“Celebrating the Bees” By Annie Watson

The first snow is on the ground. It was 16 degrees this morning here in the Champlain Valley. Inside the hive, the bees have massed into a ball to keep themselves warm. Now comes the time when we trust that they can withstand the cold weather of the year. We too withdraw to the indoors as the days of gratitude and celebration come upon us. Barr Hill Gin, Vodka, and Elderberry cordial help to keep us warm and remind us of the astonishing work the bees do every year. Without the honey bee, we could not make our wonderful products, which are outstanding because of the honey they contain. We are truly grateful for the bees.

“Chicory and Thanksgiving” by Annie Watson

We had long warm fall, which allowed the bees to forage late into October.  On many days the temperature got well above 60 degrees, allowing the bees to fly, and, we hope, make more honey to prepare for the winter.

During the warm fall the lasting blooms of the chicory flower (Cichorium intybus L.) were one of the flowers bees could visit. Here, a worker bee gathers both nectar and pollen from this beautiful blue flower. The sprinkling of pollen on her head and thorax looks like stardust…

Introduced from Europe, Chicory is widespread in North America. Like the dandelion, it’s a superb medicinal plant. The chicory used as a coffee substitute is a slight variation on the wild plant.

As Thanksgiving approaches we voice our gratitude for family, friends, a bountiful harvest, and the opportunity to share healing, compassion, and nourishment.