Well, here we are in the middle of July and working hard to prepare some wonderful new goodies because what fun is it to just have the same old stuff?!  The bees are very aggressive this year and Dave has decided that he needs to invest in a new bee suit as he was stung about 100 times today!  Investment is on its way!

The honey looks to be wonderful this year too.  I wonder if the bees are so determined about defending the hives because of the winter that is on its way? I guess we will find out soon, won't we!  Hard to believe I am even thinking about snow when it is so hot and lovely outside.

 The lavender harvest is pretty much done and I will be collecting seeds to sell.  I am thrilled that my lemon grass plants have made seeds this year as well which is apparently a very rare occurrence.

That's all for now! See you around. 

Well, we came through the winter this year and lost 7 out of 10 hives.  It is a sad thing to watch these bees work so hard and we have tried to do things as naturally as possible so as not to impact their health any  more that it already is being impacted but it seems to no avail.  We may not even be able to harvest any honey at all this year.

It never ceases to amaze me at the lack of understanding that people have about where their food comes from the process that it has to go through before it comes to the store for purchase.  The soil preparation, the seed selection, the protection from drought, storms, environmental challenges, the predator factor, correct pollination, and then a timing for harvest.  Without the pollinators we have no food chain.  

We will continue to strive to grow our herbs and harvest our other products without chemical use and hopefully our remaining hives will make a comeback over the summer and be stronger going into the next winter season so that they  may survive.

Healing Rain

Though it has been a comfortable start to the season, the last week or so has been hot and humid and sucking all the moisture out of the leaves of the beautiful garden plants.  Gardeners and Farmers are two of the most hopeful people you will ever meet as they wait patiently and watch in anticipation with great visions and plans for the harvest to come.  The first seed sprouts, the leaves appear, the plants gain stature and then the flowers or fruit begin to arrive.  Such a delicate beginning and then we wait anxiously as the transformation into production begins!

So the flowers arrived on the tomato plants and the blueberry bushes and then the rain stopped.  The apples are falling off the tree, the black walnuts are thinning out and the leaves of the broccoli look weary!  Alas, the gentle storms have arrived, washing away the dirt and dust, giving rest to the stand of plants and struggling seedlings.  The all seem to raise up and "breathe" in the water.  The dark green comes on the leaves, the berries are plumping, and the birds are flitting around in the rain and enjoying the respite from the heat.

Healing rain.  Thank you God for hearing the prayers of our daughter to bring rain for our gardens and teaching her the truth of answered prayers.