Daily Prompt: Turn, Turn, Turn
For many of us, winter is blooming into spring, or fall hardening into winter. Which season do you most look forward to?
For those in the northern hemisphere winter is melting away and spring is ready to delight our senses with a rapid expansion of the visual palette. In the northern part of Canada the Inuit have over 50 words for snow. Perhaps you have seen “pukak” which is hard snow like salt crystals, or have walked in “aqilokoq” which is softly falling snow. For those who live in areas with snow, activities such as skiing, tobogganing skating, making snow forts, having snowball fights and making maple syrup snow candy. What you have never had maple syrup snow candy, while you can remedy that in one of two ways. Firstly make plans next year to visit the Québec Winter Carnival next winter in Québec City, Canada. If a trip to a truly wonderful winter experience isn’t in your plans, then try the following recipe.
Maple Syrup Snow Candy:
Items: Snow or shaved ice, pure maple syrup, wooden spoon and Popsicle sticks.
Gather a large bowl of clean snow or shaved ice.
Pour maple syrup into a sauce pan and heat over medium high heat for about 8 – 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, and let cool about 2 minutes.
Pour the syrup over the snow and if using Popsicle sticks quickly insert them and roll the candy into a ball as it hardens. Enjoy.
Perhaps spring is your season, when nature’s palette of colors expands from 50 shades of white to using the full expression of color we can enjoy. Sure it brings April showers, but soon May flowers scent the air. Many places have festivals to celebrate spring, such as the Japanese Cherry Tree Blossom festivals. Strolling along enjoying the delight quickly awakens the desire to enjoy the warming weather, where as many say it’s not too hot or too cold.
Summer has us outside, cooking on the bbq, and getting our Vitamin D from the sunshine, just make sure you don’t over do it and get sunburn. Go past any city park and you may find old men enjoying a game of chess, teenagers playing volleyball or basketball, and couple strolling along. Summer is the season we get closest to our roots, where we forsake our modern caves, and brave the elements for large parts of the day. Camping trips, visits to the parks and waterfalls are usually on the agenda.
Fall where the leaves on many trees start to change color. In some areas such as eastern Canada and parts of the northeast USA tours are popular as people travel to see the changing of the colors. The temperature cools down reminding us to prepare for winter. Many cultures have festivals to celebrate the bountiful harvest at this time of the year.
Of course those who live south of the equator are about 182 days out of sync with us northerners. Giving us the chance to escape from the extremes of hot or cold.
So to answer the question, I enjoy all the seasons. I have lived where the seasons are pronounced and distinctive. I have also lived where it’s more like a seasonal variation on summer. The key is to enjoy what we have, to find things that allow us to enjoy the moment.
I could perhaps be the first to introduce Maple Syrup Snow Candy to Switzerland , we have plenty of snow but perhaps not as much as Canada. Worth a try.
I hope you enjoy it. Just use the real syrup, that artificial stuff doesn’t taste or turn out the same.
I am waiting – not so patiently – for this winter blooming into spring that you speak of! 😉
From the days I lived in Edmonton, I remember an old piece of wisdom, “Only newcomers and fools predict the weather in Calgary”. So I hope it arrives soon for you, and the Flames as they have already booked their golf times. 😛
Thank you Keith…I think 😉
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Mmmm… the maple syrup candy looks so good. I love Fall and Winter and Spring if it is cool.
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Your welcome, I always enjoy what I find posted. Thanks for the return visit and compliment.