Independence Day

Today is Independence Day, the 4th of July. It is a day to celebrate the birth of the United States of America, and all that this country stands for. I am proud to say I'm an American, and feel blessed to live in this country. I hold dear the fact that I have ancestors who fought for the independence of this country, and have a son who still is ready to be called to fight to preserve that independence.

Our country is beautiful and holds a lot of promise for all of us. I am grateful for the democracy and all of the rights I have. I've recently had occasion to see the judicial system up close and personal, and all in all, it is a remarkable system, based on the US Constitution.


Today we are going to have Leslie over for our annual "let's sit in the yard, drink, eat, warm up by the fire, and enjoy everyone else's fireworks." As usual, it's cold. In the maritime Northwest, summer traditionally comes on July 5th, and this year is right in suit. We had a lovely day yesterday, and will tomorrow, but today ... it's wool stocks and fleece weather.


July is the usual kick off month for Operation Holiday Stockings. These little stockings are nice summer projects. I've started on my bunch, and this year I'm doing something a bit different. Since this is the sixth year for knitting these stockings, I decided to make the knitting a little interesting.

I'm using the stockings as a swatch to try out different stitches. I'm having fun doing it, and it's nice to see the how the stitches knit out. I've got the 365 Knitting Stitches A Year Perpetual Calendar, and am trying out the stitches that work. For these stockings, can't have lace, which means no YOs (yarn overs), and cables can be a bit much for a "simple" project (means a cable needle). The pattern repeat needs to be limited to no more than four lines. Anything else and I won't be able to memorize the pattern. I've been making little notes for each pattern I've been doing, like how the fabric feels, what I might use it form, and whether or not it was fun to knit.

Right now I'm knitting the Slipped Rib 1 (February 7), which is a nice stitch. This stitch is a good one for a scarf for either a man or woman; it stays flat, and isn't dense or bulky.


Stitch on my dear knitting friends, and tarry on my other friends. Have a wonderful holiday, and cherish the freedoms you have.

TTFN

Sue

The Weekend At Last

Sunset in Sequim

Dear Blog:

I know, you thought I had forgotten you. You've been feeling neglected. Well, neglected yes, but forgotten no. I've been in a time warp and honestly can't figure where the time has gone. I've come up with a lot of clever ideas to post but by the time I have time I've forgotten what the clever idea was, and why it was so clever in the first place. I have been busy working, gardening, knitting, cooking, and taking time for some relaxation and rest. I have, however, taken lots of pretty pictures for you my dear blog, and I'll post them for you now.

I got the boots planted, two pair to be exact. This pair is planted with nasturtiums. We found these boots in David's black hole downstairs when we were shoveling through the mess. Not sure who they belonged to, but they are flower pots now.

These marigolds were immediately renamed by Matt. These are the handsome men of O'Dea (rather than the pretty maids in a row). When Matt asked me if I knew what these flowers were I answered marigolds. He said no. I said slug repellents. He said no. He then told me they were O'Dea flowers so O'Dea flowers they are. (Please note, sunshine on the flowers.)
When the sun comes out, the dogs come out. This was a particularly warm and sunny day in mid-May. We celebrate warm and sunny days in May.
I've gotten all of the pots planted for the deck so summer has to arrive.
Over at Edgar's Acres we've been harvesting lettuce, radishes and spinach since early May. The spinach is out of control. We are heading over tomorrow and I can't imagine what size the spinach leaves will be since it's been two weeks since I last harvested it. This is spinach that grew in a week.
The lettuce is not only wonderful to eat, but beautiful ...

which has inspired me to start on a new pair of socks, which I am calling my lettuce socks.

I have a long weekend this weekend and am very appreciative of it. Work has been busy (which is nice), but the brain has been reduced to mush. David and I, we stay too busy, but a happy and fun busy.

So, dear blog, I haven't forgotten you, I've just had difficulty getting time to write a proper posting. Maybe the weather has something to do with it, or may it's because I'm stuck in this time machine. I could promise to be more attentive, but I don't make promises I may not be able to keep.

TTFN

Sue

Reflection

As I sit on the deck on this Memorial Day it is appropriate that I see an American Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Our symbol of freedom. I love living in this country, and love the freedom I have as an American citizen. There are times I take it for granted that I can do, say and act anyway I want because of the democracy that our country is based on.


We all know this freedom came with a price. The price of the blood of the military men and women who have taken up arms to win, gain and protect our freedom. Today is the day to reflect on the sacrifices these soldiers have made for us and the generations before us.


