Monday, March 21, 2011

The Merry Muddy Month of March



March is National Optimist Month. Pray tell how that happened? It happened because it is the month we need optimism.
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.  ~Bill Vaughan. As far as the month of March, what is your side of the story?

March is the month you finally realize the playground set you bought on sale in September, is still in the yard. 
Not to mention every sort of excrement; like a Whitman's sampler, has been flash frozen since November, and is ready decompose.
And the missing mailbox, is found down the road, with last months bills still sealed in their envelopes, along with water logged catalogs that have lost their sales appeal. 
And March is the month that you have a robin siting, it is a glorious site, you call your friends, but day after day, you witness the robins fighting for bare ground, over and over again amid the ongoing snow falls. It is just too much heartache to watch, so you put in a good movie instead..
 Freeze, thaw, freeze, thaw, mud, mud, and more mud, no matter how hard you try to clean, It is dirty again. So let it happen until it stops happening.
Our complexion is pale, and our spirits are weak; we actually welcome the Jehovah witnesses to our door. Anyone with a few inspiring words is welcomed.
Those seeds that were so awe inspiring in January, now look burdensome, as if to go from shoveling snow to digging in the dirt; with no rest in between, where is the humanity? 
And they say we earned an extra hour of daylight. We're just witnessing extra hours of dreaded spring trying to seek its way into our hearts. The torture of it all?

Yea, I'll wrap this up quick....
If you are an optimist, you are staying UP to see spring happen, and if you are a pessimist, like me, you are staying UP to make sure it is over!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Maple Syrup Time



The American Indians used maple syrup for sweeteners, by observing animals licking the sap from broken branches (among other things) in the spring time. 
Many farms supplement their incomes by incorporating maple syrup into their business, such as 'The Stone House' in Sharon Springs. for info...They open up their production house just during the sugar season. The dinning room is right next to the large stainless steel cookers in which they are evaporating the sap; the scent of maple syrup filters the air...it is wonderful.
Parked outside the maple house, we have waited for the summonsing waitress; which is a friendly wave of a hand, while her hair is parted by the fierce blowing wind, letting us know that our table is ready. The family hires local people to serve delicious sausage and pancakes with REAL maple syrup. The homey setting is communal and your breakfast is brought to your table family style. While seated, you get to meet your neighbors, all sharing the same special deal.  
You can also try the Farmers Museum, Sugaring off Sundays...http://www.farmersmuseum.org/programs/winter/sugaring_off_sundays
If you want to experience this wonderful intimate gathering, just click on one of the links above for times-which are limited for a short time only.

I have a recipe that I would like to share with you...my favorite Waffles.

WAFFLES

In a large bowl sift 1 3/4 cup of flour, 1 Tablespoon of baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
In two small bowls separate 2 eggs-yokes in one and whites in another.
Whip up egg whites with a whisk or beater until stiff peaks form.
To the flour mixture, add 1 3/4 cups of milk (room temperature) egg yokes, 
1/2 cup of vegetable oil,
stir with a fork to mix-do not whip, just stir until blended.
Now gently fold in egg whites, kind of loop it a few times and that's it.
Get your waffle griddle hot, spray some Pam right before you dollop the batter in the center-close and wait 3 minutes or until the light comes on-however done, should be a golden waffle.


Serve with butter and Maple syrup and add bacon or sausage.