Recipes

March 8, 1820

 

The calendar is saying that spring is only two weeks away, but someone needs to tell Ol' Man Winter that. For today we awoke to at least a foot of the frosty white stuff...and just when my cousin and I were talking about picking up seeds at the local general store for spring planting. So, when life gives you snow, you make maple snow taffy! You see, March is Maple Month and when that sap starts to flow I get a hunkering for that sweet stuff we call maple syrup.

 

So today I took my cousin's children, Abraham and Cora, out behind the homestead and we made delightful maple syrup taffy on the fresh, clean snow. All you need is some maple syrup, a pot suitable for heating it at a high temperature, a candy thermometer, freshly fallen, clean snow and a pie pan to pack it in. Just be sure to take care and do this carefully, as the syrup gets hot--mighty hot! Check out the directions here courtesy of The Kitchn on how to make this fine treat.

 

February is always National Pancake Month, folks--did you know that? When I was growing up, my ma and pa called them flapjacks but I just call them tasty! Instead of making the usual standard pancake (not that there's anything wrong with that) why not check out this here Bon Appetite page and tuck into some scrumptious variations including lemon-ricotta pancakes, spiced coconut pancakes, and more. Get the maple syrup and butter handy--and you can thank ol' Jacob later!

 

January 30, 1819

 

If this diary has seemed a little quiet lately, it's not for want of trying. One morning we all awoke to the chills, fever like a hot poker, achy bones from head to toe…oh, no! The demonic flu struck my cousin's household and spread through us like a flame set to dead crops on a dry summer's day. In between fits of coughing, there wasn't much we could do except keep the fireplace alit and drink hot toddies. This soothing elixir was a godsend and even my cousin's wife Virginia made the little ones sip them straight through to the bottom.

 

Even if you're in tip-top shape, imbibing this lemony drink will help those bitter cold winter days go by a little faster. See the recipe for yourself at Refinery29. By the way, this warm-me-up--or others such as hot chocolate or coffee--makes for perfect sipping from my Classic Tin Cup.