The Birds for the Bees

I finally built, painted and set up my new beehive.  Now all I need is bees.  They are due to arrive later this week - so I'm all set - and feeling hopeful and optimistic that this will be a GREAT year.

This is the beginning of my third year of beekeeping.  In my case, I'm not really sure I should say bee"keeping" - as I have yet to make it through a northeastern winter with the same colony.  Perhaps a better description of my bee yard is a bee hostel.  I give them a home and food (as needed) and, ideally, they share their honey with me. 

Because, in the past, I have only had used equipment - I felt the need to start fresh this year.  Perhaps it will bring me success.  Thankfully, I had some honey to sell to friends - so I was able to invest in some new hive boxes and frames.  I will be starting with two colonies this year - one in the newer of my two used hives and the other in my brand spanking new hive.  Both hives will have all new frames.

I am rather handy - but by no any means a woodworker - so I purchased my hives unassembled from Forest Hill Woodworking in Paradise, PA.  Not only was it a beautiful drive, but I must also say, Forest Hill Woodworking was a pleasure to deal with!   http://foresthillbeesupply.com/ 

Here is a little show and tell of my building and painting process.  I love creating things with my hands (even though I had lots of help with this one).  The process only made me more excited and determined to be successful with my new Italian honeybees.  I like to add a little something to each hive to make it special for me - and I'm pretty happy with my finished product.  I hope the bees like it as much as I do!

The hive kit I purchased included a hive stand, bottom board, entrance reducer, 2 deep boxes, 2 medium supers, an inner cover, and an outer cover - plus frames for each box.

The kit even included the nails.

The "puzzle" pieces waiting to be assembled.

Each corner was glued and nailed together.

1 down, 3 to go!

Assembled and ready to paint!

Painted with Glidden's Forsythia Bloom exterior paint.

Finished off with a beautiful blue bird stencil... hence the birds for the bees!

The Bees Knees

I believe that I mentioned in a past post that I am a beekeeper.  I still consider myself a novice despite the fact that 2016 is the beginning of my third year. I must admit that I am only now beginning to feel a little bit confident in my knowledge and skills.

I began with used equipment, a bunch of books, one beekeeping course, and dreams of all the honey I would harvest from my little army of bees (that would also work wonders in my garden).  I freely admit to being afraid of being stung; which, of course I have been.  It's really not that bad at all - nothing compared to a wasp. That is for certain!  In all honesty, the times I have been stung have been my own fault - by not being fully suited thinking I would be fine just taking a quick peek.  They showed me!

Beekeeping today is not for quitters.  With all the talk of colony collapse disorder, I am fairly certain that most people are aware of how difficult it is to get a colony of bees through the winter in the northern US - and truly, all over the world.  Sadly, I lost both of my colonies this winter.  I actually felt somewhat confident in the fall and early winter that at least one of my two hives would make it - especially in December when I saw them taking cleansing flights on unseasonably mild days.  I had left them plenty of honey and they appeared to be pest free.  Sadly I was wrong.  Two weeks ago, I opened both hives and found a bee ghost town.  There were virtually no signs of the tens of thousands of healthy bees that were there just a few short months ago.

Unfortunately, I am not the only one.  In fact, all of the other local beekeepers I have spoken to (many of whom have been keeping bees for decades) have also had huge losses.  It is becoming a regular process to start fresh every spring.

Despite the heartache of losing my bees, I am not ready to give up beekeeping.  On the contrary, it makes me more determined to succeed.  I truly think beekeeping is THE BEES KNEES.  Just about everything about beekeeping is magical to me.

Thankfully, I was left with close to 50 pounds of glorious honey that will enable me to start over.  I am investing in some brand new equipment and two new packages of bees.  If I didn't have this honey, I'd probably be done - as my husband isn't thrilled with spending a few hundred dollars every year to start over!

Here are some photos of my harvesting and bottling process.  I plan to share assembling, painting, and setting up my new hives in future posts, so keep watching!

Super frame filled with capped honey.

removing the wax capping

uncapped frames in the honey extractor

honey being spun out of the frames in my manual extractor

honey collecting in the bottom of the extractor

flowing from the extractor into the bucket with strainer to remove large pieces of wax

bottling into hive shaped jars

filling muth jars

The finished product: yummy raw and unfiltered honey!

Random Thoughts

I actually made time to sit down and write a blog post and guess what?  I am drawing a blank as to what to write about.  Is my mind full of its typical typhoon of thoughts and chores that I need to do?  Yes.  But for some reason none of the things in there seem to be interesting enough for me to share.  My head is in a February Funk: cold, gray, and muddy.

I have a pile of furniture waiting to be rejuvenated.  I have a garden that needs to be planned.  I have a half a dozen too many roosters that I need to re-home.  I have rooms that need to be repainted.  I have a kitchen remodel that needs to be designed.  I could go on and on, but frankly, it's overwhelming.

