First we needed a new drill bit for the belly drill.
Silas, Emma, Hosea, and I (the head tapper) ran to our local hardware store for a bit.
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| sap running out of fresh hole |
Put a spout in the fresh hole. If you procrastinate (prioritize) like I did this past year you can just drill next to last years tap and then pull out the spout, check for cobwebs, and put in new hole.
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| last year's spout in new hole. |
Obadiah cutting a small "X", in the top of an old water jug. These are nice because you can see how full they are from a distance, and they are weather proof in case of rain or snow. They are also about 12$ cheaper than a sap bucket.
Here Obadiah is sliding the jug onto the taps we got this year. These are designed for pipeline use but only cost .75 compared with a $2+ less versitle bucket only spout (the blue ones I got last year). 
The jug pushes up over the spout and you're all set.
Now we just wait to get enough sap to boil.Yum.
Silas is eagerly waiting for some sap. You can use a Moxie bottle if you're desperate, but on a warm day you'll have to dump it alot.
In the old days a boys tongue could get awful tired waiting for his fill of sap dripping from the tap.
Modern technology has its benefits!
7 sweet notes:
And using the jugs (especially the Moxie jug) makes it ALOT easier to drink the sap straight from the tree- much easier than pulling the bucket down and tipping it up and trying to drink around any bugs, etc! mmm!
Oh, Silas you are such a camera clown :) you remind me of Jonathan ... must be cousins :)! The water jugs are a neat idea. Sugaring is in the air :)! Such a beautiful day - even Leah and I got out. The boys don't want me to post the pictures of their operation till tomorrow (they want to surprise Dad).
I might put up a few outside pictures though.
I just showed the Moxie sap bucket to Mr V. He smiled. Yes, it will be easier than taking the bucket down and drinking out of it - as it runs out around the sides of your mouth. Moxie sap! mmm!
Moxie sap, eh, Mrs. V! I'll remember that.
Sugaring already. I love it. Spring is in the air.
You get some wonderful pictures, Nikki.
Mrs. R
Hi mrs.R,
Josh actually did all those pictures from yesterday.He spends way more time on his posts then I do on mine.:)I keep mine all the same size pictures and basically no frills.:)
These posts are bringing back maple sugaring memories for me. Although it was on a very small scale, we did use real buckets, etc. I think the jugs would actually be quite a bit easier in several ways. It seems so early for sugaring. Is it always this early up your way or is this unusual?
Hi Mrs.T,
We are definetely early this year.Having no snow is different.Although,it could still change.We are hoping that it makes special memories for our children.
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