Oh Canada, my home and native land....

I'm not Canadian. However, July 1st is Canada day! And let's face it.... how much of an excuse do you really need to have a party? Also, using the excuse that one of my coworkers is from Vancouver, we threw a party. Of the waffle variety. Why? Waffles = Syrup. Maple syrup. However, real maple syrup costs an arm and a leg, so obvious we used the imitation variety. Known to most as "regular".

Fun fact: I grew up making maple syrup. This fact coupled with the price of maple syrup leaves me bemused. I mean... the process is pretty simple:

-Wait for a time of year with a lot of freeze and thaw. Early spring is pretty ideal.

-Find a maple tree. One that is six inches across or larger (Tapping one smaller will kill the tree. Which is mean.)

-Cut a four inch long, 1 cm in diameter copper pipe

-Insert pipe into plastic tubing that connects down to an empty, clean milk jug.

-Drill a hole in the tree deep enough to put the copper pipe in without it falling out.

-Wait. For 12 hours or so. Depending on the sap flow.

-Take the sap, pour it into a pan, and heat to boiling.

-Boil down into syrup.

-Um. Charge 2 dollars per ounce and make a ridiculous profit. Or eat it.