April {LOVES}

this book

this docu-drama

this recipe

this special lid

April 2014 Learning Highlights

Our learning time hasn't been top priority this month. In fact, it probably won't be a priority again until after the big move in May. But, we did manage to do a bit of hands on learning about bees. We read lots of books about bees, we picked up our own hive this month, and we have been observing the bees flying in and out each day. We also found the little plastic cell where the queen bee was added to the nuc and we gave it to Seth. He was so proud!  

 

We love The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco even when we aren't learning about bees!

We read a few books about Earth Day and Arbor Day. 

We also went to the local Earth Day Celebration at WKU where we enjoyed snowcones (made with Zest! juice) and free herbs which we planted later that day.

We'll try to get back to more structured learning in June!

{Gratitude} Lately

Really big things have been happening around here. 

Until I can share more, there's so much to be thankful for.

Lately I've been grateful for...

the reminder of Christ that the dogwood provides

 friends that joined us for our second annual Passover Seder

 the arrival of bean boots after being on back order since December

 a canopy of blossoms outside the library

 the gift of a sweet bunny

 free herbs from the WKU Earth Day Celebration

 and for a nearby neighbor that always brings me empty jars

{Gratitude} Lately

 Right now, my heart is about ready to burst from all the gratitude I feel. 

Our God is amazing! That is the only explanation.

Every day I look around in amazement at all the 

beautiful, yet simple, things that I'm so thankful for.

 Lately I've been grateful for...

huge, huge gifts and vintage, small gifts

 the joy a bike bell can bring to a little boy

 

carousel rides

 

 free spinning tops from a local store

 

a miraculous sale

  

a campfire nightlight

 a litter of Great Pyrenees puppies born two weeks ago 

and a sweet girl to call our own

for a friend that stops by and helps us discover (just in time!!!) a freezer full of meat that had been accidentally unplugged, for finding gluten free matzo at Kroger, and for this new adventure we're beginning and the smiles it brings to our whole family. We are so, so grateful!!!

{Keeping Bees} The Arrival!!!

We picked up our nuc of Italian bees last night around 7. We transferred 5 frames filled with thousands and thousands of bees into our hive wearing a head lamp and a holding a flashlight (along with all our bee protective gear). I've given birth to two boys and have sky dived out of an airplane, and handling bees ranks right up there with those things that are terrifying while also exhilarating. I've checked on the bees several times today. They are just so fascinating! We'll check inside the hive in a few days after this cool spell passes through to make sure things are going well. Signs from the outside indicate they are making a happy new home.

Chicken Introductions

I've caved. We weren't going to name our chickens (and Bryan still couldn't care less about chicken names). We resisted for nearly a year and a half, but then I named our favorite. Since our favorite had a name, Seth and I decided the rest needed to be named. Then when we kept two of the Ameracauna pullets that we bought at the auction (we sold the other 3), they needed a name, too. So I introduce you to...

Penny (our favorite and friendliest hen)

 

Buttercup 1 and Buttercup 2 (we cannot tell these two apart)

  

Whitey (Can you tell Seth named her?)

 and our newest additions...

Jubilee

 

and 

Snowball

{Keeping Bees} Assembly

Frames have been assembled and foundation has been added.

The smoker, gloves, and veils have arrived.

Supers have been painted.

Now we're just waiting for our bees. They arrive Sunday!!!

Auction, Auction!!!

Saturday we went to the 30th Annual Southern KY Horse Drawn Machinery Consignment Sale. All I really wanted at the auction was an Ameraucana chicken. We left with 5 Ameracauna pullets, a red metal toolbox, a beautiful vintage basket, and a couple of cast iron cornbread pans. We learned boots are essential, because the Toms that I wore might never be the same. We learned we should have put the sunscreen that we had in the car ON because maybe then we wouldn't resemble lobsters two days later. We also learned that if a wave exchange occurs among friends while standing in an auction ring, it might result in your friend purchasing a $15 hatchet. We had a blast! I'm already looking forward to next year's auction!