Then they go screeching off the track. Their is a rumor that the Red Wattle breed lost its popularity in pioneer days when the woman folk discovered they had low levels of fat and therefore could not be used to make much soap.
Its obvious to me the pioneer woman they spoke to were lifting a little too much Poteen from their husbands backwoods stills. And I aim to prove this all scientific like. I started making soap about 5 months ago and my very first batch was made with Red Wattle lard. I have several bars left (because I always go over board with any new project that's why) and it is one great bar of soap. I made it before I knew about coconut oil, which makes for great lather, so these first bars lather well but not crazy well. Many people like the low lather soaps. Especially guys for some reason. Makes them feel less prissified I guess. I did make the first Red Wattle soap bars with olive oil so after using your skin is quite smooth AND clean.
Right now, as I pick at these keys in a slow-probably- had -too much -Poteen- myself- as- a- teenager- way, I have a LARGE batch of Red Wattle fat melting, or rendering, in my crock pots. I am preparing to make several new batches of RW soap for an event being held at Garfield Farm on Sunday May 22. Specifically it is called the Garfield Farm Museum Rare Breeds Show and Sale .http://www.garfieldfarm.org/calendar.html For more info call 630-584-8485. A very cheap event to attend and a great way to see some very cool animals. Also a fantastic opportunity to display your own rare breeds (husbands not accepted) and the products you have from such animals.
I have to say I have great admiration for you making your own soap. Quite the endeavour. I dragged my weary body out to the drugstore and bought some hand soap the other day. Does that count?
ReplyDeleteOh absolutely ! But if you can drive to the drugstore for soap you can drive here. Or wait, there's that pesky ocean to worry about. And remember, for the first 51 years of my life all my soap came from the evil wicked corporate world. Only recently has it come from St. Wattle
ReplyDeleteYour soap looks gorgeous!! Pretty white! Do you scent them?
ReplyDeleteI scent some and I leave some unscented. Some are made with organic ingredients only and some have funky colors. I've never been much of a purist in anything. But I have so much fun making them !
ReplyDeleteI admit that I saw the picture and thought you had cake, so I rushed to see what kind. Found out it was soap instead. A mighty pretty looking soap I must say but I was disapointed that it wasn't a yummy goody. LOL Though as I think upon it... maybe if I washed my mouth out with it I wouldn't be so interested in cake. Someday I'll just have to taste some of that Red Wattle meat. How about bringing some with you when you come to visit and we'll be sure and have yak for you to try.
ReplyDeleteYes Holly, My hubbie keeps frowning at me because he thinks the soap should be edible and because I keep using the crockpot for soap instead of roasts. At least we are all very clean here !
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Red Wattle lover and breeder, I have often wondered WHO on earth decided to tell the world that this is a lean pig. I have not noticed lean pigs in my field. They are not as fat as my Guineas (lovely tiny little lard hogs. the sweet dears), but the Reds sure can pack on the fat when given the chance. We had one fatty that provided us with 85 lbs of fat and leaf lard. Ok. She was way overfed, but that is what happens when you put the finished market hogs in the same field as the younger just weaned pigs. They eat way to much.
ReplyDeleteSo. Donna. Do you have a recipe for that soap of yours? Try as we might, we have not found a market for all the fat we produce. So Jim is starting to think I need to make soap in my spare time. HA. Is there such a thing on a farm?