Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Sweet Goodness





It takes time. It forces you to slow down. To pay attention. To be aware. To be in the moment. Patience is required. And a little laughter too. We spent a good part of our weekend tending the fire, patiently watching as the last of our sap boiled down to maple syrup. Oh what a process. We are by no means efficient at this, it is after all only our second year collecting sap from four very old trees in the backyard. We boil it down on a wood stove in our little cottage in the backyard and bottle the pure liquid gold that results from our time spent watching and waiting, waiting and watching.

It is a process; a long, slow process that reminds me of the life we are choosing to live. A life in the slow lane. A life enjoying the little things. A life lived with awareness and intention. A simple life full of good things, such good, sweet things.

26 comments:

  1. Wonderful Kim,
    We had a very slow Easter weekend too!
    It´s soo good, it´s healing even!
    After some time in the fast lane!
    I am not yet as far as you concerning life though, it is sometimes to fast for me!

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    1. Thanks Karen. Glad you had a lovely Easter. Life gets too fast for all of us sometimes, it is up to us to control the speed of it :)

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  2. It certainly does take patience as I'm beginning to learn too. I get the feeling it's worth it though.

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  3. Maple syrup is indeed gold. Better than gold I'd say, since gold just doesn't compare in taste ;)
    I can't believe this adorable cottage is yours, I love it!! Just a tad bit bigger and I'd move in!

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    1. I am with you, better than gold. And thank you! We actually built it as a little guest house, we just need to get a futon for it and it is set.

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  4. I love slow. But every time I think I'm going extra slowly, I realise I can slow life down even further...! I love maple syrup too :) xx

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    1. Me too! So funny how that happens. I find the same with simplifying my life, I think I have reached a point where I can't simplify anymore and then I find something else to simplify. I have to admit I do love that part about moving slowly though, discovering that we can slow down even more and still get exactly what we need as a family out of life.

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  5. Yippie! My mouth is watering. :)

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  6. I'm making a mental note to myself.....when we visit Kim, make sure we go at this time of the year. I LOVE maple syrup. Organic maple syrup is expensive here.....we only have it occasionally. Enjoy! xxoo

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    1. I love that you say "when" I can't wait for you to visit :)

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  7. Looks like fun - I bet the heat of the boiling goes perfectly with a chilly, early spring day!

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  8. I just received some syrup from my dad, homemade. Love it! Now I race a mile a minute in my head, and I would love to slow down just a little mentally.

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    1. It is the best! I think the mental slow down is so tough, I have to remind myself to calm my mind sometimes. I can be wondering in the woods and yet my mind is going so very fast.

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  9. Yum! Nothing better than homemade maple syrup. Isn't funny how so many homesteading tasks cause you to slow it all down and take it all in? It's a lesson I'm am still learning. Thanks for the reminder Kim! :)

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    1. You are so right, nothing better :) Yes on the homesteading tasks, they all force you to slow down and enjoy the moment of the task. Good lessons for us :)

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  10. It seems like such a fun thing, boiling down your own maple syrup. I love that you share your adventures in living more simply. It is always inspiring.

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    1. It is a ton of fun, and we enjoy it. Thank you Sara, that means a lot :)

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  11. I know that people do this in my part of the world, too. I just can't ever figure out exactly when. Looks divine!

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    1. It is! We boiled down a little more last night and had it on our pancakes this morning. Divine is the right word :)

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