Originally Posted By smedley I have to go party again for the weekend. You guys be good without me! *splat* *splat* *splat* just so you dont miss me too much Disney Pete lol
Originally Posted By disney pete I feel like a fly ive been splatted that much,ok if im nice to you girlies can we go get some coffee im getting a runny nose with all these snowballs smedley are you related to peter stringfellow you go to some parties dont ya?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <a href="http://www.vtliving.com/maple/sugaronsnow.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.vtliving.com/maple/ sugaronsnow.shtml</a> <a href="http://www.vtliving.com/maple/history.shtml" target="_blank">http://www.vtliving.com/maple/ history.shtml</a> Vermont 'Sugar Shack Facts' Tap, Tap, Tap... The production of Vermont maple syrup and other maple products is a thriving tradition that signals the arrival of spring in northern New England. The sweet scent of boiling maple sap escaping area sugar shacks is just one of the many reasons visitors travel from around the world to experience springtime in Vermont! Gathering maple sap - A bucket hangs below a spile tapped into a hole drilled to precise specifications, then covered to eliminate particles from contaminating the treasured crystalline sap. The first American Sugarmakers were early Native Americans of New England who called their delicious maple syrup, "sinzibukwud," which translated means, "sweet buds." The world is forever in their debt for teaching their Sugarmaking trade to the first American white settlers. There are only a few regions in the world suitable for maple syrup production. Vermont is, by far, the most famous! The arrival of Spring in Vermont is anticipated long before the first buds appear on the wintry foliage, as the sweet aroma of boiling maple sap drifts upon the breeze. The sweet scent of maple permeates the fresh New England air, signaling the arrival of the Vermont Maple Harvest. This annual event is a tradition founded on romance and ritual. The gathering of sap excites native Vermonters as they court the maples, determining the precise time to tap and capture the crystalline liquid traveling through its veins. The syrup processing ritual is eagerly anticipated regardless of the hard work and long hours spent laboring over the sugar pots. Why? Because the maple syrup gathering season is short-lived and often unpredictable due to New England's variable weather conditions. Time and weather are the primary keys to a successful maple harvest. Weather plays the most significant role in maple sap production, as the maples rely on the freezing and thawing periods that usually occur in late February and early March. In order for the sap to flow, the weather must grow steadily warmer until temperatures rise above freezing . Northern Vermont's Lake Memphramagog before the spring thaw. It takes a long, long time (nearly 40 years) for the best provider of the highest quality sap - the Sugar Maple, or Hard Maple - to grow larger than 12" in diameter at chest height, when it becomes ready for one tap. If all signs signal the go-ahead, Sugarmakers will head into their stand of trees - called 'maple orchards' or 'sugarbushes' - in late February and begin drilling the 7/16" holes, to a depth of approximately 2 1/2", into the trunks of their specimen maples. If the weather has been cooperative, the clear, slightly sweet liquid will slowly drip from the spile into buckets that, when full, are promptly collected and brought to the sugarhouse for boiling. If a pipeline system (also referred to as a sapline system) is used, the sap flows directly downhill through a tubing network to a central collection point. The 'sap run' continually starts and stops as temperatures rise and fall above and below freezing. As a rule, each tap will yield approximately 10 gallons of sap during a six-week period, producing 1 quart of maple syrup per tap. There is no limit to the number of times a tree can be tapped - many have poured forth their annual treasure continuously over 150 years, or longer. Stoking the fire to boil the sap in the sugarhouse. The highest quality syrup is made from the freshest and cleanest sap. If not immediately tended, the sap will deteriorate and the resulting syrup will not withstand the test of a true maple syrup connoisseur. Vermont Sugar Shacks house huge evaporator pans fired by wood, oil, or gas to heat the sap to the boiling point. Billows of steam escape through a vent or cupola atop the shack, where the aroma travels on the air for all to enjoy. It takes long hours and perseverance to produce a maple syrup worthy of the 'Pure Vermont' label. The boil-down process is especially tedious, continuing for hours upon hours in order to eliminate all water content from the sap. But have no fear, for the delectable golden brew will materialize - literally, when it's good and ready! Once the boiling process is complete, the resulting syrup is filtered and packed for distribution to eagerly awaiting consumers around the world. The Vermont Department of Agriculture administers stringent quality requirements on the making and selling of Vermont maple products. Every product sold is required by Vermont State Law to carry a label showing the grade of the syrup and the name of the producer.