Christmas

 We did not attend the Christmas Tree Lighting, do the Rudolf Run, or participate in the Nativity Exhibit this year as Covid-19 hates Christmas. BUT, we did find ways to fee the Spirit and celebrate. 

While I was in Washington, my family put up our advent calendar and filled it "just for mom". My heart was filled with gratitude for their thoughtfulness. I received kind/humorous words ans well as sweet treats which, of course, I shared.

Here are more highlights:

Sophie and Neal forgo the step stool and use teamwork to install the mistletoe in the archway. Also, she is giant now.

 

Lady does a face plant

Making gingerbread houses

Winter themed Lego creations by Rhys

Photo Op

Time with Opa and Oma. Sophie successfully made candied sweet potato casserole-something she's been wanting to do since she learned how to in a class before Thanksgiving 2019. Rhys successfully played Jingle Bells on his trombone, which he's learned virtually and in home practice.

I made a family recipe for almond butter toffee passed on from Norma--who I came to find is my great grandaunt and that she owned and operated her own candy shop.

Norma Rees

We enjoyed Christmas concerts online and watched Christmas movies and drank hot cocoa and ate way too many sweets. Honestly, gift wrapping was complicated. The kids were often popping in and out between classes so I really had to work smart to not spoil their Christmas, as the dining room table served as my work station and we have an open floor plan.

Sophie and I wore Christmas pins that belonged to her great-grandmother, Ionne, to church. Ionne had an extensive collection. Kira has a couple too, and uses them ornaments to decorate her Christmas tree.

We decorated Neal's workspace for Christmas because we were kicking back and having fun and we didn't want him to feel left out.

So we had a good Christmas and life goes on. We were thankful for the phone visits with family and for them thinking of us. We love you!

Sophie Awarded - Bees Buzz Off

 Upon returning from Virginia, Sophie and I invited our beekeeping mentor over to help us be sure the hive was in good shape before the winter. Upon opening the hive and looking down into it, a hard realization hit us. We all stared at each other in shock. Our strong, prolific colony was completely gone! We searched the hive and comb for clues There was ripped open comb cells only a few dead bees in the bottom or at the entrance.

Sophie was to present on the anatomy of a honey bee and be awarded for the completion of her year long experience with beekeeping. We met as a small group and it was great for all the students to see each other, especially as some have not been in school or anything social given the pandemic.  Sophie presented her information in a well organized way but decided she would include more pictures in the future. We learned a lot from the others as well. We are so proud of Sophie for the dedication she put toward her bees and this adventure with me. It has been a great time for us to be together, hard work, and fascinating. 

We found from further discussion from our instructors that it was likely the queen died and the bees sucked up the honey and headed out as she was no longer producing pheromones to keep them there. We also learned that colony loss is quite normal and across the board colony loss is 40%. Would have like to be on the other side of normal but we are going to keep at beekeeping. In fact, we ordered two nucs (beginner colonies) for the spring while at the meeting.