Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me........

.....thrill me, honey, honey, thrill me.......

Remember that song? We have been visited by a swarm of bees, but they didn't leave any honey. This small Native Frangipani tree in our front yard yesterday had a swarm in it, I have never seen so many bees in one place. This morning we contacted a local beekeeper who arrived with a box, and a smoker, and he coaxed the queen into the box. Many of the bees followed, as bees do, and a couple of hours later he collected the box. We didn't see him take it, and I wish we had, because there is still a large clump of bees left. That dark mass hanging down on the left side of the tree is bees, and you may also be able to see some of the unhappy bees buzzing around. They are unhappy because they have been left behind.

Last night I rang another beekeeper and left a message about the swarm. When the lady rang back today she said those bees will now die because they aren't part of a hive anymore, and the beekeeper who took them should have left the box all day instead of just a couple of hours to make sure all the bees went together. Meanwhile, we have some very agitated bees in our front yard and I am not game to go outside for long.

It seems that if you are visited by a swarm you can either have it collected, or if it's convenient to leave them they will move of their own accord within a couple of days. Unfortunately they are not in a good place because the tree is near our garage door, and they are making life difficult as a result. Last night one hitched a ride inside with Kevin and stung me on the thumb......it's still tender, red and swollen and hot.

I am sorry the bees will die, though. I don't wish them any harm.

This is the top I finished yesterday and I am fairly pleased with it. It clings to all the bulges, but the patterned fabric does help to disguise that somewhat. The neck is low - it's gathered in the centre - it looks quite good on. I would like to make it again in a better fabric, but that will wait until we come home from holidays. The placement of the fabric motifs isn't too bad, they miss the bosom, but the black flower in the centre of the bottom row sits right on top of my belly button. Well done.
Recently we planted a Calistemon Taree Pink in our back yard and it is starting to flower - it's so pretty. This pic was taken in our Sydney garden before we moved as we had one growing there; we always liked it, and while we don't wish to recreate the garden we left behind there are some plants I miss. Hopefully the birds will like this too. Going on previous experience I know bees will.

"Dress For Receiving Calls.

If a lady has a special day for the reception of calls, her dress must be of silk or other goods suitable to the season, or to her position, but must be of quiet colors and plainly worn. Lace collars and cuffs should be worn with this dress, and a certain amount of jewellery is also admissible. A lady whose mornings are devoted to the superintendence of her domestic affairs may receive a casual caller in her ordinary morning dress, which must be neat, yet plain, with white plain linen collars and cuffs. For New Year's Day, or other calls of special significance, the dress should be rich, and may be elaborately trimmed. If the parlors are closed and the gas lighted, full evening dress is required."

I don't know about you, but I haven't seen white lace or linen collars and cuffs being worn for a very long time. I do, however, feel undressed without earrings - today's are amethyst and peridot chips, purple and green. So, because I am dressed, you are welcome to call.

Enjoy your days!