[JustaDumbBlonde]

Y'all may remember that I started my beekeeping adventures this past Spring with two things in mind: 1) improved and more certain pollination in my garden; and 2) adding a source for food and sweetener to my overall self-sufficiency plan. Little did I know how joyful, interesting, and satisfying beekeeping would become! And, it turns out that the bees provide so much more than the two things I originally had in mind!

Last week I needed to add a new box to one of my hives, so I took the camera along so that I could share some photos with y'all. This first photo is the inside of the hive as it appeared when I initially took the top and cover off of the hive. Many of the bees had gone back into the hive because I smoked them a bit. The comb that you can see built between the 10 inner frames is not ideal. But it happens when the hive is growing faster than the person trying to keep up with them.

The next photo is the box with one frame removed. Every frame in the box is full and it a little past time to be putting a new box on the hive. They filled it so quickly. It was only about 10 days ago that I checked and they had a ways to go before needing a new box.

This photo is of the frame that I removed. You can see the glimmer of honey in the cells on the left-hand side. The cells that appear white are honey that the bees have 'capped'. When every frame in the box is full and capped, it would be time to harvest the honey. This box, however, is the stores that the bees will utilize to survive the winter.

Next is the new box of frames that will be stacked on the hive. It is so amazing that I don't have to do a thing to secure this box in any way. The bees will glue it to the remainder of the hive with propolis. It takes a sharp hive tool whenever you go to open a hive. The bees glue everything in place.

Here is the hive after placing the new box and putting the cover and top back on. If the bees fill this box with honey before the winter, we will harvest it for us. It will contain a couple of gallons.

This hive is the youngest of the 3 that I currently keep. For the Spring, I have ordered 2 colonies from a man in Brandon, MS, and I'll drive over there to pick them up when the time comes. I don't know how many colonies I will pick up by capturing swarms and removing colonies from the homes, sheds and barns of people in my area. All three of my hives started out being a colony that we cut out of homes.

Garden-wise, I've got several bushels of green tomatoes to process and have been collecting recipes other than the green tomato relish that I can every year. I actually made a green tomato cake a couple of days ago that is remarkably good.

My peppers are also producing like crazy and I've canned about 12 quarts of candied jalapenos in the past 2 weeks.

Shelled 2 bushels of speckled butter beans yesterday. That will probably be the last of the beans, but we've been picking them since early September, so I can't do a bit of complaining. The still have new pods with beans to fill-out, but cool weather is upon us and I doubt that they will do anything further.

I'm off to swap the SD cards in all of my trail cams and try to determine where I will hunt this evening. Which reminds me: prayers for my bee mentor, my good friend and fellow hunter, Mark, would be greatly appreciated. He fell 20 feet from a tree stand and broke his back Thursday night. He had surgery this morning that went well, but he has a long way to go. Still in ICU, but he does have movement in his feet. I humbly ask that you lift him up in prayer.

[hattend]

How do you harvest honey when ready? Just cut it out of the frames or do you melt the beeswax and the honey flows?

I’ve always considered learning beekeeping but I guess I’m too afraid to do it. I hate bee stings.

[trisham]

That was fascinating! You're an excellent teacher. :)

Prayers are on the way for your good friend Mark. Please keep us posted.

[who knows what evil?]

Much appreciated...I’ve been looking into this, but would rather get into a more permanent southern location first.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Will remember Mark in my prayers.

Now, for you! Good grief, girl. you are making the rest of us look like pikers! Not only are you raising bees, you are removing them from other people’s homes and barns. I hope you wear a bee suit, and I’ll bet you look fearsome in it. And you are stalking wild game at the same time. Is there anything that you can’t do?

You are simply awesome and put the rest of us to shame!

[greeneyes]

Prayers up.

[tubebender]

My Prayers for your FRiend and may he have a successful recovery. Thanks for the excellent photos of your Bee Keeping adventures. Who helps you collect the wild hives?

[Sarajevo]

Do you worry about Africanized bees in your area? I think that is the only thing that keeps me from trying to raise bees.

[Red_Devil 232]

Wow you are as industrious as a Bee! Looks like you will have the makings for a great Mead or a nice Honey Porter Ale! With the figs you have available from your tree you could make a Fig Honey Mead - that could be an awesome combination! Fruit of the gods with the nectar of the gods.

Prayers for your friend Mark’s rapid recovery!

[Diana in Wisconsin]

How cool!! My BIL has offered me all of his bee-keeping stuff in the past - wonder if he’ll still give it all to me come spring if I ask?

I’m torn between being the local authority on/supplier of Heirloom Chickens, or learning about and keeping Angora Rabbits for the fur. I’ve got room for both, so it just may be both!

Your hive looks happy, healthy & successful - but I would expect no LESS from you! :)

[cherry]

of course we'll pray for your friend....

btw, are you like Superwoman or what?.....

[tillacum]

We’ll add Mark to our prayer list for a swift and successful recovery.

[tillacum]

Would you mind sharing the Green Tomato cake recipe. I’ve not seen one before. Thank you.