So, instead I will write about my random thoughts.  I've been very introspective lately.  Perhaps it's because I've spent my February doing a lot of reading - something I love - but haven't had much time for since becoming a mother.  One post on my son's school's family Facebook group changed that.  A brilliant mom suggested starting a book club and poof! I bought and devoured an excellent book.  It felt indulgent to treat myself to a big fat book when I could should have been doing a thousand other things.

The book was, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  It was delicious.  It reinforced my belief that all of us humans have struggles to bear.  We all have hardships.  Some are much, much worse than others.  Some are obvious and some are invisible.  Some are our own fault and some are completely out of our control.  And despite all of the suffering and pain that life may hand us, there is ALWAYS something beautiful and joyful - be it small and simple or grand.  We just have to look for it.  We humans are incredibly resilient.  Many people go to hell and back - and live life to its fullest despite horrific experiences.

This isn't a book review.  I haven't even mentioned the topic or setting of this book, and I am not going to.  All I will say is that it made me appreciate all the things I have to be thankful for and not take for granted in my little life.  It made me hold my child a little closer, not be so harsh with others when they upset me, be more patient of the person ahead of me in the check out line, and makes me smile at strangers.

We all choose every single day with our thoughts and actions what kind of world we are creating for ourselves (and others around us) to live in.  I am choosing a kinder, gentler, peaceful and loving world.  I will strive to remember and practice this.

Snow Days

Growing up, snow days used to be the BEST.  Then adulthood came along with a job in a hospital and a 30 mile commute... and snow days? Not so fun anymore.  Next, came parenthood - and luckily for me no more job away from home that requires me to get there no matter the weather.  Therefore, snow days are fun again. Right? Ummmmm.... I though so, until this particular storm blizzard.

My job now is taking care of a family made up of 3 humans, a canine, a feline, 25 chickens and a few hives of honeybees.  This work doesn't give me a paycheck and, truth be told, very few "thank yous." Despite this, I am so very thankful to have such a big "family" to love and care for.  A little snow shouldn't be an issue.

The snow is beautiful here.  Looking out any window of my home I see a winter wonderland. Except for yesterday.  Yesterday all I could see was WHITE.  It snowed and snowed and snowed some more.  To top it off, the wind was brutal and created shoulder height snow drifts.  The highest drifts strategically located at all entry/exit ways to our home, including the chicken coop doors!

The view from the front of my house yesterday afternoon.

A drop of advice for anyone building a chicken coop in their yard: keep it closer to the house than you think you should - especially if you live in a cold, snowy region.

The path I shoveled to the chicken coop this morning.

Cheers to 2016

So, this new years eve was very low key for us.  We went out for a nice dinner at a local brew pub and headed home with our darling 5 year old son for a quiet night watching a movie.  I'm a little embarrassed to say that all 3 of us were sound asleep well before midnight. 

Is it sad that this is how we rang in 2016? I don't know.  I was with the ones I love in a safe, warm environment with a full tummy.  That is something I personally am thankful for.  The older I get, the more appreciative I am of the little things in life.  After all, it's all the little things put together that make up our journey here on Earth.

Speaking of little things, I have been home brewing kombucha for close to a year now - and really feel that I've gotten good at it. (Shout out to my friend Erica who gave me my first SCOBY to get started!)  I only brew about a gallon at a time - just for my own consumption; although, I have gotten my husband into drinking it a little bit when I remind him how good it is for him.  I have not really attempted to get my little one drinking it - maybe because I don't think he'll like it - OR - maybe because I don't want to share it just yet! ;)

toasting the new year with homemade pear & cranberry spiced kombucha

Many people are familiar with kombucha, but for those of you who aren't - here is one (of many) views.  I personally enjoy the process of making and flavoring this slightly effervescent drink and feel that is it doing good things for my health and well-being.  I know that there are differences of opinion about this beverage - so I make no claims of what it will do for you.  Interested?  Do your own research.  If you like what you learn, try some bottled from your local health food store or restaurant.  There are several commercial brands - with lots of different flavors.  In the greater Philadelphia area, there is even a local brand on tap in many trendy eateries.  If you try one flavor or brand and it doesn't do it for you, don't give up on it all together - the flavor possibilities are endless!

freshly bottled in the second fermentation to add fantastic flavors

 Much of the fun to me is trying new flavor combinations and the creating occasional goofy names.

 
Truth be told, I was a little nervous the first time I tried making home brewed kombucha.  I even had a small bottle explode in my kitchen! But now that I've gotten the hang of it, I enjoy the process almost as much as I enjoy drinking it.  Admittedly, I find myself craving a glass of it daily.  It's almost as fun as having a glass of champagne. Almost.

Have you tried kombucha?  What do you think of it?  Interested in making your own?  There is a TON of information online.  Have fun exploring!

Plate Rack Makeover

So I bought this large plate rack from another antique dealer back in August.  Since then, it has sat in my sun room in front of the French doors that we rarely use.  It sat acquiring piles of stuff for both my booth and for myself.  I planned on painting it and hanging it over a large buffet that is also patiently waiting for me to makeover... What was the delay?  Well, deciding what color to go for and, simply put, life.

