I think of the strangest things in the morning while mucking my horse stalls.  This morning it was about honey bees.  They are so rare now and I think about them a lot.  I saw a few more around the property this summer and that's a good sign to me.

I love honey bees.  They remind me of my childhood, when we ran barefoot in the yard during the summer.  We did not have chemically treated lawns that were free of dandelions, clover and other odd little weeds.  Our lush, green lawns also had lush, white clover that attracted honey bees by what seemed the thousands.  Even being very careful, it was almost impossible to run across the lawn without stepping on a bee and getting stung. 

Getting stung so often wasn't creating any love for me back then, but now whenever I see the rare honey bee working the clover in my lawn, it takes me back to my joyful, carefree childhood on the eastern shore of Maryland. 

I love honey, too.  With its varying golden to amber hues, its sweetness on corn bread or toast, its ability to sooth a sore throat . . . honey is a gift from nature.  It is an Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Viral, Anti-Fungal substance.  It never degrades, spoils, or harbors germs.  Raw honey can sooth burns and small scraps.  The list of honey's benefits is extensive and worth the effort to read about. 

I like to use honey and bees wax in my skin care products.  I put honey in my lotion and bees wax in my lip balms.  I wish I could have some hives on the farm, but the local bear ravaged our last attempt and bees are just too valuable to tempt the bear with again.

American honey bees don't sting unless they are defending their hive or are stepped on with a bare foot.  They are not vicious little insects out to do harm or injury to us.  They are a tremendous benefit to nature and humans alike and without them, our world would be a much less cheerful place indeed.  I hope the next time you see a honey bee buzzing about her business of pollinating flowers and making honey, it will bring a smile to your face and a renewed appreciation for all the good these small creatures bring to our lives. 

I had a few hangnails over the past few weeks.  That's not like me and they've since healed up with a little attention, but it got me to thinking about a new product.  A nice jojoba oil base, grapeseed oil, some pure bees wax with a little lavender oil or rosewood oil all packaged in a lovely slide tin.  This rich balm could be used on the lips or anywhere you have a little dry skin. But I think it would be especially nice as a cuticle balm.  Lovely.

I am happy to announce that after several months hard work and a few trial & error soap batches, this amazing product is on the shelves at last. 
Beer soap is made with beer.  Yes, it's true!  This offers a unique challenge in soaping as the beer increases the speed with which the soaper needs to work.  As I am always one who is up for a good challenge, this has been an amazing experience.   Working with Otto's Assistant Merchandising Manager, Amanda, has been a delight.  She is so cheerful!
Check out Otto's on the web at  http://ottospubandbrewery.net/