"  My husband just laughed.  I made us change the sheets and blankets before we went back to bed, my husband quickly falling asleep as I laid with one eye open all night. 
Needless to say, my husband doesn't let me live that down.  But, somehow, I feel this incident justifies any irrational behavior if I suspect a mouse around....

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

It's January. We have subzero temps and a two hour delay from school.  This is New England.  We should all be used to this yet we gripe about these weather conditions every year.  That being said, I am not a fan of the extreme cold.  I've lived in New England all my life, but I think living with my grandparents for a couple years with the thermostat set at 74 and then having a third floor apartment where it was 70 without having to turn on my own heat has thinned my blood a little.  Don't get me wrong, my home is not currently a balmy paradise where one would mistake for being in the tropics. We try to keep the thermostat down in the winter, only keeping it raised if there's a threat of lost power or frozen pipes. I have learned to dress appropriately, layering up and loving my wool and flannel this time of year.  This cold makes me appreciate that I can work from the comfort of my warm home.  This time last year I was working the streets, delivering mail no matter the weather.  With cold weather, layers were imperative; both thermals and under armour, neck warmers, hats, toe and hand warmers all in place before going to the route.  Often told by customers "At least you have heat in your vehicle" and "I'm sure there's four wheel drive in that thing," causing a suppressed laugh because the defrost gave little "heat" at all and the LLV is a sled in the snow or ice.  It's chilling weather like this that makes me appreciate my husband that much more as he works delivering mail, allowing me to stay home to do what I love (well, paperwork for the business is not quite what I love, but it still has to get done) and spend that extra time with the kiddo before taking her to school.  Cold weather like this makes me appreciate our local farmers who have farm chores to do regardless of the temperatures so that we can have eggs, milk, meats, etc.  This kind of weather that makes me appreciate anyone in an occupation that requires them to be outdoors.  So if we happen to venture outside on this frigid day and see someone who is working in this glacial weather, thank them and let them know we all appreciate their dedication and hard work.

Through the Looking Glass

I suppose I should state how this whole maple thing started....
I first laid eyes on my (now) husband through the window I had in the office where I worked.  The window was great, and was probably the reason (other than my friends) why I lasted so long in the job. When the sun hit just right, people couldn't see in and would use the window as a mirror - adjusting their clothes and hair, applying makeup, picking their nose - you name it, we saw it. People would walk by all day long, posing a distraction at first, but you learned to block it out until something really grabs your attention from the corner of your eye.  The mailman was one of those distractions.  Cute, kind eyes, and a nice smile - it was lust at first sight (cuz can it really be love if you don't even know them yet?). To make a long story shorter, it took a few months of smiling and waving to each other through the window to finally give me the courage I needed to go outside and talk to him.  I saved my mail to bring out with me (I needed an excuse) and had planned out exactly how I would introduce myself and what I would say.  That day seemed to go ever so slowly.  The time finally came and the cute mailman came to the collection box that was located conveniently outside our office windows.  I ran outside so as not to miss him (I needed my bills to be mailed out).  I handed him my mail and then the worst thing happened - he spoke first.
"Hi, I'm Mark. What's your name?"  I froze.  My plan unraveling as I looked down to my name tag. "Umm, Kati." We exchanged a few more words and then he handed me his card for his maple business.  I scored his number, so I hadn't completely blown it.  I debated calling that night, but you are supposed to wait, right?  The next three days were complete agony and, at the time, were the longest three days of my life.  And then I finally called. We ended up having a few conversations and I became the luckiest girl in the world. Our first "date" was in the sugar house.  It was cold and fun.  I would bring coffee and in turn get to sample the delicious syrup, candy, and - my favorite - maple cream. Sugaring became a passion we shared.  I loved it from the start.  That first season we bought sap.  Mark and his dad had built the sugar house in 2005, but he had yet to tap the trees in the area.  That next summer right up to sugaring was spent in the woods putting up wire, main line, and tubing.  Getting all aspects of sugaring, not just the fun of boiling and consuming, made me love and appreciate it so much more.  After a few career changes, I am now producing and promoting our premium maple products full time at farmers markets and other events in the area.  I truly love my "job."  It's so rewarding to be able to do something you love and are passionate about. I have been thinking back to our "how we met" recently. I am appreciative for the arduous journey of life that got me to this point - and so grateful for that office window.

