Take some runny honey and softened butter in roughly equal amounts and blend together with cinnamon. That’s it. If you love cinnamon, add lots. If you like it in moderation, just put in a pinch or leave it out altogether. One word of caution – don’t blend it too long or the butter will separate … Read more
I had one honey super with frames that had honeycomb acceptable to use in the extractor. So here they are, in the extractor ready to be spun. First I had to pick off the wax caps covering the cells of honey. There’s a special tool for that. Next, the frames are placed in the extractor … Read more
I’m harvesting honey today. The hard way. Like last time. That’s what happens when you let the bees build their own foundation comb. Since the comb is built mostly perpendicular to the frames, I basically need to cut it out and mash it to get the honey out. Beeswax candles, anyone? I’m generating way more … Read more
After Thursday’s fiasco, I wanted to make sure I could light a good fire in my smoker no matter what. So – I borrowed a fire tool from my hubby. Propane torch, complete with sparker. No need for matches, even…. very nice piece of equipment. It did a great job of lighting my smoker – … Read more
I went for a visit to the beeyard yesterday at sunset. It’s probably the most unromantic place you could think of, what with all the buzzing and stinging and such. The sunset was nice but not memorable. The bees, however, were cranky (in a memorable sort of way). Go figure – I’m there to separate … Read more
This here is a scrap piece of metal I found in my ‘bee bag’ that holds my various beekeeping tools. It’s a good thing it was there, because I somehow ended up out at the hives without my trusty hive tool.
Since I had a super full of crazy curvy comb – that can happen when you don’t use foundation – I couldn’t just pop my honey frames in an extractor and give them a spin. First, I had to cut the comb from the frames. I used the wires in the frames as a guide, so it all came out in strips.
I was filling my backyard pool today (thanks Bianca!) and decided to do a bit of skimming. I guess this gal was thirsty – or maybe got too hot? – she showed up on the skimmer. Then I started noticing that there was more than one bee in the pool…. hmmm….
Setting up the bee escape and waiting for a few days allows the beekeeper to come back and take the box of honey without having to shake out the bees and piss them off. Or use a bee brush on the frames, which I can’t do anyway since the comb is not actually in the individual frames. It’s kind of meandering through the honey super. So I need a bee escape. And I need to go check it soon, since it’s been on there for a bit.
Here’s a pic of the escape:
I’ve filtered my first half-cup of honey through this old food mill that belonged to my Grandma – see the honeycomb in the cone – and now I just want to look at it! I’ve tasted it, but that’s all. It’s a very light yellow – here’s the comparison to Ken’s: