May 1st. May Day. Beltane. Not much celebrated in the western world after the mid 20th century because Soviet Russia aka USSR used it for military parades. Remember those photographs of missiles and tanks rumbling down Main Street Moscow? That was the May Day Parade. The Novelist and Poet Margaret Atwood used it as a…
It is heart wrenching to lose a hive. The silence of your backyard when the bees are gone makes you want to cry. But you can also look at it as an opportunity for a fresh start. If you are just getting started it is easy to doom yourself to frustration by making uneducated choices. The best…
Q: What do you do when working the hives to minimize stings? Q: Anything you recommend for bee stings if someone has a minor reaction but nothing life threatening? Q: What do you do when you get stung? In reality, the answers are all related. A: Don’t mind it too much. What I am saying is…
A real life example. An entire community in England has rallied around this simple idea and changed their world. Take a moment and watch this.
The Real Thing 2 parts reposado tequila 1 part cointreau 1 part fresh squeezed lime juice stir gently, add ice “Skinny” Margarita 2 parts reposada tequila 1 part cointreau 1/2 part fresh squeezed lime juice stir gently, add ice add sparkling water till volume is doubled Notes: Fresh lime juice is key. Get a good…
Best Burger 1 pound ground 85% grass fed beef 1 pound ground organic pork 1-2 Tablespoons Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce 1-2 Tablespoons Lea & Perrins Thick Worcestershire Sauce Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning (we use the lower salt version) or Savory Spice Shop Hudson Bay Beef Spice Grill Mates Fiery 5 Pepper Seasoning or Savory…
1 cup coffee 2 oz Bourbon 1/3 cup organic heavy whipping cream 3 teaspoons raw sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla syrup Blender or Whisk Heavy Glass or Large Mug Heat the glass or mug with hot water. Add the vanilla syrup to the heavy whipping cream. Whip the heavy whipping cream by hand or in a…
What could be better on a lazy fall weekend than ribs from the smoker? Below I share with you how to make ribs so good you may never darken the door of your local BBQ joint again. I have an upright electric smoker with two grill grates and two pans. This recipe is based on that smoker…
A very non-aggressive bee raised in a nurturing chemical free hive, smelling the sunflowers. Since sensationalized stories about aggressive bees seem to be hitting the news lately, I thought it would be a good idea to post about dealing with an aggressive hive. The first step is to do nothing. Refer to the previous post about observation and management. Maybe the “Mean…
Hive management is an art, not a science. There are some basic principals I try to follow in an attempt to make hive management a more predictable and consistent art. First off, if you are in doubt, do nothing. You can’t make the bees do anything. What you can do is provide an environment which will encourage…
Backyard Ecosystem began as an expression of my determination to make a difference in our own backyard. Literally and metaphorically making a difference at the micro level of my yard and to operate at macro level of treating the entire planet as something I am an integral part of and whose destiny is shaped everyday by what I do in my corner of the world.
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