Sprout It!

Homesteading - the resurgence of self-sufficiency - has really gained momentum in recent years. Some take it to extremes and it becomes "survivalism" (see: Doomsday Preppers), but for many, it's simply a back-to-basics way to reclaim the skills of our past. This becomes more and more appealing as we face a future that's so completely immersed in and dependant upon technology. There's something very comforting about the authenticity of gardening, canning, and making your own whatever. In one of my previous posts, I waxed jealous about all the cool crafting ideas that come from this movement.

Amazon has this new thing they do called "add-on items" where, at the time of checkout, they serve up a few, inexpensive things tangetially related to what you're purchasing. They are, essentially, impulse buys. The incentive is that you get free, two-day shipping. Of course, this isn't an incentive to those of us who already have Amazon Prime but it's still kind of fun to be offered these little by-the-cash-register items.

So, when I bought a couple of homesteading-related books recently, imagine my delight when I was served up an Amazon Add-On of a "sprout lid" for wide-mouthed Mason jars. For only $2?! Count me in!

Here's the deal with me and sprouts... I LOVE alfalfa sprouts. I could put them on everything. However, I rarely finish an entire container of store-bought sprouts before they go bad. And, as we all know, Alex hates wasting food. So the idea of sprouting at home has always been appealing.

I thought I'd buy some seeds locally but never got around to it and then, one night, I just pulled the trigger and bought them, online through Amazon, from the same people, The Sprout House, who brought me my lid. For $15 I got enough alfalfa seeds to last me for a really, really long time.

Thus began the sprouting adventure.

Holy cats. If I'd known it was this easy, I never, ever would have bought them from the store! Here, in pics, is how I went from seeds to edible sprouts in three days:

Step 1: Put seeds in jar. I used two tablespoons.

Step 2: Soak in water for 8-10 hours.

Step 3: Drain all water.

You'll notice that the seeds are sticking to the sides of the jar. I read online that this was a good thing to do - swirl them up and allow them to stick. It helps to keep them from sitting in any leftover water in the jar (which will rot the seeds). My friend, SSAF, recommended tilting the jar upside down (sorry I didn't get a pic of that) to ensure that any leftover water would drain out. So, I just propped it up against the backsplash of the counter and put a folded paper towel under the jar. Don't put the jar fully upside down or you'll trap the moist air in the jar. Tilt it.


12 hours in. They're growing!!!

After the initial soak/drain, you must rinse and drain the seeds twice a day. I did as part of my morning routine and just before I started cooking dinner.

And this is what happened after just three days: 

Approximately 1 C of edible sprouts

A small amount of unsprouted seeds.

One thing I learned was that not all the seeds will sprout at the same time, that's why you end up with a few unsprouted or only partially sprouted when most are ready to eat. I haven't quite figured out what my next move is... Do I keep the sprouts in the jar and refridgerate the whole thing? Do I remove them from the jar and put them in some other container (this would allow me to keep rinsing the unsprouted seeds...)  I'll keep working on it and, hopefully, become a master sprouter. Frankly, it's so easy, I'm starting to think that I need to buys some additional, different seeds soon... Maybe something spicey.

Oh! If you don't want to buy the little plastic lid, you can use a double layer of cheesecloth under a Mason jar ring.   :)

Cassandra asked me what the nutritional value was of sprouts. I had no idea because I don't usually care when the item is a salad ingredient. But I thought I'd look it up and let you know. So, basically, not a lot. 5% of the USDA daily allowance of Vitamin C, some Vitamin A, a little Calcium and Iron. However, I did find this amazing nutritional site, Self Nutrition Data.

Sprout it!! (maybe that's the next Portlandia skit).

- Alex

It's coming soon...really, I mean it!

OMG, has it been that long? The first time you heard us mention that we were going to have a knitting pattern featured in the upcoming What (Else) Would Madame DeFarge Knit? book, it was November of 2011. But it's finally coming soon. Honest. The publisher has had some setbacks on the production of this project but is now back on track. We've seen proofs of our pages and given final approval. Now, it's just a matter of a little more time.

Where you been Madame DeFarge?

Mum's the word on our pattern's theme, but we can share with you that is a baby's layette. A fancy, frilly, old-fashion sweater, bonnet, and mittens set. We can't wait to see babies around the world snug in our knitted creation.

