Pictures of seed sprouting

Things are really gearing up for spring in our house. Here are some pics to share my seed sprouting progress.
Coleus Showing Good Color
Peppers and Tomatoes with Sunflowers in the background.


Sunflowers in the background the day after sprouting.

Small Gourds
Ill-fated Sugar Snap Peas


Lettuce-We ate it today.














Sunflowers in the Background the day after sprouting.













Dill's Atlantic Gian Pumpkin sprouting.

Yahoo! Groups Crochet Junkie

I am a bit of a Yahoo! Groups Junkie. I have to plug a few Crochet related Yahoo! Groups here:

crochetalong A wonderful Group that puts out mystery patterns every so often. What a blast!

CrochetTalk General Crochet info and chat. Good help and interesting people.

hugsfromtheheart A group that makes hug-ghans for people. This really got me rolling back into crocheting.

Scrapghan_Friends A small, new group with only 8 members. We swap scrap squares and occasionally yarn.

swapaholic_crocheters Another small, new group doing various swaps. I have participated yet, but once I get my BackYardChicken swap done, I will be joining up.

Plant Lights

Yesterday Alejandro and I put up the plant lights on the seed shelf. The coleus is starting to get some spots of color. Mrs. Iris is up to her old tricks in throwing garbage into my yard. *sigh* When I get old I hope I do not turn evil.

Recent Crochet Projects

My first potholder for the Yahoo! Group Crochet Along.


My very first 'Fridgie' from the Yahoo! Group Crochet Along



My very first square for the Yahoo! Group Hugs from the Heart.

Still here...just fatigued!

It has been such a long time since I last posted. I have been tired and suffering from the blahs. The weather has been very nice this week and I spent some time in the hammock crocheting a potholder. It is almost done except I ran out of yarn. It is for me, so I might just finish it with some other color. It will look goofy and probably bother me, but I only have 1.5 rounds left on the back half and the sewing of the two halves together. It is so beautiful I hate to do that.

I am still working on squares for the Yahoo! Group 'Hugs from the Heart'. I have one done and am working on another. I make it my Sabbath project since it is a donation type item. I have some joy back in my life because of crocheting again!

We have been visiting a new library and I really am enjoying it while our local library is closed for renovations. I am reading an excellent couple of books, a nonfiction book about the great flu outbreak and a fiction novel about an old man who was once part of a train circus.

It is late and grades are due tomorrow.

Tired!

Today I cleaned house really well. I got everything done except for mopping the bathroom and finishing the laundry. I have whites and towels to go. I still need to grade papers for tomorrow.

My son and I went out and broke up some ground for his Dill's Atlantic Giant pumpkin we will plant in April. I have been throwing all of our kitchen scraps out there and we worked them in good. I am sore.

I made a decision on the chicken order: Cackle hatchery, 5 of each (min order) Buff Orpingtons, Salmon Faverolles, Ameraucanas, blue Silkies. I hope to split/sell extra chicks to someone. I only need two of each.

Praise God!

Happy Sabbath!

I usually refrain from using my computer on the Sabbath, but this bears posting.

My son and I didn't think we would make it home last night. A belt on the truck has been squealing and it got worse yesterday in the rain. The heater stopped working on Thursday. Then, on the way home last night, the squeal turned into a screech. It got really, really bad. Then the truck started smelling like something was burning. I started getting worried and began praying.

I called my husband on my dieing cell phone and he said to try and make it home since it would be 3 hours before he could come get us and it was dark, cold, and foggy. Son started praying. Oil pressure began to drop and the truck started overheating. Son kept on praying.

Then the screeching stopped. I took that as a good sign, but no, the belt broke. The alternator stopped working and the battery drained down. Now we were in serious trouble and 10 minutes from home. I turned on the blinkers and kept going down the straight highway. Son prayed harder.

We got to our exit and, to my horror, I had lost power steering and power braking. I barely got stopped and scrapped the guardrail making the left turn with a line of people honking their horns and riding my bumper (stupid people, why did they think I had my blinkers on for?). The light at the end of the road was green and I went straight across anticipating an angled right turn into our road. I made it fine with a little muscle power.

Then I tried to turn into our driveway and had completely lost all steering and braking! I slid into the front yard (which is 6 feet deep), barely missing the first cedar tree and slammed on the emergency brake. I came to a stop narrowly avoiding the porch, the second tree, and the boxwood bushes. Son got out of the truck and thanked God that I hadn't killed us both.

Husband looked at the truck when he got home. The belt is hanging out the bottom, there are no fluids left in the truck (we just checked them last week, so we know they we full), and the engine was still smoking. Only God's grace kept us from being killed.

Maybe I just found a good basis for my sermon talk in May?

Rain, Rain, Go Away-NOT!

With the severe drought conditions we have been having here in the SouthEast, it is pleasant to wake up to (and sleep to) the sound of rain. Around an inch is expected today and 1/2 inch could have fallen last night.

