April Bees and Blooms

And a Recipe for Hot Cross Buns

Oh hey, it’s April! So…how’s your Spring going?

We had our April snow and sleet, as expected. There was enough rain to flood the garden, which was ameliorated with buckets, hefted by the 2 family members who were in Japan this time last year. (Not their punishment! It just worked out that way.)

The bees have survived the sudden switches in weather, and are bringing in admirable amounts of pollen. So we never did have to provide pollen patties for them, though we are providing sugar water to supplement what nectar they bring in. Current local forage for honeybees includes tree pollen, purple dead nettle, creeping myrtle/ periwinkle, bittercress, and the first dandelions. Please let the “weeds” in your yard bloom. The bumblebees arrived earlier this week, and I spotted a tiny native bee in the garden today.

We have seen the queen, and she is magnificent! The afternoons have been warm enough for a full hive check: so much brood, a very large colony of healthy bees, and a bit of honey left. We added a honey super to the top of the hive box. By adding another level to their home, we try to let them know that they have plenty of room, so there’s no need to swarm in search of better digs.

Top L to R: Queen bee; honeybee on purple dead nettle; busy landing pad. Bottom L to R: guard bees/ air traffic control; opening the hive; bumblebee on myrtle

The “before photo” of this season’s garden

Top L to R: Peach tree; daffodils & myrtle; birdhouse. Middle L to R: Bailing out the garden; Purple dead nettle; baby rhubarb. Bottom L to R: Pear tree; Myrtle; Daffodils

Current foraging sources for pollinators. The native plants, that is. Sadly, not the daffodils. Most modern cultivars no longer produce much pollen or nectar, though the bees are still attracted by their bright color.

Last April in Japan, sakura (cherry blossoms)

We are currently observing Holy Week, leading up to Easter. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the Triduum, which consists of Holy/ Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday/ Easter Vigil. This year, the date for Easter aligns for the Western and Eastern Rites of the Church, which is not always the case. I love the ancient, solemn traditions of these last days before Easter: the chants and antiphons, leaving in silence Thursday night after the Eucharistic procession; the litany of prayers for all humanity on Good Friday, the keeping of stillness from noon to 3 pm in remembrance of the hours of the crucifixion; the Vigil that begins in darkness on Saturday night, then candles gradually lit from the fire outside, building to the crescendo of light and song at the retelling of the Resurrection.

L: Easter Vigil R: Making hot cross buns in a previous year

Whilst you may celebrate Easter with different traditions, observe other holidays in accordance with your faith tradition, or mark the day as a way to welcome the new season with family and friends, my wish for all of you is that this weekend will bring a ray of light through whatever clouds have been hovering over you. We have dark clouds, too, but Easter bolsters our hope.

May it be a light to you in dark places, when all other lights go out.

-Tolkien, spoken by Galadriel

The recipes are usually below the paywall, but not today! Below you’ll find my recipe for hot cross buns, developed over the past several years. This version was declared the best ever by everyone in the family, and we hope you’ll enjoy. They are a traditional treat for Good Friday, but they’re delicious anytime. I’ll spare you their history for now, but suffice to say they likely originated in the 14th century, in England or Ireland. This version is flavored with spices popular in that time period.

You can access the printable recipe at this link or right here:

What blooms have come up in your neck of the woods? Have you seen pollinators? Which weedy flowers do you enjoy, or at least tolerate? For those in the Southern Hemisphere, what blooms will you miss the most? Do you have traditional dishes that you make this time of year, in line with your own beliefs and culture? Please share in the comments.

—Erin, in Michigan