This baby is dying to wear our layette set.

We have been encouraged by the publisher to to host a knit-a-long (KAL) and maybe teach a class on our project at a local yarn shop (LYS). Things are going to be happening, and we will keep you posted on the latest. We are so excited!

–Cassandra

P.S. - And, if you're so inclined...here is a link to the book preorder!

Friday Finds: MeTV

As many of you know, I can get a bit obsessive about all things TV. You may remember my love of As Seen on TV products and my Tivos (yes, multiple boxes). However, nothing has captured my imagination quite as thoroughly as MeTV.

MeTV is, well... It's easier for me to just quote the "about" page on their website:

Me-TV (Memorable Entertainment Television) has been entertaining viewers in Chicago since January 2005 and in Milwaukee since 2008. The classic TV format was created to present a wide variety of the iconic series, stars and genres that have defined pop culture and television for decades. On December 15, 2010, Weigel Broadcasting Co. announced the launch of Me-TV as a national network.

Me-TV features a wide range of classic television programming, some of the best programming written for television, that audiences and advertisers find comfortable and engaging. Its library includes series from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution and CBS Television Distribution as well as independent series owners and producers. Some of the comedies on Me-TV are: M*A*S*H, Cheers, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Love Lucy and The Bob Newhart Show. Dramas on the network include: Perry Mason, The Untouchables, The Big Valley, the original Star Trek and the original Hawaii Five-O series.

In total, the Me-TV Network premiered with approximately 50 series under long-term license agreements. This allows for the type of seasonal and thematic program stunts and schedule changes which have defined Me-TV as the destination for true, classic television presented with respect for the programs and viewers.

So, basically, it's all the shows that I watched as a kid - whether in re-runs (Perry Mason, The Rifleman) or in "real-time" (The Brady Bunch, Hawaii Five-O). I mean, when it comes right down to it, there are only a few series that they broadcast (mostly from the 1950's and mostly Westerns) that I have no memory of.

Hubba-hubba!

I've been OD-ing on Perry Mason and Kojak (on whom I still harbor a ridiculous crush). I love catching episodes of I Love Lucy and The Bob Newhart Show. And, on a cold Saturday afternoon, there's nothing better than a dose of Gunsmoke, The Big Valley, and Bonanza.

Most Intense.Family.Ever.

Beyond nostalgia, these shows were actually pretty good. Most of the stories are compelling and fairly well written - although after many years of watching increasingly detailed procedural dramas I'm appalled when Perry Mason withholds or tampers with evidence.

Dude! Don't handle the murder weapon that way! Where's your evidence bag??

Here's the funniest part of the story... I've been waiting YEARS for ATT U-Verse to be available at my address and have been chomping at the bit to ditch my cable subscription. I found out a few weeks ago I could finally get it - but here's the rub... they don't carry MeTV. I'm keeping my cable for now.

- Alex the Obsessed. (click here to see if MeTV is available in your area)

Cinnamon Rolls

Yeast has scared me for years. Seriously.

My Grandma is a whiz with dough. Kneading, rising, stretching. She makes it all look so easy. I've watched her work it effortlessly for years. So I knew it was in my blood to work this mystical enzyme...I needed put on my big girl pants.

My first real "from scratch" dough attempt took the form of cinnamon rolls. They turned out perfectly. Go me!

My dough rising!

I rolled the dough out on floured canvas, just like Grandma does.

Ready for the oven!

I was inspired by a recipe from America's Test Kitchen. Man those folks know their way around a recipe. I followed it exactly and my cinnamon rolls turned out more delicious than even a Cinnabon. And I will never buy a tube of cinnamon rolls again.

mmmmmmmmmmmm

–Cassandra

Here is the recipe exactly as it is on the America's Test Kitchen website:

Makes 12 rolls
These soft rolls bake into each other, but can be pulled apart easily before serving or at the table.

