Bee Keeping

We checked the hives this weekend after a long wet winter.   Our best performing hive, the yellow one, has been showing signs of decline, so we needed to get in there and see what was going on.  We invited our beekeeper friend, Shane, to help.

It turns out that the yellow hive has a high mite count.  So we are treating it and hoping for the best.  It might be too compromised to survive the treatment but it won't survive without it.  We were happy to at least see the queen in the hive - so with that - there is hope.

The two white hives look strong and healthy, although we did treat them for mites too.  It is likely that one of those will need to be split in the spring, so if the yellow hive does not survive, we will have that box to use.

All in all, we are happy that we have two strong hives coming out of the winter.  It is the first time we have been able to maintain a hive over the winter.

Frisbee Team

Grace had a Ultimate Frisbee Tournament in Santa Clara and asked if we could host her Frisbee team for Saturday nite.  Of course!

As we were coming back from the store with snacks and vegan pizza (a special request) we saw this!  They were all waiting in the front yard while G unloaded!   We got them Costco pizza, salad, birthday cake, cupcakes and breakfast foods and enjoyed the heck out of chatting with them.  All in all, we had 2 twins and 4 queen aerobeds, plus two regular queens and the couch!  It was a tight fit but they all had a comfy spot to sleep.
 

Lydia turn in

On February 10, Lydia went off to professional training, also known as doggy college.   Mimi joined me in the drop off and celebrations.   Above is Lydia on the right and her sister Lupine on the left.

The way it happens is you go to campus and they get a special matriculation cape and you take pics of them in the cape - see below.  Then you have brunch and chat with other puppy raisers.  After that you go to another location for the matriculation ceremony and the graduation for those service dogs graduating with their people!  Above is that ceremony and below are the slides I provided for Lydia.

The puppies walk across the stage and get a graduation tassel.   Unfortunately, Lydia was in heat so we had to leave her on campus.  Which was ok with me, I didn't want to cry walking across the stage!  There were definitely tears, especially when puppy raisers handed their puppies leashes to their new person.  It gets me every time.

 

Lydia sitting proud in her matriculation cape.  She was sooooo good at turn in.  Even Mimi said she was better than the other dogs.  Of course, I never told anyone that she chased a cat on our way out the door to go to turn in!  Naughty butt!

I have high hopes for this sweet girl.  But whatever path she chooses, we will support her whole heartedly.

Anna 86th

Jim and I took Anna to brunch for her 86th birthday to a fully gluten free restaurant, Polenteria, in Los Gatos.  It was so delicious and we had a delightful time trying all the food.   And I do mean ALLL the food as we at a lot.  Anna's meal is above:  salmon and an egg on top of pancetta hash with hollandaise.

Jim's meal was egg brushsetta with potato hash and a balsamic glaze.  I had egg with polenta and a mushroom gravy.  Delish.

This was a great idea - it was frushetta - meaning instead of tomatoes and basil on bread, it was fruit!  It had a dollop on cream cheesey spread and a drizzle of honey.  It was just outstanding!  And the bread was gluten free.

 And of course, we all enjoyed tea and the teapot they served it in!  It re-ignited my interest in tea pots.