A Honey of a Day

Saturday was the day...Dean could hardly sleep the night before. It was the day to reap the rewards of the bee's labors. And our girls Caroline and Steve did very well. It was so fun to learn the process from our friends the Firths and the Winwards. Thanks for sharing and for a very fun day. We ended up with 7 gallons of honey from the first harvest which is about 84 pounds of honey. Can you believe Caroline and Steve were able to pull that off their first year being queen? Awesome!

This is what has been happening at our house

all summer long!

Here is a perfect frame of honey fresh from the

hive ready to be spun out. The honeycomb extends

out from the frame, is filled with honey and then

capped with wax when it is cured.

Fascinating...Caroline's frame on the left was almost
a golden yellow. Steve's frame on the right was nearly

white. The honey spun out golden and white just like the wax.

The taste from each hive was also completely different.

Cool huh?

Spring was up early and still in a happy mood...

nothing like a little honey rush in the morning!

Leisa showing us the correct way to remove the

wax cap on top of the cured honey.

Dean with perfect execution on his beloved honey!

Bob showing us how to spin complete with his

"I'm so sick of honey" face. They had spun

all their honey the day before. Ah...thanks guys!

The frames must spin 100 turns in each direction.

Also, don't forget to balance them...inside joke!

Getting ready to see the final product inside the canister.

And the moment we have all been waiting

for all summer.

Thanks Caroline, Steve, and the gang!

Gooseberry Pie

At the Garlick household we absolutely love food and are always anxious to try something new and different. Last Saturday morning while perusing the delightful items at our local Farmers Market Dean discovered Gooseberries!!! I know... right? I admittedly have never even seen let alone tasted a gooseberry. So I know, let's make a pie. This delightful pie had one of the most unique flavors I've ever tasted and we all completely fell in love with it! Now, I'm trying to figure out how to get fresh gooseberries in December for Pie Night.

To me, they look like a cross between a grape

and a tiny watermelon.

Dione was happy to play along. She has just returned

from DC the day before and was starved for some goodness.

Here we are cooking the gooseberries with some

sugar and tapioca to thicken the mixture up.

And finally...gooseberry pie! The next time you
spot some gooseberries...snatch em' up!

Shutter speed, apertures, and histo-what?

Knowing I had recently acquired a new digital SLR camera, I have a good friend who referred me to an on-line photography class. I started the class this summer and have learned much about shutter speeds, apertures, ISO's, histograms, composition, etc. It is a bit overwhelming I must admit. My latest assignment was to complete a photo shoot done completely in "manual mode". Anyone who speaks photo language knows that is a big step. The late afternoon sun was setting and I could feel the energy as it slipped from the horizon. I grabbed my camera and just sat and watched it fade...something I don't remember doing in a very long time. Here is my assignment that I turned in...

I think it is important to always stretch yourself and learn something new when you can. Don't be afraid to make that leap to something unfamiliar...you never know what you might learn in your journey. Oh...and don't forget to watch the sun set every now and then.

80th Birthday Party

We just celebrated Grandpa Owen's 80th birthday with a wonderful party for family and friends. Dean produced a beautiful video documenting his Dad's life legacy. It will be a treasure for years to come. Interesting, that Gramps has spent all but 5 of his 80 years in the same town... Farr West, Utah. Happy Birthday Owen.

Owen and Bob...who is that beautiful
girl with you? I love Cassandra in blue.

The fabulous Kylee enjoying a swing. Love
the photoshop stuff.

Baby Griffin smooching up a strawberry.

A rare picture of Unni, obviously she didn't know

I was taking it.

Cindy, Ray and baby Zac.

Chet loves it when I take his picture.

Kirsten and Addison flew in from Portland

to surprise Gramps.

Aunt Donna (from sweltering Phoenix) and the

lovely cousin Kelly.

Marsh Lake

There are some places on this Earth that speak to your soul. In the high Uintah's there is a beautiful lake that we venture to every year. It is a place of beauty, solice, healing, good food, much fun, and wonderful memories. We missed having Dione and our friends The Chapmans with us this year, but look forward to another time when we are all together.

Early morning on the lake as the night mist is lifting.

My favorite boy preparing for a canoe ride.

The boys brought me along for a fish/canoe trip.

My job was the photos.

Captain of the canoe.

I just loved this reflection of the clouds in the lake.

Bob and Cass came along. Cassandra and her Dad

have an ongoing tradition. She always bakes and

brings a fresh homemade pie the first night we are

up there. This year she brought a fresh

Peach Cardamom Pie...it was absolutely amazing.

She is quite the pie chef!