Beehives are illegal?

Yup.

Ok, here's the scoop. We think we've found a great place to buy and set up a little homestead. On this one acre up in the mountains, it's forested but we can cut down some of the trees and plant our apple and other fruit/nut trees, and make a bit of pasture land for goats, cows, etc. We can even have chickens.

It's a very foresty-area. This is a corner lot with houses within viewing distance, through the trees. Nice and cool, and very peaceful. I really like it.

The only thing is ... this county doesn't allow bees in a residential area - we'd have to request a rezoning, but for 1 acre, I doubt we could get this to happen.

We need bees. We don't expect to have a lot - just enough for wax and honey for our own personal use, but we go through about half-a-gallon of honey a month. So here's my question. Is it possible to hide a hive of bees in a little (maybe 1/4 acre) of a forest? Perhaps attached to a tree? Or closer/right up against the house? Are there beehives that look like something else? Do they HAVE to be out in the open for bees to find their way to and fro?

Er, hypothetically, of course.

Argh. Still working

We're still working to get our house ready to list. Goes on the market tomorrow, but we still have carpet cleaning to do, and some weeding, mowing and all-around cleaning.

I'm sorry I've neglected reading blogs and writing here. I promise when I can breathe again, I'll start again. Promise.

Vikki

Almost Home

Found what we think is the most perfect homestead for us ... year-round stream, 2.36 acres, room for garden, 5 bdrms, 2 baths, full basement, and old log cabin on property. Secluded. Surrounded by woods. Absolutely perfect!

Our real estate agent told us today that it was under contract. Bummer. But it's a short sale so it may fall through. I believe, strongly, that if it's meant to be ours, it will be ours.

Here's hoping!

Besides, we're still 2 weeks away from putting OUR house on the market. I just can't move any faster than I am!

Ant Invasion

My Tween was supposed to be taking the recycling out to the barrel when he threw it down and ran inside.

"MOM! You gotta see this! Come out here!"

Of course, being used to his theatrics, I said, "Whatdayawant?"

"Please Mom!"

I throw on some clothes, hair still wet from shower, and trudge down to see a black mound in front of our newly installed garage door. A moving mass of black. Ants. Ugh. They were all alives, and there's no trace of whatever they were subsisting on.

Quickly I move my butt in gear, up the stairs to google "how to naturally kill ants". First, pipe tobacco. Nope, don't want to go to the store. Second, soapy water kills on contact.

I tromp back downstairs and grab a sprayer, put about 1 tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in there, fill with water, and screw the top back on as I walk back outside. The squirter doesn't work. Back inside, hunt for another sprayer, find one, fill it up with another tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and more water, and test it in the kitchen sink. It works.

And, it worked. Kills those suckers on contact. We used the entire bottle because there were so many. Luckily they hadn't wandered into the garage. Still have no clue what drew the 4,000,000 black ants to that one spot!

Sorry, PETA. It's the ants, or me.


Note: My source was: http://www.wikihow.com/Kill-Ants-Without-Pesticides .. funny AND serious alternatives!

Can We Make Oil At Home?

I've been wondering how to make our own oil. I mean, I really hate buying bottles of vegetable oil, olive oil, walnut oil, etc. To I'm doing a little research on this subject, and am asking for your help.

I want to know how to make the following oils, and this is the info I have so far.

• Avocado - ??
• Filbert/Hazelnut - ??
• Olive - ??
• Soybean - ??
• Sunflower - it takes 2500 square feet of sunflowers to make 3 gallons of oil with some leftover for snacking. Reference: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/oilpress.html. Sure looks complicated tho.
• Walnut - Gather, dry and crack the walnuts. Then grind them finely and 'cook' them. After cooking they're pressed and filtered and are ready. Click here: http://frenchfoodfocus.blogspot.com/2006/12/walnut-oil-real-stuff.html

Any other oils we can make from things we can grow? Your input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!