Post by: Gregg on March 21, 2008, 12:07:44 PM
Post by: kimmer on March 21, 2008, 01:05:21 PM
We took a drive the other day, and drove by this waterfall. It's was the only nice part of the trip. Maybe I should tell y'all about it.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 21, 2008, 05:57:32 PM
OK, you've got all weekend to conger up the story! Make it good!
But I'd like to hear sneakers side of it, also! 
Post by: Gregg on March 26, 2008, 09:18:39 PM
I won't be around to find out. Maybe they'll still be talking about it when I get back.
Post by: kimmer on March 26, 2008, 09:37:13 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Mar 21 2008, 03:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
OK, you've got all weekend to conger up the story! Make it good! But I'd like to hear sneakers side of it, also!
But I'd like to hear sneakers side of it, also! Story can be read here ... and it's Sneakers approved.
http://spatulagraphics.com/kimac/bay_road/bayroad.html
QUOTE(Gregg @ Mar 26 2008, 07:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
More snow coming tomorrow! If we get 3 inches, it will become only the second time we've had 100 inches in one season since records have been kept.
I won't be around to find out. Maybe they'll still be talking about it when I get back.
I won't be around to find out. Maybe they'll still be talking about it when I get back.
Where are you gonna be?
Post by: krissel on March 27, 2008, 01:04:54 AM
Reminds me of when I was a kid and we visited my Grandparents in Florida. Grampa drove us in his big old Cadillac over a very long, rickety, wooden one lane bridge that had NO sides on it at all. My family joked about it for decades and I still have
Post by: kimmer on March 27, 2008, 03:33:01 AM
I can relate to the dreamy nightmares. Honest.
PS: Yes, it's 1:30am my time ... and I just came back in from rolling the garbage can out to the street. There's snow out there.
And I'm not making that up.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 27, 2008, 07:03:53 AM
If I get some real nice ruts and glop on my road, I'll be sure to post a shot now that I found that camera cord!
Chris K
Post by: Highmac on March 27, 2008, 09:22:18 AM
Two pairs of blackbirds are carrying nesting materials into the 'shrubbery' on the side of the garage
Oh, and a neighbour's cat has suddenly developed an even keener interest than usual in the 'shrubbery' on the side of the garage
Post by: Gregg on March 27, 2008, 07:29:04 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Mar 26 2008, 09:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Where are you gonna be?
Hello from soggy southern Illinois! We got out of Wisconsin before any snow fell. Maybe there wasn't any! I should check a weather page.
Post by: RNKIII on March 27, 2008, 08:58:51 PM
We are headed to Chicago tomorrow to see youngest son in his current play.... Hope weather holds to this scheme and we have good roads down and back...
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: kimmer on March 27, 2008, 10:07:29 PM
Bob - have a safe trip.
Chris, where's a good place online to buy some of that delicious maple syrup?
Did I tell y'all that we had a gray fox walk down the street the other day? In broad daylight. He sauntered into the vacant lot across from us and took off. The dogs in the neighborhood have been going crazy.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 28, 2008, 07:00:28 AM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Mar 27 2008, 11:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Chris, where's a good place online to buy some of that delicious maple syrup?
I don't know the answer to that! However, I know several maple producers around here who ship all over the place. And I'll see if any of them have an online service. Might be an old-fashioned phone call and send a check!
Also depends on what you want for grades... we up heah tend to like the "Grade A Dark Amber" which, while not as sweet as the "Fancier" grades has a lot of maple flavor.
Either way, I can hook you up!
Chris K
EDIT: Ok, I looked around a bit, and these folks are just a few miles down the road from us, and they have very reasonable retail pricing compared to some I've seen: Maple Syrup
Post by: kimmer on March 28, 2008, 03:42:23 PM
http://www.vermontmaple.org/
and enjoyed "learning". I've only tasted the real deal stuff ONCE in my life. A friend sent me this itty-bitty-teeny-tiny bottle - just enough for one small pancake and I had to share with Sneakers. It was sooo much better than Log Cabin.
Anyhow, I want some real-deal Vermont maple syrup this year. I want some of the sugar to bake with as well.
I don't know zippity-do-dah about the grades of syrup (except for what I read this morning). I'll check out that link you posted and make a decision or three.
Thanks.
PS: I'll get back to you on the email -- I have to go downtown and run errands. Sneakers is laid up and I'm "it" for everything right now.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 28, 2008, 05:20:56 PM
Still remember playing with the empty cans! Great way to populate a sand-lot city! Nice sound when you drop in a fire cracker, too...QUOTE
Sneakers is laid up
Whoa! Surf over to some 'health' sites and download some 'cures!' BTW, I think Small Dog Electronics (based in Vermont) includes a small bottle of Vermont syrup with each order (along with those little dogs, of course).
