Sunday, March 27, 2011

A Little More Bee Drivel....

Well - it's just about all over -
I'm sure I'll find a few more sticky surfaces in the kitchen before I can say it's over for good.
The boychild (or should I call him the ManChild now?) took all the photos in this post - that's why they are decent!
He also ate the last of the blueberry muffins, drenched in honey.


I'm infatuated with bees and all they are and represent.
I want to bathe in honey.
I may re-pierce my belly button if I can find a bee belly ring.
(I just Googled it - and they exist )


I actually thought of getting a bee tattoo for about 2 seconds.
I've never considered a tattoo.
Ever.
I mean - they fade and sag - and I have enough of that going on now without adding to my shame...thankyouverymuch.
Here's the long awaited video of me getting the honey off the frames.
Please do try this at home!
For all you experienced honey extractors - you may cringe.
And of course - there's even bloopers in this video - but I just keep going.

What I didn't show you in the video - is a close up photo of my first filtering process - I didn't know there would be a second.


Isn't it lovely?  See all that lovely wax mixed in with the honey? 
The smell was intoxicating.

Well - this strainer wasn't fine enough to get all the 'floaties' out of the honey - so I took my largest glass canister, tied a few layers of cheesecloth on the top of it, and proceeded to filter it again through that.  I put the jar in the oven, set on 170 degrees, with the door open, and let the honey warm enough to really drain well.



By the time I strained everything and drained the wax well, I ended up with a total of 23 half pint jars and 1 pint jar. 


I was a happy camper.

I had a big glob of beeswax, that still had quite a bit of honey in it.  I know I could have laid it out for the bees to clean up, but I was too anxious.
I simmered it in water, and the honey water and the wax separated nicely when it cooled.
I'll be giving the bees the honey water in a feeder next week.
I love it that nothing, and I mean nothing went to waste.
God, I love that!
I've ordered the supplies to make honey lip balms next week.

And just think - I get to do this all over again in the fall.

I am Jayme.
I keep bees.
Or do they keep me?
Amen.

67 comments:

  1. Amazing and wonderful! Just picked my hive kit yesterday. And yes, that beekeeping course did not elude me again this year. Can.not.wait. : )

    ~Andrea~

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  2. You keep each other, I'd say...I can't wait to buy lip balm! (And maybe a jar of honey, if you're sellin'!)

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  3. marytylermotorheadMarch 27, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    Gorgeous honey! Putting my order in for lip balm. :D

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  4. Jayme, you are so clever, all that wonderful honey. I would love to keep bees but I am to frightened of being stung.(Oh and a white suit I'm not built for that LOL).

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  5. I am so jealous!! I have also longed for bees, but my DH thinks it would be a bad mix with the 10 mos old lab puppy...the dog will age, perhaps then...:)

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  6. What a wonderful post,Jayme! I love that I have a girl friend that keeps bees...that lives close to the Earth..that appreciates all she has and cherishes every moment of life. Deed I do! You are one in a million...or maybe two million. BTW, I got my cards from your give away and have a post programmed in for tomorrow..if I don't delete the pictures by accident - or some silly thing. Have a wonderful week-starting with the rest of today! xxoo Diana

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  7. Jayme you are sooo fun! I love it! Looks like the little problem we had is solve.You had to have worked your magic! Luv ya girl! Loretta

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  8. Yaaaaaaaay! You did it! Now I have to do it. Since my hive is so small and doesn't use supers, I think I will only get about bar from them now. BUT, I am setting up a frameless Langstroth right next to it and that should allow me to strain and sell some by next year! I am so excited about this! For BOTH of us!!!
    ":<>

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  9. do a honey giveaway please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love watching your process!

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  10. So amazing! I'd love to try my hand at that, but the chickens are keeping me pretty busy right now, along with my Corgis, and my part time job! So jealous of you!

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  11. I've said it before...you are a rockstar!

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  12. It is beautiful in the jars and on the muffin! I like to put it in grits when I make them with a little butter. I am in awe at all you try and do!

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  13. That is just too cool for words!! :) Congrats on such a success!

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  14. Jayme,
    What a true modern day pioneer girl you are! I can tell you are pleased as punch to process your own product--honey and lip balm. Too cool for words and the honey--so beautiful.

    I admire your spirit and determination to stay in the "Pink".

    You are an inspiration.

    Bridgemor

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  15. Jayme you make me smile and laugh. When on my computer... reading blogs... my husband knows when I am reading yours. He hears me laugh and then inquires "okay...what is the Coop Keeper up to now?" Keep up the great work and put me down for lip balm!

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  16. Oooo The Honey Is So Pretty Lookin! I would love to have bees & do my own honey... I just have to talk my honey into it, lol

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  17. Sooooo cool! thanks so much for sharing the process....you have me thinking maybe I need bees! I also would love to put an order in for lip balm!

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  18. The honey looks amazing! I buy raw honey at the health food store and it's delish; I can only imagine what your fresh honey tastes like! I LOVE honey!

