Hail and Farewell Auld Lang Syne...



Coon Hollow Farm at a glance...


 As we say goodbye to 2011, we look upon it fondly as a year that was pretty good to us in comparison to the previous years. We'd like to thank all who supported us and helped us throughout the year.
It was a year were we looked at our goals that have been met and look to the future for the ones we hope to achieve.
Most of all I reflect on the people who have walked along with us on our path and taught us so much, those that have moved on and those that have come back into our lives.
Today I had a long conversation with my daughter and we talked about lives rewards for hard work, being a good person and perseverance. I have watched both my kids grow into these great people, and I am so thankful for all I have. I am so blessed with a great life, work in a Nature Center that recharges my soul, have the chance to make a difference in animals lives and am gifted to be able to teach people things that I have learned that makes my life better in hopes that it makes their lives better too.
So as we move into a New Year, I just want to say thank you to all of you who support us, help us and are always there when we need you the most...

Candy Boards for the bees!



Boiling 16 ounces of water

Today I installed the Candy Board  onto our over wintering hive.
First I boiled 16 ounces of water to 242 degrees (f), added 5 lbs of sugar, stirred, then turned off the heat until it dropped to 180 degrees (f).



5 lbs of sugar

  Store brand white cane sugar is just fine...

Boiling sugar and water with electric thermometer

From there you must take a beater and beat a few times until it becomes frothy...

Bee Candy on the Candy Board

 Once it is thick, you pour it very carefully on the Candy Board. I added a little Honey-B-Healthy into the mix. I usually add Pollen Patties but the mice had their way with them in the greenhouse so I can add them in later.
Tim built this Candy Board for me which was invented by David Lane from Long Lane bees. His link is located on the left of my blog.

Inverted upside down on the hive

Once cooled you can take it up to your hive, take the top off and quickly flip it down side onto the top of the hive as not to chill the bees. I then placed the cover over it. General rule of thumb is to get it on by the Winter Solstice but we have had such a mild fall that I got time to do it today. I will check it in a few weeks and see if the bees are working at it and once they consume it replace with some more "Candy". This helps them once they have depleated their honey reserves.

Merry Christmas from the Farm!

This Holiday season I choose to give gifts from the farm, made with things I grew in various gardens with the help of our greenhouse, where we starting our plants from seed to jellies. I made Jalapeno Jelly from my jalapenos I grew in my garden. Pumpkins grown from seed by myself provided a very yummy Pumpkin Jam that was a 3 day process to make (thanks for the recipe Bonnie!). I also made homemade Vanilla soaked in bourbon and vanilla beans for 6 weeks. Also an ornament with a dried Orange and Apple slice sifted in cinnamon and nutmeg adorns the bags.

Our gifts stand like little soldiers ready to go to our friends, neighbors and families who have been so good to us this year...

Merry Christmas from me, Tim and all the Critters here on the farm, may it be a Happy and Healthy one for you and your families...

Winter Solstice Blessings!

 Winter Solstice is here, the end of the darkness, gaining more daylight as we move into winter and within. On this day on the farm, we remember the wildlife by leaving dried treats for the birds...

 the feeders are filled with love so they have an abundance of food when it's hard to find. This has been a tradition since my kids were very little...

the weather is absolutely beautiful today with temperatures in the 50's here in Connecticut. The farm yard got a special treat of bread and goodies...

even the bees are out today stretching their wings and taking care of business. I offered them some sugar water and will put their candy boards in next week so they will have food throughout the winter. Bright Blessings on this Solstice to you and yours, may it be filled with all of Natures bounty...

Our Etsy Shop...

Felted Soaps

We are busy here and there getting ready for the holidays. Also on our Etsy shop on line, are many gifts available and made right here on Coon Hollow Farm, right down to the animals! We have various Alpaca Pillows needle felted, handspun yarns...



Assorted Needle Felted Pillows

 


Handspun Yarns





Goats Milk Lotion and Body Mist


as well as Goats Milk Spray Mist and Hand lotions,

Assorted Needle Felted items

 Needle Felted animals and Necklaces...the link to our Etsy Shop is to the left of our page, just click and it will take you right there!