DOUGH
¾ cup buttermilk, warm (110 degrees)
6 tablespoons (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 large eggs
4¼ cups (21¼ ounces) all-purpose flour
¼ cup (1¾ ounces) sugar
1 envelope (2¼ teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast
1¼ teaspoons salt
ROLLS
¾ cup packed (5¼ ounces) light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled

GLAZE
1½ cups (6 ounces) confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons buttermilk or milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract


1. For the Dough: Whisk the buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs together in a large liquid measuring cup. Combine 4 cups of the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt together in a standing mixer fitted with the dough hook. With the mixer on low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes.

2. Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. If after 5 minutes more flour is needed, add the remaining ¼ cup flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough clears the side of the bowl but sticks to the bottom.

3. Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, 2 to 2½ hours.

4. For the Rolls: Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together in a small bowl. Following the photos, turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured counter and press it into a 16 by 12-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with the melted butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over it, leaving a ¾-inch border along the top edge. Press on the filling to adhere it to the dough.

5. Loosen the dough from the counter using a bench scraper (or metal spatula), and roll the dough into a tight log. Pinch the seam closed and roll the log seam side down. Gently stretch the log to be 18 inches in length with an even diameter and pat the ends to even them.

6. Slice the cylinder into 12 evenly sized rolls (about 1½ inches wide) using a serrated knife. Arrange the rolls cut side down in the prepared baking pan and wrap tightly with greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until the rolls have nearly doubled in size and are pressed against one another, 1 to 1½ hours.

7. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the rolls until golden and puffed, 25 to 30 minutes.

8. For the Glaze: Flip the rolls out onto a wire rack set over a sheet of parchment paper (for easy cleanup) and let cool for 5 minutes. Whisk the confectioners’ sugar, softened cream cheese, buttermilk, and vanilla together in a medium bowl until smooth. Flip the rolls upright, drizzle with the glaze, and serve.

To Make Ahead: In step 6, do not let the rolls rise, but refrigerate them overnight or up to 16 hours. Let the rolls sit at room temperature until they have nearly doubled in size, about 1 hour, then bake as directed.

Rainy Day Crafts

Pinterest has opened up a whole new world of crafting for people. Just get lost in the vortex for an hour or so and the next thing you know, your project list will be a mile long. This is true for recipes too, make no mistake.

Company Y has a space they use for community events, the most popular and well-attended of which are "Pinterest Parties". These get-togethers invite you (and often your kids) to come and make some awesome crafty thing that was discovered on Pinterest. The next one scheduled is a Make Your Own Kaliedascope day. I'll probably be going - for work, of course.

Last weekend, two friends of mine got together and had a crafty afternoon. I fell in love with both of the projects they did and immediately put them on my list of rainy day crafts. When I started questioning their techniques, I discovered that both the projects had been discovered on Pinterest. Go figure! :)

So, I asked permission to "steal" their idea and post them here. Of course, since they "stole" the ideas from Pinterest, they were perfectly fine with me sharing them with the world.

Item #1: Fun with bleach pens

Clorox makes these awesome little pens full of bleach which are meant, ostensibly, to allow you to clean and disinfect grout and other small spaces. But put it in a crafters hand and suddenly it becomes the magic wand of design.

My friend used a Pinterest tutorial to awesome effect when she did a "protest" t-shirt using this craft.

1. Size your text, pick a font, and print out
2. Tape it down on freezer paper the way you want it to appear on the shirt
3. Cut out the stencil with an Xacto-knife
4. Lay on shirt where you want the design to be
5. Put cardboard inside shirt underneath stencil
6. Fill in stencil with bleach pen
7. Let sit for 10-30 minutes
8. Rinse, wash, and dry

  The finished project = AWESOME

Item #2: "Paint" Your Own Mug

According to my friend's tweet, this is how it's done: "Mug. Sharpie. Draw. Bake at 400 for an hour. Done."

So, I made her tell me more and this is what I learned:

1. Any permanent Sharpie, any color
2. Hand wash (unless you want to experiment and maybe have to re-do the drawing)
3. Find an image you like, scale it to the right size (using your computer), print it, and then cut it out to make a stencil.  I learned this after I commented on how perfect her State of Wisconsin drawing was. LOL
4. Of course, the heart is free-hand.
5. Any "bleeding" of the ink can be cleaned up with a Q-Tip and some nail polish remover BEFORE you bake it.

