The endless quest for self reliance....

[Dreadhead]

that larder is truly inspirational Red

 

[British Red]

Thanks all for the kind words It is a nice feeling looking at that - akin to seeing the log shed full I suppose - sort of "come on Winter - bring it on

Of course its at its best now, we are just finishing up the harvesting and preserving part of the year, so the shelves are groaning. By the end of Spring it will be slim pickings indeed - but we will start again then!

There is of course much more to do. I really must get the cheese making underway soon

 

[weekender]

Cheese making as well!! Is there anything you can't do Red seriously 😉 I'm only slightly envious...it must be lovely to see the fruits of your labours and enjoy.



Sent from somewhere?

 

[British Red]

I can't do cheese making .... yet. But I will be able to. I have a plan.....and it is cunning

Learning to do all this stuff is so much fun that it really isn't "work"

 

[Imagedude]

(Oh yeah - here is the first shelving unit...varnish is still drying on the second one. )

Did you crush your own beetles to make the varnish?

 

[British Red]

Nope - but I am playing with resin and wax based varnishes and glues at the moment. The glues especially are fascinating - playing with the wax to resin ratios really affects hardness and plasticity. Not got onto hide and hoof glues yet. Varnish is one of those things thats actually pretty simple to make from scratch.

 

[bigbear]

Nice work Red, very envious !
welcome back Mistwalker, really sad to hear about your troubles, good to see you back !

 

[sandbender]

Nope - but I am playing with resin and wax based varnishes and glues at the moment. The glues especially are fascinating - playing with the wax to resin ratios really affects hardness and plasticity. Not got onto hide and hoof glues yet. Varnish is one of those things thats actually pretty simple to make from scratch.

I have my grandfathers old 'glue pot' I used to watch my father make glues in it for use around the garden and think, "thats daft" you could just buy some glue" oh how we learn as the years pass.

Welcome back MW, sorry to hear about your troubles, lets see some trip reports soon.