Saturday, March 12, 2011

Wal Mart Now Offering Honey Bees?

Yep. That's right folks and you read it here first!!

Wal Mart has just about anything you could want or need but.....honey bees?
Yes. Even honey bees. Last week Ethan, Brandon's beekeeping mentor, found this "hard to find item" while shopping at Wal Mart. Actually he was in the parking lot getting ready to leave when he discovered a swarm in a tree.

Like any true beekeeper, Ethan just happened to have a super or two in his van! Perfect! The bees we owned left their hive a while back so Ethan was so kind to bring the swarm to our empty hive and I am so excited because they arrived just in time to work in my vegetable garden and the orange blossoms!

Notice how comfortable Bryce has become around the bees. I am not that brave yet! They are even crawling on his back....ewwww!

They seemed to accept their new home right away.

The bees were full of nectar so they can't sting. Me? Still not brave enough for this!


And I am certainly not brave enough to bring a swarm of bees across town in my vehicle. If they were to start swarming around me while I'm driving I would probably crash!
Just look at the bees still left in the van....ewwww!!!


I must say, though, there is nothing better than fresh, raw honey. So, THANK YOU Ethan for thinking of us and for driving the swarm of bees over to our place!! You are the bestest!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Update on Monroe

What a bumpy, unpredictable time we have had lately! After Monroe was released from the hospital for his back surgery he was having extreme pain in his right knee and thigh. The doctors did many tests before releasing him and came to the conclusion that the pain was due to inflammation from the surgery that was pressing on a nerve. The only cure was time and pain medication. My husband can tolerate a great deal of pain but this pain was unbearable!

After being home 4 days he ended up back in the hospital with blood clots in both lungs! This was such a scary time for us!! But the Lord was with us and many prayers were being sent on his behalf. Three days later he as back home. He is slowly recovering and getting stronger every day.

He sits on the front porch a lot enjoying the gorgeous weather we have been having here in Florida. It has become a regular habit for the two of us to sit out front and have our morning coffee. I am really enjoying that because Monroe was never one to sit still very long. I believe the slow days and solitude has been good for him. He has time to reflect on life and the Lord.


We bought a couple of bird feeders to hang out in the front yard. He likes to sit and watch all of the different varieties of birds come and eat.
And this past weekend our church provided a huge barbeque for the children of Upward Soccer, which our church sponsors, and their families. This is a great opportunity for outreach in the community and it has been a great success. So, of course we were glad to help out and cook the chicken for the event. Now Monroe did NOT cook. The lids to this smoker/grill are so very heavy. He was given the position of supervisor and Brent and Brandon were the chefs this time! I did get his picture wearing his "Old Guys Rule" Grill Master shirt-a Christmas gift from Brooke & Ricky. It is perfect for him. I love the saying on it...."well done and rare"!
We had both smokers going and they were packed with chicken. We cooked 7 cases of chicken!!
Here they are loading the cooler to take the meat to the church for the meal.



Mmmm...it was so tender it just fell off the bone.


I know my hubby can't wait to get on his feet again. It is so hard for him to sit back and let others do the work. He is such a go-getter. This has been a very difficult season for him but I think he is learning a few things so in that way it has been good for him.
Please keep him in your prayers for no more complications and a full recovery.
God is Good!!