Closing out 2017 with gratefulness

2017 leaves us with much to be grateful for. It didn't start out so well with the loss of our sweet Missy Marie. She was with our family for almost 15 years and we were blessed to have her.

Tim continues his love affair with Autumn. Never have we had a dog that is "his". Her devotion to him always met with a hug when he comes home at night.

In April a beautiful little boy named Noah joined our family...

He has brought such joy to our family.

We only added one New little one to our managerie named PJ. The New human babies have taken over that spot.

After a rough year before losing all our hives to a bear, we have rebounded and begun to rebuild our apiary.

Our daughters family added 2 New puppies named Onyx&Odie!!! 

Our friend Kenny has recovered well from his transplant surgery and we continue to cherish our friendship with him and Jane.

We took time out for friends and fun on the beach.

Noah and Scarlett grow and we try not to miss a moment.

Much wanted projects like this one were completed.

Time was spent with cherished friends...

As I continue to make greater goals towards where and what I want to do in life...

Watching these two grow up as cousins and friends is priceless.

So as we leap into 2018, we do so with a grateful heart...

The weather outside is frightful!!!

The weather has been sooooooo cold here in Connecticut! With single digit and negative temperatures in the days and nights, the thermometer not budging a bit, it's been hard to bear. Even the animals are non too happy about it. 

We have laid thick layers of straw down for them and they pile in without hesitation. 

The chickens are hudled and let's not forget the frozen poop!! Cleaning the chicken coop is just about impossible with everything frozen! We are expecting these temperatures to continue for at least another week!!!
It's all part of living in New England which I wouldn't change for the world.

Candy Boards on the Winter Solstice

             For the past few years, I have brought my bees through the Winter by using the following techniques. I will share what I do. 

First you will need Candy Boards. My husband made these to fit on top of the feeder. There is about an inch and a half area that holds it up.

First you will need 5 pounds of sugar per hives.

16 ounces of water...

I add some Pollen Patties purchased at my local Agway.

Pour the water into a pot and bring to a boil...

Pour the 5 pounds of sugar into the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Bring it to 242 degrees. Let sit until it is 180 degrees. Then take a blender and mix until it begins to thicken. You can do this at short intervals as well.

Now pour quickly into the deep side of the candy boards and spread out.

Have your pollen patties cut into small pieces and work into the sugar as quick as you can.

Leaving the top feeder on, I fill each side with pine shavings generously.

Then invert the candy board on top of the feeder. The bees will come up the center and cluster, feeding on the candy board staying away from the condensation that will drip into the shavings.

The girls were curious and came to check out what I was doing.

The bee yard is put to bed for the Winter, just in time for the Winter Solstice. I hope this will help you as it has helped me. If you have any questions you can always leave a comment here or email us at CoonHollowFarm@aol.com.
Happy Winter as we dream for Spring to work with our girls again!

Honey Cinnamon Butter gifting

Every year is a challenge to find something unique to make as a gift. I love to give out usable gifts. I choose a honey butter as a gift This year. I looked up some recipes but borrowed from a few to make my own. I made it for the family this weekend, but then made some adjustments. I sterilized some jars and went to work.

I choose these 5 ingredients, butter, honey (crystallized is fine), cinnamon, dark brown sugar and homemade vanilla.

Into the food processor they went. Blending takes some time to bring the ingredients together.

Once blended, I placed the ingredients into small jars.

Added a label to them...

Placed some homespun under the label and you have butter, ready for gifting!!!
Yes! I will list the recipe below:
1/2 cup of butter, salted
1 tablespoon of honey
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Enjoy!!!!!

The tale of two soaps

A few weeks ago, I entered a raffle and won some soaps. There was an interesting assortment so I decided to try some out. This bar was surprising alarming to me. Why on earth would anyone make a clear soap? How they got this is by straining off all the good fats that make your skin soft. As I read the ingredients you couldn't even make them out without a degree in chemistry! But what was even worse was alcohol was an ingredient!!!!!

This is what soap should look like, complete with fats and I know each and every natural ingredient too!!!

Even side by side, which soap would you trust?

Even the lather, which I went back and forth over 20 times, was dry and pasty.

My soap was moist, slathered well and did not leave a film on my hand.

So my conclusion, this bar of soap needs to filed, right into the trash!!! Please know what goes on your body and on your skin!!!!