Well today the bees were not happy that I was mowing lawn. Not sure if I messed with the little clover they still had, or what their issue was. While driving the lawn mower I had to text the hubby and let him know I had been stung...on the top of my head! 

Now this is the 2nd sting in 6 weeks. I knew last time the sting turned into an infection so now I am nervous. But it was on the top of my head so maybe its not going to be as bad. 

Well fast forward to Monday and my face is a little swollen by 9 am....then every hour it gets worse. So the doctors office it is by 4:30. Well he says its a bee sting. Captain obvious. Let it work its course but send him the photos in the event it gets worse

Get worse....oh now I wake up and can't see Tuesday morning. Its clear the natural botox I took went to extremes. This is going to be great, I have family photos Saturday and I am getting made fun of like the goonies. How did this happen....all because I was mowing lawn. 

Now the EPI pen prescription was called in and approved by insurance so I guess that's a win. 

Just hope the rest of the week is down hill. Bright side....No wrinkles. Nope no photos as lets be real no one wants to see that mess

The right hive is well on their way to some good looking honey. 

So many people comment "I just don't know how you do it"....well I don't either but I have to say the joy these ladies bring to me is amazing. 

Its like therapy. I look forward, it send a little adrenaline rush to me, its something that takes time, research, and trial and error. I also have found the garden has been doing so well and I really think its because these wonderful pollinators are doing their job. 

This year we have had so many vegetables in the garden thriving, and producing so much food.

Watching the growth from week to week on inspections is like no other. There are days when the inspection doesn't go as planned, and I worry about what I should do next. 

So here is to hoping next weeks inspection goes well. My momma is going to join and I seriously love sharing this hobby with her.

Its amazing how just one smell can bring back so many memories.

On the flip side my grandma on the other side made the best cinnamon rolls. They were never frosted too much, and had just the perfect amount of sweetness in the dough.

What recipes make you remember memories  from your childhood?

Hive inspection day brings me so much joy. I love being able to see how the hive is progressing, how the queen is laying, and figuring out the next steps for the hive. Now I really dislike the MN summers when it comes to hive inspections. Yesterday was so humid, so today it was farm chores then hurry to the hive to make sure it was done before it got too hot out. 

Hive number one is looking really good, needed a second brood box added, but wow those ladies were not happy with me. I don't know if they were uphappy because it was an early inspection, or if I may have squished one that upset them. 

Hive number two well that was a different story. They were content. Now hive two is a week behind and seems to be a smaller hive. Queen is still an egg laying machine. Hopefully next week they have filled up a few more frames and they can have brood box number two. 

I am curious what ideas or bee keeping hacks have you felt helped with your bees? I long for the days when I am comfortable just dropping the gloves. Today was not that day.

Nuc number two traveled the long journey from Rochester to home. The best part was my mom joined me. She has been so interested in watching me become a beekeeper, supporting me, and just waiting for the honey to be bottled. 

Hive number one seems to be doing good, a quick inspection, gave the pollen patty to both to help them take off a little. 

Earlier this week hive number one had some bees bringing in pollen which was in shades of yellow and red. Hopefully next weekend is nice and another inspection can be done. Until then its time to fix up the frames that are not being used right now.

Wow what a different experience and sense of confidence going into year two being a beekeeper. 

When the hive died over the winter, I was devastated. I really didn't think I could do it again. I kept thinking it will be so hard to keep going. 

My great support system kept saying I couldn't give up, I needed to try again. So I realized they are right. I need to do this again, and its time to learn all that I can before the bees come.

I spoke with other keepers, ask all the questions, watched all the tik toks, read a few books and researched purchasing a nuc this time. Last year I purchased a 3 lb pack of bees, this year I was determined to do everything possible to get some honey off the bees. 

So Ames farm was a perfect option, I wasn't real happy having to drive to pick them up because what is it going to be like with bees in the car, and all those questions started to run through my head. 

Then I thought what about a second hive....I mean they say two is better than one. So a second hive it is. I am very much the person that does the research, so it took a little to decide on which hive next. While I also had to make sure I had all the extra boxes, all the frames, and just making sure I was prepared. Now my frames were all full of honey. How was I going to make sure they had room to lay eggs when the frames were full? So....more boxes, and another lesson learned was buy the preassembled. The frames I got last year, well they were starting to show wear and some were falling apart. So what about an automatic stapler that would keep them together....yup sounds like a great idea. By this time it was time to get repairing those frames, and get ready for another year of keeping. 

I needed stands, but worry no more my moms boyfriend did a great job of making two solid stands, and new entrance reducers. Next thing I need to show him is the boxes, I am sure he could make those too. 

Fast forward to the week the bees were to be ready for pick up, and I got the email they were delayed. Ok, I can deal, but I needed to make time to pick them up. All the questions were running through my head how do I bring them home.....call your mother ask her to join. What an experience. Beekeepers are seriously oh so nice, all the tips and tricks, and advice for the next winter was great.

This week nuc number one was picked up, because the weather has been horrible in Minnesota nuc number two is not ready until the following weekend. Which actually works out well, gives me time to install one at a time.

Installing the nuc was a bit difficult because it has been raining everyday. A quick 2 hour window today provided for a break in the rain. It was so fun to see the queen right away, the nuc is so established and ready for get out and explore. 

It never fails, spring means fixing all the holes. Its like someone went around trying to see how long until we figure out where all the holes are .

A fence that can hold water can keep goats in. 

This is the part of farming that feels so defeating, its where we spend so much time doing all the things that are on the never ending to do list 

Each year we say the list will get done.....we dream, I mean dream that the list would get done.

But getting outside on weeknights makes the evenings feel like a million bucks. Now if Minnesota could just get it together when it comes to the weather that would be great!

How could this happen? How did I think I would be ok when the bees all died? How do I continue? The bees were so happy going to the winter, so much honey stored up and a healthy mite level or so I thought.

Just some of the thoughts that ran through my head. I have prepped myself for this and still I was not prepped enough. While I know I have not opened the hive completely, I am seeing no movement on the nice spring days.

What do I do next? Can I do this again? I mean I wasn't successful, but many keepers say the first year is hard. Like really hard. I didn't think it was hard, but did I fail and not do something? 

So its on to some research, joining some new groups on social media, talking with a few keepers that I know.

I don't give up, so instead of giving up its time to purchase another hive, and a nuc this time. Last year I went with just 3 lbs of bees, and so many keepers swear by the nuc instead. The nuc should help to get the honey flowing faster. While I am not 100% sure the hive is gone, I thought well its time to purchase just one nuc. But because I have hair brained ideas.... I have purchased two nucs. 

This year does require a better mite treatment, even more love from me, and grace.

Now Mother Nature please get your crap together because I have hives to get set up, and bees that come in May. 

-xoxo