It happens once a year for a few short weeks. The weather has to be just right and all of a sudden you wake up one morning and it's time for a visit to the sugar bush. Maple syrup season has arrived. March into April is officially Maple Syrup season in Ontario.
The days are warming up and the nights are just cold enough. Though you can't feel it, there's a stirring underneath us that reaches deep into the cold dormant earth. There's a quickening, a gentle awakening from a deep winter's slumber. The maple trees begin to stir and come alive again. The sap begins to flow through their trunks and a sweet elexir that we have come to enjoy is extracted from these wise trees. Maple syrup is on its way and the taste of sweet, sticky, golden liquid leaves me with a craving for sugar snow and steaming hot pancakes with melting butter dripping down their tender, fluffy sides ready for every mouthful to be savoured.
Each year, during maple syrup time, I am transported back to fond memories of an excited little girl going to the sugar bush with my elementary school class and making snow taffy with my classmates. Hay rides with horses taking us through the sugar bush while our peals of laughter rang through the woods as we breathed in the sweet air that wafted out of the sugar shack. When I go to the sugar bush, it's a pilgrimage of sorts for me as I remember the many fun-filled trips to the sugar shack. The same eagerness and excitement I felt when I was seven years old takes hold of me as I plan my trip to the sugar bush each season. Would you like to go to the sugar bush with me?
The Sugar Bush -- PURCHASED
The Sugar Bush right angle view and below is the left angle view.
The days are warming up and the nights are just cold enough. Though you can't feel it, there's a stirring underneath us that reaches deep into the cold dormant earth. There's a quickening, a gentle awakening from a deep winter's slumber. The maple trees begin to stir and come alive again. The sap begins to flow through their trunks and a sweet elexir that we have come to enjoy is extracted from these wise trees. Maple syrup is on its way and the taste of sweet, sticky, golden liquid leaves me with a craving for sugar snow and steaming hot pancakes with melting butter dripping down their tender, fluffy sides ready for every mouthful to be savoured.
Each year, during maple syrup time, I am transported back to fond memories of an excited little girl going to the sugar bush with my elementary school class and making snow taffy with my classmates. Hay rides with horses taking us through the sugar bush while our peals of laughter rang through the woods as we breathed in the sweet air that wafted out of the sugar shack. When I go to the sugar bush, it's a pilgrimage of sorts for me as I remember the many fun-filled trips to the sugar shack. The same eagerness and excitement I felt when I was seven years old takes hold of me as I plan my trip to the sugar bush each season. Would you like to go to the sugar bush with me?
The Sugar Bush -- PURCHASED
This painting is acrylics on canvas (24 x 36 inches). This painting has been donated to a silent auction that will take place at a gala that I am invited to attend. Money raised from the silent auction will go to support programs at a mental health center in our community, to raise awareness and help to de-stigmatize mental illness. This is one cause that I truly believe in and will advocate for. Post a comment on my blog site, I would love to hear from you. Below are some other views of the painting. Ciao for now, Maria.
The Sugar Bush right angle view and below is the left angle view.
Okay, now this painting makes me want to go and check out the maple bush. I like maple syrup and pancakes so you can count me in on a trip to the sugar shack. Are you sure you are not a writer too? This is pretty cool stuff. From a nature lover.
ReplyDeleteWow! what a painting. It sucks me right in to the deep woods and the snow is just perfect. You can feel the snow. If this had not been donated for a good cause, then, I would offer to purchase it. Good stuff here! Larisa in Toronto.
ReplyDeleteGreat painting. Has your art been exhibited in galleries yet? Am sure your paintings would be well received. Bravo Maria! Quelles couleurs! Jean-Marc, Montreal, PQ
ReplyDeleteThe sap is running in this incredibly warm March in eastern Ontario. Maria--you have captured this time of great exhilaration for the winter-weary perfectly! The snow is great, but let's bid it adieu! Seriously, you seem like a very promising artist. You will do well! Leslie
ReplyDeleteI live in Prince Edward County and the sap is running this season already. Spigots and lines are ready and have been collecting the first run of sap from the trees. This is a great time of the year for maple syrup lovers. The snow is pretty much gone though. Great painting. You have captured the sugar bush just so. H. Smith & R. Scrim, PE County, ON
ReplyDeleteI attended the fund raiser that was held for the mental health center. This painting was beautiful. The artist has captured a Canadian sugar bush. You could feel the snow and you could feel yourself winding your way through the maple trees. A warm and inviting painting. J. O'Neil, Ottawa
ReplyDeleteHi Maria, I met you tonight at the clothing swap. I love this painting, Kathrin
ReplyDelete