The Beekeeper's Bible
is the ONLY book you will ever need on beekeeping, or anything remotely related to bees, for that matter. I was so thrilled to get this book and it's found a regular place in the nighttime reading rotation (I have to fight Clay for it). I was first attracted to the cover. I will admit, I totally judge books by their covers. But just look at it; it's gorgeous! 
My only complaint about the book is that once I crack the cover I can't put it down! Seriously, it is so fascinating, so comprehensive and so beautiful. I know, I know, I'm gushing a little. But I just really love it! It begins with a discussion of bees in myth and symbol, covering everything from prehistoric cave drawings to Plato to Winnie-the-Pooh. It takes you through the history of beekeeping and scientific advancements. If you're not a history buff you can skip ahead to the hands-on, practical how-to section; it's comprehensive and accessible and covers everything you need to know: how many hives to get, buying bees by mail or catching swarms, colony inspection, disease prevention and treatment etc. It made me so excited to get bees again! 
After the broad history and the deep how-to comes the really fun part: recipes, medicinal uses, crafts and projects! Honey-broiled scallops, spiced honey hummus, phyllo goat cheese and honey parcels (yum!), walnut and honey cookies, honey polenta cake, honey eggnog oh man, I could just go on and on, but I think I'm drooling... Those are just the edible recipes, then there's a whole slew of beauty recipes: creamy hair conditioner, cold cream, lemon and honey face pack, peppermint and beeswax foot treatment, solid perfume, honey soap... And some health remedies: cough syrup, green mountain salve, honey and lemon toddy. The crafts section is excellent too. I'm definitely trying the beeswax furniture polish to use the beautiful pieces Clay makes for us. And here's a project from the book just for you:
Beeswax Crayons
- Kitchen aluminum foil
- 2 TBSP grated beeswax
- 2 TBSP grated soap
- 1/2-1 tsp food coloring paste
- 1/2 tsp cooking oil to grease molds
Prepare 1-2 molds by shaping aluminum foil into small, rectangular block molds and lubricate with cooking oil. Next, melt the beeswax in a bain-marie over low heat. Add the grated soap and melt, keeping the heat low and stirring until smooth. Add the food coloring paste and stir thoroughly to combine. Pour the mixture into the molds and allow to cool The crayons may be melted again after testing if more coloring is required. Makes two crayons.
This book was sent over by Abrams Books. Thanks, guys!
