He's feeling the pressure

Well, I said to my sweet husband yesterday - you know - tomorrow is Saturday - what do you have for the blog?  To which he replied - you know I can't have something EVERY Saturday.  Hmmm, I figured one day a week is not much to ask ;)  So I have His submission and Mine today. 

Last week the North Central Beekeepers offered a class for new beginner beekeepers so they could actually learn a lot about beekeeping before they ever purchased bees.  Great idea and each year this class grows in number.  There were about 23 new beekeepers this year that attended and the best thing about this was that there were four boys that were there as part of this new grant project where supplies were purchased with grant money and mentors were assigned (Steve is one of the mentors) to the young men to help them get their bee hives established.  We don't want the art of beekeeping to die - if that dies and beekeeping dies - you may not realize it, but we are all in deep and dire straits.  No bees - no pollination - no pollination - no fruit and vegetables.  Obviously, these little gals are very important.  So here are a few pictures from the class:

These are some of the attendees putting together frames for their hives - yes, they had to do this themselves.  Even in my work, I understand the importance of the Hands On experience and this is important with caring for bees also - if you don't actually do something with your own hands, how will you ever understand?

One of the young men and his dad watching while he puts together his frames - I believe this is one of Steve's boys that he will be working with - I've not gotten all these names straight with the guys they will be working with.

So with all this thought in mind - let me show you one more interesting picture - this is something Steve is working with for his girls.  I'm asking if you know what this is and what he will do with it - and Cathey B - you cannot reply to this!  Well, maybe on Monday morning you can post your reply because I'm doubtful that anyone will actually know what this is:

What a mess!  Have any ideas?  Here's one more picture:

Well, anxious to see if anyone figures this out - if you guess what it is - then tell me what Steve is going to use this for!  That's all for this SAturday - have a great week-end. 

Comments

[Bev Wolverton]

Is it wax and Steve is going to start the honeycomb?

[Mary L]

I am going to guess foam insulation, but I like Bev's guess even more.

Tell Steve he certainly will have blog-worthy posts when he remembers -- the closest many of us have been to farm animals or bees was at the county fair.

[Kathy]

So far - no correct guess

[Tonye Hurd]

Looks like a big hunk of lard, Yuck and I would have no clue as what you would do with it.

[Cathey B]

i know, i know! and i didnt even have to refer to jay for the answer. i am learning more than i thought:) good luck ladies!

[Mavis Hamrick]

I think it is lard

[Sondra]

I'm with the lard but too have no idea why

[Kathy]

Nope - not lard - you aren't even close! and I'm sure Cathey does know!

[Wilda]

Is he making homemade soap?
If I'm right I get some too, lol ;D

[Linda Cross]

Is it suet

[Kathy]

No soap - no suet

[Krauss]

I am going with the lard.....

[Jean Jecmen]

KATHY

COULD IT LARD OR SOME SORT OF SOLID SHORTING TO TREAT TRACIAL MITES.

I'M ALSO A BEE KEEPERS WIFE.

JEAN JECMEN

[Cathey B]

Well ladies I have been given the ok to go ahead and give the answer:) That white block of stuff is fondant. It is a combo of sugar and water and is a form of bee food. We put it in the hive as a food substitute as needed when natural food supplies are low, like late winter, early spring. What you see is a store bought version, but jay and I made our own this weekend to feed our bees:)