Calendula & Honey Funnel Cake
It’s been years since I had Funnel Cake. It’s one of those dishes that goes hand in hand with a holiday or event – in this case, American county fairs. Part of the fun of these crispy treats is having...
View ArticleSwarming Season and Brood-and-a-Half
The weeks between April and June are known as ‘Swarming Season’ and during this time it’s recommended that beekeepers check their hives every 9-10 days. What we’re doing at these visits is making sure...
View ArticleHow to Naturally Color Handmade Soap
This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your continued support of this site! Natural soapmaking is an exciting craft that anyone can do from the comfort of their own kitchen. Using oils,...
View ArticleMy Periwinkle Blue Beehive
Have you ever realised just how much more colour people add to their own homes in foreign countries? Outside of the ‘West’ you’ll find houses in all the colours of the rainbow but the greyer the...
View ArticleThe Lovely Greens Newsletter
I’ve just published my second ever newsletter and so far I’m getting a really great response! I’m not sure why haven’t gotten around to it before because it’s such a great way to connect with those of...
View Article“Improving” Manx Bees
The Isle of Man Beekeepers are working to bring back the ‘British Black’ honeybee Some of the older beekeepers on the Isle of Man can still remember a time when you didn’t need to wear gloves when...
View ArticleRoger Patterson inspects my Honeybees
Roger Patterson inspects my honeybees and finds that one of them is an ideal candidate for the ‘Bee Improvement Programme’. It’s only recently that I learned of the plan to “Improve” Manx honeybees. It...
View Article15 Inspiring Green & Eco Women on Instagram
Instagram is more than just pretty pictures, it’s a place to find inspiration and to sneak a peek into the lives of people both ordinary and famous. Each time you scroll through your feed you’re...
View ArticleBeekeeping Harvest: Crushing and Straining Honey
Finding ‘wild’ comb in my hive and extracting honey from it. It’s been a very busy couple of weeks for me with filling orders over at Lovely Greens Handmade, taking guests on a quirky weekend tour of...
View ArticleWhat’s the new headline about?
Live simply. Explore nature. Make useful things. Grow your own. It’s taken me a long time to nail down what Lovely Greens is in a headline. How can you define yourself in just one sentence? I’ve gone...
View ArticleHoney & Almond Baklava Recipe
A Turkish sweet made with buttered pastry layered with chopped nuts and soaked in a spiced honey syrup The first time I had this middle-eastern treat was in the airport in Greece on my way back home to...
View ArticleWhy Vegans (and everyone else) should eat Honey
It’s probable that most honey bee colonies in the west do not live in the wild anymore. They live with beekeepers. No matter what your views on eating or not eating meat are, there’s one animal product...
View ArticleToday I am Thankful for Honeybees
Without honeybees, our way of life wouldn’t exist Today across America, families will be gathering around feasts thankful for what they have. Thanksgiving is about family, good fortune, and goodwill...
View ArticleJanuary Beekeeping • Checking Stores & Tidying the Apiary
It’s been an unusually warm winter I write that as the wind is howling and the temperature hovers around oC. Just a few days ago it was much more pleasant and closer to 14C — the type of weather you’d...
View ArticleRecipe for Natural Rose Geranium Soap coloured with Alkanet Root
Naturally coloured purple with Alkanet Root In this rose-geranium soap recipe you’ll use the natural colouring properties of Alkanet root, scent from my favourite essential oil, and dried rose petals...
View ArticleThe Honeybees in March
The Bees are Awake All winter long my small black honeybees have been keeping warm inside their hive. They don’t go dormant like other insects but instead eat honey and stay warm by vibrating their...
View ArticleThe Honeybees in April: Swapping frames using the Bailey Comb Change
The Colonies need Fresh Brood Comb Last month while I was inspecting my bees it struck me that I haven’t given them fresh frames of beeswax foundation in a while. The beeswax in the brood chamber...
View ArticleThe Honeybees in May + Weird Discoveries in the Hives
Warmer days and Flying Bees Update on the Bailey Comb Change, Swarming, & strange things found in the hives With each day moving us closer to summer, the weather improves and honeybees become more...
View ArticleBad Beekeeper + Loads of Honey
The first honeybee visit in weeks A good beekeeper visits their bees every week between May and July. They make sure their bees have enough space, aren’t thinking of swarming, and if they’re lucky they...
View ArticleA Couple of Surprises on Honey Extraction Day
A Late June Honey Harvest I usually don’t take honey off this early. Most beekeepers do though, since early summer honey is light and sweet and some of the best you can harvest. I’m usually just so...
View Article