The Bee Round --- Up

Well this day is done.. My oh my lots of box bees to hive up.. But the lovely orchards here are all good to go now . These hives are bound for the cherry orchards in this county.

Here are a few photos I snapped..

Top--> my friend Maryann checking the bees that we are hiving up.. To the right here--> is a group of the new bee keepers watching the old pro's show them the in's and outs of the boxing of bees technique. :-) A trailer full of hives we have to fill, and the pit fire started Friday night so we could have our lovely pig barbecued.

Oh was it yummy!!!!

I am a tired Bee Charmer, so I need some rest for all the fun stuff tomorrow.

But here is some Honey Information that may be useful...

Sparkling honey coated moon beams

Bee

There are over 300 different varieties of honey produced in the United States, each having it's own distinct color and flavor.

The characteristics of honey are determined by the different floral sources from which the honeybees gather their nectar.You may think of honey as just a natural sweetener, but there are many more redeeming qualities than just great taste! Pure, unprocessed honey is loaded with good stuff such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. No wonder honey is known as the "ancient healer"!

• Honey is antimicrobial due to it's high sugar content, low pH and the presence of organic acids (Use it to treat cuts, scrapes and burns as well as to prevent scarring!)
• Honey is high in carbohydrates and is therefore a great energy source.

• Honey contains the vitamins B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid.

• Honey contains the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and zinc.

• The natural antioxidants found in honey are chrysin, pinobanskin, vitamin C, catalase and pinocembrin.

• Unprocessed honey contains enzymes that are considered essential for good health!
• Generally, darker honeys and those with higher water content have stronger antioxidant potential. The antioxidants identified thus far in honey are pinocembrin, pinobanksin, chrysin and galagin. Pinocembrin is unique to honey and found in the highest amount relative to the others. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C), catalase and selenium are also present.

• Diabetics must control their total intake of carbohydrates, not the type. Therefore, honey may be included in a diabetic diet. They must, however, comply with the medical regime and diet instructions prescribed by their individual healthcare providers to keep blood sugar levels under control.

• Honey is used as a hair and facial treatment due to the fact that it attracts and retains moisture. Take the time to read: "Honey You're a Natural Beauty"!

• Using honey in your baked goods will keep them moist for a longer period of time.
• Honey never goes "bad". It is slightly acidic and, therefore, not conducive for bacterial growth. • Honey is the only food produced by insects that is eaten by man!

• Honey is good and it is good for you - it belongs in your medicine cabinet as well as your cupboard!

This HoneyWine Girl

Hi to all,
Well this honey wine girl is soon off to the big "Bee Round Up.. Lots of fun but lots of work. I will have to bring some extra fairies and a few brownies with me for a cheering section.. We all will be loading bee box's for a whole day and then that evening have a pit barbecue with lots of honey wine and more.. Then the following day is the big logger style picnic. Lots of food and lots of sports -->all about "beecharming" of course. The hive reversal race, the framer race, and of course my favorite the non suited bee charmer.. Ti's a test of not only skill but patience. There is a natural hive on the site in a huge old growth oak.. The trick to winning is; how much raw comb Honey can you get out of the tree with bare hands.. OOOooooo Yep.. I am very good at this. I rarely get stung more than a couple times those little devils just love this ole honey wine girl... :-) I am also the only girl.. There are usually 4 contestants me and three other men. So today I am preparing for the trip. This event is in the little town near my home town... So I am off today to get my gear together..

Sparkles and Fairy hugs
Bee

PS: I am taking my laptop with.. :-)

Spring Equinox

Hi to All and Happy *~* Happy days.. Spring has sprung <---- :-)

Around March 20-21st (date may vary by more than two days ) also known as:
Spring Equinox, Ostara, Alban Eiler, Esther, Eostre, Ostarun, startag , Eastre, Eoastrae, Oestre.
The first true day of Springtide. The days and nights are now equal in length . We begin to see shoots of new growth and swelling buds on the trees. Energy is building as the days become warmer with promise.



