Monday, February 27, 2012

A Bit of Beekeeping

This month I've attended two free classes about beekeeping. I am considering putting in a hive out at Adrienne and John's place in Kentucky where the bees would have plenty of room to roam and would be situated near a running creek. Luckily John is also interested in putting in a hive! We've gone to both bee classes together to start to learn up on our newfound hobby. The first class was more of a working session where we cleaned frames and built new frames with beeswax foundation in preparation for putting in a new hive. The class was at Gorman Heritage Farm in Evendale, Ohio. The second class was put on by the Northern Kentucky Beekeepers Association and it was great. It was an all day affair and we learned a ton. Three different beekeepers talked at length and did plenty of show and tell. The best thing about beekeepers is they are all different and no one (that I've met to date) acts like an expert. They seem really humble and really into sharing their knowledge but are quick with the disclaimers. So far they've all said something along these lines ...'if you ask 10 different beekeepers you'll get 10 different thoughts on how to approach beekeeping' ... so I guess everyone finds their own personal style that they like and no one will change their mind otherwise. Yet they all seem to like to come together and share what they know, just cause. Maybe like the bee colony, they are fans of being in a fellow community working on projects and what not. So far, I'm liking the company!
This is an older tray still in good shape. We simply scraped off all of the dried propolis around the frame but kept the wax comb in tact.
This is a brand new tray being constructed with a brand new wax foundation.
A full super (wooden box) with all its trays ready for bees.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Legal Moonshine


This article came out in the New York Times on Ando's birthday. Cocke County Tennessee, here we come!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

King Ando

Andy's birthday was on Fat Tuesday so we threw a little Mardi Gras party with seafood gumbo, roasted oysters, king cake and sazeracs. Our friends had a good time poking fun at Andy getting older. They made him this necklace in case he gets lost and can't find his way home.

There were lots of firecracker poppers involved, inside the house.
A fun time had by all. Laissez les bon temps rouler.

Out in the back yard, a chinese lantern firecracker spinning round an round off the tine of a pitchfork!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Happy Birthday Ando!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Groundhog Brunch!

We made carrot soap for party favors!
Delicious food, as always

Our friend Jake was wonderful playing the groundhog banjo. The kids were captivated!
Homemade root beer floats!


Homemade Donuts

We made these glazed donuts for our annual Groundhog Day brunch. The secret ingredient is mashed potatoes!
They did rise up quite nicely.




These were fun to make and eat. We will make them again!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Valentines from Mr. Houston

This year Ando had all of his student's make his valentines!







Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day with a little Love, Lust and Contempt

Valentines Day 2012
This year's gift - a boxed set of music of ranging love songs expressing the whole spectrum of emotion from murder ballads to the oh so lovey-dovey. A few favorite titles: ' I Ain't a Bit Drunk', 'If You Can't Land 'Er On The Old Veranda', ' I'm Wearin' the Britches Now' and 'Wimmin-Aaah!'. It's a release by one of our favorite labels - Dust to Digital. Here's to all that comes with love!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Beet Ravioli

We got a bit adventurous this year and made homemade beet ravioli for our friend's annual tuber dinner party! Yes we have more than one tuber party in our life!

Our friend's party is a competition and amazingly we took the prize. We didn't even think that many people liked beets. This recipe is pretty tasty with the filling made up of roasted beets and smoked mozzarella and roasted ricotta, served with a butter sauce, poppy seeds, and more shredded cheese on top. If you are interested in the recipe you can find it here.