Soulemama Giveaway with the NaturalKids Team!

Soulemama is hostessing a giveaway with some members from the NaturalKids Team. Click on over to enter to win one of our playsilks, along with other goodies from our natty friends!

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/04/soulemama-sponsor-natural-kids-.html#comment-6a00d8341c4ea853ef0134801a87bd970c

Deep Fried Peeps

So, what do you do with those nasty left over peeps no one wants to eat after Easter anyway?

Well, if you happen to know a potter (which we do.), and if he happens to be firing his wood-fired kiln (which he was)...we highly suggest bringing the peeps!

Thanks to Ryan Dalman and his family with Dalman Pottery...They taste much better kiln fried!

Below are some of Ryan's lovely pots. For further inquiries, he may be reached at dalmanpottery@gmail.com

Sugar Loop 2010 - From Sap to Syrup

From Sap to Syrup...

Mojo and Rad boilin' down sap. This is an all day process of feeding the fire and adding sap. It takes a little over 40 gallons of sap to equal one gallon of syrup.

We bought a new stainless steel pan this year...it's so lovely!
Thanks to Paul at
stainlesssteelcreations
for such a nicely made pan.

Sap at a rapid boil.

Kiah and Ona call it a day and make the trek home. 

We transport the remaining sap to our outdoor kitchen. Here we boil it down on the stove. We take it to 119 degrees, then strain it from the faucet into jars.

The jar on the left is from the "first run" batch. The jar on the right is from the 2nd run.

This painting from our dear friend, Jen, sums it all up...Maple sap is such a blessing! Making your own maple syrup sure makes you feel "connected" because you know right where it's coming from!

Sugar Loop 2010 - From Maple Tree to Sap

From the Maple Tree to Sap...

Maple Trees are a blessing!  

We tapped 70 trees this year beginning March 3rd and untapping April 5th.

Following are photos from our Sugar Loop Day 1 thru Day 4...Tappin' Trees:

Make a hole in the tree at an upwards angle (about 10 degrees) with no more than a 2" depth. 

Hole waiting for a tap...the sap is already drip, drip, dripping.

 Kiah digs in her bucket for a tap.

Milo hammers the tap into the hole.

Diggin' out the arches.

Collecting firewood for the upcoming fire.

Don't forget to taste the sweet sap right from the source!
Look for our next post "From Sap to Syrup" in the next few days.

Celebrate the Earth!

Come celebrate the Earth with Us!

Etsy's Natural Kids Team is having a gynormous sale! Beginning April 14th, 55 shops will be offering different sales or giveaways.

Our shop in particular is offering 10% off from April 14-22.

Plus, we have a little gnome picture in one of our listings! If you 'find' the gnome, let us know and you will receive a naturalkids team pdf booklet about connecting kids to nature, making yummy recipes, and how to make simple toys and crafts yourself. This pdf was made possible through generous contributions from members of the naturalkids team.

To see participating shops and for further details, come visit the NaturalKids' Blog.

 

You may also simply search "naturalkids team earth day" on Etsy

The Enchanted Cupboard Giveaway Winner Announced!

Drumroll please....
And the winner from the Earth Day NaturalKids Blog-a-thon and The Enchanted Cupboard giveaway is...

Momma Rae! Yay Momma Rae! May you spend many days playing with this cute little set!
Thanks to all who entered!