My ancestors have taken up arms since the Revolutionary War, and have continued to be willing to protect this country. We have lost loved ones, and have embraced the ones who come home to us. Whatever the war, we have supported our soldiers and have shone pride in who they are.


Pause for a moment and think about the rights and privileges you have, and how we have managed to keep them.


TTFN

Sue

The Threat of Knitting

I think everyone should commute on a bus, at least for a couple of weeks, so you can get an idea of how people react to different situations. It is interesting, and the majority of commuters are a delightful group. There are, of course, the idiots and jerks who think they own the bus/train/carpool, but fortunately that is a small minority.

There are the men (yes, men), who seem to think they need to be on the bus before anyone, including short, small women on crutches. The other day I literally stood in front of one of these men so a short, small woman on crutches could get on first.

There are so the men (again) who think they need a whole seat to work on their computers so others end up standing. If you request they move their computers/briefcase/gym bag, they act insulted, like we should all recognize how important this person is and let them have room for their importance.

There is the woman who has to talk at the top of her lungs on her cell phone about how awlful or wonderful her date was the night before, with details included.

There is the woman who thinks you are there to hear her life story.

There is the guy who has a Blackberry that keeps beeping a new call/message/email until the nice lady across the aisle takes it from him to turn it to quiet or vibrate.

The one person (man or woman) that I find the most interesting, however, is the "fear of knitting" person. I really shouldn't say "one" as this seems to affect a lot of people. I have discovered over the years that people don't want to sit next to knitters. I know it's not me because someone will sit next to me if I'm not knitting. Bring out the knitting, however, and they will pass by the empty seat each time, until IT IS THE LAST AVAILABLE SEAT ON THE BUS. I'm knitting a sock, on small needles, sitting like a little bird with my arms next to by body. I'm not flapping around my arms or the knitting. My purse is on my lap where the yarn is so the yarn isn't all over the place. I'm quiet, and keep my knitting to myself, and the colors of the yarn are beautiful. When someone does finally take the LAST AVAILABLE SEAT ON THE BUS, they sit leaning toward the aisle like they think they are going to get stabbed by the needles or caught up in the yarn. It's especially interesting to see someone recoil against the side of the bus if I get on after them and bring out the knitting. If I were a spiteful person, I could really have fun playing mind games with my knitting.

Knitters out there, have you noticed the same thing? Maybe there should be a knitting section on the bus or train where we knitters could share seats, admire each other's work, and you know, have a fun commute to and from work.

TTFN

Sue

My Mom and This Blog

This morning I was walking around looking at my garden, cup of coffee in hand, thinking about how beautiful the day was, when it hit me. It was my mom that introduced me to gardening when I was a very, very young girl. I remember sitting next to her while she weeded, collecting worms in a Band Aid tin. As I was walking around I was also thinking I needed to update my blog when it dawned on me, if it hadn't been for Mom teaching me to knit 50 years ago, there wouldn't be this blog. As I remember Mom on this Mother's Day, I also remember how the small things she taught me as a child, have become major aspects of my life now as an adult, and a mother myself. I do think of Mom each time I post an entry because most of the entries somehow involve knitting, and gardening. Mom was always interested in what I was knitting and what we had growing in our gardens.

This year we planted asparagus, which would have thrilled Mom. She loved asparagus, but I didn't because she overcooked them. Well, now that I have discovered asparagus doesn't have to be cooked to the gross point, I also love them. When I got the bee in my bonnet to plant asparagus, I didn't realize what a project it was going to me. I am going to share the whole experience with you so if you decide to plant asparagus, you'll be better prepared.

Last fall I read up on planting asparagus and decided on ordering asparagus crowns. I prepared a bed with good soil and compost last year, fertilized and was all set to go this spring. The bed was 14' by 18" and 12" deep.

I ordered a little blooklet this Spring entitled "Grow the Best Asparagus." Good thing I read it before we planted the crowns. The original bed ... TOO SMALL.
We had to quickly plan on a MUCH LARGER bed. We laid out a 6' x 30' bed. Asparagus are a perennial and have a huge root structure. The roots will grow 6' deep and spread out 5', and the asparagus ferns grow 5-7 feet tall. Well, at least the ferns will block the view of the neighbor's yard.

This bed had to be started from scratch. David rented a rototiller and tilled. Susan and I spaded, and spaded some more. We dug the "trench" to place the crowns in. After storing these dear crowns on a cookie sheet in my fridge for three weeks, we planted.

In a trench about 12" deep, and 18" wide, you make little hills to place the crowns on.

Strange looking I know, each on looks like an octopus.

After the crowns are on the little hills we covered them with the first layer of soil. As the plants grow over the summer we will add soil until the trench is level with the ground around it.

