Lees-McRae Summer Theatre’s production of Oliver

The 2015 season will open on June 26, with Lees-McRae Summer Theatre’s production of Oliver in Banner Elk!, the award-winning musical about Oliver Twist. I'm excited to say that I have accepted and will be joining the Lees-McRae Summer Theatre production of Oliver, the musical. 

Show dates are June 26, June 27, June 30, and July 1, July 2 at 7 p.m. and June 28 and July 3 at 2 p.m. Would love to see your friendly faces in the audience.

Feeding the Bees

Even during a cold winter, there will be opportunities to open the beehive for a quick addition of food. My hope is to have at least one  day each month when the temperature hits near 50 degrees or above to slip some food into the hive. Last week with the temperatures in the low fifties in Banner Elk, I was able to feed the bees a pollen patty.

I buy pre-made pollen patties and store them in the freezer until I’m ready to put them in the hive.   Pollen patties usually don't contain pollen, but simulate real pollen. They are rectangular in shape, sticky, and high in protein but bees eat them like candy.

I put a pollen patty on top of the brood box frame, where the bees can get it easily.   They’ll chew the waxed paper away as they start eating the patty then remove the wax paper from the hive.

A New Year's Toast with a Horchata Margarita

 

This is a photo of the Horchata Margarita I had at the San Angel In Disney World in Epcot along with a recipe for this delectable drink. 

Cocktail Description:
Tequila, Horchata cream rum, Fireball Cinnamon wiskey, agua de Horchata, topped with cinnamon powder.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz Tequila Blanco

1 oz Chila ‘Orchata Rum

.2 oz Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey

.2 oz Agave Nectar

5 oz Agua de Horchata

4 oz Ice

Dash of Cinnamon

Entrance to the San Angel Inn Restaurant

Dining at the base of Mayan ruins in a modeled after a 17th-century hacienda.

Eggnog Custard Pie

I love egg custard pie and this is a great holiday version of a classic custard pie. The first time I made the pie, I used a refrigerated pie crust and the results were good. I made it again for Christmas and used a prepared graham cracker crust and thought the crust was very complimentary to the eggnog custard pie. If you like egg custard pie, you will definitely like this recipe.

Ingredients

Crust:

Use either a refrigerated pie crust, make your own, or  use a graham cracker crust. Softened refrigerated pie crust as directed on package. If using homemade crust or graham cracker crust, pre preparation is not necessary.

Filling:

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/2 cups eggnog

4eggs
Freshly grated nutmeg

Directions:

• (If using  a pie crust, heat oven to 425°F. Place pie crust in 9-inch pie pan as directed on package for one-crust filled pie. Do not prick crust. Bake at 425°F. for 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F).
• Heat over to 350°F
• In large bowl, combine sugar, eggnog and eggs; blend well. Pour into crust of choice. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
• Bake at 350°F. for 30 to 40 minutes or until almost set. (Center of filling will be soft.) Cover edge of crust with strips of foil after 15 to 20 minutes of baking to prevent excessive browning. Cool 2 hours or until completely cooled. Store in refrigerator.

Closed for the Winter

The beehives are closed for the winter. Honeybees head to the hive when temperatures drop into the 50s.

A hive wrap is added to help protect the bees from the winter elements. The bees have one main job in the winter — to take care of the queen bee to ensure survival of the hive.

The honeybees have gathered in a central area of the hive to form a “winter cluster.” On warmer days, the bees will leave the cluster briefly for a “cleansing” flight outside the hive.