Everybody I talk to is worried about rising prices on everything. Six years ago a particular brand of bread was $0.79. Today is is $2.74. Now, I know six years is a long time, but almost $2 is a big increase, especially since it has happened in the last two years. I used to spend $50 a week on groceries, I now spend $100 a week and we barely have enough to eat. Breakfast and lunch are covered good, but supper is skimpy at best. This just cements our decision to find a rural place where we can keep enough chickens and maybe raise a cow and/or goat. If it wasn't for my faith, I would be in the depths of dispair.

I made the cutest seed packets yesterday for trading seeds. I found them on another blog, but I am waiting for permission to post that site.

My internet is down and the customer service department does NOT live up to its name. I suppose they think I can take a day off work to wait for a repairman to come from 8-5. Can they not be a little more specific? I wish I had another choice besides MediaCom for high speed internet. I would take it. Everytime it rains, we lose internet. I bet I have a million e-mails in my inbox.

Lunar Eclipse

Wow, if you missed the lunar eclipse, you missed a treat. I did not see the actual total eclipse, but I did see some of the moon at about 10:30. It has been cloudy here, but they parted for me to glimpse a spectacular red moon. I was in awe and still am.

Wintersown Seed List

Here is the promised list of WinterSown.org seeds:

1. Northeastern Wildflowers
2. Hackberry
3. Poppy
4. Rose Campion
5. Hollyhock
6. Morning Glory
7. Sungold Casaba Melon
8. Amaranthus Duo
9. Blackberry Lily
10. Starpit Imperial

I noticed two of the sweet pepper mix seeds I bought from Wal-Mart are up.

I sent nine Heatwave seeds to a man in Nevada in exchange for coneflowers and more morning glories (my fav. flower!).

Yesterday I organized my seed bag. I took a plastic shoe box, cut index cards into dividers and labeled them. It makes a big difference in being able to see what I have.

Here is a list of what I currently have (there is no way I can plant all of this):

1. Amaranthus Duo (green and Maroon)
2. Red Rubin Basil
3. Mammoth Basil-2 packs
4. Bush Spicy Globe Basil
5. Genovese Basil
6. Blue Lake Bush 274 Beans
7. Chives
8. Cilantro
9. Little Finger Carrots-2 packs
   
10. Celery
11. Rose Campion Blend (White, cerise, and two-tone flowers)
12. Coleus-2 packs
13. Cactus Mixed Varieties
14. Spacemaster Cuke
15. Pearl Hybrid Cuke
16. Eureka Hybrid Cuke
17. Rosa Bianca Eggplant
18. 4-O'Clock Marbles
19. Dishrag Luffa Gourd
20. Ornamental Gourd Mix
21. Hackberry
22. Hollyhock Blend
23. Impatiens Mosaic Hybrid Mix-all planted
24. Blackberry Lily
25. Mesclun Gourmet Greens mix
26. Mesclun Sweet Salad Mix
27. Mesclun Heatwave Mix
28. Monkey Flower Magic Blotch Mix-all planted
29. Sungold Casaba Melon
30. Moon Flower-Giant White
    
31. Mixed Morning Glory
32. Carnevale Di Venezia-I have been looking for this one for YEARS
33. Morning Glory Heavenly Blue
34. Morning Glory Flying Saucers
35. Morning Glory Blue Star
36. Morning Glory Pink Star
37. Marigold-Petite, Mixed
    
38. Parade Onion
39. Oregano
40. Oregano Mediterranean
41. Yellow Wax Hot peppers
42. Cubanelle Pepper
43. Sweet Long Mix-Corno di Toro and Sweet Banana
44. Anaheim-2 packs
45. Carmen Pepper
46. Sweet Mix Bell-planted
47. Poblano
48. Yellow Monster
49. Chiltepin
50. Cayenne
51. Habanero
52. Muscato
    
53. Poppy Blend
54. Petunia Hybrid Celebrity Mix
    
55. Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
56. White Sparkler Tip Radish
57. Evening Scented Stock
58. Stock Sugar and Spice Mix
59. Mammoth Sunflower
60. Succulents Rare Mix
61. Sage
62. Heatwave Tomato
63. Viva Italia Hybrid Tomato
64. Ladybug Hybrid Tomato
65. Red Cherry, large fruited
66. La Rossa Hybrid Tomato
67. Black Cherry Tomatoes
68. Starpit Imperial Tomatoes
69. Yellow Grape Tomato
70. Yellow Currant Tomato
71. Red Currant Tomato
72. Annual Cut Flower Mix

Free Seeds

Here is a list of websites that offer free seeds for a SASE (unless otherwise noted).
I guarantee nothing by posting these. I haven't received seeds from any except where noted. Feedback on them would be appreciated.

