Bee Report

Only 9 weeks after starting a new hive with a swarm - and 7 weeks after the bee nucs we purchased, I am happy to report that the bees are doing great. Better than great, actually! I didn't expect them to be so busy and productive. As I had hard, one box of honey had to weigh over 80 lbs! I compared it to picking up Liddy and it almost equal! Here's some pictures I snapped while inspecting the hives.

Frame of capped honey

Taking it apart for inspection....
Hive body with queen & babies (left), honey super (right) and lid & feeder at top

The ladies

I created a bucket of water with sticks for a
"bee drinking station"since it's been so hot!

The New Apiarists

Introducing the newest keeper of bees, also known as an apiarists....my mom & I!

Click here to read about our most recent additions to our bee colonies.

And I'm still totally invested because I have NOT got stung yet. :)

Jumping Into Beekeeping!

We received our first swam today from my friend Sandi. Her hives are swarming and dividing faster than she can up! Lucky us we were able to take a colony off her hands - plus her knowledge she brought along with her.

Find out how we went from this....

to this....

Click here to read my mom's very cool blog about our experience!

Beekeeping 101

Guess what I did this weekend? Here's a hint....

I went to Beekeeping School! I've been contemplating beekeeping for about six months since my friend told me about her amazing experiences.  I found an accomplice, my mom, and headed to bee school to learn more. At the end of the day, I was completely sold on the idea, shopping catalogs and planning where to put my hives.

We each decided that we'll have one hive each on her property - away from kids and more resources for the bees.

Basic hive...pretty unsuspecting!

This beehive was being raffled off.
Some beekeepers paint their hives,
especially if they have more than one
to keep bees at the correct hive. 

I'd love to have more but it's quite an expensive hobby! The hives themselves cost anywhere from $100 - $250, plus equipment ($100+) and to order your nuc (3 lb. package of 10,000 bees with queen!) is about $90. Clearly it'd be cheaper to find a swarm. And, yes, I'm completely serious about finding a swarm because we now own this...

Now, who wants honey?