Happy Halloween! 🎃

What is Halloween?

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed on October 31st. It originated from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, but with the spread of Christianity the holiday took on new religious meanings.

November 1st became All Saints' Day. The evening before, October 31st, became All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. It is a holiday that connects us to ancient traditions and reminds us of the cycle of life and death. It allows us to embrace our fears and confront the supernatural in a (usually!) safe and enjoyable way. 

 We all know about the costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. But does this festive occasion hold any significance in relation to bees, honey, or beekeepers? 

How are Bees Associated with Halloween?

Bees are often depicted in Halloween decorations, such as carved pumpkins or spooky costumes. Before sugar was a thing, honeycomb was handed out to adults and children alike as a sweet Hallows Eve treat. Beeswax was a light source for the religious who kept vigil until the dawn of All Saints Day. 

Furthermore, honey has been associated with various cultural and mythological beliefs. In many traditions, it is believed that honey possesses magical properties and can ward off evil spirits and help with various ailments. This belief aligns well with the mystical and enchanting atmosphere often associated with Halloween.

Beekeepers and Halloween

While Halloween may not have a direct connection to beekeepers, beekeepers do generally love chocolate and have been known to don the veil and bee suit to hit the trick-or- treating trail. These unscrupulous opportunists will blend in with packs of children on your steps, but towards the back so the lower steps helps hide their height.

DO NOT encourage this behavior. They obviously have enough sweets at home and they get fat enough in the off season. If you think you see one on the property just make a misstatement on a Bee fact like: "Males do a lot of work around the hive"  or "Wasps make just as much honey as bees do" and they, on a DNA level, will not be able to stop themselves from yammering on an on endlessly to reeducate you. Then simply just chase them off with a broom. DO NOT offer them a cup off coffee regardless of how charming they are. You will never get them out of your house until spring.

 

We'll leave you with this delicious Honey Pumpkin Pie recipe get you into the festive fall feasting spirit!

Pumpkin Pie (Easy Mode!)

Are you ready to indulge in a mouthwatering pumpkin pie? Look no further! This simple and delightful recipe for pumpkin pie uses honey as a natural sweetener. Get your apron on and let's get started!

What You'll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, gather the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups of pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup of honey
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of evaporated milk
• 1 unbaked pie crust

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delectable pumpkin pie:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, honey, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Milk

Next, add the eggs and evaporated milk to the pumpkin mixture. Stir until everything is evenly combined.

Step 4: Prepare the Pie Crust

Take your unbaked pie crust and place it in a pie dish. Crimp the edges to create a decorative border.

Step 5: Pour the Filling

Gently pour the pumpkin filling into the prepared pie crust, ensuring it is evenly distributed.

Step 6: Bake the Pie

Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 40-50 minutes, or until the center is set.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Once the pie is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, slice and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

Enjoy the heavenly combination of pumpkin and honey in every bite of this delightful pumpkin pie. It's the perfect dessert for any occasion, from Thanksgiving to cozy winter evenings. Give this recipe a try and impress your friends and family with your baking skills, but more importantly everyone should eat more pumpkin pie no matter the season 🎃