keljonma's Front Porch - Settling in and adjusting

[keljonma]

Yesterday I saw a number of bees at hive #1 and just a few at hive #2. I quickly glanced inside hive#2 - they still have a portion of the pollen patty there and 4 full frames of honey not eaten. Both the pollen patty and the honey frames were installed last fall. The temps here are in the 50s and we had a terrific thunder/lightening storm last night and this morning, so I will wait for better weather to take the hive apart to see what the true picture is...

Tomorrow TR is off work as we are taking Ron and Pat to the airport for their flight to South Africa to visit their ds and ddil who are teachers in the Peace Corp there. We are thinking of spending some time in downtown Cleveland doing fun stuff for a part of the day. TR has his Disciples Bible study tomorrow night and then has to work at the library.

Have fun!

 

[keljonma]

That shawl is beautiful.

What is burnt oatmeal cake? Is it a family tradition?

Here is the recipe...

Oatmeal Spice Cake with Broiled Coconut Topping Cake:

1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup quick oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup water
2 eggs (1 /2 to 2 /3 cup)
2 Tb dark molasses

Heat oven to 350F. Butter and flour a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan; set aside.

Measure all ingredients except topping, and put into large mixer bowl. Blend 1 /2 minute on low speed, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 3 minutes on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake on middle rack of oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly. About 10 minutes. Spread topping over cake.

Set oven control to Broil. Place cake 3 inches from heat. Broil about 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown.

Coconut Topping:
1/4 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flaked or shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3 Tb light cream

Mix ingredients thoroughly in bowl.

 

[keljonma]

Yesterday temps went from near 40 to 25. We had some sun, then overcast cloudy, rain, thunder and lightening and pea-sized hail before the snow started! Just a sprinkling of snow on the ground this morning and the sun is out. But it is COLD. Our high today is supposed to be in the mid to upper 20s. The good news is that the sun is supposed to shine all week-end and the temps should be in the low to mid 30s (according to the forecast of this moment)

TR is off today. We had homemade waffles with banana syrup for breakfast.

I've been working on the quilt, but no pics yet. I am making one for Kell as well. So have the 2 quilts cut out (backing, batting and quilt top) and am now cutting out applique pieces for the genealogy trees.

Kell's mil has sent me the information for their side of the family. But I still haven't heard from Erin's parents yet.

Have fun!

 

[keljonma]

Instead of a month long visit with Kellie and the grands, She and granddaughter are coming for a short visit this week-end. It has been in the upper 80s at her place. We got snow yesterday - about 3 inches. Temps should be in the 40s during their visit, though, so the snow should be gone.

The honeybees are staying inside the hives. I've made more bee syrup, but am waiting to check the hives after the weather warms up again, so the hive doesn't get chilled.

The guys started working the 30 acres wood lot behind our place on Tuesday. It looks like they might be setting up a staging area right in the direct path of bee flight. Hopefully they will be long gone before the bees are out in force.

We checked the garden area where we planted garlic last autumn. It appears as if it is gone. There are no greens above ground. We have quite a large wildlife community here, so will wait until weather is a bit warmer to fiddle around to check if the garlic is truly gone and replanting is required.

Inside the house, the lavender has small blooms on it and the lilies are starting to grow taller.

Our friends Miki and Tom had a little girl on Wednesday! Now they are the proud parents of 3 boys and 4 girls.

Not much else going on except working on the quilts, and the usual cooking and baking.

Have fun!

 

[keljonma]

We are still waiting for spring to really hit here - still fluctuating between 20s through 40s.... but the yard is full of redwing blackbirds and robins.

We had a great visit with daughter Kel and 13 yo granddaughter C! The weather wasn't really cooperative but we found plenty of "indoor" things to do and plenty of time for sitting and talking. C has decided that while she still finds film animation and cinematography interesting subjects, she thinks she wants to be an endocrinologist as an adult. But my goodness, that girl can talk film details 24/7!!

She picked out a chicken ornament to take for herself and one for each of her brothers at home. She also took some Agatha Christie mysteries with her, which is a new interest.

I had the family tree quilts hidden away while "the girls" were here, and began work on them again yesterday.

TR had to work 1st and a modified 2nd shift yesterday, so we are dragging today!

We have decided to get internet at home and should be hooked up soon. I have a ton of pics to post, but will wait till next week - when I should be able to do that at home!


Have fun!

 

[lorihadams]

Yay! Sometimes going to the library to get online is a pain, isn't it?

We went to our bee meeting last night and because of the cold snaps the nuc supplier is thinking it will be the first weekend in May now before we are able to get our bees....the waiting is killing us but at least the kids got to see an observation hive last night.

How are your's doing with all these cold snaps?

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

YAY on the internet in the home! no more library trips for you!! LOL

 

[keljonma]

It is with an aching heart that I write this tribute. TR and I buried our "old man" today. Titan was 12 years, 8 months, and 1 day old.

Titan
Great Pyrenees
14 August 1998 to 15 April 2011



Abigail, our Dominique, picks bugs and weed seeds from Titan

Titan hanging with some of the flock

Titan wonders how he can guard chickens behind a fenced wall

Watching the flock at 10 years of age

Laying down for the night next to Patsy, our Rhode Island Red, while she was in house

Guarding Lou, our Jersey Black Giant, while she was in house

With our ds home on visit (the flock was off to the right of camera)

Guarding dust bathers Mary, Pat and Martha

First winter guarding the farm

In the house with JD, our kitten

Guarding the barn

Watching feral dogs in the field next door while grands play outside

Ready for a trip to Dairy Delight and a puppy sundae

Sitting on his stool in the living room getting petted

Last month in front of the house enjoying some sun

 

[i_am2bz]

Awwww. I'm so very sorry for your loss, keljonma. He was a handsome boy. The pictures are beautiful. God bless.

 

[Dace]

Oh Kel, I am so very sorry to hear of Titan's passing.

He was a handsome and faithful friend.

Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures