In my blog I plan to chat about nature, crafts, baking, gardening, beekeeping, family, and whatever else seems appropriate at the time. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Keeper of the Bees

The Keeper of the Bees.  
  It looks like an old book...and at one time it was.  It's from a company I follow on Instagram that takes old books and turns them into journals.

 I didn't realize when I ordered it that they would keep some of the book in tact.

 It looks like it would be a good book to read, but I love the actual journal aspect of it.  And I really love the way it lays down flat.
I don't think I'd be able to ruin an old book, but bookjournals on Instagram can!  My cousin and I are going to a big beekeeping meeting in a few weeks and I think I'll take this with me to take notes.
 
And see this hive...I took this picture TODAY!  In January!  The bees in this hive decided to come out in 42 degree weather!

I hear this weekend the temperature is going to be in the low 50's.  Fingers crossed they are alive.

Cindy Bee

Sunday, January 24, 2016

A Relaxing Sunday!

Today was such a relaxing Sunday.  It's the first we've had in ages.  And we decided after working so hard for the last few days we needed a small break.  So we went to Lowe's to look at a few things and get a few measurements.....then decided on a whim to go to Green Oak Antiques.  It's an antique store about an hour North of where we live.  Here are some of the things they have....




 

 New and antique stuff...they have it all...
When we returned from Green Oak Antiques I even took a couple of coffee/crochet breaks.
 When the neighbor came over and my Shug and him started watching football, I went upstairs, turned on the fireplace in the den, and an English Baking type show.  I love this room.
 And lastly, I thought I'd show you this fun bag I ordered this week from roamingwild.  I'm instagram friends with them.
Pop over HERE and see what I've been doing with the rest of my week.
Please....pop over....I'm so excited!

Cindy Bee

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Dads 80 Birthday Party Part II

Here is Part II of Dad's party.
My cousin Gloria and her husband Ralph.
 Mom and her friend Nancy. 
 These two were just playing around.....but...

 they didn't have to practice twice.  So I'm thinking they've had a lot of practice over the years holding each other up.....
 They were friends as kids....and have remained friends forever.  As a matter of fact, one of their kids and I were chatting on facebook the other day about how we thought we were cousins growing up!
Don and Dad
Card playing.  We play a game called Screw your Neighbor and it's really funny.  You bet with three quarters for the entire game, which can last awhile.  I think we had about ten people playing which makes it all the more fun.  I WON!!!  Oh, and PS...we changed the name of the game to Love your Neighbor (sweet huh?)

 And then there was PIE FACE!  

 BAM!

 BAM!
 and
BAM!
 We ended the evening playing a game that we haven't played in years.
It's called Butt Darts!!!
This is what Vickie was doing in that last picture yesterday.
 
You take a quarter and put it ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR JEANS between your butt cheeks.   
And you squeeze those cheeks, holding that quarter, as you walk across the room...

Once you get across the room, to the shot glass, you squat as low as you can
and release the quarter, trying to make it in the shot glass.  If you make it in, you are the winner of the quarters!

It was HILARIOUS!  Always has been, always will be!.

There was one other game where you guess how many gold fish are in the jar!  Nancy won


and here are the winners
of the evening!




Truth is...  We got a lot of love in this family and friends....so we're all winners!

Love,
Cindy Bee

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Happy 80th Birthday to Dad! Part I

Our Dad turned 80 on Friday!
(this is a picture K took when she ran into him one day at Wal-Mart about a month ago)

 On Saturday evening, we had a party at my Sister's house to celebrate Dad's birthday.  
These are just some of the decorations. 
(I don't suppose my sister has any pictures she could text me of the rest of them?)
 
Somewhat ridiculous looking 80th birthday hat -hand made
 Hand made winter money tree (his gift from his kids)
Gone Fishing banner my Sister made.  (she will tell you she isn't crafty)
 
(the drink table)  Dad is a fisherman and a golfer. 
(she is one of the crafty-ist people I know)
and there was a home made photo booth! 
My Brother, me, and my Sister!  This is a picture we put on facebook waiting for our Dad to arrive.

My cousin Vickie, my sister Theresa, Vickie's daughter Ashley, and me!

Dad with his grand-kids (two were missing) and his great grand-kids.
And of course, we had Mom sneak into the picture. 

My brother and his son.
Vickie and her kids!
Trent (my sisters Husband) and his Mom.
Trent and his Dad.

Theresa and Trent's daughter Taylor and her Pops.


Mom and Dad and friends of theirs....They've been friends since they were about five years old I think!

Dad wearing his hat!  This was right after we sung happy birthday and Theresa delivered the cake right into his sweater!
 I found some 'lips' in one of my sister's drawers!
Taylor and me.
Adrienne (my niece) and me.

This is one of the games I have to tell you about.  We found it on facebook and played it on Christmas eve (of which I have not posted pictures yet) 
You take saran wrap and little gifts or candies....

and you wrap all of these little gifts in the saran a little at a time.
Stopping and starting the saran many times along the way.
Until you have a big ball of saran wrap and gifts.
The person next to the person with the saran ball rolls two dice.

They roll the dice until they get doubles.  While they are rolling the dice, the person beside them is unwrapping the saran wrap ball, gaining as many gifts as he/she can.

Here I am trying to figure out where it starts....you cannot rip the saran.  Ralph is trying to roll doubles.  Once he rolls doubles, I have to stop unwrapping and give him the ball.
In the center, and very well wrapped, is the grand prize.
I put a scratch off lottery ticket and a McDonald's gift card.  At Christmas time I had a Starbucks gift card.
This game is crazy fun!  Especially when it gets close to the end.  You can see the prize at the end, but I usually start and stop the saran three or four times for the grand prize.  As with all grand prizes, it LOOKS closer than it is!
Even little kids can play.
  Ryan might have rolled the dice a little slower...until he wasn't getting any doubles!
If you don't understand....google Saran Wrap ball game.  Someone posted a very long (ok 7 minutes) video on how it is made and played.

My sister with our nephew....She asked me to take a picture of the two of them.
Can you believe how tall he is!!!
What in the world is she doing!!!!!  More pictures from this party later......
I have a part two to show you.

Cindy Bee