These are Icelandic sheep, Stella (white), Althea and Zan, the ram. This is a How-To series on processing wool... the Twisted Fern Farm way.
First you learn to sheer them. Stella held very still for me and let me hand sheer her with sewing scissors... Oy, I could use some more practice.
Althea is very skittish so we put her in the stanchion and gave her gentle messages. I did a little better job with her.
Then you hook up with your lady friends for a fun evening of washing the wool. Thanks to Zan and Stella's breeder for hosting us and teaching us.
One bucket for washing and one for rinsing. Make sure both are the same temperature, we went with 110 F degrees, and used Dawn dish detergent as a cleaner.
Check your temps! Keep lids handy to maintain the temperatures.
Adding Stella's wool to the wash bucket first.
She's a dirty girl!
While waiting, one should partake in some fabulous red wine from Redneck wine glasses!
After 30 minutes we transferred the wool from the wash to the rinse.
Let it run a bit before putting into the rinse bucket.
After 10 minutes, remove the wool from the rinse bucket and let drip and gently press excess water out.
Place cleaned wool on a towel and roll it up.
The towel will soak up more excess water.
Using your old re-purposed freezer bins, spread the wool out to dry.
Now you've had a warm up practice and the party can get started!! On with Althea's wool!
Wash...
Laugh...
Rinse...
Oh, she's a dirtier girl, that Althea!
Spread to dry.
I put Stella's wool in front of the fire place for better drying.
And, Althea's wool on the drying rack.
Stay tuned for carding and spinning!
It's a beautiful October day so its off to clean the bunny barn.
One bin for the dirty stuff, one bin for the clean stuff, barn broom and dust-pan and fresh hay to replace the crappy hay.
First, I have to hug and kiss Stella... how could you resist that face! (besides, I have to pass by her to get to Bunny Land.
Got my helpers ready to help...
Silly girls didn't finish their breakfast. One of the challenges of switching to fodder is how to keep their wood floor dry. I put down this plastic tray that is sold for putting wet boots and shoes in at the door. It's working so far.
Eddie does great going potty in his litter box but, the girls took some training. I put all the leftover kitty boxes we had in for them so they'd have lots of choices.
Eddie got a new "hot box"... it's the nick name I have given his bed box, the place he will sleep to stay warm when the temps start dropping. There wasn't much room to fit it inside his loft apartment so I attached it to the outside... its a little crooked.
Since its 70 degrees today, he doesn't seem to care about using it. (unusually warm today).
Fun outside in the yard!
Clover likes to race Eddie, she's faster.
All three playing in the leaves.
Banjo the cutie pie.
Fun with Banjo.
It's getting on to tapp'in time... the kids are eating bark.
Large and in charge.
Twice a day, off to collect food for bunnies.
They really like Marigolds.
I see... Roses, Raspberries, Marigolds, Dandilions, Grape leaves, Borage and Wheat fodder.
Snarf... snarf...
Stella looking for leftovers.
The fall equinox is when day and night are approximately equal, a Libra's happy place because we like balance.
It's also the new moon, a good time to start things.
Today we canned and started our fodder schedule for the bunnies over the winter.
We also rendered the fat collected from our goat. He was super fatty but super clean and healthy. I love that I can honor his life by using all parts.
Now that's some nice lard to make things like biscuits and soap.
We also made Garlic Oxymel to keep everyone ship shape for the up coming cold season.
... ready to harvest in two weeks on the full moon.
The yute left her water kefir in my care while out having fun with her girlfriends so... I "changed its pants"! I made sure to add some dried apricots for yum factor.
And I harvested the hazel nuts before the squirrels found them. Isn't it cute? Our first batch... more next year.
