Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Renters are in box #3!

Recently  Rob moved next box #3 to a new location.  It appeared  the wood ducks did not like the old location.  It is now located under our deck on the top of the support post.
We have had a lot of action since moving the nest.  We had 3 pairs of ducks sitting in the maple tree where nest box #2 is located.  Finally, after a drake checked for safety a hen flew into the box to check things out.  She did not lay an egg, but should return tomorrow to lay her first egg.   The last several days have been so exciting to see all the ducks so close to the house.  Several times they were walking on top of the deck railing.  They are so beautiful.  The drake does such a great job watching while the hen takes care of business.  They are constantly talking to each other and their tails are wagging away.

Rob took this picture of Harold waiting for Hattie to lay an egg.  He doesn't look real!  But he is!  He is so beautiful, much prettier than this picture shows. 

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

honeybee fax

bee fax for you

Did you know?  There are about 100 male drones in each beehive.  Drones are usually smaller than the queen; their only job is to mate with the queen.
                                                    

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

honeybee fax 1

bee fax for you
Did you know?   The queen is the largest of the honeybees, and she can live the longest-from three to five years.

Inspiration


Inspiration: Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity. Something that is inspired; a sudden creative act or idea

How do I generate my creative energy? Perhaps from studying nature or history, or while sipping on a hot cup of tea,  burning a fragrant candle, my tai chi class,  a brisk walk with hubby, the smell of rain, watching snow fall in the valley, eating blueberries or homemade caramels, talking with friends, music, looking at bolts of fabric, studying color,  a good night's rest - any of these can inspire me and get my creative wheels rotating. Ideas for Lil' Squirtz, ideas for organizing, ideas for decorating, ideas for gifts from the heart...not too early to plan for Christmas!  Ideas for cooking and baking, ideas for the garden,  ideas for activities with the grand kids, travel ideas.  I have countless ideas about many aspects of my life, which challenges me in allocating time to orchestrate them all.

Stimulate the mind.

Enjoy the day.
mother hen

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Frogs, frogs, and more frogs

I want to make some Chinese frogs for a tai chi shirt I just finished sewing.  That started me thinking about frogs.  How many different things are called frogs?  Here is what I know about frogs!

of course there's the semiaquatic frog

the Chinese frog closure

vintage florist frog

        
 railroad frog

 brick frog

wedged shaped area of a horse's hoof frog


         nut in the heel of a violin bow frog    
   

belt frog

              a frog in your throat

 I ask you, "are there more frogs?"  Let me know!

Enjoy the day
mother hen



Monday, April 12, 2010

Tai Chi

Saturday, April 24 is National Tai Chi Day.

I practice the art of Tai Chi on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  I have found Tai Chi to be fun and beneficial.  Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. There are a number of so called forms which consist of a sequence of movement.  Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts (and perhaps even more ancestrally than that, from the natural movements of animals and birds) although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.  I have the slowly down - but the softly, gracefully and smooth part is a challenge for sure. 

I found this YouTube video and believe me I have a lot of practicing to do!  No one in my class looks like this (sorry guys)!   This gives me something to strive for.  She is so graceful.  I want to move like she does.  I love her high kicks and low to the ground moves.  I also want her pink silk tai chi outfit!  I just finished sewing a new tai chi shirt but now I need to find some pink silk.  I figure I can at least look good while I'm practicing being smooth and graceful.

Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvF6r6DOvc

Enjoy your day.
mother hen

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

30,000 bees in my house!

30,000 bees in my house today


getting everything ready

gearing up

the happy beekeeper

the queen bee in her cage

placing the queen in the brood box

placing the bees inside the brood box


all the bees are in their new home


closing everything up
we're done with this box!

Bee Town
Population 30,000