When you think about beauty, what comes to mind? For me, I see beauty in my family, friends and nature. Beauty comes in many shapes, colors and sizes; however, this week, my beautiful gift was my 4th grandchild being born: Sophie Rose. What a perfect little doll she is and a great addition to our family!
Because I am Gigi to 3 granddaughters and one grandson, I really want to make a difference in not only their lives but the life and earth I leave behind for them. So, when my daughter, Meg, asked if I would like to have some beehives on our 5 acre property, of course I eagerly said yes and not because I am a lover of bugs or insects! For those of you that know me, know I do NOT like anything creepy or crawly at all! I said yes, because I will do anything my children or grandchildren ask of me (at least one time). Oh the one caveat here is snakes!! Won't hold them or touch them! I said yes because I am doing something meaningful with my daughter and I hope to teach my grandchildren the important role bees have on our environment.
There are many benefits to beekeeping:
Beekeeping promotes pollination
Beekeeping provides food for predators
Beekeeping helps to maintain nature's balance
You can have a beehive almost anywhere - on your property, rooftops, in the city, etc. but be sure to check with your HOA or building manager for approval. Here are some things to consider when having a beehive. Placement of the hive is crucial for its success.
Upfront costs are about $725 the first year; however, the by product is sweet liquid gold and who doesn't love the taste of honey? Once I tried my neighbors' honey from their hive, I was hooked! There are many health benefits of local honey, one of which is to help fight seasonal allergies.
If you are interested in beekeeping:
Take a class (nowadays you can do some online)
Read a book - I read Beekeeping For Dummies
Meet and/or join a local beekeeping club in your area
Watching nature up close has been amazing and the last time I checked my hives, I saw two babies being born, lots of honey on the frames and bees busily working away. Once I harvest my honey, I hope to post beauty "recipes" with the beeswax.
If you'd like to teach your grandchildren about bees and the importance of them, check out these books:
One last note, if you see bees out and about, don't swat at them (most of them are friendly) and they are great pollinators of your gardens (both floral and food). My garden has thrived since the bees have arrived (May, 2021). If you have no interest in beekeeping, buy honey from your area. Some beekeepers sell their honey and you're supporting local businesses! If we are lucky enough to have enough honey to harvest, I will be giving jars away to family and friends and I'm sure they will want "seconds".
Two of my granddaughters are 4 years old! One them, Isabelle, would like to suit up and visit the beehives with me and her Aunt Meg Meg (I told her we have to wait until we know what we are doing first and get her parent's approval). My other granddaughter, Hazel, wants to be on the "honey team". She said she wants to taste the honey - ha ha! No matter what team you're on, always Bee Kind and find the beauty that surrounds you!
xoxoxoxoxo
Gigi Susie
Beauty - the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest)\
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