Sunday, June 28, 2015

Busy Bees

The days seem to be getting away from me lately...a sure sign that summer has arrived. Thankfully, we've not had the intense heat this year that generally cloaks our summers around here. The showers have transformed our usually 'dry heat' into sultry days with heavy air although you'll laugh when I tell you that the humidity has been hovering around 40%...that's sultry for us desert rats. And its the reason I am trotting down the road at 5:30 in the mornings. Its the coolest part of the day. Our girl has been DH's sidekick lately so after I fix breakfast for them, I head out the door. As long as its light enough for me to avoid stepping on a snake, its light enough.

                               

We've been invaded...by honey bees. Our wet spring brought on a prolific wild flower crop this year and the honey bees are taking advantage.


One night we heard incessant buzzing when we went to bed and we quickly zoned in on the problem. Apparently, a colony of honey bees decided to take up residence in one of our bedroom walls. We didn't want to kill them all...they are fascinating and helpful creatures, but we certainly didn't want them building their hive in our wall either. We found their entrance and DH bought a powder he used in hopes of making them leave. Regular wasp spray had no effect on them. Once we thought they had vacated the premises, DH sealed up the holes - he had drilled a few more in order to be more effective.


 Then a few days later he called me to another building and pointed out this:



I briefly...very briefly... considered taking up beekeeping as we love fresh honey, but  it was a fleeting thought. They are welcome to make their home here without our interference.

 On the sewing front - I've been piddling. I pulled out 2 old layer cakes and commenced to stitching and slicing. I just wanted an easy, 'no thinking required' project and this fit the bill nicely although there was more trimming than I would have liked:


But I ended up with 160 blocks to show for it. Then blocks were stitched into rows and that's as far as I've gotten.

                                                 

I added borders to the little hourglass baby quilt:

                           

And I did manage to get the stars appliqued onto the Rodeo Baby quilt and pieced a backing so this one is ready for Jackie too

                          

Now I've got to spend some time behind my trusty lawn mower and help sort some cattle in the pens before I can call it a day. I'm thankful for leftover brisket in the fridge for supper and clean sheets on the bed. Its been a good week.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad yall are having some coorer weather but the humidity is a killer! I have had bees show up in the past,thankfully a bee keeper came attempted to capture them.Sadly they were extremely aggressive so he was forced to spray them. I have been spending lots of time wth my mower also would LOVE to have a zero turn mower someday! Love your quilts.A friend just got a long arm quilter.Havent gotten to see her use it yet but that thing is HUGE! I believe 12 feet long or it may be 14`! Sure takes up some space.

Kristie said...

Wow! That is a lot of bees! :( Good luck getting rid of them and keeping them from coming back. Love your quilty projects! You must tell me your secret for such precise points on the hourglass blocks. They look amazing.
-Kristie

Judy said...

Those blocks are my favorite!! I have some made but have more to go. Last year I made some 9-patch blocks to go with a snowball. Well I cut the 9 patch down too much and instead of making more I just cut the snowball down too. Well I wanted to throw them away because of course the tips would be in the seam. I ended up putting it together to donate it. My husband says just pretend it's the way you planned! So it will be a baby blanket for someone my daughter in law knows. There are many Hispanic babies born. I told her just don't tell them it was your MIL. It's pretty colors, just disappointing. A lesson was learned. I will send you a pic when it's done. Will I ever make a quilt I'm proud of? I sometimes wonder. Have a wonderful 4th my friend!! We are headed to Dallas on the 7th. I'm taking fabric for the grandkids to make Sinch Sacks.

Dorian said...

Oh Karin, I wish I had your bee problem. They would swiftly be encouraged to go into a hive for bee keeping. LOL. Glad you've found some time to just sew. Enjoy.

Chiska said...

I'm with you on the honey! I fell into a bush of bees as a tiny kid and have never fully gotten over that--they scare me to death! My little girls sing songs to them. Your quilts are so pretty and I'm impressed by your progress!

Tired Teacher said...

Yikes,my hat's a bunch of bee!. I hope they are friendly. No doubt they don't have a Queen and are looking for one.

The baby quilt is adorable.

Lana said...

I love this blog...it really makes me want to get to the ranch sooner...
I do have some gardening questions...dumb ones I am afraid, but I am a city newbie when it comes to gardening.I will start slow as to not frighten you!!!....
How do I keep bugs off without killing me or the plant? Reading the internet is like reading WebMD. I come away thinking I am going to die whatever I put on them.

and how do you know when and how to pick something. EX: I have a jalepeno plant with a nice almost 2 inch thick pepper on it...should I pick it? if so, do I pull it or cut it off the plant?
also pretend I said the following in place of that jalepeno...
a string bean? a pickle cucumber? peas?
I know. Stop laughing...remember city gardener newbie here. Just don't know what to do once I grow them. Pretty lame huh?

Thank you!!!!

Lana said...

PS...your blocks are so pretty...I love that fabric and that design. :)

Doniene said...

Indeed it has!! Nothing like life on the ranch - so glad DD can spend time with ya'll!!! A treat for sure! Prayers and hugs for soldier boy!

The quilt and blocks are awesome - ya done good!!!

Blessings my friend!

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