Honey On the Fly

Tart words make no friends;  a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar. Benjamin Franklin

My heart skipped at least one beat when I my eyes captured the first sight of honey from our hive!  Almost as if the bees had intentionally brought the evidence of their hard labor right to the front door, allowing the gooey liquid to shine on the surface for a sticky, runny greeting.  Oh, me of little faith, right?  As if I should have thought that this whole time they were simply lounging around in there with all that commotion.  Honey Bees create honey, pure science and design.  I know, and I shouldn't have expected less from them.  But the first sight of honey thrilled me nonetheless.

A couple of weeks ago when we opened the hive and found all 10 frames filled out and some patchy spots of honey, we realized that it was indeed the moment to finally place the honey Super atop the hive body.  The brood itself has at least doubled in sized, perhaps tripled.  Generally speaking, on most days there are several hundred coming and going from the entrance.  The worker bees take about 21 days to fully develop from egg to adult.  It has been so neat to witness this family grow dramatically.  

The Growing Brood

I know what you're thinking when you see the above photo...  'Run for your life!!'  Am I right?  Come on, if at least some of us were honest we would probably freak out if we were come upon this scene.  Well, I have good news.  Not one of these bees stung nor attempted to sting us.  In fact, they did not seem to mind or acknowledge our presence at all.

Pulling out an outer frame.  You can see the wax fully drawn out.

Bees Wax Capped Cells

Honey Storage Capped with Wax

The Super Resting On Top

10 Fresh Frames, Ready to Be Filled

Adding the Top of the Hive.  Notice the Sugar Water... still there.  

I have to laugh a little bit when I think about how childlike I became in that moment of first seeing that beaming honey, laying nestled in our little hive.  I love first experiences like this, being surprised and joyful over something so incredibly every day and yet unbelievably extraordinary and wonderful.   Sure, honey is a staple in most homes, but to see it in its raw more natural form is brilliant and refreshing.  there is simply something about the created world working in a smooth, God-designated, beautiful motion that is in some miraculous way deeply healing to me.  I find myself wondering in what way I am bringing a bit of joy and refreshment into the lives of others?  I am so aware of how easy it is during difficult days or hardships in our lives to throw in our negative word or two.  And yet, how much more powerful and influential can a simple word of encouragement be to another?  I am compelled to offer more, to bring a smile, to inspire... to be honey on the fly.

Sand Castle Moments

Isn't it funny how the moment quickly becomes a memory?  This week, I've been busy building sand castles with my kids and I am struck by how desperately I want to truly live out and soak up the fun of every moment.  And when I wake up the next day, already those experiences are just memories.  What is our fascination with building sand castles anyway?  We pour hours of our time, energy, and creativity into a structure that may within minutes be engulfed within the ensuing tide... but we keep building.  I love it!  And one of my most favorite things to do is to build 'drip castles.'  To sit at the surf and allow the wet sand to run off my finger tips into a series of spires and decorative mounds of dried sand art (if I might deem it that).  No one creation is the same.  I find it incredibly relaxing.

As I am sitting amidst my family, I am absorbed by a metaphor so absolute that it is almost poignant.  My time with my family, each moment of life that I am given to enjoy is a little like sand castles, they are only around for a little while.  Though, I am not saying that the memories themselves don't in essence build a much stronger structure, but the actual snapshot of life is short lived.  I suppose I've become more sentimental the older I've gotten... especially as I watch the months fall off the calendar the way that days used to.   I find within myself a motivation to enjoy each moment because you cannot stop the inevitable tide of what we call life.

The Tunnel That Daddy and Uncle Daniel Created.

Hannah was slightly unnerved by Eli playing in the tunnel.  

 Eli Emerging from the Sand Tunnel

 My niece, Daisy

 Hannah about to jump from Daddy's hands

 The kids LOVE the pool

 Beach Toes

Hannah was very apprehensive about the getting into the ocean, 

but Nonnie's gentle approach to the water won Hannah over.

 Hannah Getting Her 'Sea Legs'

 The over comer

 Daddy teaching Eli to boogie board

Eli is enamored with the water.  

He was fearless from the start, taking on the waves like a giant.

Looking for Manatees

 An ice cream treat

Down near the board walk

Playing on the beach

Eli with Uncle Daniel

Two Exhausted Kiddos

Enjoy the Sand Castle Moments while they are here!