Hello Ladies....

Today was a day to check on the bees. Their jar of sugar syrup has a bit in it so I left them to finish and alleviate some of the work they have drawing out the comb. I had hoped to fill the second brood box with the rest of the frames but his will have to wait until the syrup snacking is through.

I took the opportunity to flip the entrance reducer. I think they are getting organized enough that a larger opening is a good idea. I inadvertently flipped their entrance to the opposite side. It caused a bit of confusion as you can see.

Once the larger entrance was positioned where the original entrance was all seemed to be right with the hive.

Aren't they amazing?

Through the Screen Door

I love our front porch and love to look out the door to see what's going on. Lawn mowing, gathering friends or a game of Pickle - it's always a great view of the neighborhood.

Last weekend I happened to look up while in the kitchen and this is what I saw. If Daddy is home and it's a nice day this is consistently the view through the screen door.

I think it's my favorite.

Our Little Robin

Yesterday afternoon, while playing with a friend, Max found a baby robin. It was sitting in the middle of a driveway, not under trees or being guarded by any hysterical parents. Being my mother's daughter, I had to go get it.

Once when I was a kid a robin's nest fell from a tree in the back yard. They were the ABC Triplets - Albert, Becky and Cathy. Unfortunately, only one made it to adulthood. When he was ready, we released him and he was gone for several days.

I very vividly remember the day he came back. It was pouring rain and we had been to the grocery store. Albert's (or Al-burd as my brother called him) angry chirping could be heard through the back porch door. He marched in the door clearly irritated to have been in the rain. He dried out, spent the night in his laundry basket home then left the next day never to return.

When I picked up this little bird he seemed to melt into the warmth of my cupped hands. We put him in a shoe box with a dish towel and checked on him a few times. The way his little body sagged - I didn't think he'd make it through the night. Gratefully, I was wrong.

After a 12 hour nap, he awakened with his scrawny neck craning and beak wide open. He was ready for breakfast. We dug some worms and he gobbled 4 small ones down and settled in for a (very brief) nap.

At the rehab facility we were happy to hear that we had done a good job. Our little bird is snuggled in with 4 others of the same age and in time, will be released.

Sometimes Mother Nature needs a little help. I hope she is as proud as we are.

I Love Chicago by Max

Last Saturday, my friend Owen, Ella, my mom, and I went to the Green Festival on Navy Pier in Chicago.

Here is a picture of the skyline taken from Navy Pier.

My favorite things about Chicago: Chicago-style hot dogs, The Cubs, Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, and Navy Pier.

I love Chicago!

The Spring Garden

We are so excited about our little garden this year. It's starting to wake up and leaves us anticipating the wonderful meals we'll have this summer. The lettuce patch is starting to fill in nicely. This year we have more varieties than ever with two mesclun mixes, romaine, spinach and arugula.

The rhubarb was a gift from a friend years ago and is full of slender stalks. I've picked some already and can't decide what to make first. Compote, pie, crisp, fool, muffins or cake. I'm leaning towards a Lemon Buttermilk Rhubarb Bundt Cake.

Everyone loves sugar snap peas and they are so fun to grow. They are on a teepee and I think you can see them grow as the day progresses. These are Amish Snap Peas. The variegated leaves are so pretty. We'll cook them, make then into salads and eat them right off the vine.

I am so proud to have gotten the garden in so early this year. Usually the best laid plans don't work out and I scramble to do what I can. There is a lot more to come from our plot this year - we will eat well. Tomatoes, chard, garlic, carrots, beets, Rose Finn potatoes, honeydew melon, acorn squash, raspberries, broccoli and many, many herbs.

I can't wait.

Love That Dog

I love my dog. Anyone who's met him knows he is the best dog ever. We got Murray 14 years ago this July. I should say he found us. Someone had taken him to our vet to be put to sleep and seeing him as exceptional, they asked if they could find him a home. When they said they'd found the perfect dog for us, meeting him was formality for me. The rest is history.

Murray has survived two cats, three kids and one Henry. It's just been in the last year that people say he looks aged as opposed being perceived as a puppy. I try not to get bent out of shape but am quick to defend him, sharing his fence leaping prowess and energetic games of chase.

Murray will be 6 in July and I love him more than you could ever know.

A Star Is Born!

Last night we had the distinct pleasure of attending the theatrical debut of Mighty Minds, A Musical That Makes Learning Fun at LWS. The portrayal of a third grade student worried about a week of standardized testing played by Ella was enchanting. Her singing and dancing talents were well highlighted. Her sparkling personality was captivating. We anxiously await her next dramatic endeavor.