Maple Syrup Time!

We sometimes help make maple syrup. I really like the stuff. I like to put it on everything. I like to drink it by itself. I like making it. 

Usually Fuzz isn't quite back to work around the maple syrup season which means we have the time to help out, and if you know anything about making this delectably sweet liquid you'll know that it takes a long time. So we spend a lot of time sitting in the sweet smelling shack, boiling sap down into maple syrup. The next few photos are from a couple years ago. 

It was a little less wintery this time around. The snow was pretty much gone when we were there this year. This year I took a walk around the farm and took some photos of a few other things other than syrup. The best eggs come from this place; free range organic chicken eggs, and now duck as well! 

  

(The wood stove for boiling sap. Keeps the shanty warm and toasty and smelling so sweet!) 

 One of the most peaceful places I know of! 

Looking for something...

A couple weeks ago we were out for a walk in the woods. Hunter was running around as he usually does, following his nose, most of the time staying within view but we'll often be walking along and realize that we don't see him anymore. When that happens we stop and listen to see if we can hear the snapping of twigs and branches, and if we don't hear him we give a whistle and a call and he usually comes bounding out through the trees. He's a pretty good dog.

 At one point on this walk we lost him for a few moments. We stopped to look around and see if we could see him. When we spotted him he was running at full speed through the bush beside us. 

He was chasing this deer. 

A couple days later we were out in the same area searching for sheds; the antlers that fall off deer after the rut is finished. We've been out searching for sheds before. Basically we follow along well used deer paths in hopes of finding something. Before this year we had been unsuccessful. This year however we found a few interesting pieces. 

 Fuzz found these antlers, but unfortunately they weren't from a deer shedding them. This one died some time ago judging by the discolouring from algea growth. I wonder if it was part of the same one we found near the same area last year?

  And what do we have here in the snow! 

Our first shed! And a nice one at that! 

We brought both home and hung the skull on the wall (after a little cleaning of course).

And if you were wondering where little Penelope was while we were walking, take a look at Fuzz's big coat. She fits nicely underneath in a carrier until she's big enough to hunt for sheds with us!

A Winter Escape

For the last four or five years, my family has been making the trip up to Steenburg Lake in the summer for vacation. Over the years it's been getting harder to get everyone together at the same time. Summer is a busy time and for some and it's harder to get off work. This year, to be sure that everyone would be able to make it for the full week, we decided to go in the winter! 

 It was a beautiful week! We had pretty much every kind of weather while we were there. 

There was a thunderstorm the first night, then the temperature dropped for a few days down to around -30°C. We still all bundled up to enjoy the outdoors though. 

Here's just a few shots of the winter splendor we beheld there last week.

 

Now today it's supposed to reach 14°C and all our snow here at home has melted for now. I already can't wait until next year to head to our winter wonderland! 

Meet Little Penelope!

 So, early in the morning on December 8th, this little girl decided she wanted to see what the world outside my belly is all about. 

This is Penelope. She was just a wee little thing weighing 6 lbs. 11 oz. when she was born. 

She's got cute tiny little hands...

And cute tiny little feet... 

As well as lots of cute tiny little expressions... 

 And we just love her!