Samantha Lewis

tuffy monteverdi wrote:
Finnsheep are a super interesting breed!
Is their wool double-coated like the other Northern Shorttail breeds?
(Meaning having both that soft undercoat and the more course, resistant outer coat…)

Thanks

Hello Tuffy!

Finnsheep in general do not have the double coat.  Most of mine just have one thick layer of soft lovely wool.   I do have one ewe with the special extra coat and two of her children have carried forward the trait.  All of them are weather resistant.  They can be out in the rain or snow they just shake it off and are dry inside.

If you want to buy the "Skills to Inherit Property (SKIP)" book, you can do that here:
https://permies.com/wiki/160690/physical-copy-SKIP-book

Some people really enjoy the ebook because they can have it on their phone as they are out in the field doing projects, it is full of hot links that take them to the page here on permies where they can quickly check the minimum requirements and be sure they are gathering the necessary pictures.  



You don't have to buy anything though.  The SKIP program is totally free.  All you need is an account here on permies and start submitting badge bits!

If you have any questions you can ask them here:
https://permies.com/t/210060/skills-inherit-property/BB-clarification-thread


If you want to breeze though the program, be sure to read the requirements for each project and clearly show you have completed the badge bit by including all necessary pictures or video.  

I watched an interview with Bill Mollison where he was asked how he would explain permaculture to a child.  He said "Probably the simplest thing you could say is an attempt to build a good place to live."



Sometimes I call it advanced organic gardening.    If that sparks some interest, I keep going with skills of making my own stuff, observing nature and designing systems to make self sufficiency easy and delightful.


I love latin.  The word explains itself.   I don't usually say that permaculture is permanent culture though, until I have some level of buy-in from the person.   Saying permanent culture brings up the reality that our current culture may not be permanent.    


I really try to listen to what the person's interests are and define permaculture for them as it relates to something they care about.  

I started making salt cured meats this year.   My cellar is full of prosciutto and many other salt cured cuts.  

This is a really fast way to preserve meat, there is no need for a freezer, canner, electricity or plastic wrap.  

 The bone in cuts are ready to use.   Just like you might use bouillon cubes to make an instant broth.  Throw in any veggies and you have a quick, hearty soup.   The meat falls off the bone and is salty and delicious.  A very different flavor than regular cooked meat.  

The thin sliced prosciutto and biltong is perfect for a quick charcuterie board feast or to top a fresh salad.   No need for refrigeration, I can take it on the road or as a high energy snack for a hike.

Hello Jeff!
Welcome to permies!

Good for you for getting started early!   They look pretty ok to me so far.   Short days can be a real problem though and I have not had great luck trying to cheat the system.  
I have used mirrors to boost light.  
Is there a way to put a mirror behind them so you can shine the sun back on them?  

Hello JP!

April is a great time to come to Wheaton Labs!    We will be working on lots of great projects and planting the gardens.

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp/

I would check out what John Bush is doing.   https://livefree.academy/

He has a lot of free webinars talking about how to work the crypto system

I am also taking a class on crypto starting next week. I will probably know a lot more about it soon.  I think it is an important part of being financially literate.  It is not for everyone though.  I hope those of us who can manage it can learn and make it easier for everyone else.  

Nancy Reading wrote:

Do you think the fibres are better when handspun (longer or otherwise superior) or that the machine made yarn is damaged in some way? Handspun and handmade is obviously more precious, but I'd have thought that inconsistencies would be detrimental to longevity not ending up superior.

Hello Nancy!


I am sure it would depend on the yarn.   I cant really say for the sweaters I did not produce myself.  They just look like regular yarn but the tag says hand spun and hand knitted.  They seem to be ageless.  I don't know why.

I have made knitted garments with good store bought yarn too.  It seems like they end up needing repair.  Two of my favorite skirts need to be repaired right now because a yarn has broken and the knitting is coming undone.  


For the yarn I produce from my sheep, I was having some inconsistencies in thickness and tensile strength.  Now I run it through about 5 lbs of tension so the weak spots will break and then I twine it to 2 ply before I knit.  That ends up with a pretty strong product.  

I am new at this though.  I only have one outfit I have made this way and it is on its second winter.  I still have a lot to learn but now I am warm and cozy when I go out to do chores!

Beautiful work everyone!   I am so impressed with quilters.  I would love to learn to make beautiful stuff like this.
I have some lovely old quilts that I treasure but I have never made one.

Many years ago I was given some sweaters from woman who had visited Nepal in her youth.  She told me they were indestructible.   I wear them all the time.  They still look perfect and new.

The tag says, hand spun and hand knitted.  I found a couple other sweaters over the years that are hand spun and hand knitted and the also have a remarkable longevity.  

I started knitting my own clothes because I wanted to be warmer outside doing chores in winter.
Now I am spinning the yarn from my own sheep too.  I think this a great way to create long lasting garments.  

I make cotton and linen stuff too.  It does not have to be all wool.   Everything seems to last longer if it is homemade