Where do I start...so many cool things have been going on in the last week or so, when I've been a slacking blogger. Here's a the highlights.
Setting up the bee hive...
in hopes of honey!
Here's Brian getting his bee hive all ready. A while back he built it and got all the accessories for bee keeping, but then found out that most of our bees down here are Africanized. From our research, Africanized bees are much more aggressive and more likely to swam people and animals that come within 10-20 feet of their hive. Since we were planning on setting up the hive in our backyard we quickly dropped the idea...until...our friend Nick called. He said he had a swarm hanging from a tree out at his farm. We jumped at the chance! The farm has two houses on it, but plenty of agricultural land and jungle so we could set the hive up plenty far enough away from the houses. Unfortunately though, when we got there the swarm had moved on! 
Brian and Nick still set up the hive, which is called a top bar hive, and added some lemongrass oil and painted the top bars with bee's wax as a little baiting technique. We'll probably be out this weekend to check up on it so cross your fingers! Hope is we have inhabitants, and Brian doesn't get stung too much.
SECONDLY, my swap box arrived!!
I was so excited and I just can not believe the goodies that were included! Pamela was so kind and I have to say that the letter she sent me made me feel so special and really was the icing on the cake for the package.
The packaging was totally me...I always save those Clementine boxes and use them for storage! And then for the goodies inside....wonderful! 
Tupelo honey, a book of poetry, a Carlos Nakia CD, a personalized poem and a super cool VW van for Dex! You can see that we both were giddy over the contents. 
Since this was my first swap, I was unsure about it all, but after getting this package, I'm definitely signing up for another in the future. The people of the blog world are so generous and thoughtful. Thanks again, Pamela, so many times over!
...and since we're talking swaps...here is what I sent to my swap partner, Dayna. I got word from her that she received it, loved the contents and is already anticipating using the sling when the baby arrives. 
Since this was a Favorite Things swap I sent out my new and old favorites...A baby sling (of course), bias tape bag and an extra tea towel(new fave), Endangered Species Chocolate and a Bumble Bar, some fun girly fabrics for the wee addition to her family that's on the way, and Cottage Living Magazine.
Ok, I think that brings me up to date.
Hope you enjoyed this hearty, healthy helping of a blog meal!
