Higgins Humble Hives

Working on getting my Etsy store up and running. In the meantime, I just poured some fall and Practical Magic inspired scented candles. Most of these are going to my sister and brother-in-law who are having a Witch's Night at Oliver and Company Bookstore in Howell at the end of the month.

Jalapeño Honey Mustard
I processed about 20 half quart jars. I've spent four years perfecting this recipe so it has the perfect balance of heart and honey.

I sometimes get tagged in posts, or called over to someone's house to take a look at bees in case they are honey bees and need to be relocated. I welcome these inquiries because it gives me a chance to educate and help. Here's a quick guide to help identify the various kinds of winged friends and foe.

Thanks to my (bee)girls, gardens, and Nancy Ruhlig at Ruhligs Farm Market I was able to get my jalapeño honey mustard canned.

Several years back my uncle mentioned he wanted to start beekeeping. I was super excited as this is something I'd been thinking about for some time. We took a class together and both started with one hive. We both now have our own apiaries and enjoy our time with the bees.

I've since linked up with a neighboring farm with over 100 hives and have worked with him for over five seasons learning as much as I can.

Beekeeping is more than waiting for the ladies to make honey and benefiting from their hard work. It's checking and treating them for diseases, feeding them when their stores are low, over wintering their hives to protect them from freezing, maintaining their numbers and space so they don't swarm, and ultimately giving them the best chances for survival. I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's my happy place.

I've also discovered that I enjoy creating products using honey and wax. It started with just sharing the honey with friends and family, then candles, then lipbalms and salves. Now I'm venturing into more lotions, soaps and oils which combines my love of gardening (chamomile, lavender, calendula, loofah, etc). I've created a line of products that I'm able to offer in several locations....Ruhligs Market and Body Wisdom Spa in Dexter and Oliver & Company Bookstore in Howell.

I'll soon have them available online as well. Stay tuned!