beekeeping 101

Beekeeping 101  Class dates and times: February 20, 2016   10am-1pm  Cost for each class is $45
Beginning Beekeeping classes at Village Green Nursery. 12 max, 5 min
A three hour class to get you ready for bees in your garden in 2016.
This class will introduce you to the life cycle of the honey bee and the basic tools and equipment needed to set up a hive or two in your yard.

The instructor, Christine Ranegger, has been a hobby beekeeper (managing about 25 hives) in Seattle for 8 years and is an Apprentice Level beekeeper as part of the Master Beekeeper Certification Program with the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

Some supplies to get you started will be available for purchase.

Beginning Beekeeping classes at Village Green Nursery

Interested in beekeeping?

Want to connect with others and develop your network of fellow 'beeks'

A two part class to get you ready for bees in your garden in 2014.

The first class will introduce you to the life cycle of the honey bee and the basic tools and equipment needed to set up a hive or two in your yard. The second class will discuss the management of hive/s through the course of the year, honey harvest and preparation for winter.

The instructor, Christine Ranegger, has been a hobby beekeeper in Seattle for 5 years and is an Apprentice Level beekeeper as part of the Master Beekeeper Certification Program with the Washington State Beekeepers Association.

8 and 10 frame hives, frames and foundation plus some supplies to get you started will be available for purchase.
 

Class dates and times are

 Feb.  23 & March 23 1-3:30

  April  5th    12:30-pm-4:30

Cost for each class is $30 or $50 for both classes.

 

Slowing down, enjoying the view

Mason bee boxes

I love the smell of coffee in the morning and a piping hot Quiche coming out of the oven.
  Nothing makes me feel more in touch with life than slowing down and cooking something really delicious, eating from some of my handmade plates and drinking from hand crafted mugs.
 Today, I decided to use my Heirloom china from the aunt I was named after to take a step even further into an intimate part of myself  and my history. I invited some guests over to share that kind of day with me and wanted to make sure it was extra special and memorable, so, naturally I made a theme out of it, by incorporating freshly harvested honey to each item on the menu.

To get a feel of what it's like to live here, and spend time in my space, the table was set up out on the deck, overlooking the bees and my gardens and nursery. Watching them is a favorite past time, with a cup of tea, and a moment of quiet. The meditative work of a hive can calm me down in a very short time.

Being the kind of hostess I am, one who wants to go all out, giving guests a REALLY special treat... I started the meal with fresh wine grapes grown in my neighbors gardens, fresh cracked honey glazed walnuts, and warm honey butter scones with homemade strawberry jam. These are no ordinary scones. Buttery, slightly sweetened by the honey, flaky, drizzled with even more honey, they simply melt in your mouth.

     

 Having fresh eggs from our 11 laying hens means we are never short on eggs, and quiche is a favorite here. Today there were 2, the first was a rich caramelized onion and mushroom, the second a red pepper, onion and feta. Perfect crust, flaky and lightly browned.
  A salad of butter lettuce, mission figs, goat cheese and walnuts drizzled with honey, fresh from the hives was served as an accompaniment, light and flavorful.

    

Being here is like stepping back in time, slow food is the term given to food grown and prepared in this manner. There's a feeling of a simpler life, less hectic, perhaps like being on one of the islands. This does not feel like the city.

                        

Simple syrup made of lemon verbena and honey perfectly blended with sparkling water reminds me that summer has only just been here, not long ago.

                                             

 
       The day was filled with  friendly warm and comfortable conversation,. Exactly what I crave.

Village Green honey

'Keeping bees in towns and cities' by Luke Dixon

Today-I received a gift.

 A book. Did I order this book? I have no memory of it...but my memory is getting worse...

 

Over a year ago I received and email from a gentleman inquiring about my bees and beekeeping.

I told him what I could and didn't know what to expect. He said he was writing a book. I felt honored to be asked about my experience...but here it is-in writing! We are in the book!

page 142.

 

 

What a pleasant surprise!

Author:

Luke Dixon

Thank you!

Honey collection

On a HOT, hot day
AND during the Sonic Boom of 2010...
we collected 2 gallons of honey....
While working the hives, we heard the huge KABOOM 2 times...
I was just thinking- ok-if this is it...I have some honey to eat before I go!