Birthday Socks!

Today is my Mom's birthday and,to celebrate, I made her a pair of ankle socks because she loves ankle socks. She loves socks in general and will be super happy to receive a pair of hand-knit socks. One of the qualities, and there are many, that I love about my mom is her appreciation of hand-knit socks. And, she thinks I'm a knitting genius. She gets it! They were knit using Socks That Rock lightweight sock yarn in the pebble beach colorway. I hope she likes them.


These little socks are for Anne of Green Gables, one of my Mom's porcelain dolls. In my opinion, Anne of Green Gables is one of the best book series ever written. I love Anne and wish to be her bosom friend. Now, Anne and Mom can be all matchy, matchy.

Growing

Beans on July 6, 2009


Beans on July 8, 2009


Beans on July 9, 2009

I read somewhere that beans shouldn't be planted this way because they have fairly fragile root systems. So, I won't do it this way again. Although, they don't seem to object. I moved them into bigger pots today. Growing beans is an exercise in almost instant gratification. I really like that about beans.

Composting

The gardening bug has really taken a large bite out of me. I have spent countless hours researching different plants and their special needs such as soil conditions, sunlight, and water. I’ve also spent time learning about organic pest control, weeds, ground cover, soil preparation, container gardening, and composting.

The composting thing really interests me. I want to make my own compost, my own dirt full of nutritious good stuff for my plants. There are a lot of composters to choose from costing anywhere from $69.99 to $399 and up. I’m not prepared to invest that much money into composting at this time. I need to get my feet wet first – make sure it works. So, I looked at the design features of each model and set out to make my own. I thought of building one with wood and some sort of wire but, frankly, this idea seemed like too much to undertake right now. After all, I had just built a 3 X 4 square using two pieces of 2 X 6 X 8 lumber to make my raised bed. The lumber was obtained from a pile my father keeps by his shed from when the porch blew off the house. So, it was free. I wanted to find something free or as close to free as possible.

To that end, I purchased a 32 gallon trash can for $12.98 at Lowes. The material is something similar to what you see with those Rubbermaid containers (i.e. easy to drill holes in). I brought it home and assembled the necessary tools for the job – an electric knife and a drill. I’m particularly gifted in the art of deconstruction. So, I had no trouble at all. I cut out the bottom and drilled holes in the side and in the lid. It’s perfect if I do say so myself.






It is now full of compost including a layer of cardboard, grass cuttings, produce and other kitchen waste (no meat, fat or oil of any kind) and hay. Yesterday afternoon I went out to check the garden. Everything is doing well – everything is still alive. I believe I may be somewhat gifted in the gardening arts. The compost pile is steaming. There is condensation on the lid much like when you are simmering something on the stove. And, I can feel the heat generated by the compost doing its' work. This is so exciting. I gave it a little stir to keep things cooking and went inside for the evening.

Lenore

A long time ago, in a galazy far, far away I received a package from my Socks That Rock Sock Club including yarn and a sock pattern both named Lenore. Lenore was part of the Raven series and I loved her. The colors were beautiful. I still love the way the colors play between darkest night, an almost black blue and burgundy. So, I decided to actually use the pattern, created by the Yarn Harlot herself, included with the yarn to make a pair of super-fantastic socks. But, it was not meant to be. In my humble opinion, this sock yarn does not like this sock pattern and is screaming to be something else. The yarn wants to fulfill its sock destiny but has been begging me to choose another pattern. And so, I wait for Lenore to speak to me. She needs to tell me what she wants to be.

Thunderstorm

It's raining buckets of hard rain. I fear for my garden and my little baby beans. I hope the rain doesn't kill the garden -- squash all the plants. This is not good. I mean, I guess rain is good but not the kind that might knock my plants down. Of course, I'm totally helpless and so are the plants. What to do, what to do . . . . . .

Graduation Day May '09

My baby graduated from high school. I want everyone to know that I did not cry. There were a few close calls but I was able to hold on and suck it up. I was strong but it was a bittersweet joy watching her receive her diploma. She's not a baby anymore and hasn't been for a long time. But, she's an almost adult now and will be setting off into the world to forge her own trail. I'll be at home knitting her some socks or more likely off on my next adventure knitting her socks. I'm thinking scuba diving. She had been at ASMS for three years which was like sending her off to college way too early. There were many times when she was so homesick she thought she'd die but she wouldn't come home. She said she wasn't giving up and she didn't. She survived and thrived. She's tough like her momma.



Here's both of my girls. Aren't they beautiful? This was a rare moment of sisterly affection. I'm glad I was able to get a picture.



Jordan and her bosom pal, Skyler. They remind me of Anne Shirley and Diana. Have any of you read Anne of Green Gables? If not, you should because it is one of the most wonderful book series I've ever read. I think Anne and I would have been the best of pals.

Happy July 4th!

I hope everyone has a happy 4th.



Coal is 20 months old today. He is such an amazing and pampered pooch! And, quite possibly spoiled.

Gardening

Clearly, there is something wrong with me because I've been gardening. I've been spending time outside in the HOT sun trying to make things grow. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when this latest compulsion overtook me. But, I think it was approximately two weeks ago and I have no idea what triggered this desire to make food. I don't even like vegetables.

I have two basil plants in each of the front corners. Why did I not know how delightful basil smells? I want to go lay down beside it and just breathe it in -- strange. I have a classic tomato plant, one that will look like the kind people put on their hamburgers, and a roma tomato plant. I've got nine marigolds to naturally deter pests and because they're pretty. There are also two red pepper plants one in the center front and one in the center back. And, three beans!! I am so absolutely delighted that I made a bean. Well, the beginnings of a bean plant anyway. This is something of a miracle considering Coal, the most amazing dog in the world, dug out the entire center portion of my little garden. He will tilling the soil -- just trying to be helpful. He was very proud of his work. And, I was not angry with him because he was simply doing what dogs do - DIG. The garden is now protected by a fence of sorts.


Isn't this little baby bean too cute? He has two siblings. I hope they make at least one green bean. I may even eat it myself.


My first harvest -- fresh basil. What can I cook using basil?