An Ostara Tale

It was long ago, and it was the time of winter. Snow covered the ground and the chill in the air made this a harsh and unforgiving time to be about. Whiteness everywhere. The world slept.....A little girl had strayed from her home (a very bad thing, but such as children are wont to do) and she found herself wandering about in the woods; alone. She was cold and tired, and afraid. In despair, she dropped down in the snow and began to cry. She cried for her home. She cried for her mother and father. She cried for her life.Then she saw it - a bird - a frozen bird - lying, dying in the snow. She jumped up and rushed to take the bird into her arms. She held it close to herself; wrapping it tightly in her arms. She tried to warm the bird and thaw it's frozen wings, but it was too cold and life was quickly leaving the bird's body along with its warmth. She was beside herself! She thought only of the bird now, not seeing that she, herself would soon be in the same situation that this small bird was in now.She cried out for help! "Help! Help, this bird to live", she cried. "Goddess Eostara, please help this bird!".Now, Eostara was one busy Being about this time. Under normal circumstances the Goddess of Spring and Warmth would have dismissed this cry for help and continued about Her more important business. But it piqued Her interest that this girl was calling on Her to help a bird instead of herself. She decided to investigate and perhaps lend a helping hand.Eostara came to the girl. She floated over the snowy landscape. In Her wake flowers bloomed and sweet-scented blossoms burst open as colors blazed into view. Spring followed in Her path and the sound of laughter and gentle breezes could be heard on Her breath. She was glorious to behold. Rebirth and new life radiated about Her. The girl was astounded.She jumped up and thrust the bird at Eostara. "Save it!", she cried. "Make it well!". Using the demanding tone that only a child would have the nerve to use in the presence of a Goddess.Eostara took no mind of the girl's inappropriate behavior. She knew of her intent and her motives. The girl was sincere... the girl was unselfish.... the girl was so very young.....Eostara reached out Her hand and touched the bird with one delicate finger. Light flowed through Her, warming the bird. It's eyes opened suddenly. It's foot twitched. It hopped out of the girl's hand and began to flop about madly in the snow. The girl squealed with delight. "You saved it! You saved it!", as she danced about in the snow, overjoyed. But wait --"Hey....." the girl said after watching the bird for a while. "Its wings are still frozen to its body. It can't fly! You didn't do it right!!".Oh my. Now, Eostara surely wasn't used to this kind of response when She had just performed a minor miracle. But with Her infinite patience (which by now was wearing thin) intact, She gave the bird one last effort, another chance at survival. She reached over to the hopping bird and touched it again gently with Her hand, turning it into a bunny. "There!", she said to the girl, "Now it has no need of its wings". And as the now totally confused bunny hopped off into the brush, Eostara drifted away to perform other tasks of sunshine and light (as far away as possible from this girl). The girl was delighted at the sight of the bunny scrambling into the snow-covered brush. "All better", she smiled. She suddenly knew the way home...Now, all this was fine for Eostara and the girl, but what of the bunny? Well, now, this is one totally confused little animal here. This rabbit still has a habit of laying eggs! And to this day, when the snow begins to melt, and the flowers begin to bloom, and the air is filled with the sweet scent of blossoms and warmth, the bunny begins to lay its eggs. Oh, and these aren't ordinary eggs either. These eggs tell of color! Of Spring! Of Eostara and her gift of renewed life and release from winter's chill. They are tokens of recognition and gratitude to the Goddess Eostara for the gift of Spring.Note: Some children today maintain the tradition of building nests in the fields for the Spring bunny to lay its eggs into. Twigs and grass make an inviting nest for such a creature to deposit its brightly colored eggs. I like it.

CAN YOU FIND 9 FACES OR PEOPLE IN THIS ARTWORK?

HI ALL, WELL I WILL NOT LIE *~* I HAVE ONLY FOUND EIGHT??? HAVE A GO!!

YOU MAY NEED TO CLICK ON THE ART PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT SO YOU CAN SEE IT BETTER.

THERE ARE 9 FACES/PEOPLE IN THE ART..

SPARKLING BEE

~ HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY ~

The Wearin' O' the Green

Today is the day fer the wearin' o' the green.Today is the day when the little people are seen.Today is St. Patrick's Day, so if ye'r Irish me lad, Join the celebratin' fer the grandest time ta' be had.
Ya' put yer hand up in the air, the other hand on your hip. Ya' tap yer toe, ya' tap yer heel, ya' bounce yer knee a wee bit.Ya' prance 'n dance around the room, n' circle one two three.

The saints be praised, I must admit, ya' all look Irish ta' me.

