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Friday, August 24, 2012

Two Tired Bees

Random.org picked #12, KatieB :-).

The Too Busy Bees are thinking about a name change!



Stella and I harvested, spun out and bottled 120 jars of honey over the last two days. And we are both feeling every last bottle. Whew!



The honey is all the same color. It just looks different in the pictures due to how the sun was hitting it... So pretty.

Stella went with me to pick up my first swarm four or five years ago. After a couple of these adventures (and picking up swarms is always an adventure, usually good) she said she thought she'd like to set one up at her house.

In August that year she got a call from a friend with a swarm just around the corner. That became "the Audrey hive" and that hive that, on paper, should never have survived (too late in the year, too small, headed into winter with questionable food stores...) became the foundation for all of her hives.



Those bee's daughters, granddaughters, great granddaughters and great great granddaughters produced this honey. They are an important part of Stella's extended family and her great care has seen them through years where most beekeepers lost over 30-50% of their hives. I think they know that and work extra hard for her.



I love how good honey sparkles inside and out.



As we were bottling, I "accidentally" touched the cap on this jar so had to set it aside ;-).



We left quite a bit of honey in the hives. Not only are the two deep boxes on each hive heavy with honey, we didn't take every last drop from the honey supers either. After spinning the frames we did take, we set them back in the boxes so they could clean them up and re-store every last drop. Anything they make from here on out will either be fed back to them this fall or frozen for emergency feeding.

Would you like a jar? Leave the Two Too Tired from Bee-ing Too Busy Bees a comment and we'll draw a winner on Sunday :-).

52 comments:

quantumtea said...

I love the look of the honey! And it's good to hear about hives doing well.

sandy said...

I have hone every day. In my tea, on my oatmeal, just anywhere to sweeten the pot so to speak. No sugar here even raw. Buy mine from local beekeepers of at Dorothy Lane Market that stocks honey from beekeepers. Would love to have one of those jars. Frankly, I would love to have several.

Maureen said...

Oh that looks AWESOME! I would love to be entered in the draw, please... what a wonderful harvest and the photos are incredible. Makes me want some on toast right now!

Misfit in Paradise said...

It is beautiful. Do you usually sell it and if yes, where?

ladyfarrier said...

What a bounty! This is my first year beekeeping, and frankly the drought has made my poor bees struggle. At this point I'm hoping they can just produce enough to get them through the upcoming Illinois winter (with my help).
Put me down....I feel lucky .

Andee said...

I'd love to win a jar! My father raised bees when we were kids. His honey came in 2nd at the county fair (there were only two entries, hee hee). We always bragged about his second place winning. He hasn't had bees for a long time. But I used to love all making our own honey. Your pictures are beautiful.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Oh, my! I would LOVE a jar! (I'm even willing to pay if I don't win.)

Your story of the TLC you give your bees, and your obvious stewardship for them is inspirational. I'm in awe of the fruits of your labor.

Thanks for a chance to win, but I'm serious...I would pay!
Blessings,
Donna

Tombstone Livestock said...

That's a lot of honey, good job.

Eleanor P said...

What lovely looking honey and I love the fact that it is from Stella's extended bee family! I have generations of flowers that have their origins in plants from my great-grandmother's gardens in Frankfort. I just might have to think about having a hive here--it would be so fitting...

Michelle said...

Sign me up! I think I got a jar from you once (or was it another blog contest?) and it was the best honey I've ever had (I ate it by the spoonful!).

Sandy said...

mmm...i would love some honey, honey!

Anonymous said...

You certainly have been a busy bee! Such a beautiful effort.
KatieB

The Dancing Donkey said...

I am so glad to hear that your hives are doing so well. Just a few years ago, I had 15 hives, every one had tons of honey and was looking great going into the winter. By Spring, every bee was gone. Honey, hive, home all abandoned and not so much as a dead bee to be found. I don't know what happened, but I do know that the farm down the road from the hives started growing corn for the first time that year and I have not been able to keep a hive alive since then. I didn't have the heart to try to replace them this year. Maybe next year...

thecrazysheeplady said...

Oh Dancing Donkey. How awful :-(. {{{hug}}}

Cappy said...

I love reading about the keeping of the bees. It's on my bucket list. I would put up a hive in my back yard but I don't think the neighbors would appreciate it. :-/

Susan said...

How can I resist a chance to grab some sweetness?? Do you realize how hard it is to say: Two Too Tired from Bee-ing Too Busy Bees? It's taken me five minutes to spit it out! And kudos to Stella for being such a caring beekeeper - we need more Stellas in the world. And more Crazy Sheep Ladies ;0)

Marcy said...

I'd love to win a jar. I know nothing about bee-keeping but am fascinated. I try to buy honey only from independent keepers, usually at our local farmers' market or the local health food store. I like to try all different kinds. Love the beautiful photos.

Brigitte said...

Yummy yummy yummy honey :))))

Shirley said...

Beautiful golden sweetness! The bee balm in my garden has been keeping the honey bees around, and the alfalfa field next door is in full bloom. The place I live used to be a honey farm, and the first year we lived here there were two swarms that we had someone come and collect.

