Beatrice, Brianna and Rhett

Today I started grooming my new rabbits. I say started because after an hour with each bunny I could see that it is going to be a long process! I could just shear both the does but they have such wonderful coats and it is sooooo cold here right now! I got a lot of the mats out but there are a lot more to go. I did manage to get a big ziploc bag full of good wool from Beatrice and Brianna, and a lot more that I might be able to salvage for felting. I also managed to get a great picture of Beatrice after combing her good wool over the mats!! And a really sweet head shot of Brianna.

Rhett is going to be quite a project to get groomed but what a sweety! He is the most lovable, cuddly thing I've ever met. I can't wait for his hair to grow out. He was clipped when he arrived yesterday but the wool he still has left is matted badly. I spent over an hour with him and you can hardly tell I've done anything!The best thing is it appears he is actually copper and not red as I had thought! Copper is my favorite satin angora colour.

Yeah - new bunnies!

Last summer I got a pair of Satin Angora rabbits. I can't have chickens here in the city yet so I thought rabbits would be a great choice as "livestock!" I also love to spin and wanted a breed of rabbit that I could actually use. I had several mini rex at the time and love them but when I saw an add for satin angora's I had to get them. Penny is the most gorgeous, shiny copper colour and Mocha is a handsome and friendly chocolate. They have grown into wonderful adult rabbits and I have harvested enough wool from them to actually start a few projects! I finished a toque that was supposed to be for me but ended up just the perfect size for my 3yr old daughter instead.


Today I got another buck and two red does. My goal with these rabbits is to try and improve the wool (the satin angora generally has the least amount of wool per harvest of any of the angora breeds) I plan to start a breeding program with these rabbits. The satin angora is quite rare still  but in my opinion the most beautiful of all the angora types. Their shimmering wool is simply stunning.

I can't wait to get a brush on one of the red does as she looks like she is starting to molt - maybe my toque will be red instead of the copper I had planned on!

Preschool math concepts

So today I witnessed, not for the first time, a preschoolers concept of time. As I was waiting patiently for my 3yr old to use the toilet I had to hold onto her panties (don't ask!) I figured out with my first child that pulling your underwear down but not completely removing it it a skill that apparently takes even longer than the actual potty training. When I asked her how long I had to hold them for she answered with a very prompt and definate "for 100 whiles." Huh? I then asked "well, how long is '100 whiles?'" To which her response was to open up one hand and count five fingers, answering with "It's 5!" I am still not sure how long 5 fingers is and even less clear on how long "100 whiles" is but now I have a better idea of why, when I tell the kids that we are leaving in 5 minutes, after 5 minutes they STILL do not have their shoes and coats on! Maybe I need to start telling them we are leaving in 5 "whiles!"

Seed Trading

For the past few days I have been eagerly looking and sorting through my seed selection for this coming season. I did manage a few days of work outside in the yard this week when it got warm enough but as I impatiently await springs official arrival (-8 and snowing with a windchill of -19 this morning?!?!? No we're not quite there yet!) I have to do something that is at least a bit more springlike than sledding and skating. Don't get me wrong I do love sledding and skating but as the end of February rapidly approaches I am finding myself itching to get outside and start some gardening.

For many years now I have grown open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. I save my own seed from as many varieties as I can and rarely have to buy new seeds. I usually end up buying a few packets of something new that I want to try each year but this year I have discovered the wonderful world of trading seeds! For the past few years I have received several different tomato and bean varieties from a wonderful, generous fellow in the USA who has been sharing his seeds for the past ten years for free, with only a request that we send him postage. I have taken advantage of his offer again this year and plan to send him a package of seed envelopes in exchange. I also found an amazing forum a few days ago that is strictly a seed/plant exchange list! You list the seeds you have to trade and a list of what seeds you want to aquire and then start looking for another member to trade with. I managed to find several people who have something I want and have arranged a few trades already. It so much fun!

First Blog!

OK, so I have decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon. I have never been much of a journal keeper so it should be interesting! I have read so many blogs in the past few years that have been a wonderful source of information on everything from homeschooling to gardening so I thought I would try and do my part to contribute something useful. We'll see what happens!