Here are some before pictures: 

It was actually already painted quite nicely with tromp-l'oeil to make it appear to have raised panels.  It just wasn't right for my space. It would have blended in too much with our freshly painted walls in Sherwin William's Windfresh White.

During:

Being the fan of milk paint that I am, and a lover of most everything blue and white (hence my blue willow collection), I chose Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Artissimo and finished it with Hemp Oil to give it a subtle sheen finish over the distressing I did by hand to show some of the former colors.  Milk paint often looks quite flat and unappealing after application.  The magic happens after it drys, is distressed to your liking, and then sealed.  Sometimes it even crackles and chips on it's own.  In my case, it didn't - so I lightly sanded the areas I wanted to look old and worn.  I then finished with hemp oil to seal it.  As you can see, I had a little help!  I applied the oil with a brush, let it soak in, and then rubbed off the excess with old socks on both of my hands (and my little helper's hands too!)  I buffed to a subtle sheen with those old socks too!  The nice part of these products, is that they are totally natural and safe to use indoors - as there are no fumes.

The piles of stuff in my dining room have been put away! 

Here is the hanging process with my husband.  We used 2 L shaped brackets at each level into the studs.  Because it is going to be holding a fair amount of weight with dishes and other glass/pottery items, this was absolutely necessary. I first made a template of the rack.  As you can see, I ran out of white paper and had to resort to newspaper.  (Which I don't recommend as it made my hands black with ink and put spots on the the wall, that I had to wash off with soap and water on a soft sponge).

Please excuse the huge amount of clutter on top of the buffet.  This is stuff for my booth and future creations!

My personal stud finding the studs. ;)

We got to this point just in time for Thanksgiving!

And here is the finished project with my Italian terracotta rooster plates and lots of little Christmas decorations.  I still need to paint over the L brackets to match the wall and shelf - but I was just too excited to get it filled with some of my favorite things - that I couldn't wait!

Ready for Christmas.  Cheers!

I'm still waiting for the depression era buffet to tell me what she wants for her makeover.  She has gorgeous lines and great legs - but has a fair amount of damage to the veneer and finish.  I am 99% sure that I will keep at least her top in the original wood finish - but haven't decided on whether or not to paint the body or just refinish with a dark stain.  I would never destroy a valuable antique by changing it's finish - but this piece is not one.

I still have to get the little black shelf up that I showed you in my last post here.  I have a spot for it, but it's waiting patiently for me to hang.  Hold on, honey, I'm getting to you!

"Junk" Collecting

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a "junk" collector.  I love old, pretty, and unique items.  My car seems to have a mind of its own when driving by a thrift shop, yard sale, or flea market... not to mention good stuff left with a "FREE" sign on it by the side of the road. Seriously, did someone really throw away that cherry dining table? And how about that antique dining chair with a broken arm?  If I don't save it, the trash collector will!  It may take me a bit of elbow grease, but I know that there is something beautiful in there waiting to be brought back to life!  I have even dumpster dived with my sweet equally crazy mother in law right in the middle of down town Kennett Square, PA.  If memory serves me right, it was the fall of 1998 and we found some cool old wooden fruit crates with brightly printed labels IN A DUMPSTER.  Yes, we climbed in.  Or maybe she was the only one to climb in.  That time.  Perhaps that is where it all began for me.  Yes.  She is definitely to blame thank for my problem skill.

I know that many people find these types of places messy, unorganized, overwhelming, and filled with junk (perhaps a little like my home?).  Okay, some of that is true - there is a lot of junk in there - but the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure is definitely true.  At least for me.  Don't get me wrong - some of that trash is still trash even to me - but beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder.  When it comes to "junking" I like to think of myself as one who wears rose colored glasses.  I see things for what they could be in addition to what they already are.  I also value the nostalgia of a well loved item.  That old serving platter that has been through countless family dinners is special.  The vintage Christmas decoration has so much more personality than today's mass produced stuff.  Perhaps it has a little chip or hairline crack - but hey, I've got my share of chips and cracks too. That's what makes me ME.

Today I had a little over an hour to go treasure hunting.  I did pretty well.  Like this antique chair for $7.  And this cool reproduction shelf for $10.  I also found some sweet milk glass dessert plates, pewter dinner plates, pewter decanter labels, and faux bone handled silverware. 

Unfortunately for me, my dear husband doesn't really enjoy supporting my propensity for "gathering."  Fortunately for me, I have a little disposable income from selling my chicken's farm fresh eggs.  So I can TOTALLY justify my pastime!  What is that old saying? Happy wife, happy life? Enough said.

Writing this blog is a great motivation to put all these newly found treasures to good use.  I am most certainly inspired to get this shelf hung and filled with beautiful junk ASAP.  After all, I have at least a few readers depending on me.  Now, is there anyone available to help me move a 600 pound upright piano?  It needs to be moved up 2 steps and down the hall because the Empire chest needs that spot so I can hang my new shelf above it...  The wheels are turning indeed.