Honey Bees

What beautiful weather we're having. Time to rob the bees for the last time this year. My TTH checked for varroa mites and found a few weird wings on some bees so we will be treating with a natural product this fall called Vita-life Var.Despite all the rainfall, and swarms our honey production has been very good. Honey is one of those natural sweeteners that can be good for you and dietbetics can use it in moderation. I put a tablespoon in a glass of my raw goats milk and drink it before I go to bed.

BFL/Shetland Mule Roving

Last week I recieved my roving back from OVNF(Ohio Valley Natural Fiber), and is it soft. A blending of white BFL, Shetland Mule and Colored BFL. The color is an oatmeal when spun. I will have this for sale at the Wool Gathering in Yellow Springs on Sept. 17-18. I'm looking forward to seeing you there.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is one of those wild plants that you try to avoid when hiking or walking through the woods and creeks, but to the herbalist it is a plant very rich in chlorophyll and has tonic properties for hair and skin. When gathering, long sleeves and gloves are needed but after it is dried or cooked it can be handled with no problems. It can be found growing close to streams and creeks and prefers shady moist conditions. My eight year old border collie, Kate has developed some skin allergies so I will use the dried nettle on her food to help. Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable by Juliette Levy has more information for it's use if anyone is curious.

Dyers Coreopsis

The dyers coreopsis(calliopsis tinctoria) is starting to bloom. This is it's second year so it is 4 ft. tall. I will pick the flowers off every other day and dry them in a paper sack. The dried flowers are soaked and simmered for less than an hour and then  yarn is added after being mordanted with chrome.4 oz. of dried floweres will dye 1 pound of yarn or fiber to a nice brick red.

Kitchen garden update

Here is the Kitchen Garden that I said would be finished this spring. I still haven't transplanted all my herbs but am in the process.My THH(turkey hunting husband) did a wonderful job on the fence. One of the best features  NO DOGS!

Goat's milk ricotta

With all the fresh goat milk I'm getting, I've been making alot of soft goat cheeses. An easy one to make is ricotta. Ricotta is made from the fresh whey of cheese that you have just finished, in this case goat milk cheddar. The whey is heated to 195 degrees when another quart of fresh milk is added and then heated back to 195 degrees. The tiny Ricotta particles come to the top and it is ready to drain. I let it drain for about an hour, add a little salt and voila'. I think some homemade lasagna with some fresh spinach will be on the menu this week.

Silk Scarves and sisters

Last week my twin sister and one of her daughters and my oldest sister and her daughter(who live in Illinois), were at my house along with  Paige to dye some silk scarves. I mixed up some dyes and my neice cut up the bannana bread she baked and we dyed and ate ourselves into creative bliss. This is an inexpensive and fun way to make handmade gifts.