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Here are the BEST Maple sugar Cider doughnuts around! <a href="http://www.coldhollow.com/" target="_blank">http://www.coldhollow.com/</a> Well, harvest is right around the corner and the Mill is all a buzz as we anticipate what Mother Nature will bless us with this year. Honey from Vermont's wildflowers, pure maple syrup from our mature rock sugar maples, aged Vermont sharp cheddar cheese, and, of course, our firm, crisp, aromatic McIntosh apples that can only be found in this part of the world. If you've never tasted our products before... What makes our foods so special? The soils of the greater Champlain Valley provide the magic that creates the finest-tasting McIntosh apples in North America. Just as grapes are to fine wine, so is the McIntosh to our cider. $21.95 Fresh Cider & Cheddar $39.95 Country Style Brunch
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Cider doughnuts, Oh BOY!!! Wouldn't be great being able to get these at the Wilderness Lodge. Cold Hollow Cider Donut Mix Legendary Cider Donut Mix! At long last, after tons of requests, our Legendary Cider Donuts can be made right in your own home. For years visitors to the Mill have asked for a take-home version of our magical, mouth-watering treats. Ready-to-mix, all you need is some cider, hot oil, and a cutter. Makes about 30 donuts. <a href="http://www.coldhollow.com/ShowView/product/154/5" target="_blank">http://www.coldhollow.com/Show View/product/154/5</a>
Originally Posted By trailsend Ok, come on everyone! And you, too, disney pete! Somebody grab him a box of kleenex, please! We are having a parrrrrtyyyy! Kennesaw Tom is hosting a Vermont Sugarfest for us! Wooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo! smedley ~ have fun, but you're going to miss some fun here. But, hey, we'll probably still be Vermont Sugarfesting when you get back! Loveyameanit, girl!
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 Trailsend a little gift for you Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat Splat
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Oh Dude, you will be sorry for nailing trailsend. She is on a mission against guys!!
Originally Posted By trailsend hehehehe You know, really, I love guys. Really, I do. I'm married to the best looking, hunky dude that I've known for 43, yes, that's what I said, 43 years. He is wonderful, but......when he and I compete . . . .watch out!!!! (However, he is the best mixed doubles tennis partner I've ever had) I love competition and I'm not a good loser and I don't like to lose. So, it was just too much fun to pelt the guys here!!! So, hahahaha . . . DDMAN26, we are hopping on our bob sleds, (I'm seeing some cool ones in the Olympics) and you're about to be buried in snow dust ! BIG TIME!!
Originally Posted By trailsend <----cupping my hand to my ear What's that I hear? a little whiny voice in the distant pile of snow ?? Of course it's DDMAN26 !! <----riding off with disneyfreaksk, laughing all the way . . .
Originally Posted By disney pete they who laugh last get covered in snowballs SPLAT a SPLAT SPLAT O0O0O
Originally Posted By trailsend snowbombs are better than snowballs . . .Labuda always thinks of clever things . . . <----relentlessly throwing big huge snowbombs at disneypete because he's just so much fun ! (DDMAN26 is so far under the snow, he needs one of the bamboo thingys sticking out for air like kms has way back many, many posts ago (Thanks to Labuda!))
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 Allow me to reveal my Death Star size snow cannon. FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM FOOM
Originally Posted By trailsend FOOM FOOM ? FOOM FOOM ? What is that? Is that girly talk for snowball fighting???
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk Oh DDMAN26, since you are new, you will probably be pardoned, but mechanical devices are not allowed per treaty agreement. That is why I had to retire my Captain Jack Sparrow 2006 model canon. Trailsend, you are one fun buddy! I have always dreamed of competing in the Olymipics in the Bobsled event. WHeeeeeeeee!
Originally Posted By trailsend Well disneyfreaksk, my friend, here we go. We've got the finest bobsled on a smedley-designed bobsled course. Where do you want to be. In the sled to steer and then I'll push us off or had you rather push off? Oh, and BTW, we have great looking outfits on. We match our bobsled perfectly. We glitter!
