We took a BEE KEEPING class about a week ago. We had a Master Bee Keeper (certified extensive education in apiculture); our instructor bee keeper of 18 years and his apprentice.
My honey (who'll be referred to as my husband, to reduce confusion in this post), has been yappin' about beehives for YEARS, but he walked out of class saying, "Don't think so." I, on the other hand, after tasting the instructor's light golden honey, leaned toward it. This is shocking because I don't like any critter that can inflict pain...and I NEVER REALLY LIKED HONEY all that much. However, the bee keeper's raw honey was so mild and crazy good!
The biggest problem: The bee keepers said, "You're GOING to get stung." My motto: Sting me once; shame on the bees. Sting me twice....no more bees! Don't mind telling ya'll I said right out loud, "Ahm skert" (interpretation: "I'm scared," for all non-rednecks and non-hillbillies).Anyway, we'll see. It costs around $800 to get started, so it's not a light decision. A queen bee (who lives 2 years) cost $20 and comes in the cutest cage. Seriously. Are YOU a "queen bee" or "worker bee?" uh, hem...workers are also female.
Photos: honey; hive grip and bee smoker from class; honey pot; bee necklace; closeup of silver bee hive on necklace.
I too love the idea of keeping bees, but am a little put off by the stinging end! That pic of the honey made me really crave it tho, so maybe I will reconsider in a few years when I have room for them... Maybe.
ReplyDelete:)
I love to see bees buzzing about the garden in the summer, especially Bumble bees, but I'd be very afraid of getting stung if I had hives.
ReplyDeleteAll things nice...
I remember when the queen would arrive - she is mailed in this little cage with some honeycomb and some other bees - we would receive a call from the local post office saying 'we...um...have a 'package' for you...how soon can you come and pick it up!" You would always handle it very carefully as it had a noisy, buzzing sound to it and you could see them all in there walking around.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are learning about it - it's a fun hobby.
The flavor of honey changes depending on what kind of flowers the bees have been pollinating.
ReplyDeleteOur friends lived on a cranberry marsh, and they kept bees to pollinate the cranberries. That hone was also delightful!
In my mum's old country house we have honey production (when my dad was alive), but we never bought any bee, it was a totally natural process...
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's a good idea...
But I'm completely sure about the bee in decoration things!!!
Ah.... no thank you.... Too many OTHER people around make honey. I will gladly support them and LET THEM GET STUNG!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new words, I live too far in the sticks to know that one.
I love honey, especially raw honey! The getting stung part, I wouldn't love so much!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lorilee
DearestHubby wants them too. Which is sooo hillarious as he was embarassingly afraid of them for years. Plus, I too, am not crazy about most honey. I do have one jar of dark, dark clear beautiful honey I received from a friend that's just delish. Sadly, she moved from the house she was in and now her honey is just honey. Different flowers, different end product. Sad face. Hubby has plans to make his own hives but then again, he's had the plans for 10+ years and still hasn't built one, so I think we're "safe". GL!!!
ReplyDeleteLet us know whaqt you decide to do. I would love to buy some honeycomb from you.
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is so cute!!
I helped a friend with her bees one day a few years ago. I loved it! And, trust me, I can be the biggest chicken ever. If I just had a leeetle more time, I'd add beekeeping to my list. Mmmm, that honey! Keep us posted! -Tammy
ReplyDeleteOh Girl....you are scaring me! I'm still going for it. I'm going to sew an impenetrable suit. I WILL be the Bee Whisperer and never get stung....I'm just going to keep saying that over and over....
ReplyDeleteYes, this is one of those hobbies tha might just require a second thought or two!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are works of art ....
ReplyDeleteJanean - Where did you find that bee honey pot? So sweet! Enjoy the rest of your weekend! (And I am saying NO bees for me!)
ReplyDeleteWhy not buy that guy's honey? Cheaper and easier in the long run! LOL.
ReplyDeleteBonjour Jenean,
ReplyDeleteWow, bonne chance with your bees. Honey is a favorite of mine, it is so healthy, I put it on everything. Love your title Bee Veewwy careful...
Anxious to hear how it all progreeses!
Bon Sunday!
There are a multitude of farmers in our part of the country who produce and sell their honey. I agree with you...it is so good! If you tackle this venture, please keep us informed on how it goes and what you think about it. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Janean,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time on your blog and I want to tell you that your front door is so sweet, welcoming and charming! The steps leading up to the door, the paint color, everything is beautiful.
Thank you for visiting my new blog and I am so happy to have found you. I will return often!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Um, I'd have to pass on the pain part, but I just love Bee stuff as in the silver beehive stuff you posted. I stitch a lot of bee themed things, but have never once considered keeping the real thing!
ReplyDeletethis looks like crazy fun!!! but, since i don't like bee stings, either, i'll just admire from afar!! LOVE all of your photos!! :)))
ReplyDeleteI've always been interested in them but always from a far. Yup love it but I so would not want to be that close to them :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the pain issue. So...no bees for me! So much work and I can buy honey, really good honey, at our local health food store!
ReplyDeleteSay, what's wrong with buying the honey from local farmers? That's what I would say, knowing I'd have to get stung. :P
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time visiting your blog, and I just want to say it is very inviting, so cozy and uplifting. I love your commentaries and your pictures too.
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful day!
What fun Janean, I hope that you enjoy your new hobby and I look forward to hearing more about it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Hugs
Carolyn
So are you really going to do this? We have so many bees in our yard, I'd love to send them your way!
ReplyDeleteI had a bad experience 2 summers ago when I got stung badly. Guess that I was not as careful dressing as I should have been and the bees were not in a happy mood when I went in.
ReplyDeleteI freaked out and would not go near them again. (That hive died out and I was none too sad). Last year I bought another hive and just left it. As of the middle of January (last month) they were thriving. I have ordered two more hives and will install them March 20.
I got my doctor to write me a prescription for an epipen(his first advice was to get rid of the bees:-)even though I'm not allergic to bees. I feel more comfortable with it around.
I also have never found a queen in my hive.
So here are the plusses:
The honey is so good.
They are relatively easy to raise.
Bees are beautiful when they pollinate an apple tree enmasse.
To watch them fly is such a privilege and mouth dropping beautiful. They fly about sometimes seeming lazy/without purpose. And they are so light. And you can watch them fly back to the hive with yellow pollen on their legs.
And when I am at the neighborhood pool - about a mile away - I see bees now where I have never seen them before. And they could be mine.
After reading my reply I realized that I should have said
ReplyDeleteI have never found a queen bee after installation. This year I will try and mark them.
Jodi, i read your comments to my hubs and he was impressed you went back to it and that everything turned out great. thanks for sharing your experience with us all!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. I'd stick with a bee necklace though, they can't sting. Love that necklace!
ReplyDeleteuhmmm.... you are braver than I if you decide to have some bees... but, I think the decor you have found and the necklace are gorgeous! LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd honey... I'm licking my lips for some now...
;-) happy Saturday!
robelyn