Maple News
Here in Vermont, we use maple for everything, including emergency medicine, and, in the immortal words of SNL, here “you can put your weed” in maple too! Those are two topics that definitely won’t be discussed at the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers 2020 Conference, which will be held online this year. (The University of Maine Extension Service is also holding a webinar on beginning home maple syrup production.)
In celebrity maple news, Rob Gronkowski was put up to his recent, wacky butter-and-maple comments by Jimmy Fallon. Weird.
There are many things over which we lack control at the moment, but, for the lucky, what to serve for Thanksgiving dinner isn’t one of them. Care to take the maple challenge this year and slip that flavor into every dish? Here’s how: serve a Turkey Breast Roulade paired with Slow Roasted Yams with Rosemary and Maple Candied Walnuts, Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprouts with Pecans and Cranberries, and Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles. Finish with a slice of Roasted Pumpkin or Maple Pecan Pie and a mug of Hot Maple Pumpkin Spice. Now we feel better!
Backyard News
We’re still out there doing incredible things in our backyards, whether it’s running an ultramarathon in endless backyard loops, building a backyard BMX bike ramp, starting a backyard food pantry for the community, getting ready to play hockey on a backyard rink, or fostering a hive of bees.
The COVID winter backyard is reportedly shaping up to be one of fire pits, pizza ovens and patio heaters. But watching backyard birds at the feeder (also here) and gazing at the stars (and here), like all the best things in life, are free.