Shades of Summer

Last summer I said some simply spoken, unforgettable famous-last-words, 'this summer is going to be a real summer.'  Anyone who knows us remembers that the summers prior are a laundry list of major changes (moving, building a house, having babies, moving again - to name a few)  But last summer, I had every intention of spending lots of time playing with my family, going to summer concerts, eating good food, and hanging out with friends.  Two days after journalling these very words, the home we were renting in Black Mountain flooded, and a torrent of successive moves took place from then on that eventually landed us in Atlanta.  The word crazy comes to mind, but for whatever reason it feels incredibly weak and watered down to be used in this situation.  So, you may be wondering what does that have to do with this summer?  Well, again I had in mind to have yet another summer filled with fun.  Chalk up another win to chaos!  Instead of disaster, Jon and I in an instant of heated brain-madness both decided that this summer would be a good time to take advantage of a couple of accelerated education courses.  I took a course during the day and Jon opted for the evening course.  So for the last month we have been playing tag with the kids, driving to and from the Marta station and kissing hello and goodbye while one hops into the car and the other hops out and runs to catch the train.  I know what you're thinking, 'Phew, that sounds exhausting.'  It is. 

But somehow in the midst of all the craziness, we've been able to capture a bit of summer and make amends for the wild ride we took last year.  So, since I've been in class for the past month, I thought I might catch you up on what we've been up to these last few weeks... starting back from (dare I say) Father's Day (yep, it has been too long).

Father's Day on a budget looked like taking a hike at THE only good hiking spot within a short drive for us.  We headed over to Kennesaw national battle field and spent some time on the trail.  I'm pretty sure that no matter what I could otherwise offer Jon, he will nearly always choose the option that gets him into the woods.  

During these busy weeks we had a short, but wonderful respite.  Over the Fourth of July weekend we escaped to Asheville to visit some friends.  Of course we were beyond thrilled to be there... I think we might have actually taken a deep breath or two as we drove back into those blessed mountains!

Quick Hike Up Lookout with Nick and Sarah

This view NEVER gets old

A Rainy Hike with the Blackmors 

We stayed with friends Aaron and Megan (and baby on the way).  It's nice to be spoiled and they are really good at this!  We were given the royal treatment during our stay with them.   We hiked out to a water fall and enjoyed exploring yet another amazingly beautiful treasure in WNC.

Hannah and Daisy on July 4th

We finished out our weekend away by spending the 4th of July with Jon's family.

No trip to TN is complete without mowing and mowing and mowing....  

If you've been to our home you know what I'm talking about.

We spent July 4th with our family in Tennessee.  It is always such a joy to drive up to their beautiful mountain home... and when I say home, that is 100% the feeling I get upon arrival.  I always love visiting with Jon's family.  Long morning chats over several cups of coffee, while the cool morning air drifts in through their front porch screen.  Such peace.  While there, I am recaptured by my love for the Smokies and their gnarled, ancient feel.

An Independance Day Classic

Back to Atlanta, and our other adventures continue... 

We had the privilege to spend a day with a dear friend from New York who was in town.  It was such a treat to be with her and we decided to head down town.  No visit to Atlanta would be complete without a stop into Chick-fil-A!  So we dropped in to visit my Dad at this store.

Eli Catching a Ride on Pops Brief Case

Work'in with Pops

I must admit, though I grew up in Atlanta my familarity with the down town area is pitiful, and on this particular day we took the 'long route' to the Children's Museum and Centennial park.

The Children's Museum 

The Olympic Rings Fountain at Centennial Park

Although summer here has bordered on being miserably hot, I've found solace and comfort in the presence of dear family and friends.  Their encouraging presence has in essence been a kind of sweet shade.  Who of us when experiencing blistering heat wouldn't long for the cooling presence of the shade?  Each moment in the shade gives me courage to step forward back into the blazing days of this crazy life.

Moving Forward to a Stand Still

Starting the Smoker

The drippy heat that just about knocks me over every time I step from the kitchen door reminds me that the busy spring months are well behind us and summer is here.  Just a few short weeks ago, Jon and I did a check on the bees and much to our surprise we found our first honey super almost fully loaded and in the process of being capped with wax.  After an email to a seasoned bee keeper, I was instructed to place my second honey super before all the honey in the first super was fully capped.  So naturally within the next day I found a bee keeper who sold supplies and set out to purchase another super.

Eager to Help

 For our second super, we decided to try a medium instead of a shallow size.  I hope that we aren't being over achievers in this case.  We also purchased a queen excluder to insure that the queen would not lay eggs within our honey storage.

 Helping Daddy Paint

It has now been close to three weeks since adding the second super as well as the excluder.  I did a hive check on Monday and was a little disappointed by the seemingly small amount of progress the bees have made to draw out the comb and produce honey.  It seems that they lost all the momentum from the spring months.  But the more time I've spent outside, I've begun to realize that the bees have very little in the way of blooming plants.  And I've noticed that they have spent quite a bit of time hanging out around the entrance to the hive.  As pictured below, the bees literally cling to the outside of the hive body, forming a large dark mass against the white washed wooden hive.  After a little research, I discovered that this behavior is called Bearding.  Bearding happens during extremely hot temperatures when the interior of the hive is simply too hot.  Many of the workers are within the hive fanning their wings in an attempt to keep the hive temperature down.  So, as I've watched their activities I've come to realize that the bees are doing what they can to survive the heat.

Bearding

I'm often so focused on the product instead of the process.  The bees don't have a choice, they must focus on the process, for at the moment the process involves survival.  I am so keenly aware of how much I need to just be, living out each moment by embracing life fully right where I am. 

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!