how sweet it is

Every year, at the end of summer, we collect frames of honey from our beehives and drive up to Logan to spin our honey at the Garlick’s.

Sure, we could probably find a spinner closer to home or even buy one ourselves, but we’d miss out on the even sweeter pleasure of spending the day with Lisa and Dean.

Doesn’t Dean look serious? Don’t be fooled. You’ve never met anyone with a better sense of humor.

Everyone helps scrape off the top layer of wax before placing the frames in the spinner.

The motor on the Garlicks spinner died on Friday, leaving them with 70 gallons of honey to spin and no machine. Farmer Craig came to the rescue– replacing the motor with a high power drill.

Here’s hoping it works for one more day.

Admiring Dean’s muscles after a weekend of drilling honey.

Despite our numerous offers to take the Garlicks to lunch, Lisa insisted, “Oh it’s just easier to eat here.” Within minutes she mixed up fresh salsa and made two dozen tomato cheese honey sandwiches– with honey drizzled on top.

Dean showed the boys how it’s done– shooting diet Coke cans (some empty, some full) in the backyard.

Then offered samples from his gallon and gallons of honey. This one is called Unni’s honey. It’s honey and caramel and sunshine in a bottle.

We even sampled honey from the shelf of fame.

Ok, just look at that salsa. We downed the entire bowl.

Sammie picked up a bb gun for the first time in her life and was surprised to find she’s a natural.

Mary too.

An afternoon with the Garlicks is like receiving a love transfusion. We walk away happier, kinder, more appreciative of each other and with an increased ability to see everything good and beautiful in life. We also pick up a few bottles of honey, jiggysticks, an expensive new hobby or two and a dozen new jokes from Dean.