Sometimes I live in a Zoo (or Farm)

It's been a crazy week at our house. There were 2 birthdays and 2 birthday parties. I spent a night away with the boys, treated one for pink eye and got it myself. We also grew our critters by leaps and bounds. Mittens had 5 kittens Saturday/Sunday. There is one that looks just like her. 

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​And then these came along Monday night. The 4 yellow ones will be chicken dinner, and the 3 brown ones should be laying hens. They are currently in my basement, and by the end of this week should be moved outside when the temps are higher. 

Last weekend, I pulled the taps from our maple trees after collecting around 75 gallons of sap to make syrup. I did get some of it cooked down, but it's sure a long process. Friday night I had my fire going for 7 hours, and cooked 10 gallons down to about 2. That's still a long way from being syrup. I even had the fire hot enough to make my blocks around the fire crack.

New book cover and proof should be to the printer by the end of this week.... I can't wait!

Book Progress and signs of Spring

Last week, I was one of many people enjoying the beautiful spring-like weather. We really didn't have a bad winter like last year, but it was long enough to appreciate warm temps and sunshine. The boys and I went for a few walks and a bike ride over the weekend. 

Proof #2 came to me yesterday, and I'm making pretty good progress on reading it over to make any additional corrections. This book is a little shorter than the first one, but without adding too much fluff, I feel it's a complete story. This book takes the same characters from the first book but is told from the perspective of Becca and her husband Boone. They are trying to grow their family with difficulties, and is aptly titled Trying. We're still on track for a May release, and hopefully (fingers crossed) it will be avalible in time for Mother's Day. 

I tried to tap my trees last year for maple sap to make maple syrup, but didn't follow through with it. This year, with a little more knowledge, I have collected over 30 gallons of sap. That sounds like a lot, right? It takes 40 gallons to make 1 gallon of syrup. You can learn more about the process and some fun facts at the Minnesota Maple Producers website: www.mnmaple.org