elliemoon

AND SHE'S OUT

i patiently waited for the full week before heading back into the hive to scope out the scene. i love going into the hive, but it disrupts them, so only when necessary. 

the fuel and the fire::

the girls are loving their sugar syrup. i spoiled them this first week with a 2:1 sugar syrup. yum::

o, showing some love of his own::

through the smoke, into the hive, right to the queen cage and, she's gone::

our queen wasn't marked this year, so we probably won't be seeing her very often. but we'll see her handiwork, thats for sure!

 

I LOVE YOU SUMMER

i love you very much!!

TO THE FISH HATCHERY!

o had a field trip to the sandwich fish hatchery a month or so ago and was adamant about making another trip. so we gathered our quarters for the fish pellet dispensers (many a piggy bank being pillaged in the process) and headed out::

"the hawk", who is a regular at this spot, didn't make an appearance. but o was thrilled regardless and acted as our tour guide the entire time::

meanwhile, little lu made several attempts to jump in (see group shot). luckily all were thwarted. 

 

VEGETARIANS, AVERT YOUR EYES

here's another sub from our line up. this one is super simple and perfect for the end of a busy summer day. with only three ingredients (aside from the sub rolls) it comes together faster than you can say "get off that table and start setting it for dinner" (in a loving tone of course)::

the "recipe":

2 pounds shaved steak

2 small onions

mozzarella cheese (a bag of shredded will do)

this recipe makes 4 to 5 subs

now just follow along::

slice the onions, like so::

put a bit of extra virgin olive oil in the bottom of a pan, such as::

saute onions until they look something like this (five to ten minutes)::

while you're waiting on the onions, grate up some of that mozzarella, or just slice open the bag you picked up::

when the onions are ready, add the meat, some salt and an ample amount of freshly ground pepper::

when the meat looks like it is just about cooked through, toss in a handful of that cheese and stir it around, just for the heck of it::

now take that call that the teary-eyed slobber-shirt fairy has on hold for you, it could be important::

finally, grab your tongs and sub rolls::

don't forget to add another handful of shredded mozzarella to the top. now just sit back and soak up the silence. the silence and the chewing.

 

SCHOOLS OUT 2011!

its all over! for a couple of months anyway. i for one, will not miss the mad dashes to the bus each morning. and here, as promised, is another faux food extravaganza from the pages of hello, cupcake. this one wound up being pretty simple::

and was very warmly received::

not that i was expecting cupcakes covered in jellybeans not to be!

THE NEW GIRLS

yes, they have arrived. 10,000 or so honeybees::

this year our regular supplier cancelled all bee package orders and closed up shop for the season. not even our local bee club leaders knew why. luckily they were able to find an alternate and every member got their bees! because we are starting out so late in the season, we won't be expecting any honey come fall. but we can make sure that they are well fed and have a strong honey store for the long cold winter. here's our queen, packaged a bit differently and with quite a few helpers in there with her::

freedom::

and a home to call their own:

it wasn't until after i had installed them and moseyed out later to find them settled and going about their business, that i fully realized just how much i had missed having some girls around. i suddenly find myself scoping out spots for additional hives. i just love them. plain and simple. and thank you claire for giving us the scoop on the new bee documentary queen of the sun::

see the trailer here and see the movie if you can! it looks amazing!

CIRCLES FOR THE SUN

yesterday was the most beautiful and perfect solstice day to date for this crew. not a cloud in the sky, and just enough of a cool breeze to keep things comfortable. in our attempt to create all things circular, we turned our path into a sunscape::

made daisy chains and wreaths::

and picked the first batch of lavender for drying (not exactly a circular activity, but we made it work)::

we also took some time to go down to the lake and splash around. and just about everyone, after eventually climbing out of the water, stretched out on the dock and sunned themselves through and through. o, true to form, was too busy trying to catch minnows!

 

JUST UNDER THE WIRE

wrapped, stamped and shipped; two baby's blankets with coordinating changing pads::

this project has given me a new idea for my shop. exactly when this idea will come to fruition is another story, but its a new idea. and thats exciting!! exciting to me anyway (though i do tend to be easily amused). 

oh, and happy summer solstice!! what are you doing to celebrate?

A VERY FULL FATHERS DAY

yesterday felt like two days in one. we packed in quite a bit. breakfast was an event in and of itself. then we made a special trip to the beach, passing old friends along the way::

after a nice leisurely visit with those guys, the four beans surprised us by jumping right into the water, even though it was a blustery and cool morning::

we came home, rinsed the sand off in the lake and started prepping for the fathers day feast::

yes, more sushi. big b's favorite meal. and that piece of cake that bella stuck her fingers into, then didn't eat, is the requested milk chocolate version of the previous boston cream pie. it was a hit with everyone but bella. and i quote "this stuff is disgusting! you guys like this?" priceless. hope your fathers day weekend was equally entertaining! 

STILL STITCHING

i won't bore you with any additional photos of my unfinished work. another couple of hours and i'll be done! then i'll be back, i promise. hope you all have a great weekend! see you monday, bright and early.