My name is Julie and my husband, Bruce, and I recently moved from the Victorian home in a quaint, small town where we raised our children for 25 years. Our new place is in a village a few miles up the road in a more rural area. Our new house is smaller, but we have gone from a smallish, in-town backyard to 3+ acres with a large pond and a wooded area at the back. In our mid-fifties, we are building a homestead on this place. My husband grew up on a farm, so he is well acquainted with the work we are taking on. Me? Maybe not so much. We've always lived a simple and frugal life, homeschooled the kids for twenty years, doing a lot of canning and making my own detergent and stuff, but gardening and all that are new to me. I generally dislike being dirty and sweaty, but I guess I'm going to have to get used to that. We recently acquired a small flock of chickens (Golden Comets) who have pecked their way into my heart. I am very interested in learning about beekeeping and look forward to reading the things you all share.