Sunday, July 27, 2014

Something old... Something new...

-posted by Jayne

Wedding bells must be ringing somewhere off in the distance, as I've sold quite a few of these little 2 oz honey jars as wedding favors lately.  I got to thinking about some of our products here and how the phrase, "Something old, something new..." definitely applies to us.  Not sure about the borrowed and blue part... but I'll take you through the old and new:

Something old... we've had these little two ounce honey jars for a while now...

But the honey will never spoil, so why not keep a few wedding favors
back for enjoying on your 40th wedding anniversary?

Something new:  Lots of new soap scents!

This scent was a completely new creation and we love it!  The rose clay
is a type of kaolin clay that is great for purifying the skin.  Find it for sale
here in our Etsy store.

Why not have a beer in the shower?
 We sell honey to Seventh Son Brewing Company, so I thought to myself... if they are making beer with our honey, why not make some soap using their beer?  The beer increases the lather of the soap, while also giving it that earthy robust brewed scent.  You can find it for sale here in our Etsy shop.


Five Clay soap - a thick blend of five different clays swirled together
to make a thick creamy lather, great for the face or an all over body soap.

Other new scents not pictured here are Activated Charcoal (with Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oil), Lilac Blossom, Bergamot Grapefruit, and Coconut Lime.

Something old: Castile Soap.  I finally managed to get it photographed to list in our Etsy shop, although I have been making it and selling it for over a year now.  The base is 100% olive oil, which makes it great for sensitive skin and babies.  I use it in our youngest daughter's hair as a shampoo and it works great since it leaves no residue and has a very simple lather, with small bubbles and a fresh, natural scent.


Something new:  A honeystick variety package.  This has been a hit at the farmer's market.  We count out 8 each of the Fall, Lavender, and Summer honeysticks and package them up so you can try each flavor.  I've been selling out of these at the Worthington market every week.  


Something new:  Letter-block candles.  I created my own molds using a silicone mold making compound.  I bought the silicone materials last July.  I finally got around to making the molds this January.  I still haven't gotten these listed in my Etsy shop.  But I did get them photographed!  

Why not spell out your true feelings in candlelight?

Or top a cake with your son's name?
Something new:  Salves!  We now have Baby Balm, Herbal Healing Salve, and Farmer's Friend salve.  They each have a unique purpose, whether it is healing a cut or scrape, soothing dry skin, or calming the itch from an insect bite.  I will be listing them in our Etsy shop soon, but for now you can find them at our farmer's market locations.



Something old...  I was sorting through some old papers and came across this letter from Mrs. Helen Ingram of Washington Courthouse.  Together with her late husband Beecher Ingram she ran "Ingram's House of Honey."  When Isaac and I first got into beekeeping we purchased some old beekeeping equipment from her and her son.  We would sit and chat with her about Beecher and their business, and she always commented how they were unable to sell the Fall honey that they harvested.  She said the taste was too strong for their customers, and she wouldn't even bake with it because the flavor was just too intense.  What she was referring to was the same taste that many of our customers have come to know and enjoy - Fall goldenrod honey.  As you can see in the letter below, they did enjoy eating it fresh on pancakes, waffles, and toast.  
   Helen was 84 when she wrote us this letter and I regret to say we haven't kept in touch with her in recent years.  But it is a good feeling to know that we are still using much of the equipment we purchased from her in our early years of beekeeping.  I believe she would be proud to see something old being used to produce "something new" again, by our little beekeeping family here at Honeyrun Farm.


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Many Fish Bites If You Got Good Bait

-Posted by Isaac

We've been recreating.

Here's a little fishing tune to enjoy while you recreate with us. (Sorry if there's an ad, but what Jayne was able to do on that last post is just so time consuming!) (It was Jayne who worked the "play button" magic, not I.)

So if you're a Taj fan as I am, you know that this silly song is not only about fishing... it's a life philosophy. Listen close!

Working toward that good bait in Holmes County:
 One night a little more then a month ago, these 40 hives were given a ride to Amish Country.

It's about a three hour trip up to Jayne's beautiful homeland.


 North of Columbus, 3 a.m., I enjoyed a virtual fireworks display of lightning. About as intense as I've ever seen. Thankfully the storm was over the Canton area, 20 miles north of where I needed to drop bees.

By morning I had all the hives situated.
Two big locations, one small with only five hives. All were within easy flying distance of buckwheat.

We're going to see what happens. These are the "Buckwheat Babies."
Started from package bees in early June, we're hoping they'll make a super or two of dark rich honey.

Buckwheat!
This was planted in June. (Thanks Merle Sommers and Ken Gerber!) We should end up seeing at least two blooms, maybe three if we're lucky. 
Although Jayne told me to, I forgot to take pictures this week. The buckwheat is now tall and bloomed out as white as snow. The bees are working it hard... at least carrying loads of pollen in.

And between buckwheat blooms, the bees have plenty to keep them busy:
Ah, Holmes County. A veritable Garden of Eden.


And now back to the fish.

Before we left for Amish Country, our bee club, Scioto Valley Beekeepers, had their annual hog roast and picnic out at the Clark's farm.
As always, fun time, lots of people, lots of beekeeping fibs and tall tales.

But our kids were more interested in fish than hog. Bob and Karen Clark graciously provided fishing poles, and, as it turned out, good bait:
 Mason and Bridger caught a few and took it all in stride.

Maizy on the other hand,

                                     ...did a touchdown dance.


Singin' many fish bites if you got good bait


Here's a little tip that I would like to relate 

Many fish bites if you got good bait 

 I'm a goin' fishin',

 yes I'm goin' fishin'

And my baby goin' fishin' too!

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Queen


-Posted by Isaac

This is about a little bug that makes our Honeyrun world go round.

Enjoy some easy listening Queen while you hunt for these fat bottomed girls.
(And turn it up!  Just hit the triangle play button.)









Fat Bottomed Girls


You make the rockin world go round!

Hey!

I was just a skinny lad

Never knew no good from bad


But I knew life before I left my nursery

Huh
                                                                        
Left alone with big fat Fanny

 

She was such a naughty nanny 

                     

Heap big woman, you made a bad boy out of me 
Bad Boy Beekeeper

Hey Hey!
 

I've been singing with my band

Across the water, 'cross the land

 

I seen every blue eyed floozy on the way




But their beauty and their style
 
Went kind of smooth after a while



Take me to them naughty ladies 
                                                       every time!


                                 
C'mon! 

Oh, won't you take me home tonight...
Fat Bottomed Girls
You make the rockin world go round!






Hey listen here... 

Now I got mortgages on homes


I got stiffness in ma' bones


Ain't no beauty queens in this locality

I Tell You!
Oh, but I still get my pleasure





Still got my greatest treasure


Heap big woman,



you done made a big man of me!

                                  

Now get this


 
Are you gonna take me home tonight...

Please...



Can you find her?

Fat Bottomed Girls


 You make the Rockin World Go Round!



Longoria Winery's pinot vineyard in Lompoc.

Yeah



Get on your bikes and ride!

Yeah yeah yeah