Aaron said...

That's really cool. I've always liked hearing about how honey is made (raised? grown?).

My grandfather always had beehives. I wish he was still around. I'd love to be able to help him with the bees.

Carol said...

Yes,yes. I would enjoy the honey.

Leanne Coppola said...

When I was a kid, my dad had hives and we helped him with the honey. I know how exhausting it can be! I also have memories of rolling around in his van after going to a house to get a queen bee...bees everywhere in the car. Need I say more?! Yikes.
So please enter me in your give away. I would LOVE a jar of that goodness.

YarnKettle said...

You know I just realized I love your honey pictures almost as much as your sheep pictures. And your horse pictures, and dog pictures, and cat pictures... I could go on.
Your pictures really are a boost to my day. Thanks so much for having such a lovely blog.

Sheepmom said...

Put my name in the hat. I'd love some Too Busy Bees honey. Our new neighbors have a few hives and we have been thinking of putting buckwheat on a small field down there which is too problematic to raise anything else on. Maybe we can cadge some from them in the future. :-)

Michelle said...

This is so cool! I have my first bee hive and will be pulling honey soon! So exciting! Nice to see this progress as I hope to continue my own beekeeping for years to come.

barb :0) said...

I would Love a chance to win !!!!
It is SO Beautiful :0)
Thank You !

Dianne@sheepdreams said...

That's quite a haul! I'm a failure as a beekeeper this year.:-(

Lori Skoog said...

The honey is gorgeous. Of course Skoog Farm would like a jar!!!!

Suzan said...

You have been very busy getting your honey bottled and jared!! It is beautiful!! What blooms do your bees work? Please put my name in the pot!!! Can never have too much honey!!

Debi said...

Looks sooo darn good!! Great job, Ladies!! (Oh...and a big "high 5" to those hard working bees, as well!!

Alice said...

I think a contented bee makes sweeter and lighter tasting honey. You and Stella can take credit for that. Pooh bear said that he would like to be entered for a smackeral of honey ;-)

Bee Lady said...

You don't have to enter me in the contest, only because I would like someone to win that hasn't tasted the difference in honey right from the hive compared to store boughten laced w corn syrup. I just want to say "great job". Whoever wins will have some of the best honey they've ever eaten! Evah you hear! Cappy, check with your local extension office. I've had hives in my backyard, in town, for ten years. How sad for Dancing Donkey. I hope that doesn't ever happen to me.

Cindy Bee

June said...

Beautiful honey! and everyone should have a wonderful friend & neighbor like Stella. You are both blessed!

kbdoolin said...

Liquid sunshine...and so beautiful. Please enter me in the drawing, I would love a bottle of sunshine to start my day.

Hound Doggy said...

Lovely....it looks great. Those bees have done a good job.

Kelly said...

Wow, beautiful honey! It must be so much work but also very rewarding.

Golden To Silver Val said...

Oh...how beautiful! I'd love some, but since I never win anything...please tell me...how can I buy some of this liquid gold. Thanks!

bj from La Colline said...

"The only reason for being a bee that I know of is to make honey.... And the only reason for making honey, is so as I can eat it."__Winnie the Pooh

(If Random Generator picks me, please share my Golden Reward with someone who helps you and Stella around the farms ~love and admiration, bj)

I need orange said...

The honey is beautiful, and the way you and Sheila take care of these essential parts of our ecosystem is equally beautiful. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I used to help my father with his bees, (my brothers were allergic or afraid or both). Thanks for the memories. Would love to win a jar of liquid sunshine!

Jean - MN

Terry said...

Yes, yes, yes! I'd love to win a jar of honey!

Sue said...

Hope I'm not to late to join in the drawing. That has to be the most gorgeous honey I've ever seen! I'm toying with the idea of looking into getting a hive going myself.

Anonymous said...

Oh my ... what luscious, golden yuminess in a jar ... I would love to win a beautiful jar of this honey! I read your blog every morning!

Hugs ... Marcia in Colorado

I hope I'm not too late ... I posted this on the other page!!

Ed said...

Looks great! I'll have mine on a couple of my moms slam biscuits.:-)

Ed said...

Looks great! I'll have mine on a couple of my moms slam biscuits.:-)

Ed said...

Looks great! I'll have mine on a couple of my moms slam biscuits.:-)

Ed said...

Looks great! I'll have mine on a couple of my moms slam biscuits.:-)

AdrieneJ said...

I'd love a jar, but I suspect it would be too difficult to ship it to Canada. Instead, accept my deep admiration for all that work you put into making such a lovely product!

small farm girl said...

I hope Im not to late! I would love a jar of that beautiful honey!

Texan said...

Terry over at Moondance sent me your link. She knew I am taking bee classes, hoping to get hives this spring! Look at all that wonerful honey you all have. Wow.
If the drawing isnt closed I woud like to enter as well :O)

Benita said...

Yes, please!!! And if I don't win, will you sell me a jar?

Donna S. said...

OMIGOSH! Would I like a jar? I would love a jar!! And just like almost everyone else would gladly buy a jar!!

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