Resolutions

It's that time of year when we resolve to live a healthier, happier, more ambitious year than the one before.  Some of my resolutions are ones we all strive to attain throughout the year, while others are probably not on anyone else's lists.

    Losing weight/Getting in shape/eating healthier.  I'm pretty sure this is #1 on a list of new years resolutions somewhere.  A few weeks ago our lovely eight year old was going to bed.  My husband went in to tuck her in for the night.  As he was leaving the room he said "Goodnight munchkin."  Her response: "Goodnight donut."  We laughed about it at first, because it was cute.  But now that has become the nightly response if either of us say "goodnight munchkin." Which got us thinking.  Although we have tried to eat healthier, the last few months of 2014 were filled with temptations - and will power seems to lose around the holidays and the pounds seem to settle on.  At least for me it does.  Thus our resolve to eat healthy and workout regularly this new year.
     Lower debt/Save money.  It seems that the new year is always when the budget is tight.  We always try to not go overboard on Christmas gifts and such, but we always end up spending more than planned.  We resolve to pay off our debt and put more into our savings this year.  Finding ways to cut back is not that easy.  We just have to think about our purchases and gear them towards necessity versus desire.  We resolve to save more money and reduce frivolous purchases.
    Drink more water.  I guess this could really fall into the eat healthier/get in shape category, but we really want to make a point to drink more water.  When I first got back into working out regularly I realized I was not getting enough water.  I would tally each day until I drank my eight glasses.  I have been off the wagon for a bit, and I find myself dehydrated often.  It is hard this time of year to get adequate water intake.  The colder weather makes us crave the warm drinks - tea, coffee, cocoa.  I resolve to start my day off with a bottle of water and increase my intake. 
     Support local farmers.  Since being in the farmers market circuit, it has made me so much more aware of what we eat.  During the summer months I was vending at six markets a week, which was great as I could bring home fresh fruits, veggies, and meats daily.  I love knowing where my food comes from and what is (or isn't) in it.  Personally knowing the producers (and fellow vendors) is great.  The winter months proves a little more difficult as we only have two markets that go year round and some of the produce is not available or is in short supply.  We resolve to support our local farmers and farmers markets.
     Hard maple candy.  We have had so many requests for hard maple candy.  My husband has perfected his technique and taught me how to make pure maple candy that is so soft and creamy in the middle.  But hard candy is something we have yet to really venture into.  We tried once with not much luck.  The lollipops we had molded melted.  My goal for the year is to figure out how to make hard maple candy.
     Get caught up on paperwork.  I'll admit it, I'm a procrastinator.  I have a stack of paperwork right next to me that I should be entering, but instead I am writing this post.  Maybe because it seems so daunting.  And tedious.  But they are not going to enter themselves into quickbooks nor file themselves afterwards.  I resolve to get caught up on paperwork and stay on top of it this year.
      Stay focused on school.  This should probably be "not procrastinate." But why ruin something I have perfected?  So instead I will resolve to focus on my classes this semester and not wait until the due date to start my homework. 
      Spend more time with my kiddo and husband.  We often find ourselves too busy to pay attention to the things that are important to us in life.  Juggling work, school, schedules, and running a business is not an easy thing to do.  Those who are important to us often get lost in the shuffle of life as we are running late to the next place we have to be.  I resolve to try my hardest not to get caught up in the hectic schedules and make a point to spend time my family. 

We hope everyone has a fantastic new year!  We wish us all luck on completing and sticking with our resolutions for 2015!