How A Beekeeper Tills A Garden

We have one very snarky hive. Very very snarky. Everytime we go out the back door, there is a girl there, waiting, who then bumps, buzzes, and chases us back into the house. Cross bees. It comes from being brought up in the country, way more in the country than we are, and not having to deal with anything or anyone other than your own kind.

These new hives, all ten of 'em, haven't been good family members, thus far. In fact, one stung Moosie right on the corner of his eye, leaving him all weepy and with hurt feelings.

After being chased, bumped, and tortured by these new gals one too many times, I ran to the house only to discover one rode into the house on me in order to continue her annoying behavoir. After she stung the Mister while he was trying to get her out of my hair (yes, again!), I happily smashed her with a fly swatter.

So there.

First Day Musings -- Beautiful, Smart, or Interesting??

Yesterday at the Farmer's Market I was introduced by someone very kind as "the most unusual woman I know." I took it as a great compliment.

All my life, I have been marked as "unusual." As a wee little Matty, I can remember my parents saying to a neighbor one time: "Missy is beautiful; Mark is smart; Matty, well, she is interesting."

At the time my feelings were crushed. After all, who doesn't want to be smart and / or beautiful? But, I adored (and still adore) my sissie, so I can't be angry with her because she is beautiful. And, my brother is still as smart as ever and that doesn't anger me either. Me? I have come to understand that being interesting doesn't fade or change. One just gets more so.

Let me explain.

Think about people you know. Don't you enjoy the ones who are unexpected -- that is to say -- different in their approach to life? Don't you find their joy infectious? Isn't being around someone who is living as they define life inspiring?

Now, I am not saying I am all these things. Far from it! However, as I reflect, I realize that I have always seen life a little differently from most. There is no memory of my learning to read; I seem to have always done so. Heck, I read Thoreau when I was seven and "Gone with the Wind" when I was in fifth grade. I published a neighborhood newspaper which I sold for a penny door-to-door when I was eight. I believed in fairies (and still do), have seen angels, and know that the hand of God has put me in a safe place when I should have been long gone. I believe in grace and mercy. And, I believe that we are all special and unique with something important to do in this world.

And, so, as we approach this coming week, isn't it time we all learned to live our lives as we should -- being true to who and what we are? Isn't it time that we show mercy, kindness, and understanding to those who seem interesting or unusual? In short, isn't it time we become more of a model of He Who Made Us?

Nope.

Still here. You??

Armed Forces Day

Americans have honored the Armed Forces on the third Saturday of each May since 1921 when Woodrow Wilson signed this into law.

This Saturday is that special day.

If you are a steady reader of Lazy Bee Farm, you know how deeply proud we are of our special Airman. Rev. Lin, Blue Star Mothers chaplain, states:

As the mothers, fathers, family, and friends of this proud and outstanding fighting force, what better way to honor our heroes than through prayer to the Almighty?   May we stand together this Saturday, May 21, 2011, as the enduring force of strength behind our military men and women ~ lifting our voices in prayer ~ giving faithful word to the Almighty for their protection, thanksgiving for their well being, petition for their wisdom, and appreciation for their service.   God Bless the Men and Women of Our Armed Forces!!! 

My Airman

Isn't he handsome??

My Airman has made this vow:

I am an American Airman.

I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation’s call.
I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.
I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation’s Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.
I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.

Will you join us this Saturday in remembering all our Service People at home and abroad -- in safety and in danger??

I have missed a few weeks of joining Amy at Verde Farms for Farm Friday. Won't you join her today? There are some amazing folks out in blogland!

If it's Thursday...

... that means tomorrow is Friday and we are yet another week closer to the official start of summer. It is difficult to tell that here this week. Our high for the last week has been 54-degrees. And, we have had so much rain that even the ducks, George and Alfred, are fussing. We have very little in the garden, in fact, just the asparagus we have planted. It is too wet and cool for anything else.

According to mountain folklore, if there is thunder in February, then we will have our last frost on that date in May. It thundered February 28, so we are expecting our last frost May 28. After that, Katy bar the door, because summer will be full upon us.

