Knit Christening Blanket

Needed to complete project:  US size #10 needles, 14 to 15 ounces of yarn, and a tapestry needle. Cast on 127 stitches and knit 10 rows garter stitch. Pattern is as follows: Row 1 - Knit 5, * k1, yo, k2 tog, repeat from * across ending with knit 5. Row 2 - Same as row 1. Row 3 - Knit. Row 4 - Knit 5, Purl across, knit last 5 stitches. Continue the last 4 rows for pattern. When you reach desired length end with 10 row of garter stitch. Weave in yarn ends with a tapestry needle. *k1 = knit one stitch  yo = yarn over (adding a stitch)  k2 tog = knit 2 stitches

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows

 Episode: 26 Original air date: August 1, 1965

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Victoria asks David why he attempted to murder Roger and shows him the bleeder valve. The little sociopath attacks her and she locks it in a drawer. She tricks him into leaving her room.  Victoria and David wait each other out on opposite sides of Victoria's door. David tries to run outside, telling Elizabeth "he has to get away." He also accuses Victoria of trying to hurt him. David says that Victoria is going to make up stories about him and even says that Victoria will try to blame him for Roger's accident. David is ejected from the room and tells Victoria Elizabeth won't believe her. David attempts to eavesdrop on Victoria and Elizabeth's conversation, where she recounts the last few minutes of the previous episode. Victoria tells her that she didn't try to hurt David, he tried to hurt her. Victoria tells Elizabeth she was afraid of David. Elizabeth says Burke caused the accident, and doesn't believe Victoria’s story of finding the bleeder valve.

Episode: 27  Original air date: August 2, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift 

Carolyn is happy the 9-year-old psychopath has gone into hiding. Victoria outlines the evidence and states David and the bleeder valve are now missing. While in Bangor, Burke meets Mr. Bronson in Bangor because he doesn't want Bronson near Collinsport. Bronson is apparently going to be a private investagator  for Burke and gives him the financial records from the past 5 years for the Collins Family. Back at Collinwood, Carolyn finds David's magazines with a well-worn page on removing bleeder valves.. Elizabeth can't convince Roger to come find David, who's been missing for 45 minutes. Carolyn talks with Elizabeth and storms off, typical as of late. Burke learns that his hotel room has been searched and a small boy attempted to sneak into his room.

Episode: 28  Original air date: August 3, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Burke confronts the Sheriff and he is furious. David has attempted to break into Burkes, but was stopped by the clerk. Maggie gives David an ice cream sundae, then teaches him how to make one of his own. A pissed off Roger shows up at the diner, but David has slipped away. His new hiding place is in the phone booth. Roger tells Burke he's sending him back to prison. Burke learns Sam and Roger were strangers until Burke came back to town and they had not spoken in 10 years.

Episode: 29  Original air date: August 4, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Elizabeth ridiculously blames Vicki for David's predicament. David shows up at Burke's hotel room and hides the bleeder valve under a cushion. Burke tells David that he, Laura, and Roger were friends before Roger married Laura. David and Burke talk about Roger's hatred and fathers in general. David wishes his father were like Burke. Roger used to fight with his wife about Burke. When David goes to wash up, Burke finds the bleeder valve. David tells Burke he's not what he had expected based on Roger's horror stories. Burke declares friendship with David. Carolyn scolded Elizabeth until she finally  admits she doesn't think Victoria is responsible. Maggie calls Collinwood about David and Roger goes to retrieve his son.  

Episode: 30  Original air date: August 5, 1966

Timeline: 1966

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace   Director: Lela Swift

Roger finally arrived at the diner and completely lacking interest in David's whereabouts. Roger names David and Burke as the two people who dislike him most. Victoria spills the beans about David's murder attempt. Roger disbelieves her. David looks for the bleeder valve in Burke's couch, but he can't find it. Burke takes him back to Collinwood. Burke arrives with David, says he found David walking along the road. Roger takes his son into the next room and tells him that he knows about the bleeder valve. David tries to blame the whole thing on Victoria, but Roger doesn't believe him. Roger asks Victoria to repeat her accusations to David. Burke watches as Roger and Victoria confront David. And then he produces the bleeder valve.