I don't know if I can explain how much I'm drawn #rimshot to doing this. I'm so sick of my current dinnerware that I'm inspired to make myself a whole new set! Of course, finding the time and the right design might prove impossible. Maybe I'll just stick to doing a mug or two. :)  Most of the Pinterest versions of this I found advocated for a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes and then let the mug sit in the oven to cool. I'm not sure it makes that much of a difference but I'm sure there will be testing in my future. :)

Hope you enjoy these Pinterest (and friend) finds. I think they're perfect, easy to do, rainy day crafts. I can't wait until I have a free day to work on a few for myself.

- Alex

UPDATE #1: Back to Basics (Free Hat Pattern)

Update #1: So, I finished the pattern and there were a few issues with the final product. For one, it was WAY too shallow for my head. It fit the bill in terms of being big enough to fit over my hair without making marks in my "do", but it only covered half my ears. This is fine if my hair is down because my hair insulates my ears but, really, I want a hat the fits properly and does its job. Secondly, I wrote in a severe decrease at the end because I wanted the hat to have sort of a "flat" top (like a mushroom almost). I got the desired effect but the super-fast decrease ended up leaving a lot of "holes" in the top - almost as if I'd intentionally made eyelet. I used a loooooong tail of yarn to sew all the holes closed which was, as you can imagine, really tedious and frustrating.

So, I'm working on version 2 right now. I've increased the cuff at the start to 2 full inches (actually, it may be more - I need to measure) and I'm adding some buffer rows in the decrease at the top. If these fixes work, I'll be updated the pattern below. If they don't, I'll be making another one until I get it right. I'm nothing if not tenacious. LOL

We talk a lot about being distracted here - of being waylaid by shiny objects and the constant need to do something different. It's the basis of who we are. It's our shared trait that gave us our name.

Unfortunately, for me, the same trait that makes me want to try everything and be challenged is also the one that also makes me, occasionally, "burn out". Reading is a regular victim. At my reading peak, I belonged to three book clubs. Most of the time I can keep up pretty well with the responsibilities of one club plus some additional reading that's just for fun. But, every now and then, I just stop. I don't read anything accept online articles (blog post length - not NY Times length) and the backs of cereal boxes. These reading droughts can last months, or weeks. Regardless of their length, they are painful dry spells where I can't muster any interest in reading at all. As a matter of fact, when I'm in one of these lulls, I can't even imagine caring about reading ever again. And then, one day, I pick up a book and I'm back.

A visual representation of my craft drought

Since Cassandra and I began crafting in earnest, I've had a couple of small knitting droughts. Nothing major really - until recently. In case you haven't noticed, most of my posts lately have been about everything BUT knitting and/or crafting in general. The good news is, I picked up my stick again this past weekend and designed a little hat so it looks like the dry spell may be over.

It's no secret that I love designing. I'm not a huge fan of making the same thing twice but coming up with an idea and capturing the instructions in such  a way so that others can make it too is incredibly satisfying. Even when I was a beginner knitter, I would often go "off book" and try varying the pattern I was working. Now, with "easy" projects like hats, scarves, mittens, etc. I usually just look at a variety of patterns, try to find the commonalities in the creation of the item, and then put the common elements together with the stitch patterns, finishes, decorations, etc. that I know or can dig up from design books.

So, this is a really easy pattern. I had a random skein of Cascade 220 in my stash and a need for a hat that was the right shape to wear without leaving at marks on my stylish hairdo. You've seen this style of hat - all the hipster boys wear them.  If I were 20 years younger and wore skinny jeans, I'd fit right in. LOL

Here's the pattern as it exists in my head right now. If you decide to make this (should be an easy weekend project), please let me know if you find any errata in the pattern that I can correct. Enjoy!

