Little House in the Big Woods

Although warmer weather is on its way, the Ingalls family soon experiences what Pa calls a “sugar snow.” Laura tastes the snow, but doesn’t think it tastes any different than usual. Before Pa can explain, he must go to Grandpa’s house for the day. That night, he returns with a big bucket of maple syrup and some maple sugar cakes.

After supper, he explains how Grandpa made buckets and troughs over the winter, then, once the sap started to flow again in the trees, he bore holes in them to collect it. Pa also explains how the sap is cooked and processed to create maple syrup. He says Grandpa is glad for a sugar snow: “You see, this little cold spell and the snow will hold back the leafing of the trees, and that makes for a longer run of sap” (Page 127). He says Grandpa has invited the family to his place next Monday; he plans to “sugar off” (Page 128) again and there will be a dance. Ma says she will wear her delaine, a beautiful dress she owns that was made by a dressmaker on the East Coast. The girls are very excited.