*Dan Curtis Productions, ABC Productions, Dark Shadows Wiki

Mrs. Greenhands - Growing Spourts

Now that winter has a firm grip on the Bluegrass, most gardeners are anxious to start planting indoor seeds to produce seedlings for the winter garden. One indoor gardening activity will help feed your appetite - growing sprouts. It is very easy to grow a variety of sprouts, and it is a fun activity for entire family. It requires no special equipment and you don't need any horticultural experience to do it. There will be quick growth, so you won't lose interest. You can eat sprouts five days after starting the project. 

Equipment:

*A glass jar any size (a bigger jar means more sprouts).
*Cheesecloth to cover the jar opening. (You can also buy a special sprouting jar, but it is not necessary).
*A rubber-band to secure the cheesecloth (it needs to be tight).
*Alfalfa, mung bean, clover or other seeds of your choice. (After you have done this a few times, you'll develop favorites).
*Water (Distilled is best, but tap will do).

Instructions:

Day 1

*Cover the bottom of the glass jar with your seeds for sprouting.
*Cover the seeds with 2-3 inches of water.
*Cover jar with cheesecloth.
*Secure with rubber-band.
*Place jar upright in a dark, cool cupboard.

Day 2

*Drain water from jar. (There is no need to remove the cheesecloth, you can rinse and drain through it.)
*Rinse seeds.
*Drain again. (The seeds should just be damp, not standing in water).
*Place jar back in cool, dark cupboard, only this time on its side (this will allow sprouts to grow evenly).

Days 3&4

*Rinse seeds.
*Drain.
*Place jar back in cool, dark cupboard, on its side.
*Repeat several times daily to discourage fungal growth.

Day 5

*Drain water from jar.
*Rinse sprouts well.
*Harvest sprouts.

Why grow sprouts?

Most people don't realize sprouts are full of protein. They are an easy to grow, plant based protein supplement for vegan and vegetarian diets. They make a delicious fresh addition to salads and sandwiches in winter months. By growing your own sprouts, you can have fresh "garden" produce all year. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Monday Musings - Childhood Shadows

Childhood Shadows

The sun seemed to shine brighter when I was a little girl,
fresh dew covered grass would sparkle with the eastern rays
and a new day would dawn with excitement and daydreams.
Children were free to roam at will
with no fear of snatching or molestation,
and every stay-at-home mom would monitor
all the kids if they gathered in their yards.
Lunchtime would arrive with the rumble of tummies
and we’d fill up on sandwiches and sugar laden Kool-Aid.
Moms would try the old standby of “it’s naptime right now,”
but they’d only be lucky if we rested our eyes
before we dashed for the doors again.
No complaints of “I’m bored” or “there’s nothing to do,”
because children were able to imagine the possibilities of games to play
and exercise a vivid attention to detail.
Dusk would arrive with a flicker of fireflies,
floating on the nighttime air
and each child would dance through the grass
as they tried to catch the lights to fill up Mason jars for one night.
And pleasant dreams would always come as the children nodded off
to the tiny glow of lightening bugs in dreaming childhood shadows.

Wayback Wednesday - The Haunting of Collinwood

Dark Shadows: The Haunting of Collinwood is a DVD compilation of episodes 639 to 694, key scenes from which have been edited together to form a three hour feature.

It focuses on Quentin Collins' possession of David Collins & Amy Jennings. I really liked this DVD. The "Ghost of Quentin Collins" storyline from the show is great. For those casual fans out there who can't swing the entire Dark Shadows DVD Collection, this is a perfect grab for you to see why Dark Shadows was one of the most beloved soap-opera shows on daytime television.