    I'm also so excited for you that you have fulfilled a dream of yours; totally awesome!

    I want some lip balm too! You going to be selling it? hint, hint!

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  19. PS: I forget to tell you to tell BoyChild that his photos are great!

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  20. Wow! I've been fighting my husband on getting bees for years...he wants, I didn't. But seeing all that lovely, lovely honey...hmmmm...What a wonderful video, Jayme! And a wonderful lifestyle, too! I have reservations about bees around my horses but I guess honey bees are pretty docile...Oh geez, now that my honey has seen your video I'm sunk! :D xo

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  21. You have inspired me to just "jump in and do it"! That's how I do everything anyway, so I am glad to have your go-ahead. Those are really nice photos the boychild took! He has a talent there.

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  22. Wow, this is so cool! I can't wait till we get our bees. Well, my son is doing it, but they will be on our property. I want to make lip balm! But maybe I can buy some of yours?

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  23. I am giddy for you Jayme! Extremely cool.
    We do get our honey locally. A bee-keeper has boxes on my in-laws ranch, and they give us honey every year. They actually have to fend off the bears on a regular basis. Can you imagine adding that factor to your bee-keeping chores?!

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  24. Can I tell you that this post made me giddy inside? I am just dying to stick my finger into one of those little jars. Oh. My. Word.

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  25. Jayme, thank you for sharing this..I buy honey from a local bee keeper through our meat/produce market...and I must say it's so good..I don't think the stuff in stores is real either...all that filtering takes our the good stuff and taste...Any~who... thanks for sharing and don't forget you can put honey on popcorn 1/2 butter and 1/2 honey warmed and poured overMMMM good stuff~~HUGS~~

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  26. Inspirational! So thrilled for you! You are looking great, too, on your fitness/diet regime! Congratulations!

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  27. I loved this! How cool your first honey and your happiness is priceless. I watched another video offered after yours and saw how the extractor works. Duct tape and the wash machine came to mind Ha hAAA! Hugs my dear...you did great!
    As a kid we bought wood box of honey comb. YUM! The wax we chewed like gum. Ya well it was great.

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  28. So excited for you! I plan on having bees next summer, this summer is the year of the chickens! By the way, I love your apron. So cute!

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  29. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing. I absolutely love your blog and video! The honey looks yummy!

    Michelle

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  30. I could almost smell that honey right through the computer screen! I have never seen that done like that...It has me convinced that I should try my hand and some bees too...we don't use much sugar anymore and honey is one of the sweeteners I like to use instead it helps with our allergies...your blooper videos are so funny~

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  31. Love the video and post! I have vague recollections of my grandfather keeping bees when I was younger. I actually have his books on bee keeping. Every once in awhile I think it would be fun and educational to get a hive and give it a go. To convince the hubby that's a good idea, well, time will tell. :P

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  32. Jayme. I purchased honey from a local bee keeper and it's "Raw" honey. It's dark not a golden color. Is it because of the type of pollen it has or is it something else? It does taste wonderful and smells devine!

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  33. I've wanted to get bees for awhile, but alas, the one major thing stopping me is the fact that if I get stung I will definitly buy myself a hospital stay, probably in ICU. Sigh. Stupid allergies. I really like learning about the process though!

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  34. As satisfying as that was for you, we all derived pleasure from this video! You are so right, nothing smells as good, tastes as good as fresh honey... true manna. It really was a great tutorial for anyone wanting to start keeping bees!

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  35. I think a giveaway of the lip balm is in order. For celebration purposes, of course. And the winner needs to start with a Mama and end with a Hen :)

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  36. LOvE the video...and the FYI comment... too cute.

    The whole process looks so amazing, I wish there was
    "Smell-A-Blog", I bet the aromas are awesome.

    NOW that dear Aaron has quite the photographer's eye. These photo make a person want to reach out and grab some.

    FYI, I am buyin' if you are sellin'... hint hint..hint... BIG HINT... grinn'

    HOPE your week is good.

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  37. Well aren't you just the bees knees? ;>
    You make me want to go right out and buy a bag of bees.
    We have always lived in and near orange groves so our honey is orange honey. Mmmmmmmmm. So Beelicious!
    :)
    Gayle

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  38. This is so exciting! Good for you, Jayme.

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  39. My uncle was a master bee keeper back in the day. His honey was featured in magazines and tv. I wish I had paid attention! Good for you and thanks for sharing.

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  40. JAMIE !! THIS IS SO WONDERFUL !!!!
    I've been on the fence for a week about buying a hive that is for sale.
    Guess what I'm calling with a yes, NOW !!!!!!
    THANK YOU !!!!! XOXO

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  41. Jayme,
    An off topic report! I just wanted you to know that you can make gluten free bread using your method with the use of gluten free flour and the addition of one other ingredient. It is not the same as your bread, it is denser and thicker, but it works! If you have any readers interested, I will send the recipe. Thanks for the wonderful tutorial! I hope I can go back to the normal bread soon.