Plant a row for the hungry:
http://www.humeseeds.com/free1.htm

Celestial Seasonings Herbal Expedition (sold out)
http://www.herbalexpedition.com/kit/

America The Beautiful
http://www.america-the-beautiful.org/free_seeds/index.php

WinterSown-These came today-I will post tomorrow the contents
http://wintersown.org/wseo1/Free_Seeds.html

Biblical Gardens
http://biblicalgardens.org/store_index.htm

Tomato Bob
http://www.tomatobob.com/Free%20Seeds%20For%20Schools.htm

Burt's Bees (sold out)
http://www.burtsbees.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SeedUserInfo?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&langId=

Live Monarch
http://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm

Morning Glory Seeds for S&H
http://members.aol.com/sighburtek/freeseeds.html

Tomato Seeds for $1
http://www.njtomato.com/seeds.html

Tomato Seeds with a religious mailing
http://www.biblicalstewardship.com/FreeSeeds.htm

4-O'Clocks for cancer survivors/memorials-Came on 3/10 partially crushed by the postman.
http://www.symbolofhope.com/English_Free_Fouroclock_Seeds.htm

Free Seeds from National Garden Bureau-Sold Out
http://www.ngb.org/free/

Free Conifer Seeds
http://www.treedazzled.com/treedazzled/freeSeeds.html

Free Flower Seeds
http://www.freeflowerseed.com/

Monkey Flower is up!

Much to our surprise on Friday I noticed the Monkey Flower had sprouted! Son and I did a little jig through the living room. We also have Spicy Globe and Genovese Basil up. The first Mammoth Basil poked its head out today. The oregano is up. I must have dropped 50 seeds in one cell. Cilantro came up and I am trying to figure out why I only planted 3 plants. We go through much more. Scallions are going well too. I just checked and found the Mosaic Impatiens are starting to sprout. The rain keeps washing away the soil from on top of the snap peas and I keep replanting them. They are starting to sprout, but I am afraid it will be too late to harvest. Nothing yet on the Petunias or peppers.

I hung clothes out today even though it was cloudy. I figure even a few minutes less of the dryer is good. I still have to take them in and I better hurry. It will be dark soon.

I talked to my mom this week and she is putting in a garden too. She is the one who taught me to garden, love birds, and God.

I crocheted today for the first time since the incident with the student that resulted in my injury. I joined a Yahoo! Group called CrochetAlong. I made last month's butterfly fridgie. It is so cute. I wish I had a camera right now to show you a picture. I started edging a fleece baby blanket too. My arm hurts so bad I can hardly type.

I can't wait for Homesteadingtoday.com to come back up. I really enjoy reading the posts there. My other two favorite forums are backyardchickens.com and theasygardenforum.com.

Red Rubin is up

I checked the seed flats today and the Red Rubin Basil is up. I was surprised to see it is purple from the beginning! I can't wait to taste it. I sent some other basil seeds to a lady in Ohio today. I really enjoy swapping seeds. Spicy globe basil and mammoth basil are poking their heads through today too. The scallions are all starting to peek. I planted cactus seeds with my son.

I talked to my grandfather about cleome via e-mail. It is one of his favorite plants. I am excited to grow it this year and have that connection with him.

Last night I joined a soapmaking forum and a homesteading forum. I hope to get some useful information from them that I can use.

Seed Starting

DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR GARDENING SAGA

I bought a white plastic shelf system at Lowe's Hardware for under $20 and have my seed starting well underway. I do not have the light system up yet! I looked at shop lights--too big. I have some clip on lights in my classroom somewhere. I am going to try those first before spending anymore money.

I planted Coleus seeds from Wal-Mart weekend before last and it is all up. No pigments yet on the leaves. They are so cute.

I planted herbs: cilantro, chives, Genovese basil, Bush Spicy Globe Basil, Oregano, Mammoth Basil, Broad Leaf Sage, Mediterranean Oregano, and Red Rubin Basil from Lowe's (mostly from '06) last weekend and the Mediterranean oregano is up. It grew three inches overnight. Nothing else is up. The same flat has Parade Onions from Lowe's, last year, in it. I can't wait to try the Red Rubin Basil.

Peppers seeds (Carmen from Park's, Anaheim from Lowe's last year, Bull's Horn and Sweet Banana from Wal-Mart) are in, along with Rosa Bianca Eggplant from Park's, Magic Blotch monkey flowers from Parks, Celebrity Mix petunias from Park's, and Mosaic Hybrid impatiens from Park's.

Soon as the peppers sprout, I will add tomatoes to the same flat. I have lettuce and snap peas outside. The lettuce is in pots and the peas are around the clothes line. Hopefully Ms. Iris will refrain from destroying my peas this time. I suppose I could start some radish too. I have about 100 packs of Sparkler White Tip I bought for a lab. I never did do it and now they are sitting in my classroom.

At the greenhouse at school I started some bell peppers to give away. They didn't grow well in containers last summer. I think the assistant principal will take them.