Storm Coming

It was a gorgeous, sunny day today.  Highs were in the low 40s, but it felt warm.  That might change tomorrow, as a storm is predicted to move in.  Here in Western Massachusetts, we might get up to 12" of snow.  We'll see.  It's been such a mild winter that I can't really imagine a snow storm coming in. 

Since it was so mild today, I checked on the hive of honeybees in the backyard.  I had noticed some dead bees around the entrance, and I wanted to see how many corpses were really there and if there were any living bees left.  I broke off a stick and used it to swoop the dead bodies out of the hive.  Yep, there were a lot of dead bees.  I donned my hood and got out my hive tool to take a look in the supers.  The top super looked very quiet but when I lifted it, I could see a small cluster of bees near the center of the middle super.  Ah ha!  There are live bees.  I put everything together as quickly as I could, and felt assured that we might make it through the season.  I want my colony to survive!  Not only because they are little beings that I am managing, but because I don't want to shell out $90 for a package of bees.  Buying new bees every season is not sustainable.

Here are some pictures of the hive last summer.

If all goes well this season, I might get another hive next spring.  I really enjoy working with the bees, and I find it amazing that these little critters have such a complex social order.  The honey is divine.  The wax is useful.  If I hone my skills a bit, I can definitely see expanding my bee empire!

Bakery Dreams

Last weekend I traveled to Vermont to take a bread baking class with my family.  It was part of a Christmas gift that my sister and I gave to our parents.  We wanted to have an experience together and we all love baking, so this was perfect.  The class was at the King Arthur Flour Education Center in Norwich, VT.  While in nearby Hanover, NH we came across this snow/ice sculpture:

How appropriate!  I think it was part of Dartmouth's Winter Carnival, but I am not really sure. 

The bread baking class was a success.  We made a white sandwich bread, a braided bread, a Sicilian style artisan loaf, and a batch of scones.  All turned out delicious.  How could they not?  We had a wonderful teacher!  Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures, but here is what I made when I went for a class last year:

Delicious after a few minutes in a wood fired oven!  My sister and I are already planning our next trip.

Signs of Spring

We have not had a winter this year!  It is mid-February and we have barely had any snow.  Temperatures have been consistent with highs in the 30s or 40s and lows in the 20s at night.  I posted that I saw crocuses a few weeks ago, and today I see this outside my work.  I think these are early daffodils, but I am not entirely sure.  It won't be long until I find out!

Tonight I am making a simple and wonderful lentil soup.  It's a basic recipe, nothing fancy, but it will include carrots and onions from Mountainview Farm.  We have a winter share, which means that every month for four months, we get a load of seasonal produce.  At the last pick-up, I found myself loaded with carrots, parsnips, turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and one head of greenhouse-raised bok choi (what a treat!).  The sweet potatoes are a bit of a challenge.  They are so filling, and the flavor is sweet and powerful.  It seems they take over every dish I put them in.  Oh well.  There are worse problems to have.

New Yarn

I've been busy at my spinning wheel lately, making some new worsted weight yarn. These beautiful hanks are 100% merino. Undyed, the color is a milky off-white. The texture is slightly bumpy with the little irregularities that make handspun so attractive. I love this yarn, but I might put it on Etsy. I don't actually have an Etsy shop yet, but I have enough handspun to start one. I love spinning, and I love the touch and sight of my yarn, but there's no sense in collecting it for myself. I don't have the space to store it, and I don't have the time to knit it all. Perhaps I can make a tiny income doing something I love. I will let you all know when I open the Etsy shop!

In other news, I signed up for a milk delivery service today. I am going to be getting my milk from Mapleline Farm in Hadley, MA. My neighbor gets the delivery, so the milk man can make two deliveries in one stop. The milk comes in glass bottles that are reused by the dairy, and many of the items for delivery are local. I say "items" because it's not just a milk delivery. This service delivers orange juice, butter, eggs, bacon, yogurt, frozen organic pizza, ice cream and a whole lot more. It's good food combined with supporting local businesses and being green. I am so excited!