AJ receives Boy Scouts Life Rank...in March

Yes, I am just a little bit behind in getting my blog updated but AJ completed the requirements to advance to Life in Boy Scouts back in March 2010. He is looking forward to searching for an Eagle project in the next few years......while completing other requirements.
I am very proud of him to say the least!

Bee-Loved * Bee-Blessed * Bee-Mother

Bee-Loved * Bee-Blessed * Bee-Mother

Yesterday, AJ and I joined Cindy and Mary to spend a full day of extracting honey, wax and propolis from the hives. We gathered at Mary's home on Paynes Prairie and used her husband's wonderful barn for our operation. Here is our pictorial journey.

Teaching the "smoker" prep - oh the smell of burning dry pine needles...now on to the hives.

Now on to the barn for extracting of raw, unprocessed, unheated, filtered HONEY, beeswax and propolis.

We were excited that from two different hives came two different tastes and color of honey. The top row is the light honey and had a mild sweet taste; the rows below are darker (wax was darker also) and has a more distinct taste of orange blossoms (or what came to mind first).

I know why it is called liquid gold now. From 26 frames (what holds the combs where the honey is made in the comb) from three supers (boxes that hold the frames which make up the hive), we bottled 27 - 16 oz and 47 - 8 oz jars. We extracted very little propolis and the wax is currently draining of honey, to be used soon in lip balms.

I am truly grateful to Mary and Cindy for this wonderful experience....as we continue to learn, AJ and I are continually amazed at the wonder of the honey bee. They are amazing little creatures with a specific mission and I cannot imagine where we would be in the world without their plan.

Perfume - Dish Swap 2010

Group 1

Group 2

Due August 1st, two perfume swap groups spent prior months blending essential oils, absolutes, resins, etc to individually create magnificent essences to share with 11 other people.
The results are astonuding and so unique that it gives any perfumer a run. I am so enjoying these wonderful perfumes and hope everyone in the swap will as well.

Thank you to each particpant! They are obviously passionate about their fumes!