Burning a barrel of crude oil generates 1,699.8 Kilowatt-hours of energy. … US IRS
Here is another solar update on the progress of our panels. The panels have been installed and generating for 9 months now. The overall output has improved and we are hitting forecast results. We are pleased!
We are tracking our generation and usage on a daily basis. Being more mindful has enabled us to reduce our consumption significantly. Below are some of the ways we have been able to save energy.
This past 4 weeks have been very humid and we have had the air conditioners on for the whole 4 weeks. The solar array still managed to push a significant amount on to the grid for our neighbours to use during this period. As it was explained to me, electricity flows like water via the path of least resistance. What that means here is that those nearest neighbours are using our extra power. It is so cool to know that we offset (at times) as much as 1 or 2 house holds of electricity so Nova Scotia Power doesn’t have to produce it with fossil fuels.
To date our panels have produced more than 9 MW (9,000 Kw). Check out our solar update in our FAQ on our production history below:
No we didn’t change our physical location, just the host for our website. There seemed to be a lot of delays in getting our domain name released from the old provider. For something, that at most is a 5 day turn around, it took 24 days. It was quite painful as we tried to keep a web presence afloat while awaiting an administrative entry to be completed. I guess we were such good customers our old provider didn’t want to let us go.
But we are here now with a new look and offering some new services. Over the coming days our website will be expanded to include some new features. Stay tuned! Click through the menu at the top of the page to see what we have done and what is new. We would really like to get your feedback.
It was so cool to get the call for each movie requesting our beeswax candles. While it wasn’t the leading star doing the requesting, we know a guy who knows the guys. To make a long story short, they wanted our pure beeswax candles for their environmental properties as well as for ambiance and direct set lighting. Below are the key points why they used them.
These are the resulting candles we developed for the 2014 Lizzie Borden Took an Ax movie. (Note the $7.00 price tag. lol)
They are available at our online store.
This was the first movie that we developed the candles for. At that time we had never considered a double wicked beeswax candle. It seemed wasteful considering the relative costs for beeswax in comparison to other non-natural waxes.
Once we had determined the right wick to meet the specific characteristics required, the building process was the same as usual. While these are dipped tapers are 1″ in diameter, only 1/8″ larger than the standard 7/8″ diameter, you would be surprised at how much wax is added to a 10″ taper. Here is a link to Rosemary finish dipping Red Tappers. The tapers are different sizes but the process is the same.
The second movie, as pictured above, was used for all the same reasons as Lizzie Borden. These both were period films in which burning candles was the general source of lighting. In those days the slaves would have made candles using fat of any kind while some slave owners would have used beeswax candles.
Sorry, no images available for this yet. I think lighting and shadows will play a big part in this production. My understanding is that it a story of guys telling ghost stories. I can’t wait!
Hi Folks! I have an update for you. You may have noticed a few odd posts coming from us in the past few days. I am in the process of redoing our website under new hosting and well … there has been a learning curve. Needless to say there have been and will be a few more disruptions until everything is settled down. Our new site is up and running and is available via www.thegardenbee.ca The new site will soon be available via our usual link www.thegardenbee.com once the domain is transferred.
With the closure of the bed & breakfast there has been a change in my routine and available time to do other things. New things are always on the horizon with me. Our website change is just the most recent step in formalizing my web development and consulting activities. Stay tuned as this new segment of The Garden Bee takes shape.
David
I would like to announce that after 4 great seasons The Garden Bee Bed & Breakfast has closed it’s doors. To all those supporters and guests over the years I say, “Thank You!”. Our lives have been enriched by all and deeply touched by a few.
The Garden Bee Beeswax Candles will continue to grow and prosper as it is in its 14th year and continues to be a recognized Nova Scotian brand.
Who knows what is next for The Garden Bee.
Stay tuned!
The bottle tree (aka Stella cherry) is just beginning to bloom. The bottles are used for weights to bend the branches down for easy picking. Underneath spring bulbs bloom delighting the eye with colour and form. Hyacinths, daffodils, silia, tulips….which is your favourite spring bulb?
Enjoy the sights and sounds of a beautiful spring morning alive with life in our front yard.
The laughing, raucous call of the Pileated Woodpecker greeted me this morning as I stepped outside to the garden. Everything about this beautiful bird seems overstated…size, colour, calls.
Did you know, a Pileated Woodpecker’s wing span can reach 66 to 75 cm (26 to 30 in)?
We feel blessed to have had a pair nesting near us for many years. – Rosemary
For anyone who hasn’t grown up on the Fundy Shore of Nova Scotia, Burntcoat Head is a must see. Check out this link for what Burntcoat Head Park has to offer. Watch this very dramatic Tide Time-lapse video to see just how impressive the tide can be!
We, at The Garden Bee, are very pleased to have our beeswax candles available for purchase again this season at the Burntcoat Head Gift Shop. We are proud to support local and be locally supported.
I thought it was time to keep you folks updated on the progress of our solar panels. The panels have been installed and generating for 6 months. While the output is not stellar, we are pleased.
These were the worst 6 months of the year for generation due to shorter day and lower angle of the sun. They are also the worst for consumption as we supplement our wood stove with heat pumps. However, just tracking our generation and usage on a daily basis makes us more mindful and we have reduced our consumption significantly.
Maintenance is low. The only thing I do is to clear the snow off if there is more than 5 cm on them. I only had to do that 3 times this past winter but every winter will be different, I am sure.
To date our panels have produced more than 3 Mw. 🙂
It has been our pleasure to serve this biscuit recipe to hundreds of guest over the years. They are awesome:
You can also use the dough for:
What do you do with your biscuit dough?
Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton