I am so lucky.  All four of my hives are alive and thriving.

For the last eight months my bees have been left to their own bee-ish devices.  I’ve been too busy with Culinary School and professional cooking to mess with them.  I’m delighted they’ve been thriving despite my benign neglect.  I guess this happens when one lets one’s bees be bees…

A few years back when I was busy preparing for a big trial, my inattention resulted in the growth and development of what I fondly refer to as my “Mean Bee Hive”.  It’s the biggest, healthiest, and most productive hive I have! (Yes, they are a little defensive….)

The Mean Bee Hive

I still avoid messing with my Mean Bees.  I have no idea what’s going on in their lower deep, and I don’t want to know.  I suspect it’s some type of mystical and magical bee alchemy I wouldn’t understand.  I’m happy if they’re happy.

Notwithstanding the above, late winter/early spring is a precarious time for bees.  I’m going to make some Bee Fondant (Yes, that kind of Fondant!) tonight or tomorrow.

But here are a few pictures I took yesterday.  I wish these pictures showed how active my bees actually were!

Obviously, there is much cleaning and gardening to be done to pretty up the Apiary.  But right now, I’m delighted that everyone is surviving the winter!