Jill @ The Prairie Homestead
and Me!
I hope your Easter blessed and you're feeling refreshed. It always feels like I'm in the home stretch to summer when Easter comes and goes. And there's so much to do! I had hoped to get even more done this weekend, but I spent almost the entire time with my foot elevated while taking Benadryl and Motrin because of a bee sting.
Wednesday evening as I finished installing the new bees in their hive, I got stung on the ankle as I gathered up my supplies to leave. Some poor worker bee got caught in my sock and since I couldn't find it right away, it kept pumping it's venom in me until I could get it out (which was a while). I had meant to wear my gardening boots, but in my hurry, I forgot and just wore my tennis shoes. I should have stopped and changed.
At first it didn't seem like too big of a deal, but after 24 hours, my entire foot had swollen and I had a fever. I'm hoping this was just due to the fact of where the bee stung me and since it pumped in more venom than normal because I do NOT want to give up beekeeping! I had the same reaction as a kid when I stepped on them barefoot, but last summer when I was stung on the arm, I had no reaction whatsoever. Pray that this was just an unusual occurrence!
As for the bees, they seem to like their new home immensely. I've hobbled out there several times to see how they are doing and there's lots of in and out activity. The timing couldn't have been better. With all the rain we've had (and little sun), the wildflowers have been delayed and are just now starting to bloom profusely. Plus the creek out back is still running so that they have a water supply. I'll have to come up with a back up water source soon, because it won't run for long, but in the meantime, it's nice to have.
I also got my seeds started this past week. Despite every mishap imaginable, they are doing well and sprouting away. I didn't get to use my soil blocker because I'm still trying to obtain all the ingredients for the potting soil recipe, so I used my paper pot roller instead. My 12 year old was able to make all the pots I needed which was a great help since it's a bit time consuming. I'm still hoping to use the soil blocker for starting a lot of flowers for cutting just as soon as I can.
The chicks are growing and I'll be moving them to the coop this week although they'll still need the heat lamp because it's cool out there at night, but I'm going to need the lamp for the Freedom Rangers soon, so I need this group of layers to get acclimated as soon as possible.
So that's a glimpse into what's happening at my homestead this week. How about yours?
1. Write a blog post about what's going on at your homestead or a post on something you're learning or an item of interest that will benefit the homesteading community. Be sure to add the red barn button and link back here so others can join in the fun.
2. Come back here and enter your information in the Linky. Please be sure to link to your actual post (click your title and then copy the URL above) and not your home page so those participating later in the week can find your post easily.
3. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment and tell us what's going on at your homestead!
1. Write a blog post about what's going on at your homestead or a post on something you're learning or an item of interest that will benefit the homesteading community. Be sure to add the red barn button and link back here so others can join in the fun.
2. Come back here and enter your information in the Linky. Please be sure to link to your actual post (click your title and then copy the URL above) and not your home page so those participating later in the week can find your post easily.
3. If you don't have a blog, leave a comment and tell us what's going on at your homestead!
Please Note: As hostesses of the Homestead Barn Hop, please understand that we reserve the right to remove any links that are not family friendly. While this may be subjective, we will err on the side of caution in order to keep our blogs appropriate for all readers. Thank you for your understanding!
I got brave and moved my seedlings to the cold box outside yesterday. They were getting leggy and need more sun.
ReplyDeleteI am allergic to bee stings as well. You might want to have an epipen handy if this happens again and you have a severe reaction. :)
Hope the bee sting is feeling better.
ReplyDeleteUgh - so sorry to hear about your injury. But only a true beekeeper would refer sympathetically to the "poor worker bee" who had stung her! Most of us would use very different language indeed. So I hope that this reaction is a once-off, and that you have many enjoyable beekeeping days ahead of you.
ReplyDeleteKate in NY
You may wish to grab an EpiPen, just to have on hand, should you get multiple stings. I, too, have worked the hives (years ago) and understand your joy. Hopefully, it was an odd reaction and nothing that is going to get in the way of your ongoing work. Good luck ~!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you had swelling and fever after a bee sting. I was wondering if you've ever tried putting plantain on bee or wasp stings. We consider plantain to be a wonder plant at our house and try it on so many things...like stings, poison ivy, rash, horse fly bites... After receiving a sting, we pull a leaf, chew on it a bit, and then plaster it on the site of the sting. It takes away the pain and also prevents even a raised bump...not sure if it would help if you have allergies but thought you might like to hear about it...if you haven't already. Praying that it was just an unusual occurrence:)
Thanks for all you do:)
Blessings,
Sherry
i'm jealous of your bees. this year we are investing in more fruit and nut trees instead. hey, with your bees and our trees we'd make perfect neighbors!
ReplyDeleteAlas, my garden is still cold and very wet! I'm stuck planting inside yet this year, but I wanted to share a post from a previous spring that highlights the different ways I get a jump on the gardening season (starting seeds inside, my greenhouse and cold frames). Hopefully the ideas will be helpful to others who are also struggling with difficult weather this spring, or those who just want a little extra growing season.
ReplyDeleteI never knew a bee sting could have so much power! Sorry to hear of your first bee sting! It reminds me of when I was in college one afternoon I was sitting on a bench. I had my hiking boots on with my wool socks little did I know a wasp would find its way onto my sock. Apparently the wasp landed on my sock and then I got up to go to my math class. As I was sitting in my seat I felt this weird sensation on my knee! I thought oh my gosh that wasp that was buzzing around me had worked its way up my sock to my knee cap. I was so shocked and embarrassed at the same time. The last thing I wanted to do was to stand up and start shouting. So naturally I had to place my fingers around it and squeeze it so it could not sting me anymore. I had to walk like this all the way to the bathroom very quickly to get to a stall so that I could remove this small predator! What a moment! I was so relieved to get rid of it and so thankful that is did not cause me more harm. It just goes to show you how industrious God's creatures are! I hope you were able to laugh through this and that it brightened your day. Love that you have bees! We have bees that visit our yard everyday and it makes me wonder where their hive may be. I am just happy to give them a place to visit everyday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting -- so sorry to hear about your stings! Here at our place we've had lots (tons) of rain this spring and finally had a sunny day on Saturday in which we actually broke 70 degrees! It was gorgeous! Feel free to stop by to see how we spent the day. :) Blessings, ~Lisa
ReplyDeleteRad Surfing Mom - that's quite a story! I felt for you as I read it!! I'm smiling only because I know you're fine now :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your bee sting- a prayer has been sent up that this was a one time reaction, and that you will heal quickly. I would aggree with the others about asking the doctor about an epi-pen- I carry one for my tree nut allergy- thankfully I have never had to use it- but it is comforting knowing that I have it just in case. Thanks for hosting Barn Hop- I really enjoy reading everyone's posts.
ReplyDeleteAmy, you need to use sand, peat moss and the pre-plant mix for your blocks. I think it would work the same and my plants are doing really well with it. Just a suggestion :)
ReplyDelete