The Maple Syrup Miser
Over the weekend Matt and I came to the conclusion that I am a maple syrup miser. I was telling him about snow candy from the Little House on the Prairie books--maple syrup poured over snow for a homespun candy treat. With his admiration for all things old-timey he immediately said "Well, we've got enough snow! We should try it." But, I couldn't agree, even though I was the one who brought it up. I cannot risk wasting a drop of precious maple syrup on an endeavor like that. I guess I've read one to many misadventure stories with this project to risk it. And so we laughed and Matt and I agreed that I am indeed a maple syrup miser. Its just so expensive if you buy the stuff that really came out of a real tree! We cannot bring ourselves to purchase it regularly. There are so many other more affordable toppings for pancakes--jellies and jams of all sorts, fruit syrups, honey, peanut butter, and so on. And there is the much more affordable and local honey option for other recipes where a natural, liquid sweetener is called for.
Matt's aunt Verna has generously bequeathed to us a pint of her amazing homemade maple syrup just last month though. And I am savoring every single drop. I even lick my plate. Literally. And Matt shakes his head with a smile.
I can relate; I find myself in a similar situation with the Schatzke family dill pickles! For years, all I have wanted to do is share them and let my friends and roommates know how good they are. But then the jar gets opened and people show zero self control, eating them all before I get any! So then I have to be all sneaky and hide extra jars and stuff to the point that I feel silly...but not silly enough to sacrifice my pickles!
ReplyDeleteHa! I can totally understand. (And I seem to recall jars stashed in your room back in Bozeman for safekeeping!) Those pickles are damn good. Its worse for you since you grew up on them, too! I just developed a liking for them in the past decade. I was offered a store-bought pickle some time ago. The person who offered it said, "They're REALLY good." So, I thought, sure, why not? Man, it was gross. Not crisp at all and not the "right" flavor. I have been warped, too.
DeleteI should add that I have never tasted my favorite Aunt Verna's maple syrup, in case she ever reads this blog. I guess maybe I need to send her something nice from the coast to get things started...
ReplyDeleteI don't know what we did to deserve the honor. Oh, but I'll take it!
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