Marvelous Mama Meesh

For over a year now, I have been compiling a myriad of reasons why his crazy idea would never work.

Bears, moose, skunks, raccoons and a hundred other varmints live in them thar mountains!

And every one of them would love a tasty snack of honey and bees. Not to mention the cold summer evening mountain temperatures, strong winds, and lack of a beekeeper constantly watching over them. Gladly he ignored my misgivings and a few weeks ago placed Mama Meesh and her hive of honeybees high in the Cache Wasatch National Forest on property belonging to our very good friends.

Scott and Dean believe the wildflowers and the snowberry bush will make delicious honey. Seriously, if you were a bee wouldn't you want to live here?

After a two week settling in period, it was time to check on the bees to see whether they had even survived the move. Just the two of us made the drive into the mountain property that day...where a lovely light breeze scattered the scent of the forest around us. The afternoon was nothing short of a spiritual experience.

What we found was a busy thriving hive. The girls were actively flying in and out with bright yellow pollen filling the sacks on their tiny legs. Pollen is immediate sustenance for hard-working bees.

Mostly likely they were gathering it from this bright yellow mountain flower along with sweet sugary nectar. Using a straw-like proboscis, the worker bee drinks the liquid nectar, storing it in a special honey sack (almost like a honey tummy) within her body. The bee continues to forage, visiting hundreds of flowers until the honey sack is full when she brings it back to the hive.

Approaching the hive, we immediately noticed the absence of guard bees protecting the entrance. They usually zig and zag into your face. This hive was completely and inexplicably docile.

Even after opening the hive and moving frames around, Dean declared it to be the happiest beehive he's ever seen.

Signs of brood on this frame

and many others indicate the hive is expanding mightily

Sweet sugary nectar is already making the transition to delectable mountain honey.

I watched him methodically go about his work...

searching for the illusive Queen Mama Meesh

and placing the next honey super on.

Dreaming of harvesting the amber colored ambrosia next fall.

The face of a very happy beekeeper who should never listen to his wife!

The beekeeper and I sat on that mountain for quite some time and absorbed the magnificent vista. Casually he pointed out a grove of Quaken Aspen trees at the very tip top of the mountain overlooking the bees...Jocie's mountain. Her monument lies in that bright green grove. And her spirit wafts continually through these trees both winter and summer. It's no wonder that Mama Meesh is content and thriving with Jocie the beekeeper magnificently watching over her.

And then I couldn't help but giggle as I envisioned fifteen-year old Jocie and her girlfriend Lindsay frolicking among the trees that live here!

Leap Year

2012...a new year...a leap year...with a new monthly theme.

One simple photo of something that made my soul "leap" during the month of January!

Just your basic iphone pic

Honestly, there might be nothing sweeter than getting off Harry's Dream lift at Beaver Mountain to discover these gorgeous red roses. Left on Jocie's monument by someone incredibly thoughtful...we'll never know who!

Seriously...gigantic leap of the soul from such a gesture. There are so many good and genuine people in my little world and I am so appreciative of your kindness...

Mountain Play Time

There is nothing more fun than playing in the mountains during winter...

unless it's playing with friends in the mountains during winter.

unless it's playing with friends who ski in the mountains during winter.

unless it's playing with friends who ski and giggle in the mountains during winter...

unless it's playing with friends who ski and giggle and enjoy yummy food in the mountains during winter!

Here...watch for yourself!


Playing in the Mountains from Lisa Garlick on Vimeo.

See what I mean!

Gettin' Jiggy With It 2011

How did you spend your Jiggy Day...here is how The Garlick Press spent ours!

Traditionally, Jiggy Day begins with breakfast at Angie's restaurant and girlfriends. I imagine this Jiggy Day breakfast tradition will carry on for years...someday to include spouses and children!

All of these beautiful girls have started their freshman year of college...I'm just so proud of them!

Then it's a quick stop for roses and giant bags of candy...why giant bags of candy you ask? I don't know...it just seemed a good idea at the time. The agenda on Jiggy Day is whatever makes you happy and feel good!

After meeting up with our favorite little people Olivia and Henry...we pack EVERYBODY into the car and head out for a day filled with adventure.

We always visit the cemetery...it's a source of peace and comfort for all of us.

Olivia was fascinated by all of the items left by friends and family. We delight in finding wonderful surprises left for our girl.

Shhh...babies sleeping in the car...

Be very quiet.

Arriving at Beaver Mountain, the ski resort is under a blanket of fall snow and colorful leaves.

Bundling up babies and Daddy...

and Mama too!


Knowing when we left home, there was most likely snow at the top of the mountain...I encouraged everyone to dress warm and wear good hiking shoes. I knew we would most likely have to hike at least part of the way up to the monument. Apparently everyone listened to me but me...these are my open clogs...awesome for hiking in snow!

Olivia wriggled and wiggled out of her daddy's arms wanting to play in the snow.

Autumn weather likes to tease us here...throwing in a little early winter just to keep us on our toes.

As expected, we were able to drive most of the way to the top of the ski resort. But once the snow got too deep, we had to hike the rest of the way.

Nature is so incredible.

Baby girl Olivia could have sat in that snow all day and played and played...she loves snow!

And finally...a glimpse of Jocie's monument at the top. 

If you have a self-timer on your camera...you must learn how to use it, as I love this photo. Only the addition of lawyer girl would have made it better. Missed you Dione!


And it was so cold at the top...the chill in the air reminded me of ski weather.

By the way, it snows nearly every year on Jiggy Day...so I wouldn't plan an outdoor event on this day if you live by The Garlick Press.


Papa and Henry carefully make their way back down the steep summit trail to the warm car parked below.

I imagine Henry has no idea why we are at the top of a mountain in chilly weather...but someday he will!

It was Cassandra who suggested we attempt this adventure today...even though the snow and cold temperatures put the kibosh on our picnic at the top!

With inches of snow already on the ski slopes...Chet was getting pretty excited just thinking about using those new skis of his waiting at home.

Papa and Olivia attempt to make snow angels. It was hard for Olivia since she was basically wearing a sleeping bag...Baby in a Bag!

Told you she loves snow!

And while we were off hiking to the top of the mountain...girlfriends Sid, Lindsay, and Autumn had other plans for reaching great heights to celebrate Jiggy day.

They jumped out of an airplane! Can you believe that? Seriously...are they the most amazing girlfriends or what?

After their skydiving adventure, the girls couldn't wait to come tell us all about their high-flying antics through the clouds.

Jiggy day was a completely full day...with a few tears, but mostly tons of love! We basked in each other's memories of Jocie and celebrated a girl who celebrated life every single day of hers.