New Friends Arrive!!!

First...I drove all 10,142 of my newest friends from Silverdale (where K.___ & Daddy-O got for me these new buddies) to Seattle. They enjoyed most of the ferry ride except for the one part where this pilot-jerk and his girlfriend mocked the idea of bee-ownership.

Second, I left my friends alone in the backyard while I drove Kumquat to get her car.

Next, I suited up in the really awesome make-shift suit you're soon to see pictured. I did not get stung even once, so I give it five stars on the fake-suit-a-meter.

Finally. It was time. Here are the newest family members at 726. All 10,142 shall be called: Elizabeth (I jest, boys are not called Elizabeth).

Now, you will see how I squirt the bees with delicious, calming sugar water and open the food-trap very careful like:

Now, you will see how remove the queen and discuss the process with her. "You will stay nicely inside this box until your future lovers eat through the marshmallow to get to you. Isn't that romantic? They are so in love with you they will consume an entire-fluffy-white-cloud to be by your side!" 

This part is very delicate. The queen must be carefully inserted into the hive so the other bees can find her and eat her marshmallow. It is very tricky when your hands are shaking because you're worried you will injure the queen. 

Now...There are lots-o-bees-a-buzzin'.

Bees are going into the hive...

They are sealed up tight.

They are making themselves at home. 

I am so happy about my new friends!

Here are a few other things happening around the yard, here on this first weekend in May. 

Lilacs are blooming:

There's a new pot-tower in town:

The first iris has bloomed:

The raspberries have become a jungle:

Artie is barely contained:

Strawberries have doubled in size:

The tulips and daffodils are on their last legs:

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The tomatoes are creeping out of the greenhouse:

Happy Bee Day!