Post by: kimmer on March 28, 2008, 08:48:36 PM
QUOTE(Xairbusdriver @ Mar 28 2008, 03:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Do they still make "Log Cabin?" Still remember playing with the empty cans! Great way to populate a sand-lot city! Nice sound when you drop in a fire cracker, too...
Yeah, but it's now a division of Pinnacle Food Groups -- whoever they are. The web site states: authentic maple tasting syrup. Translation? High fructose corn syrup and maple flavors. It's not the real deal and I really hate the stuff. I usually just use butter on my pancakes. I want real-deal maple syrup -- and by gum! I'm gonna get me some. Still remember playing with the empty cans! Great way to populate a sand-lot city! Nice sound when you drop in a fire cracker, too...QUOTE
QUOTE
Sneakers is laid up
Whoa! Surf over to some 'health' sites and download some 'cures!' Now to decide what grade of maple syrup to try.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 29, 2008, 11:17:53 AM
QUOTE
KIMMER HAHAHA! He's doing better. So far we've avoided the visit to the emergency room. We'll see what the weekend brings.
Now to decide what grade of maple syrup to try.
Now to decide what grade of maple syrup to try.
AFAIAC, The best place for you to start is Grade A Medium Amber! More maple, a little less sugar than Fancy, less money, mo' bettah. Most folks who live up here use that or Dark Amber for their table syrup. If you like all the sugar you can get, though, then try the Fancy... But the Medium Amber is smack dab in the middle with a great balance of more maple flavor and sufficient sugar. I sent you an e-mail with similar recommendations and a bit more info.
Looks like this maple season might go well into April, when all the darker grades get produced, fyi!
And don't be fooled, they make great syrup in New York, Maine and New Hampshire, and some in Massachusetts too! Of course, we in the Green Mountain State think ours is the best!
YUMM!!!!!
Chris K
Post by: Paddy on March 29, 2008, 12:13:06 PM
Trader Joe's in South Portland is another good source if you're in that vicinity. And the Co-op in Corvallis also has it in bulk if memory serves. (Can't find it on their web site, but you have to know the SKU number for that) I still have a plastic squeeze bottle that I bought there and labelled "maple syrup" to re-use for buying it in bulk.
You really don't want to order it online from the smaller producers unless you want to benefit the post office/UPS - the shipping will be a small fortune. I checked one of the suppliers at random and a one quart container shipped to OR would cost over $26! The maple syrup itself wan't too bad at $15.99/quart, but the shipping and insurance is over $10 and that's just USPS.
Last time I bought it at Costco (a couple of months ago) a 1 L bottle, which is pretty close to a quart, was $11.99.
Amazon.com's grocery section also has a fair selection of New England maple syrup - prices are more like $19 for a quart though. But shipping is free over $25.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 29, 2008, 01:10:14 PM
Chris K
Post by: kimmer on March 29, 2008, 01:17:25 PM
Scary, isn't it?Paddy, thanks for the heads up. There are a couple of growers that have free shipping. I just haven't finished comparing prices of syrup.
We still have a Costco membership and are hoping the weather clears so we can go over before we lose it (it's too far and too expensive to use twice a year). I can get free shipping at Amazon anytime -- I'm attached to Amazon, or it's attached to me like a growth (have a prime acct).
Boy would I love to shop at a Trader Joes. *sob*
Sneakers just told me that Ray's here in town carries Vermont Maple Syrup. Let's see -- it's possibly from 2005 and the price is sky high -- but Hey! Let's nail the tourists! HAHAHA
Since I now know that maple syrup freezes (thank you Chris!), I'm gonna invest and get plenty to play with. I have cake and bread recipes and a marinade recipe (it'll quit snowing on the coast eventually, right?) and ... anyhow ... should be fun.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 29, 2008, 11:38:23 PM
While I appreciate that that places like Costco and Trader Joes have cheaper syrup, they are buying bulk syrup from God-Knows-Where.
Even though I do appreciate the idea of value with maple syrup from the bulk producers, I almost always get it from my neighbors. It may cost more, it may cost more to ship, but if you've ever helped out your local farmer by buying their produce, then you know what I'm talking about. I live in Chester VT, and I have been buying syrup from producers in Baltimore VT (Go ahead, Google that one!) for a long time. There are two families I've been buying from for many years, and their products have been clearly superior.
My sister lives in New Jersey. She buys from Costco and Trader Joe's in a pinch, and when I send her the real stuff, she is always ecstatic!!!
Just one person's opinion, but I am definitely spoiled by knowing and tasting where the syrup comes from!
Just one more example that you get what you pay for!
Sweetly yours,
Chris K
Post by: Gregg on March 30, 2008, 07:34:32 PM
Post by: chriskleeman on March 30, 2008, 10:25:14 PM
Yeah, we didn't either... just froze up all the maple trees after it blew through!Chris K
Post by: Paddy on March 31, 2008, 07:31:28 AM
And I agree with Chris re: taste and grade - stick with the (cheaper) amber or dark.