Watching this video took me back to my teen years, running home after school to catch the show. In these episodes, the lighting and music perfectly set the tone for the children's creepy discovery of a skeleton inside a sealed wing of the mansion. David Selby is spookily malevolent as the vengeful Quentin, although he does not speak one word during this DVD. This DVD ends right where Collection 13, Disc 1 of the original series begins. Quentin speaks his first words in episode 701.

The story's obvious parallel to Henry James' classic "Turn of the Screw" does not distract the viewer from the tale. For old fans of the show, it's a trip down memory lane and new viewers will step back in time twice: Once to the world of Collinwood, and once to the late 1960's. Both journeys are an adventure worth taking.

Cast:
Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins
Joan Bennett as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
David Selby as the Ghost of Quentin Collins
Louis Edmonds as Roger Collins
Kathryn Leigh Scott as Maggie Evans
David Henesy as David Collins
Grayson Hall as Julia Hoffman
Thayer David as Professor Stokes
Don Briscoe as Chris Jennings
Denise Nickerson as Amy Jennings
Clarice Blackburn as Mrs. Johnson
Cavada Humphrey as Janet Findley
Terry Crawford as the Ghost of Beth Chavez

Mrs. Greenhands - January planted bulbs

If you are like many gardeners, you have visions of beautiful spring bulbs emerging and blooming as the cold winter starts to lessen its hold. You relish the sight of dainty snowdrops, purple crocus, yellow daffodils, pink hyacinths and multi-colored tulips - a sure sign that spring is on the way. You probably bought dozens of dozens of bulbs this fall with visions of gorgeous blossoms for this spring. But like many gardeners, your visions may have been greater than your time and energy to plant the bulbs.

The first thing you need to do is check over your bulbs to make sure they are still healthy. You don’t want them to be soft or show any signs of damage. Just as with fall planting, you want to make sure your bulbs are firm and healthy.So here you are at the beginning of a New Year with dozens of unplanted spring bulbs and you have many regrets about not getting those expense bulbs into the ground. Is it too late to think about planting these bulbs? Not really – as long as the ground is not frozen and you are able to work the soil, then it is not too late to plant these precious bulbs.

Next is preparing the planting beds. Most bulbs are planted in mass for a more visual display when they bloom. Check your bulb packaging for the appropriate planting depths, but a good rule of thumb is as follows: 5 inches for smaller bulbs like allium, crocus and grape hyacinths; 8 inches for medium bulbs like daffodils; and 12 inches for larger bulbs like tulips.

Pick a warm day in between cold spells and dig your bed to the appropriate depth. Loosen the soil in the bottom of the bed and work in some Bulb Booster or another 8-8-8 fertilizer. Space the bulbs in the bed according to the suggestions on the package. Mix the soil removed from the hole with about half organic matter – like compost – and replace half of it over the bulbs. Water the bulbs thoroughly and then add the remaining soil. Water again and then mulch the entire bed with about 3 inches of shredded leaves, pine straw or other available mulch.

January-planted bulbs will normally bloom later than those planted last fall, but most should flower this year. Even if they do not bloom, they will produce green leaves which will help to nourish the bulb for future years.

Monday Musings - My Angel

My Angel

On windy days, my angel visits me
Blowing a breeze through the silver wind chimes
Reminding me to live my life freely
And not hide away from the rest of the world

On windy days, my angel visits me
Bringing me serenity with each gentle sway
Reminding to live in the present
And keep the past in the past

On windy days, my angel visits me
Whispering secrets with each little chime
Reminding me she is always near
Even though far from my sight she'll be

One-sided Conversation

ONE-SIDED CONVERSATION

“Uh, huh, yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“No, I haven’t seen it yet – really? Oh, I can’t wait!”

“No, uh, uh! No way I’m going if that heifer’s going to be there.”

“Because …”

“No, because she drives me crazy.”

“It’s not funny, Linda. No, I think that red dye job has soaked into her brain and rotted the gray matter!”