If you look carefully, you can see the little crown head sticking up next to the hose (on left near the hook on the hose).

The soaker hose is in place. We will need to do a deep soaking at least once a week this summer. Of course, we added a Johnny fence to keep the dogs out of the bed.

In the meantime, I finished my St. Patrick's socks last Thursday, which kicked in this beautiful weather. Which brings me back to this morning ...

beautiful. Thanks Mom for letting me dig in the garden with you.

Happy Mother's Day.

TTFN

Sue

The Weekend At Last

Nothing much to report, except I am glad the weekend has arrived. We had such a wonderful break that it was hard to go back to work and sit and focus on law. It's a good thing I like my job. The weather has been so nasty that it was a good week to be stuck inside working.

This weekend I think we are going to start digging in and cleaning out stuff. We have been in this house for over 22 years and have accumulated so much stuff. I look around me and there is stuff everywhere, old books, old papers, coffee cups without handles (why?), furniture that is going to get repaired one of these days, the lists goes on and on. We still have boxes to go through that we got when our moms and great aunts passed on. It's ridiculous.

By the way, I'm still looking for some young able bodied men who like rib-eye steaks and beer to join us in Sequim for a rototilling party.

Well, David's off to start on the "shop" and I've got bills and taxes to take care of. Have a great weekend everyone. Who knows, maybe I'll have something more interesting to post next time.

TTFN

Sue

All Things Work Out For the Best

It's been a wonderful vacation. Ten wonderful days. When we got to Edgar's Acres on the 18th the Rhody was all in bud. Today, it's showing off it's beautiful colors. This Rhody likes where it is now. It was in the front of the house but we moved it before bringing in the new house.

It's been a week of planting and planning. Yesterday Susan and I planted our onions and potatoes.

All of the new raised beds have now been planted. These beds were planted with peas and carrots. We are going to have LOTS of peas and carrots. Territorial Seed included a package of carrots for donating to the food bank with each order we have received. We've have planted the carrot seeds and will be happy to donate them when it's time to harvest.

The new beds in the west garden were planted with fava beans as a green manure until we plant the broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts. David included the corner posts so we can have something to tack the row covers to when we plant. The cabbage moths will be a bit miffed but we love our brussel sprouts and broccoli, so we are taking this measure this year. We also had to move all of these crops out of the primary garden in an effort to eradicate the cabbage moth infestation we had last year in that plot.

The new bed around the NW corner of the deck has been completed and planted with sunflower seeds. We are hoping to provide some shade and a wind break for this summer. The sun in the summer is so intense, and the wind can be pretty strong. We'll see how this works.

The bed for the sweet potatoes has been covered with a brown mulch to warm up the soil. I've never planted sweet potatoes before but we thought we'd give it a try. There are a couple of stubborn tulips so the mulch went around them. It's always nice to have color in the early garden.

The other new crop we are planting this year is asparagus. I've been reading up on them in our various reference gardening books and so we built this bed which is 18" x 14'. I prepared the soil underneath it last year with organic mulch, covered it with straw, and then when we were filling up the bed, added more organic mulch and fertilizer. All ready for the asparagus crowns coming in the middle of April, except ...

it's too small. When going through the latest Territorial Seed catalog to order some brown and red mulch, I saw this little book entitled "Grow the Best Asparagus." I went ahead and ordered it to have shipped with the mulch thinking it would be nice to have a booklet on asparagus. Glad I did. For $5.00 this little book is a wealth of information. I've ordered 25 crowns for planting this spring, and we aren't ready.

Each asparagus plant needs room for big roots. The roots go six feet deep and spread out about five feet. The "tiny" raised bed I thought would be perfect is an insult to these wonderful plants. This morning after we had our first cups of coffee I announced to David and Susan what I had read the night before. Time to regroup and think this through.

Where to put this bed, and how big.

This little booklet also speaks as to how large these plants will be and how they can block sun from the rest of the garden. "Block" is the operative word here. David and I have been trying to figure out how to block the view of our back neighbor's yard. Perfect.

This morning we laid out where the asparagus bed will go and covered the area with tarps to start killing off the grass. We'll have to rent a rototiller and take it from there. Anyone out there like to run rototillers?

By my poor planning last fall, we have solved two problems because of these asparagus. Blocking the view of the neighbor's yard, and I now have a prepared bed ready for the 30 gladiolas bulbs Leslie gave me. They are perfect for the little tiny asparagus bed.

We're getting ready to head back to Bellevue and reality. This vacation has been just what we both needed. Glad we took a Spring Break.

TTFN

Sue