I Caught a Swarm!!!...and then they left...and Now They're Back!!

Yesterday, the 10 year old and I cracked open the bee hives to remove the Queen boxes from within and place the brood frame back in.

When we opened it, there were two veils of wild comb hanging from the lid.
I find it so amazing how obsessive compulsive the bees are, that they fill in a void in the hive to make sure that everything is consistant and complete.

I was surprised how much wild comb they had already constructed given they have only been here for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, in order to place the brood frame in the hive I had to remove the wild comb.

When I broke off the biggest draping veil of comb, I found that it was full of brood at all different stages of development. I felt so guilty that I took out a brood frame from one of the ends and placed the wild veil into an end slot. This way, I won't loose the brood that is already laid but I can also work the hive if it is just one end that is wild.

After removing the Queen boxes and getting everything settled, the 10 year old and I were sitting in the garden talking about what we had found, and eating some of the fresh uncapped honey that was on the wild comb. It was delicious, and we enjoyed every bite.

While enjoying one of the last bites, my phone rang, and it was a neighbor about 8 blocks away who said they had a swarm in their bushes. They knew to call me because of a previous conversation that we had had when they told me that they had a swarm in their eaves, and wanted me to remove it. But that is another story...
Anyway, I told them I would be right there.
The 10 year old and I loaded up the jeep with all of our equipment and were on our way.

We found the swarm in a hedge about 4ft off of the ground. I took my big plastic storage box and cut the branch. The bees fell in the box and I put the lid on it. Easy as pie!

We brought them home and I went scrounging for an extra hive.
In about 15 minutes I had a piecemeal hive put together and we sprayed the swarm with some sugar water and dumped them in the hive.
I couldn't believe how easy it was!

About 5 minutes later there were bees all over the backyard. Just as if they were about to swarm again. I wasn't sure what to do, I was pretty sure I had gotten the Queen, but in reality there was really nothing I could do.

Hubby convinced me to go to the store with him, saying they would be here when we got back or they wouldn't. He was right, so we went to the store.

Low and behold when we got back, they were gone. RATS!!

After unloading the car, I told hubby I wanted to go back to the neighbors and see if there were any stragglers on their hedge.

We cruised down (box in the back) and sure enough there were some bees on the hedge.

I clipped the branch dropped them into the box and brought them home and dumped them into the hive box.

By the time the sun set I wasn't real hopeful that I had the Queen in either bunch, and chalked it all up to an interesting day.

This morning after I came down for my second cup of coffee, I thought I would go and check out the hive. As I approached the box I saw lots of activity and when I got around to the front with much joy I discovered dozens of bee's going in and out of the entrance!!!! YIPPEEE!!

I really don't know what happened. I don't know when I actually got the Queen, I don't whether she left and came back, I just don't know.

What I do know was that with all of that drama, and a little effort, I now have a new colony!

Mud, Mud, Go Away!

I don't think the carrots, collards, peas or spinach are going to make it.
I think that they drowned.
After days upon days of rain, I can only see mud.
I think I will try again, while it is still cool.
I have never had luck with the early spring stuff, or the fall stuff, and for some reason I thought this year would be different.

Himself, informed me that the tiller is still broken, and I am hoping that he works on it this weekend so we can get the bigger stuff in the ground.

Hopefully, I won't slip and fall in the mud as I go into the bee hives tomorrow!

Mud, Mud, Go Away!

These Will Make Ya Fat, But You'll Enjoy Every Bit of Em'!

An Old Friend; Dorsey Marshall was the Pastor of a church I once attended. Dorsey is a great speaker, and motivator. His sermons can bring a tear to your eye, or have you rolling on the floor with laughter, but always have everyone in the room reflect on the Gods Love and how important God is in your life.

However, Dorsey has been known to be long winded on occasion, but he would often make it up to those who regularly attended a wonderful treat of an invitation to dinner at his and his lovely family's home.

Not only can Dorsey make you cry during his orations but he is one of the best cooks that I know, and I'm sure his wonderful culinary creations have brought many to tears they are sooo delicious.

He has been making contributions on Facebook and offering a Bi-Weekly Article in his Notes called the 'Success Minute'. These little nuggets of truth and motivation are always a word in time and I enjoy them.
However, when Dorsey posted a pie recipe last week I asked him if he would consider writing his recipes on a regular basis...he never answered, but low and behold the following recipe was up on Facebook this morning.

Thanks Dorsey, I can't wait to try the recipe this Sunday. Billy's sister is coming with her husband and children, this will be a recipe they will all enjoy!
Happy Easter!

DORSEY'S SLIPPERY DUMPLINGS

This is a recipe I have used that was created by my Mother when I was a kid. We had Chicken & Dumplings for every Sunday Dinner. I like to use a fresh "old hen" for the best broth.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 T. Crisco Shortening
• 1 t. Salt
• 1/2 Cup Hot Tap Water

DIRECTIONS:
1. Blend flour, salt & shortening until the mix looks "mealy"
2. Slowly add water and mix until dough forms a soft ball. (I use a food processor)
3. Empty onto a well-floured board and roll out until about 1/8 inch thick. Sprinkle flour over strips to prevent sticking. Then, cut into 2-inch strips and cut again into 2-inch squares
4. Drop squares into hot boiling broth and cover and cook about 15 minutes on top stove or 30 minutes in 350 degree oven. Broth should make nice smooth gravy. These dumplings are great for chicken, beef and pork chops
5. This recipe will feed about 4 people, unless they are real “dumpling-maniacs” like me. ENJOY!!!!

It Was a Blustery Day in Poohville Today!!

Today was a beautiful day! What a wonderful time we had as a family.

We sat together as a family and shared a meal that I learned every step of from my Grandmother who is now passed.

My Grandaddy ate more than I've seen him eat in a long time. He's 94 and always says he's not hungry, but he ate today.

On the menu was Ham, Home Made Macaroni and Cheese with extra sharp cheddar, Cole Slaw, and Collard Greens that were cooked with some Ham bits, garlic, onions and a bit of red pepper.

Last but not least were the biscuits.

My Aunt, my deceased mothers sister was here too. I love seeing her.

Her mannerisms, some of her voice fluctuations and her beauty remind me of my mom, and I feel I get glimpses of her, here and there.

Funny how it is those bittersweet things, that bring us the most joy, yet make us feel so hopeless and helpless.

On this day of our Risen Lord, I enjoyed and am thankful for spending time with my family who is still here and who isn't.

What does the title have to do with this story? Not much, I thought when I titled it, I would talk about the constant wind and blue skys at my Granddads, but I got led in an other direction.

But it was really windy at Grandaddy's and pretty chilly.

I Finally Get to Dig!!!

Sunday was such a glorious day, and with all of my energy being focused on the City Council Elections I have been mourning the loss of my time that I so easily could have spent in the garden.
Yet, with Sunday's glory, I made up for lost time; and boy am I sore!

The kitchen garden bed is weeded and hoed, and ready for seeds.
One my readers was so | Direct Links | Movies world | Software world | Download PC Games | Mediafire Links | Celebrity Picturesthoughtful she sent me an express mail package filled with open pollenated seeds. I cant' wait to get in them and see what's there!

My Bee's arrive on the 11th, and I hope to have Himself's Troy Built Horse over here by then to turn this earth so we can get busy!

Thank you sooooo much for the seeds!

I'll keep you posted on what kind they are and what their progress is.

Toodles!

I'm calling it a night...