Three Sixty Five: a year in photos: February 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

February 28, 2016

The sap seemed to be dripping at a decent rate today.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

February 27, 2016

My son competed in the regional competition for school again this year. He got first place, so in another month or so he'll travel to the state competition. Awesome!

Tractor Supply finally lowered the clearance price on the star I've been wanting since Christmas, so I finally bought it. I wanted to put it on the front of the barn, but then noticed that the whole front of the barn is either door, or space where the door slides over. The space above the top door is too small for the star, so now I'm trying to decide on another spot to hang it.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

February 25, 2016

I got the last bit of sap boiled today, and finished yesterday's. I ended up with 3.5 pints. It's that nice golden amber color right now. Later in the season it will get darker (or tomorrow, you never know).

February 24, 2016

I boiled sap from 9 A.M. until I gave up at 11:30 P.M. I had all four burners on my stove going, but it it wasn't enough to catch up to the amount of sap I had. I boiled 16-20 gallons down to one pot though. It was almost syrup, but not quite.

February 23, 2016

We gathered more sap today. We collect it in our ice coolers to store in the garage.

Monday, February 22, 2016

February 22, 2016

February 21, 2016

We tapped maple trees today. Previously, we had tapped these four large trees all the way in the back, but this year we measured some other maples and found them to be large enough now to also tap. So this year, we've got 12 buckets spread around the back third of our property.

February 20, 2016

My parents ordered a custom hutch last November. It was finally ready last Saturday, but the snow and wind was so bad we had to wait until this weekend to drive up to Amish country to get it. Today was very nice and warm. Plus, today is their anniversary, making it an even better day for new furniture. I think my mom enjoyed picking out which plates and glass to put inside. She has items in there from both of her grandmothers, and both of my grandmothers.

February 19, 2016

Our pool cover has an iceburg on it. That's OK, it keeps the cover from flapping in the wind.

Friday, February 19, 2016

February 18, 2016

February 17, 2016

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

February 16, 2016

We got several inches of wet snow overnight, so the kids got a snow day. It looks pretty on the trees.

February 15, 2016

I'm trying to make a small seasonal quilt. I've got the fall one hanging in the hall still, since it's the only one I have. I figured there's a chance I could get a summer one done by summer.

February 14, 2016

My husband and I got out a game we used to play quite often when we were dating and first married.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

February 13, 2016

It was sunny for a short time this morning. We kept getting strong winds blowing the snow around, and eventually more snow. For the last few days we've had narrow bands of snow coming from the north. It would be sunny here, while in town they're getting an inch of snow.

February 12, 2016

My husband and daughter waiting for the bus this morning.

February 11, 2016

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

February 10, 2016

It started snowing hard right around the time the kids got home. I drove out to pick up my daughter and got a photo of the bus passing a plow truck. One hour earlier there was no snow on the roads and I was wearing sunglasses while driving.

February 9, 2016

I've got 1 1/2 teapots to go.

February 8, 2016

We got a little bit of snow, but not enough to cover the grass under the trees.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

February 7, 2016

The only/best way they could get the surface grinder off the trailer was to use a piece of equipment at my house. Then they carted it a mile down the road on the tractor forks.