Post by: chriskleeman on March 31, 2008, 09:47:48 AM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Mar 31 2008, 08:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Well, Chris - I've had lots of small grower stuff too - even gone to sugaring off parties and had it straight from the washtub over a fire - and while it may have a certain slight edge in taste all I can say is REAL maple syrup from Costco is WAAAAAAAY better than Aunt Jemima anything!! Sort of like comparing a Lexus to a Lada. The Costco syrup vs. the individual producer is more like comparing a Lexus and a Mercedes.
And I agree with Chris re: taste and grade - stick with the (cheaper) amber or dark.
And I agree with Chris re: taste and grade - stick with the (cheaper) amber or dark.
No doubt! Auntie who???
For me, the small batch/grower thing is about knowing my neighbors, buying syrup locally, etc... but I'm lucky, I live in Vermont!
But I would agree, especially for cooking, if you can find Grade B or Grade A Dark Amber (the old Grade B) cheap at Costco or Trader Joe's it's very cost-effective. And if you've got a family to feed, definitely the way to go to put real syrup on the table!
Now I've helped collect sap, but never had it from a washtub over a fire! YUMMM!!!
I'll put my money where my mouth is, watch your mailbox in a few weeks!
Chris K
Post by: RNKIII on March 31, 2008, 11:15:09 AM
We are getting 'hammered' again.....Right now we have about 3-4" of VERY HEAVY WET SNOW on the ground since 7 this morning!!!
And it's coming down heavy still..... Schools are closing early, west of here, and I suspect ours will as well..
Looks like it got here a day early.
p.s. my brother and a few friends make maple syrup.... and I'm one of the beneficiaries
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: Gregg on March 31, 2008, 12:15:26 PM
Post by: RNKIII on March 31, 2008, 12:47:27 PM
School closed here at noon...
I got called to drive to LaCrosse to pick up a truck... told them yes, but then went outside... Common/good sense prevailed and I said 'no'.
Don't know if the found someone else... but I feel better about not going..
Bob K. rnkiii
Post by: kimmer on March 31, 2008, 01:18:39 PM
Woke up to freezing temps again this morning, but no snow on the ground. I know it's like dandruff to all of you, and I'm not comparing, but I'm honestly tired of waking up to snow on the beach at the end of March. I really am. :-/ I lived a lot of years in deep snow country and grew weary every winter, so I know how you folks feel -- and that's why I wouldn't move back there for love nor money. (Sneakers once considered -- until he saw the look on my face -- a job in Ohio.)
Anyhow, we finally have a sunny day and the temps might break out of the 40's -- which means we are heading back to more normal stuff. So hopefully this nicer weather will begin heading YOUR way.
Now back to the sweeter part of the thread ...
... I wanna try maple syrup straight from the washtub over a fire. WHAAAA! I bought a pint bottle of Grade A Dark Amber at Ray's* the other day and tasted it as soon as I got home. YUMMY! Sneakers has promised to make me pancakes either tomorrow or Thursday. *I had 3 choices: Canadian $$$$, Canadian $$$ and Californian $.
I opted for the Canadian $$$. The Californian $ seemed mighty suspicious to me. 
Post by: chriskleeman on March 31, 2008, 01:29:03 PM
Luckily, we started out with some light sleet and snow this morning, and it's changed to light rain, which is much better. Temps are now in the low 40's so nothing's going to freeze any more today!
Tomorrow might be kinda wild, with 50 MPH gusts and Thunderstorms, and the temperature might be up into the 60's in some spots. We've still got substantial snow in the yard and hopefully there won't be too much rain, too fast.
That system that is in the middle of the country looks huge, Gregg and Bob!... supposed to roll through here tomorrow with the above mentioned wild weather, I'll get my helmet out!
Kim, glad to see you got a temporary fix!
Chris K
Post by: Paddy on March 31, 2008, 07:32:40 PM
California HAS Sugar Maples??? Where?....There is a street named Sugar Maple Place in Chula Vista, but you're not going to convince me that they actually grow in Chula Vista! There's a Sugar Maple Drive in San Jose (which has a slightly better chance of actually being able to grow a maple than somewhere near San Diego)...but those things that turn red in the fall in SF and have maple-like leaves aren't maples - they're Liquidambar, or Sweet Gum. I've sometimes seen Canada mistakenly shortened to "CA"...
Post by: kimmer on March 31, 2008, 08:46:26 PM
QUOTE
California HAS Sugar Maples??? Where?
That's what I thought. Had the city and state, so not a mucked up Canada abbreviation. I'll try to remember to check the bottle for more info next time I'm in Ray's.