December 2017 – The Year in Review

Loss – Alot of changes at the farm this year included the loss of my beloved German Shepherd, Eisen who we had to put to sleep in March.  He was 12 1/2 years old and lived a good, long life and will be greatly missed. Farewell my faithful friend! New Beginnings – For Mother’s Day my daughters got me …  – a new puppy!  A male AKC German Shepherd who I named Ryker.  He is a wonderful companion and will hopefully make a great Schutzhund or IPO prospect.  At nine months, he has a great, solid temperament, is very athletic, Continue Reading →

2017 Spring Bling at Ida Lee Park

Please join us at the Spring Bling at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia on Saturday, March 4, 2017.  The show is indoors and starts at 9:00 am and ends at 4:00 pm.  We will be featuring our honey, hand-made custom decorated cookies, cookie bouquets and Spring and Easter themed gifts. Spring Bling at Ida Lee in Leesburg, VA Date: Saturday 3/4/2017 Time:  9:00 am – 4:00 pm Location: Ida Lee Park Recreation Center Leesburg, Virginia  20175 Address:  60 Ida Lee Dr, NW  Leesburg, Virginia 20176 This juried show features over 90 local and regional artisans selling handmade items including Continue Reading →

2016 Ida Lee Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

West Wind Farm will be at the 2016 Ida Lee Holiday Arts and Crafts show for the second year.  Come see us in the gym and browse all our delicious honey, granola and holiday gifts.  The show is indoors so you don’t have to worry about any inclement weather.  Get your holiday shopping done early and all in one place. Holiday Fine Arts and Craft Show Date: 12/03/2016 – 12/04/20 Location: Ida Lee Park Recreation Center Leesburg, Virginia Address:  60 Ida Lee Dr, NW  Leesburg, Virginia 20176 This juried show features over 90 local and regional artisans selling handmade items Continue Reading →

Holiday Gifts

Still Time to Order for Family & Friends We have plenty of honey and fine tea from Harney & Sons.  So order a sweet gift for your family, friends or loved ones.  Choose from our holiday collection of teas or other teas and convenient “purse size” tagalong tea tins that we have in stock.  Order now while supplies last!  Go to our online store to order. Stocking Stuffers, Candy & Specialty Items Choose from our premium gift boxes, baskets and bags.  Add accessories like Honey Dippers, Honey Stix, Honey Teaspoon Stirers, Hot Chocolate Spoons and Cinnamon Stick Candy Stir Sticks.  Continue Reading →

Ida Lee Arts & Crafts Fair

The Craft Fair at Ida Lee Park in Leesburg, Virginia was a successful and fun adventure this past weekend.  We sold honey & gifts and made new vendor friends!  Some of our close friends even stopped by for a visit and to pick up a few things for the holidays.  I even got the chance to look at all the other vendor displays and gifts and was amazed at the diversity of skilled & talented craftsmen from around the region.  Hand-sewn, hand-painted, hand-carved ornaments, jewelry, candles, bird houses… you name it – everything was amazing!  We were blessed to be Continue Reading →

It’s That Time Of Year

The holiday season is here again and we will be selling our honey and related products at the Ida Lee Fine Arts & Crafts Festival December 5th and 6th.  Why not come out and join us, we will be down in the lower level, and enjoy the weekend in historic Leesburg, Virginia. The show features over 90 local and regional artisans selling hand-made items including seasonal gifts, jewelry, carved wood, stained glass, accessories, fine arts, photography, holiday items, gourmet food products and much more.  Find something for everyone on your shopping list and a little something to brighten your home Continue Reading →

What is Crystallized Honey?

How Honey Crystallizes Honey is a super-saturated sugar solution, containing primarily the sugars glucose and fructose.  After honey has been extracted from the comb, eventually the glucose will begin to precipitate out, forming solid crystals.  Once the crystals begin to form, they rapidly spread throughout the honey.  The granulated honey may appear to be solid, but in fact the granulation process creates a latticework of glucose sugar crystals, with the other components of the honey remaining in a liquid state. It’s a Natural Process Virtually all types of RAW honey will crystallize in time. Some types of honey may crystallize Continue Reading →

The Shelf Life of Honey

Found an interesting article from the SMITHSONIAN that explains the history and science behind the shelf life of honey. The Science Behind Honey’s Eternal Shelf Life A slew of factors—its acidity, its lack of water and the presence of hydrogen peroxide—work in perfect harmony, allowing the sticky treat to last forever.  Article By:  Natasha Geiling | SMITHSONIAN.COM  | AUGUST 22, 2013 Modern archeologists, excavating ancient Egyptian tombs, have often found something unexpected amongst the tombs’ artifacts: pots of honey, thousands of years old, and yet still preserved. Through millennia, the archeologists discover, the food remains unspoiled, an unmistakable testament to the eternal shelf-life Continue Reading →

The Little Things

The first snow of the season was a light, powdery mix that covered the ground about 3.5 – 4 inches today.  As I was doing barn chores I stopped to look at the simple beauty around me.  You know the quietness and muffled silence that seems to follow a snowfall.  It’s like for a moment, time stands still and you drink-in nature and notice the little details of life.  I realize at these moments how truly blessed I am. Everything I am and have is the gift of God! The horses were almost finished eating their grain and Gigi, my Continue Reading →