What did you do to prep today??

Bronzino

Florida Groupie
Brass Subscriber
So, in addition to saving the leaf fat from the rabbit, we also saved the pelts. For the last two days 4 pelts have been soaking in a salt (non iodized) and alum solution. Today, I went through and cleaned off any remaining fat and connective tissue on the skin. Then I put the pelts back in the solution and added more salt and alum. They will remain in there for 1 week. Then we can start the stretching and drying process. View attachment 32183
Oh wow. Ya'll are doing the old parchment process? I teach that when I teach medieval manuscripts. (Not literally prepping the skins, but talk about the process.)
 

Inazone

Self-Determination or Death
Brass Subscriber
I'm taking the next step in my "lasagna gardening" approach to potatoes this year, but have to figure out what else I'm planting. I always drop the ball when it comes to carrots, and garlic was a failure in the past, but I'm still inclined to try again. The kids love cherry tomatoes, but the wife and I don't, so not sure on that one. Want to attract the bees and butterflies, too.
 

Inazone

Self-Determination or Death
Brass Subscriber
You need something flowering - how about oregano & basil?
That would definitely worth be considering, if my wife is inclined to be a participant in the gardening festivities. She's what you'd called indecisive.

Chives are pretty and fairly hardy
We have some chives that pop up every year, essentially "going rogue" dating back I don't know how long. I frankly can't stand them (in my food) but my kids eat them raw.

My first or second year in this house, I planted sunflowers, and they did amazingly well, but for whatever reason, I never made another attempt. The bees loved them.
 

GOBLIN X

PUKUTSI
Brass Subscriber
I'm taking the next step in my "lasagna gardening" approach to potatoes this year, but have to figure out what else I'm planting. I always drop the ball when it comes to carrots, and garlic was a failure in the past, but I'm still inclined to try again. The kids love cherry tomatoes, but the wife and I don't, so not sure on that one. Want to attract the bees and butterflies, too.
butterfly bushes. mine stay covered.
https://www.michiganbulb.com/produc...IsABqJTjbiVrpTj91w0M6ABOqZ7H3rMtQ_uERh_M6mRa-
IctVwYSSjWtnbKfcaAuU1EALw_wcB
you can plant these around if you dont have herbivores. they keep skeeters and gnats way down. CAUTION the beans do contain the poison Ricin do not eat.
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/castor-bean-ricinus-communis/
 

Inazone

Self-Determination or Death
Brass Subscriber
Zone 4B here, so a lot of stuff struggles. I've had an early cold snap take out all my tomatoes, and a "Fool's Spring" (which I think we're in now) trick me into planting too early. Sedum (aka "stonecrop" around here) is great for attracting bees and thrives just about anywhere, but the butterflies don't seem to touch it. I guess I can live with that.
 

WhiteWolf

Wolf Mage
Silver Subscriber
You're right; this week was just a tease. Looking at 40s for a high & rain/snow again next week here. While I'm nursing the first touch of sunburn from yesterday's 80 degree day. I haven't even started seed for cole crops; that's happening this weekend.

Any of the flowering herbs will pull bees & butterflies; the more color you have - like with sunflowers - the more butterflies.
 

TheMissus

Well-known member
Momma wants a Rabbit Fur Coat?
Or maybe a fur coat for the hubby @Bacash

Oh wow. Ya'll are doing the old parchment process? I teach that when I teach medieval manuscripts. (Not literally prepping the skins, but talk about the process.)
I honestly don’t know what the technical name of the process is called but, I do know that the process itself has been fairly easy. The elbow grease required to clean the pelts was a bit challenging but I really liked the stretching process. We tacked the pelts onto a board to finish drying and then we can oil the leather and brush out the fur.
605EDAF1-D9E2-459C-BE9B-918C1DEDB938.jpeg
 

TheMissus

Well-known member
Used the rabbit tallow I made from rendering down the fat from the rabbits we butchered and made soap. It has been drying in a mold for about 24 hours and today I cut it up and placed it onto newspaper. I put more newspaper on top and will place it in a cool dry place to finish curing. It should be ready to use in about 2-3 weeks. It is safe to use now but because it’s not fully cured it’s very soft, so I had a little crumble and tested it and it turned out awesome. Lathered well, smells nice and left my hands ultra soft. I think I can see myself making more soap in the future.
 

Attachments

TheMissus

Well-known member
Ok, if you are keeping the fur, then not parchment. The parchment process is where they clean everything from the skin, everything goes. Skin is eventually used for making manuscripts.
Oh okay, that’s cool, I had no idea! Thanks for sharing! I thought it would be cools to have something lined in rabbit fur 😛. I wonder if you use a different tanning solution for the parchment process? We used Alum and non-iodized salt.
 

john 1775

Freedom is given, liberty is what you take.
Brass Subscriber
Or maybe a fur coat for the hubby @Bacash



I honestly don’t know what the technical name of the process is called but, I do know that the process itself has been fairly easy. The elbow grease required to clean the pelts was a bit challenging but I really liked the stretching process. We tacked the pelts onto a board to finish drying and then we can oil the leather and brush out the fur.
View attachment 32422
If he gets a fur coat,
Gotta have pics 👀