one door closes, to another door open.

most people spend easter weekend, having family dinners, and hiding and finding eggs, and goodies. but this year i spent it in the bush. it was only a short time ago, when i was hauled out to the bush for the first time, to start up the maple syrup season. with a drill in one hand and a bucket of hot water in the other, and a look on my face that screamed, help me! this was something i've never done, and i was clueless. and for good reason, who knew there was so much involved with tapping trees. i was surprised to see the sap start dripping out of the tree right after i pulled the drill out, and when i said to mark "it happens that quick?" he laughed. and apparently when to work and told the guys about it, and joked as if i expected there to be a switch to turn on after i drilled the hole. haha. but as the day went on and i was left on my own to tap whole lines and whole sections of the bush, i started to really enjoy it. its very satisfying to drill the hole and then see the sap run out, makes you know you picked the right spot! after that day was done, i got to see and learn and do the rest of the steps to make that wonderful treat we all love. i did everything from filling the sap tanks, to fueling the fire, to taking off a batch, to finishing a batch, to bottleing it. which i thought was the end.... untill easter weekend. when we set out into the bush with hammers, and tape and string and buckets of water, to pull and flush the lines, and close it up for another season. which isn't near as fun as tapping the trees. although there was still good times, like linnett singing away at the top of her lungs, because she had her ipod turned up and couldn't hear herself.... we all could though, haha. or the trips slips and falls we all took, or nearly missed. linnett, my boyfriends sister, wasn't so lucky, she slipped and landed with her elbow right in her bucket of water. i wasn't as graceful, i just spent the weekend accedentally kicking my bucket over and dumping out all my water, so i would have to take a trip over to the water bucket. lines were broke, and fingers were frozen, but laughs were shared, and memories were made. and i look forward to next year when it all happens again.



but just because syrup is done, doesn't mean there is rest for the wicked. nope its straight from one thing to the next. and the next this time, is baby time. no no not me! the cows! yep its time for the little calfs to pop out and explore the world. and it started with a healthy set of twins. one boy one girl. and they just keep coming. its amazing how they all have personalities. and i can't wait till they get let outside and are aloud to run around and play with each other. i'm sure it will make for some good laughs, and hopfully some stories...

home grown

there is something about people from the country or small towns. a sense of friendliness, and hospitality, you just don't find everywhere. they look out for thier neighbours, are there when you need a halping hand, or a shoulder to lean on. now i know not all people from the country or a small town, are like this, and that not every person from the city is the opposite. but its always seemed like i could count on a good home grown country guy, or girl. today proved it once again. as some of you know today we got a freak snow storm that dropped over 7inches on us. and yes its april 6th!! and on my way from my parents house, to my boyfriends house, my car and i managed to make ourself into the ditch, so far in that i could touch the corn stalks from the field from my car. so since this is the second time my car and i have managed to make our way into the ditch i was much calmer this time. i didn't scream "NO NO NO NO NOOOOOO!!" with hopes it would fix the situation and keep me from the ditch. nope this time, i just said "aww fuck" and i slid sideways into the ditch on the opposite side of the road facing the opposite direction i was heading. once i came to a stop, instead of sitting there shaking and crying and hitting the stearing wheel in anger like last time. i got out and did a walk around of my car to make sure nothing was broken. then got back in my car and called mark. who knew right away something was up. and right away asked where are you? haha so i told him, and he right away said i'm on my way. a minute later he called back to ask if he should bring the tractor instead of his truck. which we decided was a better idea. but i thought it was a better idea because he has two tractors, one with a cab and a heater, and one without. so when i saw him pulling up behind me 45mins later, on the tractor without the heated cab, it hit me. i have an amazing boyfriend. he drove 45mins in a snow storm on a tractor with no cab to pull me out of a corn field. and i felt guilty, and extremely lucky. i knew since i started dating him that i had found a great guy. and every day he proves it more and more. so i'd like to thank the good home grown men and women out there who will do anything for a friend, or neighbour.