We had visitors today -- my bestest friend and her four kids!  The weather was so nice that the kids spent most of the day playing outside, jumping over the creek (one fell in) and goofing around with the goats.  My friend's oldest girl fell in love with the kinder goats so it looks like our first kid or two is spoken for.

The bees were very active today with the warm weather -- tomorrow I think I'll open things up and check on their winter stores - I forgot to do that earlier this year and it's been to cold to do it for awhile.  I was really worried about the bees when the temps were down below zero a couple weeks ago - one night it was down to 17below and I was worried the bees were going to freeze.  There were quite a few dead bees being pushed out of the hive when it warmed up, but not too bad.  I'll have to read up on doing a little more winterizing to the hives in case it gets that cold again.  Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's again so I'll be firing up the smoker and donning the bee jacket to see how things are going.  I probably won't be able to do a good check on them again till it starts warming up next spring.

Tomorrow is also "axe day" for our last two turkeys - Santa Claus and Old Blue.  They will be our honored guests for Christmas dinner.  I butchered my first turkey the day before Thanksgiving and learned a lot so I'm thinking it will go quicker this time.  It's not much different than butchering a chicken -- a lot bigger though!

JennMarie