Friday, July 29, 2011


The Latest Buzz

While you're enjoying your busy bees, the weather, and summer specialties like gardening and lemonade, it is time to start thinking about fall in the apiary. While August is often a month of reward in the apiary- as you see the results of your nurturing, feeding and checking- it is not the time to sit back and enjoy the hives of bees, brood, and honey. The books I have read say to start feeding your bees with sugar syrup in mid- August. Well, I put two honey supers on and I am not feeding until the fall. I want honey and I am holding out for just that. If I start to feed, the honey supers will fill with water and the honey will be thin. There should be enough goldenrod and wild aster that they can rely on. We had some rain yesterday, and they are calling for more tomorrow. Your on your own honey bees.

I know overwintering success requires a strong, healthy colony of bees. The bees of mid-August are the workers feeding the bees that go into winter. You want to help them be a vibrant and industrious as possible, to ensure they take full care of the yet-to-be bees who will carry the colony over the winter and hopefully emerge next spring. With all that said, I am still waiting for my honey to come to me in the fall. Am I stubborn or what! I have a goal and that is what I am shooting for. HONEY!


Wednesday, July 27, 2011


It's More Than Just Morning Glory

A favorite of our grandmothers, nothing beats the morning glory for fast greenery and pretty flowers. Most morning glory flowers perk up and harden during the early morning and are often fully open, thus they are called. I planted mine by my swing outside and it is doing beautifully. It is attaching itself to the polls of the swing and growing upward. Morning glory vines don't need much care. In fact, other than providing them with water, the main thing to remember is what not to do: don't fertilize. You will get all vine and no flowers. They do take a long time to flower. Usually August, but I saw my first two blooms this morning and I had to show them to you!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011


Bee Beards-On Hives, Not Beekeepers!

A common honey bee behavior during hot summer weather is "Bearding" on hives. This is not a precursor to swarming, but a response to hot weather and a reduced nectar flow. Imagine living in an apartment house that was packed wall to wall with family members, with no reason to go, and it's a hot day in July. I bet you would hang out on the front porch too!

Warren County Beekeepers Association has been meeting for more than 40 years. It is a rich source of information. Many of the members have been keeping bees for more than 15 years. The way I look at it; is these long-time beekeepers have enabled newer beekeepers like myself to gain knowledge and confidence faster than we possibly could on our own!

Tonight is our potluck. I will post pictures later of the event. I got so excited about winning ten frames, and ten beeswax foundations for a honey super, I forgot to take pictures. Sorry about that!

Thursday, July 21, 2011


The Latest Buzz!

Going back to school can inspire all sorts of emotions for everyone involved, even grandparents! Dylan will be in the fifth grade this year. One more year and he will be in junior high. Can you imagine how that makes us feel? It seems like only yesterday that Brad and Jennifer were in grade school. I know, get over it, but just wait and you will find out what I am talking about.
He is spending some time with us before school starts. Which by the way, starts in Kentucky August 4th. I think that is way too early! Summer isn't even close to being over and they are going to school. How can anyone concentrate with this beautiful weather, and thinking sand and water?
While Dylan was here, he has enjoyed doing animations on the computer. Next week is Landens turn. He has already reminded us.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011


Exploring Cincinnati Shops


Wren house. A purchase at Goodwill for $1.00

The Snooty fox is a chain of upscale consignment shops in the greater Cincinnati area.

Snooty Fox Furniture Den offers furniture and accessories to decorate your home at affordable prices. Doesn't this lamp look good?

I purchased this bird bath at Lowe's. I just love the colors.


Monday, July 18, 2011







Painted Ladies

What is it? When you go out of town and you come back, everything has grown twice as tall and everything needs your attention immediately. David left this morning with the comment"Don't work too hard on the plantation today." Anyway, we went to Cincinnati to visit Brad and Meagan this past weekend. We had a wonderful time. I just love the Painted ladies, and I wanted to take pictures to show everyone. "Painted ladies" is a term used for Victorian and Edwardian houses in three or more colors that embellish or enhance their architectural details. These Painted ladies that my son photoed are in the Columbia Tusculum area, one of the ten best places to live in Cincinnati. Enjoy these beautiful pictures!

Thursday, July 14, 2011


4 Pillars Of Great Health

We ALL need to Eat,Pray, Supplement, and Exercise-and do it as a family whenever possible. So what does this mean for you and your family? It means that you ALL need to eat healthy (and at the kitchen table-together when possible), and All need to be more active (together), and All need to pray and worship (together) and you All need to take your supplements.

We always have dinner together each day. It gives us a time to talk about our day, joke around and just spend some time relaxing. I can remember when our daughter brought home a friend for dinner one night, and he was amazed that we always ate together. How sad that most families in today's society don't take time to spend time with each other.

I also believe that supplements enhance and improve health. David and I both are really into vitamins. Especially the B's,D3's and Raw probiotics. I am convinced that they make a difference.

Now exercise is something I always get. I am a very active person. On the go all the time, but I fail to walk or jog or work out. I tell myself I don't want to do this by myself. This one I am slacking on. Give me some encouragement please.

Of course God comes first in our lives. No need to explain that one. That's just how it is!

Friday, July 8, 2011




Time With Friends

This morning we had the chance to hang out with some good friends. As a matter of fact; friends for 28 years. These friends don't focus on who you know, or what you look like isn't as important as who you are. We understand each other and our lives. Elaine is a super cook. Breakfast consisted of ham, scrambled eggs, biscuits and cantaloupe. Some of my favorites. Followed by a catch up time with a tour of their garden. Then it was back to work for David, and I had to finish errands and grocery shopping. Thanks guys for the wonderful time.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011


5 Hummingbirds Humming


Sunflowers Sunning

Bees Buzzing

Birds Birding

Green Beans Flowering

Tomatoes Ripening

Cornflowers Blooming

Roses Fragrant

Finch's Feeding

These are just a few of my summer favorites! Have a blessed and wonderful day.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011


Nadine's Pool

Started working this morning and decided mid morning I wanted a break. I called Jennifer and met the boys and her at Nadine's for a swim time. It was great. The sun was shining and all was well with the world until I heard about Casey Anthony. Not guilty! You have got to be kidding. I didn't think the prosecution proved murder 1, but I really thought they would at least get her on manslaughter. She will probably walk. Mark my word. Every juror found her not guilty. That's the world we live in today. It's called do whatever you want with no consequences. Sad!

Casey Anthony will walk July 13th. What did I tell you? Look, I know she did it, you know she did it. Everyone knows she did it. But it's not what you know. It's what you can prove.


Monday, July 4, 2011


These are my sweet pea's that are starting to bloom.

Day of Rest


Right! So I get up this morning thinking this is going to be a great day. Nothing to do, but goof off. Enjoy my screened in porch, maybe watch a movie etc, but not by a long shot. I get to thinking. I need to iron. OK, the ironing is finished. O no, I have to do sheets. Out on the line they go to dry. I forgot to water my bees. They drink a chicken waterier full every day. Hard to believe. I notice my garden needs some TLC, so out comes the Missouri Mule from the barn. My finch feeder is almost empty and the hummingbird feeder is dry. Lunch time is around the corner. I have to shuck corn and gather up left overs. Who else is going to do it? By now ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME knows my mind is going a mile a minute thinking of all the things I need to get done. The garlic needs to be pulled and stored in the barn for drying. The tomatoes need to be tied up and on and on it goes. I pass David in the yard while working and that's all he can say is, we were not made to just sit around, but made to work Genesis 3:19. Who needs that kind of a comment to slow me down? I am finished with this working for now. Putting my PJ's on and watching a movie. Good for me. Happy 4th everyone.