“It’s true – no, I think she’s very intelligent.”

“Yes, she is – she has to be smart to be able to down that job at the law office.

“Well, let me finish – I said she’s smart, but she just doesn’t have any common sense.”

“Haha – no, seriously, I don’t think she has enough sense to come in out of the rain.”

“Well, true … she probably would melt in the rain.”

“Oh, you are so bad! No, you are, you’re evil!”

“Yeah, I know – but how could someone smart enough to be a paralegal actually think it’s okay to be dating 3 different guys at the same time?”

“Well, she’s got more energy than me, that’s for sure.”

“Well, what’s going to happen when she goes into the Old Bull Tavern with Bill and she finds Joe Bob at the bar?”

“Yeah, that’s what I mean – the fur will fly!”

“Or, maybe she’ll be eating with Kenny at the Food Affair and Bill walks in with his buddies.”

“No, I don’t care who she dates, I just think it’s wrong for her to sneak behind their backs. Those guys need to know they’re in competition with each other.”

“Oh, I know, that’s why I don’t want to go if she’s there. I can’t stand to her complaining about her love triangle – or I guess it would be a love square since there are four of them.”

“No, I can’t stand to hear one more story. No, I’ll go with you, but if she’s there I’m leaving. Oh, Linda, I’ve gotta go – that hubby on the other line. Talk at ya later. Bye!”

Wayback Wednesday - Dark Shadows Episodes 26-30

Now everyone knows David tried to kill his father, so what is a Collins supposed to do? Like everything else, it will be sweep under the rug and added to the burden of mysteries in Collinwood.

Episode: 26 Original Air Date:  August 1, 1966

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace / Director: Lela Swift

Victoria asks David why he attempted to murder Roger and shows him the bleeder valve. The little sociopath attacks her and she locks it in a drawer. She tricks him into leaving her room. Roger confronts the Sheriff; Victoria and David wait each other out on opposite sides of Victoria's door. Roger continues to confront the Sheriff and implies that the Sheriff is afraid of the now-rich Burke. He also implies he'll use the Collins influence to take Carter's job. Roger wants a search of Burke's room; Carter says only a psycho would keep the bleeder valve; David tries to run outside, telling Elizabeth "he has to get away." He also accuses Victoria of trying to hurt him. David says that Victoria is going to make up stories about him and even says that Victoria will try to blame him for Roger's accident. David is ejected from the room and tells Victoria Elizabeth won't believe her. Carter has obtained his Search Warrant but hasn't finished his sandwich. Roger attempts to join Carter on the search, and that's where Jonas finally draws the line. David attempts to eavesdrop on Victoria and Elizabeth's conversation, where she recounts the last few minutes of the previous episode. Victoria tells her that she didn't try to hurt David, he tried to hurt her. Victoria tells Elizabeth she was afraid of David. Elizabeth says Burke caused the accident, and doesn't believe Victoria’s story of finding the bleeder valve.

Episode: 27 Original Air Date: August 2, 1966

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace / Director: Lela Swift

Carolyn's glad that the 9-year-old Monster has gone into hiding. Victoria flat out says David attempted to commit murder. Carolyn recounts her experience with Burke and puts two and two together. Victoria outlines the evidence and states that the Monster and the bleeder valve are now missing. She states that the walls of Collinwood should be padded, not paneled. They begin a search. Burke meets Mr. Bronson in Bangor because he doesn't want Bronson near Collinsport. Bronson is apparently going to act as some sort of cover operative for Burke and gives him the financial records from the past 5 years for the Collins Family. Carolyn heads toward her room; Victoria hears something scurrying about in the West Wing and recounts an earlier experience (14). Turns out Elizabeth was in the West Wing. Elizabeth interrogates Victoria and explains away the earlier mysterious encounter. Turns out there are at least two keys that could have opened the drawer. Carolyn finds David's magazines with a well-worn page on disassembling brake cylinders. Burke wants more shadow games from Bronson. Elizabeth can't convince Roger to come find David, who's been missing for 45 minutes. Carolyn talks with Elizabeth and storms off. Burke learns that his hotel room has been searched and a small boy attempted to sneak into his room.

