Sharon, I hear your plight about confusion. I still feel very confused about some aspects of the bees. I don't think that ever goes away (well, not in my life anyways). Do you have any beekeepers in your vicinity that you can talk to about the expectations of the wintertime? I mean, ones that are seasoned and have had bees for a long time? There must be someone that you can speak with that can advise you about the winter time and feed near you. It sounds like you had some light frost, is what I would call is going on. Not freezing temperatures. There can be a shimmer of frost on the ground in the morning and then temps rise enough that the bees can fly freely.
I know it is tough to understand stuff. It will take a long time before you feel really comfortable. Look at me. Got my bees in April 2005, that is over 2 years ago. I study all the time, lots, and I still have so much to learn, only on the tip of that iceberg.
Did you go and lift one end of the hives to feel the weight. Sharon, that is important, that will give you a good idea of what is inside. You can do this every week, every two weeks, whenever, that will make you feel more comfortable. Get to know what a "heavy" hive feels like. I know that sounds hard, but it really isn't. I have lifted the back of my hives. I know they are full of stores. I am wintering in two deeps in each colony, my choice here. When I lift the back of the hive, it feels REALLY HEAVY and is hard to lift up. That is what I would describe as a heavy feel. You are a woman, you will have similar strength to me, so if they feel like I describe, you know for surely that they have lots. Do you still have flowers blooming? Will you have flowers, etc. blooming and continuing on this next summer? I can't quite get a grip on what weather you have there. I hope things all work out and this may have eased your worried mind a little bit, we are all in this together.....raising healthy and happy bees, to make healthy and happy human beings. Have the most wonderful and great day, Cindi