Archive for September, 2012

I robbed the hives on Labor Day

Tuesday, September 11th, 2012

I got about 50 pounds of honey on labor day, but I did not get a chance to extract it from the frames until this last weekend.This converts to about 60 or 70 bear bottles.

There are two buckets, one full and the other with a little bit, sitting on the counter in out kitchen. Erica will try to find time to bottle the honey today or tomorrow. Bottling is slow work and Erica has to stoop over to do it. Her sore back is no help here.

I am going to print out labels today and the honey should go on sale this weekend.

We have accidentally obtained a dozen one pound “Muth” jars which will sell for about $10. These are antique looking bottles with a cork. They are very pretty and make good presents. I am not sure if Erica will fill any of them this time. We may be using them for Christmas presents for out friends.

There are 4 hives with honey that I will rob when I get a nice weekend. That should be another 70 or 80 bottles if the bees did their stuff as well as I hope.

The bees are very healthy and have a high population. I hope that with the chill weather this week that they start slowing down for winter. All the hives seem full so they might have enough stores to make it through. This winter I will make a sugar concoction called “bee candy” to feed them a few times in the cold months.

The Chickens are just starting to lay eggs so there may be a dozen or so fresh eggs available by this weekend. Erica has been working hard on the “Fresh Eggs” sign.