Episode: 28 Original Air Date: August 3, 1966

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace / Director: Lela Swift

Burke confronts the Sheriff. Maggie gives David a dessert. Burke is furious, the Sheriff is smug. David learns how to make a dessert and Maggie asks him about his attempted burglary. A peeved Roger shows up and leaves after David vanishes. Maggie asks Roger about Sam. Roger tells Burke he's sending him back to prison. Burke learns Sam and Roger were strangers until Burke came back to town. The last time they'd spoken was 10 years ago. Carter tells Roger that Burke is clean and legal, but had the Collins family investigated two weeks before he arrived. David had been hiding in the phone booth.

Episode: 29 Original Air Date: August 4, 1966

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace / Director: John Sedwick

Elizabeth idiotically blames Vicki for David's predicament. David shows up at Burke's hotel room. David plants the bleeder valve. Burke tells David that he, Laura, and Roger were friends before Roger married Laura. David tells Burke he's not what he had expected based on Roger's horror stories. Burke declares friendship with David. Carolyn, Victoria's confidante, scolds Elizabeth. Carolyn says she's dreamed of killing her father, who left Elizabeth before Carolyn was born. Elizabeth admits she doesn't think Victoria did it. Maggie calls about David. Elizabeth dispatches Carolyn with the car to search. David and Burke talk about Roger's hatred and fathers in general. David wishes his father were like Burke. Roger used to fight with his wife about Burke. David goes to wash up and Burke finds the bleeder valve.

Episode: 30 Original Air Date: August 5, 1966

Timeline: 1967

Narrator: Alexandra Moltke

Writer: Art Wallace / Director: John Sedwick

Victoria sees a cloaked and ephemeral figure. Roger has arrived but is completely lacking interest in David's whereabouts. Roger names David and Burke as the two people who dislike him most. Victoria spills the beans about David's murder attempt. Roger disbelieves her. David looks for the bleeder valve in Burke's couch, but he can't find it. Burke takes him back to Collinwood. Burke arrives with David, says he found David wandering about 15 minutes ago.

Roger takes his son into the next room and tells him that he knows about the bleeder valve. David tries to blame the whole thing on Victoria. Roger doesn't believe him and flatly tells him so. Meanwhile, Burke advises Victoria to leave again, just as Roger asks Victoria to repeat her accusations to David.

Burke watches as Roger and Victoria confront David. Burke produces the bleeder valve.

*All photos are copyright of Dan Curtis Productions, ABC Productions, and Dark Shadows Wiki.

Mrs. Greenhands - Unusual gardening ideas

During this time of year, especially this year with its mild temperatures, many thoughts turn to garden. Now is the time to start planning what your garden will be for the coming growing season. 

You are probably receiving all types ofgardening and seed catalogs in the meal and your visions are full of all the gardening possibilities.

This year, maybe think more about container gardening. Container gardening gives you some advantages over regular gardening:

1. Contains warm sooner than the ground soil, so you are able to plant some crops sooner.
2. You can place containers where you like them in the garden.
3. Containers are easier to water and maintain than regular garden bed.

There are many things that can be used as a container for gardening: wheelbarrows, old buckets, and old cooking pots, anything that will hold soil can potentially be used to garden with.

One of my favorite items to use in gardening is used tires – either car or tractor tires. They can be used for all types of gardening, or as compost heaps. Place them in the garden, fill with good garden soil and presto, you have an instant garden.

This year I found the pictured flower garden and I have plans to make this for my coming gardens. It is basically several car tires painted different colors and stacked in varying order. When the tires are in the shape you want them, fill with garden soil and plant. Instant beauty and an easy way to have color all through the growing season.