Today I had a sweet little thing happen. Because of all the rain, there is a wet weather spring that has come up in the back of the house, on the hill, that runs through the side yard. It is making an ever-expanding 'crick' that we are now having to jump over. It is annoying because if I have on anything except my mud boots, I have wet feet. I can't jump far enough to avoid the mud! This afternoon, as I started out to feed, I could hear a steady 'buzzzzzzz' in the yard. Instinctively, I checked the bees on the hill; nopers, they were all fine. I looked into the maple for a swarm. Nothing. Then, I looked down. All along the water's edge were little bees getting a drink! They were so cunning! They were lined up, side-by-side, getting a little bit of water and then high tailing it back to their hives! I nearly fell down giggling.

If I can get a picture, I'll post it, because this is one that you have to see to believe!

What unusual things did you see today??

I Can See Clearly

There are 21 windows in the house at Lazy Bee Farm. Each is a lovely 36 x54, which means there is plenty of light ... and dirt.

Yesterday I washed 10 of them, took down the curtains, washed them, and got them ready to rehang. Even though it was rainy, it was a lovely task. What is it about just washing a window that makes the whole room shine? To wash them I used:

Homemade Window Cleaner

1/2 c. ammonia
1/2 c. white vinegar

Add to the mixture water enough to fill the spray bottle.

Isn't that easy peasy? Now, some folks will add a one teaspoon of dish detergent to the mixture, but I don't. I have been wondering if adding a little lavendar to the mix would be nice. I do that when I add vinegar to my wash instead of using a commerical fabric softener. It works like a dream! No static!

The other thing I made was a snackie thing for the Mister. It is so good that he wants it for breakfast instead of snackie.

Cheerios Goodies

2 c. mini-marshmallows (or equal of the large would work)
1/2 c. peanut butter
5 c. Cheerios

Butter a 9 x13 pan and set aside.

Melt the marshmallows to just the soft stage. Add the peanut butter and stir quickly to mix. Then, add the Cherrios. Stir to coat. Press into a 9 x13 pan.

If you want to add any kind of candy, do it before you press into the pan. I added a handful of chocolate chips we had left from making fudge a while back. They melted Just Enough to be yummers.

The state of the loom / craft/ needlework room is dismal. I started cleaning on it, but we have decided to flip it with the Mister's music room. We are building him a studio and he won't be needing it. And, frankly, it is my favorite room of the house. It is upstairs, on the front, with three windows in a cupala. The sunlight is wonderful! So, I am very happy about that, but it means more work than I expected. Ah, who cares? I have another 88 days of break!

What will you do today??

Home Loving

It is difficult to tell who / what is happiest today -- me, the Mister, or the house. Being home changes the texture of my life so much that it is tangible.

After picking up my Mother who lives an hour away and running my 72,000 errands with her, I got home before lunch and managed to enjoy the whole afternoon away, never once thinking, "I have to get such-and-such done." Delish...

Among the many things I did yesterday, these scones found their way in the line up. Terrific for breakfast, snacking, or indulging.

Lemon-Poppy Seed Scones

2 c. all purpose flour

3 T. granulated sugar

2 T. poppy seeds

Zest of 2 lemons

1 T. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1/2 c. heavy cream

1/4 c. plus 1 T. fresh lemon juice

1/2 c. confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 400-degrees.

Combine flour, sugar, poppy seeds, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, salt.

Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

Pour in the heavy cream, then add 1/4 c. lemon juice. Stir until soft ball forms.

Gather dough and pat out into an 8-inch circle. Cut into wedges.

Bake 12-14 minutes.

Mix confectioners' sugar and remaining lemon juice, stirring until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled scones.

Now, make a cuppa tea or coffee and eat!

These are fabulous and so easy to make. I like the simple ingredients. When I checked my fridge, after committing to making these, I discovered I didn't have fresh lemons or heavy cream. So, I substituted lemon juice from the bottle and yogurt. Fantastic!

I ended my very busy day of home loving by knitting one of Deb's waffle dish cloths. Have you tried one? They are superb and I adore the texture!

Today?? It is raining so I am attacking my loom / craft / needle room. If I don't show up for supper, send someone in for me, won't you??