2/10/2010

Aerial View

Here is an aerial taken off Google maps of our property. The house is center. You can see the pool and to the northwest of the pool are two outbuildings: a prefabricated shed that is wired for electric and an old barn that I'm going to use for a wood shed. To the northeast of the pool is a "cottage" which has a kitchenette and a bathroom. I use it as my office since I do all my work teaching online from home.

Bees Ordered!

Yesterday I ordered not one but TWO bee colonies. Each package is $70 and includes a queen and 10,000 bees. Apparently, I will drive to the farm and pick up the bees and then drive home with about 20,000 bees in my car.

I bought the bees at the Honey Well Bee farm which is located here in the Upstate of South Carolina. Here is their website: http://www.beewellhoneyfarm.com/. I am a total beginner, so I'll also be purchasing the bee "buildings" as other sundry equipment with Honey Well. Total cost not including the $140 for the bees is approximately $300. The bees will be ready for pickup April 3. The question is will I be ready?

I need to find a south-east facing site on my 1 acre which is in full sun and which is relatively apart from the main play area of my kids. Apparently, I'll also want to include for the bees some water which is close by or else they will end up in my pool! A bird bath or metal bucket full of rocks and/or wood will do nicely and will be something the bees like.

I'm excited about doing this, but I'm teaching myself most of this!

2/08/2010

New Pantry

Take a look at our pretty new pantry. This doorway used to go into what I think was an old dining room. Jen thought it would be better as a closed off pantry for food storage. It sits right off our kitchen and Jen is already filling it up with food stores!

The old dining room is now closed off and is considered a bedroom, making our homestead a six bedroom domicile with three up and three down. Good for extended families!