Friday Faves 23 - Hiking, Camping and Backpacking

The weather is just starting to get more comfortable in many parts of our fair globe. In the hotter climes, like where I'm at -- La Florida! the mornings are a little cooler, hot to warm temps during most of the rest of the day and easing off rather nicely when the sun sets. To me, it's perfect weather for outdoorsy stuff and I think after twelve days of feeling like crud maybe I need some fresh air and sunshine to help me get past this thing. That's what mom used to tell me to do when I was sick when I was a kid. She would see me playing in the corner of the living room with my sniffles or cough and tell me to get myself some sun! So I did, and she was right, it did make me feel better.

Sunlight and fresh air are beautiful things that we often take for granted, but we're certainly not going to take them for granted today, because today it's all about the great outdoors. There are a lot of shops on Etsy that can supply you with almost everything you need for any outdoor adventure. I say almost everything because you still have to supply the time and, of course, yourselves.

Now to help us get in the mood for some good outdoor shop hopping let's do a little hike of, say, 2,181 miles in about five minutes. Affectionately known as the Green Tunnel, the Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia and ends in Maine, depending upon your particular choice of direction of course.

This video was created by Kevin Gallagher:

http://vimeo.com/20218520

We've got a long weekend ahead of us here in the States with Labor Day, so let's do some shopping!

Outdoor Shop Number 1
Shop name: Blacksmith Creations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlacksmithCreations?ref=seller_info

Here we have a handy dandy little camp cooking trivet made out of horseshoes and railroad spikes expertly welded together to create a support any camp cook would be proud to set a pan down onto.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74926619/trivet-camping-cookware-horseshoes-camp

Outdoor Shop Number 2
Shop name: Grah-Toe Studio

http://www.etsy.com/shop/grahtoestudio?ref=seller_info

This little beauty is a wonderful introduction item for learning how to use a compass for the young outdoors person and can be upgraded with a finer compass for the serious adult outdoors person. Very handy with a rawhide loop for easy attachment to a belt or backpack strap.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80251640/compass-in-wood-for-walking-stick-or

Outdoor Shop Number 3
Shop name: Blackdog Paracord

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlackdogParacord?ref=seller_info

I love these! So awesome to look at, easy to wear and completely and wonderfully there when you need extra cord when out on the trail. This is a great deal on this type of survival-style bracelet and you can even coordinate them with your favorite hiking outfits.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76004441/paracord-survival-bracelet-select-your

Outdoor Shop Number 4
Shop name: Quail Lane Press

http://www.etsy.com/shop/quaillanepress?ref=seller_info

You know me and my love for journaling. I mean, what would a nice, long hike be without a lovely companion like this journal to help you keep track of where you've been and where you're going and what you've seen and experienced along the way?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/74476334/trail-journal

Outdoor Shop Number 5
Shop name: Annie Haul Vintage

http://www.etsy.com/shop/anniehaul?ref=seller_info

Who says hiking gear has to be dull? For the serious backpacker or mountaineer, we have this Trango Rock backpack that is not only excellent for stowing all of your gear, but rather stylish in its purple and black color combination.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79546701/trango-rock-pack-mountaineering-hiking

And that's all for the Friday Faves for this week. What's a favorite outdoor destination or activity that you enjoy? I'd love to read all about it in the comments.

Until next friday when our theme will be Dogs and Cats and Birds and Lizards -- All Things Pet-Related, have a great weekend and take care out there!

Friday Faves 22 - Bee Keeping

This is week 22 of my Etsy Shop Friday Faves. It's been a lot of fun and, despite a raging infection that I've been dealing with over this past week, I am here today with bells on!

Okay, it's not really bells, but don't you think those old-fashioned bee hives look like bells?

This week's Friday Faves are as sweet as bee's bread, which is bee pollen for those who are not familiar with the particulars of all things Bee.

Now, I don't claim to be anywhere near an expert on the subject of bees and bee keeping, but I love the products that come from bees: honey, wax, honeycomb, royal jelly, propolis and, of course, as previously mentioned, bee pollen.

All healthful and so very pleasant!

And, of course before we bee-gin, let's start out with a little mood music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (of course you guessed it) Flight of the Bumblebee.

Okay, so you got me there. It's not about a honeybee, but I think it will do for our purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QV1RGMLUKE

Now, let's go shopping!

Bee Keeping Shop Number 1
Shop name:Tough Timbers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TOUGHTIMBERS?ref=seller_info

This first shop has a few items designed for bee keeping, but I chose the Queen Cell Bar Frame, because where would a bee hive be without their queen? It's a sturdy-looking piece and lovely workmanship.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67894312/beekeeping-queen-cell-bar-frame-with

Bee Keeping Shop Number 2
Shop name: Matchstick Handmade
http://www.etsy.com/shop/matchstickhandmade?ref=seller_info

For the candle-making, face and body care product making readers Matchstick Handmade can provide you with bee's wax for your various projects. But if you're not into creating your own, then just check around this shop and I'm sure you'll find a product or two of your liking with the healthful properties of bee's wax.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/51141163/pure-local-beeswax-1-oz-bar

Bee Keeping Shop Number 3
Shop name: Angela's Studio 1
http://www.etsy.com/shop/angelastudio1?ref=seller_info

And for a little fun and whimsy while we're enjoying all things Bee, why not take a look at this cute as a bee Drop of Honey Bee Necklace created by this lovely artist.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75996571/drop-of-honey-bee-necklace

Bee Keeping Shop Number 4
Shop name: Pixxxie Pie and Posie
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pixxxiepieandposie?ref=seller_info

Now we'll take a walk on the wild side when we enter this next shop. A little "Green Fairy" honey could go a long way to soothing one's nerves at the end of as tough day. And you know what they say: Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder. But if wormwood, which is one of the ingredients in this delightful honey, makes you nervous, then simply ask and the proprietor will be happy to leave it out of your order.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/71505492/absinthe-honey-infused-gourmet-honey

Bee Keeping Shop Number 5
Shop name: Wood Working Pro
http://www.etsy.com/shop/WoodWorkingPro?ref=seller_info

Here we have something to help encourage Mason Bees to come stay in your yard. It's even shaped like a natural bee hive, though Mason Bees don't build hives. Well, come see for yourself! It's quite unique and would make a lovely addition to your yard. And right now Wood Working Pro has a special on shipping!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/37768977/bee-hive-shaped-bee-house

Well, that's our Friday Faves for this week. I hope you enjoyed the shops as much as I did. Do you have any bee stories that you'd like to share? Well, pop on down to the comments and let's read all about it!

See you next week when we're going to do a little Hiking, Camping and Backpacking.

Have a great weekend everyone and take care out there!