*~*THE LEPRECHAUN*~*
The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. He looks like a small, old man (about 2 feet tall), often dressed like a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron. According to legend, leprechauns are aloof and unfriendly, live alone, and pass the time making shoes. They also possess a hidden pot of gold. Treasure hunters can often track down a leprechaun by the sound of his shoemaker's hammer. If caught, he can be forced (with the threat of bodily violence) to reveal the whereabouts of his treasure, but the captor must keep their eyes on him every second. If the captor's eyes leave the leprechaun (and he often tricks them into looking away), he vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.

Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree Live mystical, magical leprechaunswho are clever as can be With their pointed ears, and turned up toes and little coats of greenThe leprechauns busily make their shoes and try hard not to be seen. Only those who really believe have seen these little elves And if we are all believers We can surely see for ourselves.

WEARING OF THE GREEN IN DUBLIN

Saint Patricks Day Festival and Parade in Dublin

Leprechauns, castles, good luck. and laughter. Lullibyes, dreams, and love ever after. Poems and songs with pipes and drums.

A thousand welcomes when anyone comes.

That's the Irish for you!

Mountain Sprite

The Mountain Sprite

In yonder valley there dwelt, alone,

A youth, whose moments had calmly flown, '

Till spells came o'er him, and, day and night,

He was haunted and watch'd by a Mountain Sprite.

As once, by moonlight, he wander'd o'er

The golden sands of that Island shore,

A foot-print sparkled before his sight --

'Twas the fairy foot of the Mountain Sprite!

Beside a fountain, one sunny day,

As bending over the stream he lay,

There peep'd down o'er him two eyes of light,

And he saw in that mirror the Mountain Sprite.

He turn'd, but, lo, like a startled bird,

That spirit fled! -- and the youth but heard

Sweet music, such as marks the flight

Of some bird of song, from the Mountain Sprite.

One night, still haunted by that bright look,

The boy, bewilder'd, his pencil took.

And, guided only by memory's light,

Drew the once-seen form of the Mountain Sprite.

"Oh thou, who lovest the shadow," cried

A voice, low whispering by his side,

"Now turn and see," -- here the youth's delight

Seal'd the rosy lips of the Mountain Sprite.

"Of all the Spirits of land and sea,

" Then rapt he murmur'd, "there's none like thee,

And oft, oh oft, may thy foot thus light

In this lonely bower, sweet Mountain Sprite!"

By,Thomas Moore

How Time Fly's

Hi All, I received this photo today of the youngest of my three Granddaughter's.. Last photo I have of her she was not even walking yet.. She is 14 months old now... I can not believe how fast she is growing up..? I have never seen her just in photo's. So I am so surprised how big she has become..

It seemed so fast?? Maybe I am just getting old??

Grandma Bee

The Shamrock

Oh, the Shamrock

Through Erin's Isle

To sport awhile

As Love and Valour wander'd,

With Wit, the sprite,

Whose quiver bright

A thousand arrows squander'd;

Where'er they pass,

A triple grass

Shoots up,

with dew-drops streaming,

As softly green

As emeralds seen

Through purest crystal gleaming.

Oh the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock!

Chosen leaf

Of Bard and Chief,

Old Erin's native Shamrock!

Says Valour, "See,

They spring for me,

Those leafy gems of morning!" --

Says Love,"No, no,

For me they grow,

My fragrant path adorning."

But Wit perceives

The triple leaves,

And cries, "Oh! do not sever

A type that blends

Three godlike friends,

Love, Valour, Wit, for ever!"

Oh, the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock!

Chosen leaf, etc.

So firmly fond

May last the bond

They wove that morn together,

And ne'er may fall

One drop of gall

On Wit's celestial feather.

May Love, as twine

His flowers divine,

Of thorny falsehood weed 'em:

May Valour ne'er

His standard rear

Against the cause of Freedom!

Oh the Shamrock, the green, immortal Shamrock!

Chosen leaf, etc.

By, Thomas Moore

Niagara Falls frozen.. ??? Old Photo's

1911 Niagara Falls

Hi All ,I just had to post these photo's.. A friend has forwarded these photo's to me. I just had to post them... Truly remarkable..Not like any of the fairies in up state New York would like to see more snow and ice<<<< --- :-)

Bee

TRAVEL TO IRELAND 2

Photo's are of:
King Johns Castle in Limerick, Bunratty Castle window, Bantry Bay-- Natural Harbor, Blarney Castle , Blarney stone of Eloquence.

