Our sugaring season was short - and not that sweet this year in Northeast Minnesota.  We have had warm temperatures that told the trees to "think spring."   The maples were starting to bud out as soon as I started to tap the trees.  I collected sap with my kindergarten students for about a week and we only collected about 4 gallons before the sap started turning a yellowish tint (an indicator that the season is done).  I wasn't even going to boil down what we had collected, but the weather yesterday was so beautiful - I needed a good excuse to be outside.

With such a small amount of sap, the process went quick.  I am so glad I have the experiences of previous years to build upon, the process this year was quick, easy and fun.   The 4 gallons yielded just under a pint of dark (late in the season) maple syrup.  I am excited to share the yields of our efforts with my kindergarten students this week.  (My own kiddos had their fair share of tastes along the way.)