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Today was a busy day! The Reluctant Farmer and I woke up early so we could drive 3 french angora rabbits to Indiana, to Teri from Spin Me a Yarn Rabbitry (http://www.facebook.com/SpinMeAYarnRabbitry?fref=ts). I started following Teri's Facebook page and contacted her because I was looking for an unrelated buck to add to my group. She mentioned that she was in the same situation, so when I decided keeping 2 bucks that were siblings or sons of my does, I contacted her to see if she would be interested in them. We talked and worked out a barter!
The 3 angora rabbits that she got were all from Wooly Wilma's litter and they are gorgeous, heavy wooled babies. (Just like their Mama!) I really held on to them too long with the thought I would breed one of the bucks to Cher, however since her death, all of my rabbits are related which will not work for a breeding program! Teri now has 2 new bucks and a doe to love, and I am getting a buck from her next litter. I was so excited that they were going to someone who knows the breed and that will take good care of them. I was even more excited to meet someone I could talk angoras with since I know no one else. Can't wait to see what my new buck will look like, and I am glad I have formed a new friendship with someone else who understands my love for these wooly beasts.
These are the things I like the most about farming: bartering and new friends! I have to laugh about this now, but when I first started this urban farming project, people wanted to know why I was doing this and if I missed my friends. (Between working 40 hours a week outside the farm and the animal and garden upkeep on the farm, it is like having two full time jobs!) The truth is I have met more genuine people through farming then I ever would have met before on my own. The friendships I have now are more dear to me then what I had before, they are deeper. These are the people that get me and are doing the same things I am. These are the people that guide me and understand what I do. I get asked quite frequently if I created this farm so I could escape, and I often have to explain to people that I did this to live healthier, to know where my food comes from, and to make sure the food I was eating was being raised humanely. Yes, it is an escape, an escape I welcome. I am blessed to be able to escape to the most amazing place in the city. My home. A place where great things are happening: new friends, life, death, growth, exercise, and learning. I wouldn't trade this life for anything....
These are the things I like the most about farming: bartering and new friends! I have to laugh about this now, but when I first started this urban farming project, people wanted to know why I was doing this and if I missed my friends. (Between working 40 hours a week outside the farm and the animal and garden upkeep on the farm, it is like having two full time jobs!) The truth is I have met more genuine people through farming then I ever would have met before on my own. The friendships I have now are more dear to me then what I had before, they are deeper. These are the people that get me and are doing the same things I am. These are the people that guide me and understand what I do. I get asked quite frequently if I created this farm so I could escape, and I often have to explain to people that I did this to live healthier, to know where my food comes from, and to make sure the food I was eating was being raised humanely. Yes, it is an escape, an escape I welcome. I am blessed to be able to escape to the most amazing place in the city. My home. A place where great things are happening: new friends, life, death, growth, exercise, and learning. I wouldn't trade this life for anything....
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Beautiful bunnies! The happy look on your face is priceless. Making new friends that get you doesn't happen everyday. I have 3 French angoras & understand why you are so delighted;)
ReplyDeleteI can see by your happy face just how blessed you feel to be making this trade & meeting someone who gets you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bunnies! We just had our first litter of French angoras; it's so exciting.
They were such beautiful babies, and I was just so proud of them! I was even happier because she said she clips her wool vs. plucking and that it spins up just fine. I am so going to try this because plucking is a full time job! ;)
DeleteI never understood why clipping would make a difference for spinning. We spin clipped sheep wool just fine. I've only spun angora blended with sheep's wool so haven't tried spinning it alone.
ReplyDeleteDo you spin, too?
I do spin, although I am still learning to ply and what not. I bought a Louet S17 spinning wheel, however I had no clue how to use it! :) I love to blend my angora with alpaca. It is so soft! I would like to get my hands on some long fiber sheep's wool, but have had no luck finding anyone who raises them around here. When I started with my angoras, people were very set on the need to pluck instead of clip, but I tell you if this wool spins fine, I am going to clip for sure! It was so much quicker and I hate when I pull guard hairs (my french have a lot!) because it seems to hurt them. I almost always card and blend my angora with another type of wool, because angora by itself it too warm for my liking, so I would think as long as I carded it with another fiber I should be fine. Who knows? Guess I will find out! :)
DeleteI just found your site, and I completely agree--urban farming is such a pleasure! I never thought I'd own chickens or an organic heirloom plant nursery. I was a PR/Advertising girl from the city, for goodness sake! Still, I love what I do, teaching people how to garden organically, growing plants for wonderful customers, and helping kids become good stewards of the Earth. It's a really good life! Look forward to reading more of your blog. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for writing and following my blog Julie! I love this so much! Today I took full advantage of the 60 degree weather we had and went out to stake out some new vegetable beds out back. Hoping to double my growing space! :)
DeleteLovely bunnies! I have a Jersey Wooly that I harvest a teeny bit of wool from and spin, it's so fun! One of these days, I really must get myself and angora bunny!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on Farm Girl Blog Fest #15!
Kristi @Let This Mind Be in You
http://thismindbeinyou.blogspot.com
They are addictive! I love them so much! Thanks for hosting!
DeleteI just found your site and have to say I <3 it already!! I have a big pot of broth cooking right this minute. I found your ideas just at the right time to apply them today. :) I too have taken to a bit of urban homesteading, and love it. I have 3 very useful chickens. I also have 4 dogs and 2 horses, not so useful, just fun. :) keep up the great work helping us learn the things we all should never have forgotten!! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lisa for visiting my site and reading about my homestead! I have quite a few animals around here. The rabbits and chickens earn their keep, but the horse, dogs and cats are just for fun. (Or in case I need something additional to clean up after!) I am so pleased you were able to use some things on the blog to bless your life today, it is really one of the reasons I do this!
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