1-1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 6 oz. chocolate morsels

1/2 cup roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped (optional).

Directions:

Combine honey, peanut butter, butter and brown sugar in a large bowl; beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix thoroughly. Combine flour, soda and salt; mix well. Stir into peanut butter mixture. Stir in chocolate morsels and peanuts. Using a 1/4 cup measure for each cookie, drop onto ungreased cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Bake at 350°F 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to rack and cool. -Makes 16 servings-

February

Check food stores in hive by lifting one end of each hive, to estimate its weight.  If it feels light they are short of food and need to be fed.  Feed hives as needed.

Order Wooden Ware for new hives as required.

Assemble Wooden Ware as required. 

Attend a hands on, wooden ware assembly, class at Tarboo Valley Wooden Ware.  

For wooden ware classes and availability contact Frank @ (360) 301-0686 

March

Check Hive for food.  Most likely will need to feed.

Double check the condition of your equipment and wooden ware to prepare for the new season.

In your free time check out: "Dances With Bees" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees/dances.html

March 31st, last day for ordering Package Bees, Nucs and Queens.

April

Check hives for food.  Some hives will still need a little help.

Final payment for package bees, Nucs and Queens due April 1st.

No refunds on orders after April 1st.

New package bees and nucs arrive this month.

Place your hives on the site you have selected for your apiary so you're ready when your new bees arrive.

Check queen bee 5 days after installing bee package. 

Check hive food every couple of days.

May

You will need to make a couple of inspections to check the condition of your hives.

Make sure your queen is laying in a nice pattern.

Check out this site: "Anatomy Of A Bee" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bees/hive.html

Some Nucs are still available for sale this month.  Contact Calvin @ (360) 732-4993

June

Check hive for queen cells.  

A complete examination of the hive can be performed at 55 degrees or warmer, when the bees are flying.

You may need to add another story on your hive.

July

Bee tip of the month: A shallow pan filled with water and rocks (for the bee to rest upon) is an excellent addition to your apiary. Providing a water source of this kind will help keep the bees out of your neighbors' yards. 

Check hives for queen cells.

You may need to add another story on your hives.  

August

Check hive for queen cells.

Early in the month you may need to add another story on your hives.

Honey Harvest Time

Fruity Frozen Yogurt Pop Recipe

1 cup fresh, ripe nectarines, pineapple, or strawberries, chopped, 1-1/2 cups plain yogurt,1/3 cup honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla

8 paper cups (3 oz.) and popsicle sticks or plastic spoons.

Directions: 

In a blender, combine all ingredients; mix well. Pour into eight (3 oz.) paper cups; insert popsicle sticks or plastic spoon in center of each. Freeze 4 hours or until solidly frozen.

September

Honey Harvest Time 

Back to School Honey Granola Squares Recipe

3 cups low-fat granola, 3/4 cup dried fruit (apples, apricots, cherries, cranberries or pears), finely chopped, 1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 egg whites, lightly beaten

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix together granola and dried fruit. In a small saucepan, heat honey, oil and vanilla over medium heat, stirring until honey is dissolved. Pour honey mixture over granola and mix until thoroughly coated. Pour egg whites over granola mixture; mix well. Pack mixture firmly into an 8-inch square nonstick baking pan. Bake at 325°F for 40 minutes or until deep golden brown. Place pan on a cooling rack; cool completely before cutting into squares, approximately 2-1/2-inches each.

October

Tip the hive so the front entrance is 1 inch lower than the back of the hive to keep rain from collecting and running inside.

Frame maintenance, (replace old and damaged wax and frames) 

November

Monitor hive food supply

December

Place Orders for Package Bees or Queens.

The best gift of all, is your own honey, wrapped with a bow.

Christmas Honey Twist Recipe

Scald 1 cup milk    --COOL TO LUKEWARM
Combine cooled milk with 1/4 cup butter,1/3 cup honey,1 tsp. salt

Dissolve 2 pkts yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Add 2 well-beaten eggs, and COOLED milk mixture.                           
Add 5 to 6 cups flour to make a soft dough.
Turn onto floured board and knead until smooth. Form into a ball, cover with a towel, and let rise until double.

When double, form into a roll, about 1 inch in diameter.  Coil roll into round greased cake pan [bundt pan works nice], beginning at outside, and covering bottom of pan. Brush Twist with honey topping. [see below], let rise until double.

Bake at 350 degrees. 25 to 30 minutes.

HONEY TOPPING
Cream 1/4 cup butter, 2/3 cup powdered sugar,1 egg white, 2 TBSP. honey (warmed)