The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney). The castle was built in 1446 by Cormac Laidhiv McCarthy (Lord of Muskerry) -- its walls are 18 feet thick (necessary to thwart attacks by Cromwellians and William III's troops). Thousands of tourist a year still visit the castle. The origins of the Blarney Stone's magical properties aren't clear, but one legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. It's tough to reach the stone -- it's between the main castle wall and the parapet. Kisser's have to stretch to their back and bend backward (and downward), holding iron bars for support.

Slainte!! (Good health) on Saint Patricks Day

Fairy Cakes----------------------->

Lemon-Irish whiskey Cake Recipe
Ingredients :
Ideally this recipe should be started the day before baking.
1 lemon, zest of cut into Julian
3/4 cup superfine sugar (regular sugar can be processed in a blender of food processor)
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup Irish whiskey
3/4 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups flour
3/4 cup almonds, ground
1 pinch salt

Preparation : Place julienned lemon zest in a small bowl. Let it soak in whiskey overnight. The next day, preheat oven to 350°F .Grease a 9 inch cake pan Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy and then whisk in the eggs. Sift the flour and add to the butter mixture together with the salt. Stir to blend. Fold in the ground almonds. Strain the whiskey, discarding the zest, and stir the whiskey into the batter. Pour into the prepared pan, and bake about one hour, until golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 10 servings



FAIRY CAKES

4 Egg Yolks

2/3 Cup Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Grated Lemon Peel

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

4 Egg Whites

2/3 Cups Sifted Cake Flour

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

2 --- 12 Count Muffin Tins

24 Cupcakes Papers

1 jar lemon curd jam

1/2 Cup Confectioner’s Sugar
Oven 375

Beat egg yolks till thick and lemon colored. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar, beating constantly.
Stir in lemon peel and juice. Beat egg whites till soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar and beat till stiff peaks form.
Gently fold yolks into whites. Sift together flour and salt; fold into egg mixture. Fill papers in bake cups half full. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes. Remove cakes from tins and cool completely on a wire rack.
Using a sharp narrow bladed knife, cut into the top center of each cake, removing cone shape and set aside. Fill each cavity with about 1 teaspoon of lemon curd.
Replace the “cones” into the filling on each cake and dust with confectioner’s sugar.
Yield: 24 cakes.


Irish Jig Dessert
Ingredients :
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons whiskey
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon confectioner's sugar
1 cup coconut macaroons
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation :
Crush the macaroons and set aside. Be sure the whipping cream is thoroughly chilled, along with the bowl and beater attachments. Mix all ingredients other than the macaroons. Beat until stiff peaks are formed. Fold in 3/4 cup crushed macaroons. Spoon into 6-8 dessert glasses. Sprinkle with additional macaroons. Serve immediately.

TRAVEL TO IRELAND

Hi to all in this month of March... These are some photos a friend shared with me of her trip to Ireland...

Photo's are:

The colorful buildings above are in the Quills Woolen Market, A Irish cross in Glendalough, the Irish coast, and a Irish Church in Folk Park. Oh and the lovely mountains goats below.. :-)

Sparkling Greeen beer to all

B.


And Irish tunes they whistle And Irish songs they sing, To-day each Irish lad walks out As proud as any king.
I'll wear a four-leaf shamrock In my coat, the glad day through, For my father and mother are Irish And I am Irish too!








Saint Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle. Formerly known as the Great Hall & Ballroom until 1764 when an explosion in the armory damaged it & the South West Tower. A Royal Warrant was issued by the then King George 2nd for its rebuilding, and the refurbishment of other areas of the castle which had fallen into disrepair. In 1783 his successor King George 3rd attended the Castle & set up the Illustrious Order of St. Patrick, based on the English Order of the Garter. The subsequent ceremonies and meetings of the Order were held in the Hall.
The Irish Crown Jewels were the insignia of the Knights of the Order of Saint Patrick until they were stolen under suspicious circumstances in 1907. The Jewels have never been recovered & the full account of their disappearance from within the Castle remains a mystery to this day.