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  42. How awesome, a dream come true!! Congratulations!
    Velvia

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  43. Honey Give-way? That's a great idea!!
    Marianne N.

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  44. They seem to keep you Bee-Z. :) ?Couldn't resist...

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  45. It's SO beautiful and you should be super proud for seeing a dream come true!

    Many Blessings,
    M.

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  46. WOW!!! and YUMMMMMM Let me know when you are ready to sell!!! jan

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  47. Wow that is just too cool! Too bad your blog does not have smell-a-vision :)

    I think Aaron needs to go into photography professionally. The pictures are wonderful!!!! Great job to you both!

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  48. I swear your excitement brought tears to my eyes...i'm not even joking!!! I really think we are two of the same!! I have wanted to keep bees too but we just don't have the space...that's why we don't have chickens yet either!! Darnit!! You are an absolute HOOt and i can't wait to continue following your posts!!

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  49. I just had to follow you ;-)
    I loved your video!!!
    BEAUTIFUL HONEY !!!
    I just LOVE my SWEET HONEY BEES
    Nice to meetyou , Blessings Linnie

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  50. Driving down the highway yesterday, we came upon a semi-truck LOADED with bee hives. I'm talking probably a 1000 hives It had a huge netting draped over it with what had to be millions of bees flying around.... I actually thought of you!

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  51. I just found your blog thru Simply Southern Happiness and I LOVE it!
    I love the chicken pictures! I really want some! I am having a fun time looking back at all your post, I have laughed out loud several times, you are very witty.
    My sister is trying to start a bee hive, she has bees in an old tree behind her house. I am going to send her your blog.
    I look forward to following you on your farming adventures!

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  52. You are amazing! What fun you are having and you are really living your life. Kudos to you!

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  53. I have my doubts about the store honey too. And I agree with you about buying local honey. And I like the devil may care attitude you have... just get the bees! Ok... I'll look into it. Forest honey... different. I wonder if there is anything for them to eat up here? I never see any bees. Maybe the chickens eat them?

    The bloopers are a hit! Leave them in. x

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  54. Mmm ... the honey looks delicious! We use to buy australian honey in the local supermarket. That's the best we can get in our place.

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  55. Man, that honey is making me soooo hungry!! I HAVE to find a local grower of honey. I HAVE to! I'd LOVE to keep bees, but I have this horrible fear of keeping them...oh, and a husband who says "Enough is enough!!" I guess he has a point: I know he'd end up having to take up for my slack from the kids...and he'd be the one who ended up getting stung...hehehe. :) I enjoy watching you and wish I could stick my finger through this screen and snatch some though!!!

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  56. Glad to hear the bees are working for you! Something went wrong with ours (mosquito planes, a weak hive...we're not sure) but we still want to try again. I mean we have an extractor and everything just waiting. Sigh.
    Had to take care of a few things around our home first, but if you can wait 23 years to finally have your own honey, I suppose I can wait a year, right?

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  57. Beautiful, beautiful!!! Oh, those beautiful jars of honey!! I love how nothing went to waste; every drop used for 3 different things. That's awesome!

    I'm counting the days for my own bees to arrive. April 19th.

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  58. good job, very interesting to watch. I don't care for the taste of honey, but it sure looked beautiful!

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  59. Oh my gosh...I linked over from Homestead Revival...and you crack me up!! I want bees SO bad...but waiting for country property as I am probably pushing my luck enough by having chickens in the city limits! The honey is SO beautiful...can't wait to have bees someday!

    Glad to meet you!

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  60. I have been reading you for a while, but this is my first time commenting...seeing this makes me want bees even more! I am not sure that I have a set up for them..should probably research that! Thanks for doing the video!!

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  61. Just watched your video...and you are adorable! AND...now I REALLY want bees...I love how you say to just get them and figure it all out later. I think you and I were separated at birth! lol Thank you for sharing that cool process...

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  62. I absolutely think a bee tattoo would be perfect.

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  63. I'm so happy for you that your bee dream has been realized. I'm also happy for me as I hope to benefit from it some time soon!

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  64. I found your blog while searching for beekeeping bloggers. Beekeeping is something I've always wanted to try and I've decided this spring I'm gonna do it! I'm off to order supplies now, wish me luck!

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  65. Holy smokes! I am new to your blog and am thrilled!!! to have seen the process of making honey! WOW!
    I have a history of going birzirk in libraries too so it is very nice to "meet" you!

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  66. That honey looks Delicious. Making my mouth water. So glad you can do that farming stuff i would like fresher local produce but not to many people do that here usually just fruits and veg's in summer time.Glad I found your blog

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  67. Hi Jaymee,
    I keep coming back to watch your videos! You are a TREAT!!!

    I thought I would share my bee post with you:
    http://thebuttryandbookry.blogspot.com/2010/10/buzz-on-more-honey-beeeez.html hope you stop by.
    Bee Keeping is soooo thrilling :-)
    -<(((:)

    Blessings Linnie

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