Saturday, December 20, 2008

Fiber Day

When I said yesterday that I planned on doing something fibery today, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Please say hello to the latest fiber producer here at MapleCorners.

Yep, that's a gorgeous doe angora rabbit. A friend of mine breeds them, and gave me her for Christmas, complete with wire cage and bag of food. She arrived today in a basket, bow around her neck, and a blanket covering her. I don't know the proper names for the angora colors, but she has black face and ears, and every imaginable shade of gray on her body. Beautiful!

Right now the as yet unnamed rabbit (any suggestions?) is in her wire cage on the floor of my kitchen. My friend keeps her rabbits in the barn, so she is probably hot here in the house. I don't have a proper rabbit hutch, and am afraid predators (raccoon and possums) could get through the cage if I put her out in one of the barns. Plus, I don't think I could carry her through the drifts and wind to even get to one of the barns. We're in the middle of another storm. My friend and her daughter got back home (30-40? miles away) just as the winds hit.

My friend realized that I may not want another being to care for, and offered to bring her back home if I wasn't ready/didn't want her. I have thought about adding angora rabbits for a long time, and almost purchased some a couple of times, but in the end had always decided not to, figuring I had enough on my plate. How can I say no to this face though?

Angora blends well with alpaca and wool, and creates a wonderful yarn. My friend says I can use her buck for breeding, if I so choose. Can you imagine how cute baby angora bunnies are? I think I'll wait and see if I can keep up with this one. She may end up going back to her momma if I can't do it.








9 comments:

Cindy said...

I understand the time issue, but if you've wanted them for some time, doesn't it feel like a bit of serendipity? She is quite beautiful, but a name will make it harder to give her back if you so decide. That, plus I'm kinda clueless;--)

Mama Pea said...

That's got to be the most beautiful rabbit I've ever seen!

Mary said...

What a beauty! She looks like a Misty to me.

Mare said...

She is just gorgeous! If i spun my own yarn i would definitely have a few rabbits to work with. I am told they are not too much work-i used to raise guinea pigs(i still have 2 pet sows) and my rabbit friends would tell me all about them. If you do keep her, maybe name her after the season or the weather...like Frost, or Noel,or Cinders(from the fireplace...)There is nothing cuter than baby bunnies, except maybe baby guinea pigs! ;)

Lily said...

How about Smokey?

rilera said...

She is SO GORGEOUS! What a beautiful color and such pretty eyes. I hope you can keep her.

Anonymous said...

Socks! ; )

Turtle said...

she is gorgeous! what a sweet gift! Smokey came to mind at first but then "marble mabel" also struck me as appropriate. or even "marble mildred...millie for short" (my late gram's name) enjoy her!

Robin said...

She's ADORABLE!! Oh, I can't wait to see the fiber you get...and blended with alpaca~mmmmmmmm!