Oct. 2, 2008 - Look Honey...It's Honey Extraction

Today was our honey extraction day! We took our super to a place where they extract the honey for you, because the machines are really expensive. However, we are discussing on making a small investment in a hobby machine. One that you must manually spin, with only two or three frames in at a time.:)

So today, we took only one super which has maybe ten frames and this {see picture} is what we got out of it. 40 pounds of honey, in a 5 gallon bucket which is not quite full! You only have to pay 15 cents a pound...so we got a really good deal...and it is home made...sort of. :)
This was really exciting for us...and we are hoping to have a small business-family and friends. And I am going to enter it in 4-H next year! And may I add...I do not like honey, and yet when I tasted this...I was surprised how sweet and natural this honey is compared to store bought!

*And I must thank you neighbor, Charlie, for getting us started and taking us to the extraction place*

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Aug. 14, 2008 - ~Supers!~

We have added a super to our beehive, which is basically another level to make the honey in. It is a little late, for September and October are usually harvesting time...and we will be photographically documenting.:)
We received the utensils in the mail to make a new super with the frames and foundation.

This is what the hive looked like with one super, on top, and a brood box, on bottom.




It came looking like a puzzle, but we soon figured it out, and were on our way.


This is a frame, not put together, is what the bees start their cells off of.


This is what the foundation looks like up close. These are small ridges in the shape of a Hexagon, which the bees then start their cells for honey and offspring.


Frames are almost there.


This is what the new super looks like, all completed, without the honey that is.


We are smoking the bees, and are about to add the super. And this photo may seem different because we are not dressed in a devouring white bee suit. And we will take precaution when we harvest the honey, but if you dress light and move slow, bothersome bees should overlook you. Of course, we think our bees are just too sweet and full of honey. :)


When we peeked in, they were busy little ones, and just happy to be buzzing around.


And with the newest super, the hive now looks like this.


The Bees and I

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Mar. 14, 2008 - Beekeeping Information

My family and I are  about to start our own beehive, and know absolutely nothing about bees besides the fact that they are yellow and black, and don't mess with them! So you can tell you where we're headed.
We are getting the supplies necessary to start a hive, and we have an ideal location on our property. We will also be reading and studying like mad men on how to care properly for them.
If anyone has any information on how to handle bees from personal experience, I would enjoy hearing from you. Please send me a PM if you have any good information. Everything would be appreciated.



Also, I have finished the marvelous Kingdom Series by Chuck Black, and have just recently finished the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. And to support J. R. R. Tolkien, whom I did a biography on, I am now reading The Hobbit. So far, so good!
Another biography will be coming...on E. B. White. 'Stay tuned and we will be right back with your feature presentation!'

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