May already? Wow, as I get older, the time goes faster. But even though we are so busy, life on the farm is always the best. As I sit here at the kitchen table typing up the blog, the wind is drying our clothes hanging on the line, Sugar is lounging in the sun, customers are shopping, the sheep and cows are grazing on the pasture, and the pigs are lazily wandering around. Doesn’t that paint a picture of bliss? We all know that life isn’t always like this, but I will take it when I can and enjoy it immensely.
As I write this, our bees are getting ready to be put into their hives for the summer. Just in time to pollinate the fruit trees. We are hoping to get our first batch of honey this year. Last year, we left the honey for the bees to use for energy throughout the winter. This worked well until about March when we had a warm, then cold spell that ended up killing the bees. Disheartening to know that they survived the worst of the winter, only to end up dying in the last part of it. But we continue on as bees are a very important part of what we do here on the farm and enjoy the fruits of their labor. A little fact about honey:
Benefits of Honey - Nature's Cough Suppressant
Honey has been used for centuries to help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with a common cold. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, many things can cause a sore throat. These include infections with viruses, such as colds and flu; sinus drainage; allergies; or cigarette smoking, among others. Sore throats caused by bacteria such as streptococci, are usually treated with antibiotics. Always check with your doctor if you have a fever, or if symptoms continue for more than a few days.
Time is the most important healer of sore throats caused by viruses, but for relief of the irritating symptoms, try a spoonful of honey to soothe and coat your throat. Take a spoonful straight, as often as you need, to relieve the irritation. In between, keep up your liquids with a steaming cup of tea sweetened with honey. For added vitamin C, try mixing in orange, grapefruit or lemon juice.
We took a brief break to visit a new store in Rice Lake WI which is now carrying our Maple Hill Farm sheep milk beauty products! Two Sisters Boutique is definitely a place to stop and we sure enjoyed ourselves. Even made a stop by Badger Brew for a much needed and delicious cup of coffee. We love supporting small business owners because truthfully, they are the heart and soul of a community.
Our next big event is Mother’s Day weekend at Lake Elmo MN called Shepherd’s Harvest Festival. So much fun to have a booth, meet new customers, and visit with old acquaintances. This is one of the bigger events we do and it takes weeks to prepare enough product to bring with us. Soaps, lotions, lip balms, foaming soap, bath teas, and milk bath . . . all getting packed and ready to make the trek. It is a fast-paced two days but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Well, until next time . . . Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food