Almost done

Hipster Hat

Use a worsted or DK weight yarn
Size 10 double-pointed needles
Gauge: 4 stitches = approx 1"

Cast on 75 stitches. If you need a larger or smaller hat, size your cast-on (up or down) in multiples of three (60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 75, 78, 81, etc.)
Place marker before you begin knitting in the round
K two rows, being careful not to twist your stitches
*K2, P2, repeat from * until piece measures 1.5 inches long
K one row
*K3, YO, repeat from * to the end of the row (this will leave you with a row of "eyelets")
K five rows
*K4, M1 (using the backward loop method), repeat from * to the end of the row
K five rows
*K5, M1 (using the backward loop method), repeat from * to the end of the row K five rows
*K6, M1 (using the backward loop method), repeat from * to the end of the rowK five rows
*K5, K2TOG, repeat from * to the end of the row.
K one row
*K4, K2TOG, repeat from * to the end of the row.
K one row
*K2TOG, repeat from * to the end of the row, do this twice (2 rows)
*K2TOG, repeat from * until the last stitch. K the last stitch

You should have some stitches left at this point (I'm not sure how many because I haven't actually gotten there yet!). Cut a tail and then your thread through the remaining stitches and pull tight. Weave in any loose stitches

Create an icord (see YouTube for video) or get a length of ribbon. Run the icord or ribbon through the eyelet holes at the top of the "cuff" and tie a bow.

E voila! You are done.

I may need to update this in a day or so when I finish the hat. Keep your eyes peeled for the word "update" added to the title.

Hope you like it.

- Alex

Vineyard Wrap

I finally did it, I cast-off the Vineyard Wrap that was begun in January 2011. Yes, I said 2011.

I have told you before about my boredom issues with knitting anything that resembles a scarf...but I have also told you about my tenacity when it comes to seeing a project though. So it's really not that shocking that a few weeks ago I decided enough was enough and just finished the damn thing.

And it's lovely. Scratchy, but lovely.

It's scratchy because I used Black Water Abbey 100% wool (Autumn colorway). Lemme tell ya, that is some serious wool. Sure it's scratchy and rough...but boy does it show a lace pattern like nobody's business. The ease with which this shawl blocked up was awesome. And the colorways at Black Water Abbey are stunning. Seriously, whoever does their color palette is a genius. So you can be sure that I will be lotioning up my hands and knitting with this wool again in the future.

This pattern was fine. Albeit monotonous...but I don't blame the designer for this. If you want a big shawl with an all-over pattern on it, well you get what you get. A whole lot of repeats of the same 12 rows.

The finished object is pretty and useful. I actually plan on keeping it on my desk at work for when it gets randomly chilly. (I say randomly because at my office you can be sweating and then 10 minutes later it's somehow cold.) I'm also thinking of adding a big button on one end so I can just secure it on and not have to fuss with it falling off my shoulders. But I'm in no rush, I will find just the right big button when I find it.

–Cassandra

A Quilt in Process

If there's one thing I can say about myself, I'm not a quitter. I can take on a long-haul project and not lose sight of the end...even at the most sluggish parts of the process. And the end is coming near (near, not here) for a big project have been working on. Remember "The Year of the Quilt"?

I've actually shared with you a lot about the quilt I'm making...and you didn't even know it. My tutorials over this past year for the scrappy log cabin blocks, propeller blocks, pinwheel blocks, staggered strips blocks, and applique blocks were all born from my quilt design process. Instead of sewing a quilt that is a repeat of one type of block, my crazy idea was to create a design that used groupings of a variety of blocks appropriate for a beginner. It promised to be a slower process, but I wanted to learn a lot along the way.

It's an explosion of earth tones.

And boy oh boy, did I learn...

: When it says 1/4 in. seam, take it seriously.
: Using my cutting mat on the floor makes things go crooked.
: Don't get cocky with the razor-sharp rotary cutter.
: Blocks really need to be the right size and properly square if you don't want a nightmare later.
: My sewing room is too small.
: I'm not as slick with a sewing machine as I thought I was.
: Blocks look way more appealing once they are sewn together.
: As always...measure twice, cut once.

Throughout this process I have been both impressed by my new skills and humbled by the amount of times I've had to rip things out and start again. But, I love it. It's fair to say that I am hooked on quilting.

Embroidery in process.

Right now my assorted quilt blocks are all finished and in neat piles, systematically being sewn together to create the larger quilt. What's slowing me down is the hand embroidery I'm adding to the applique blocks. 2 out of the 6 are completed. Once the final 4 are done it should be smooth sailing to create a border and simple quilt back. This is when I hire my friend Stitchlilly to baste my quilt together with her long arm machine so I can (hopefully) quilt it without too much grief. (I will be sure to share any grief with you all here.)

I have had no hard deadline for myself on this quilt. But, I will admit to getting excited to finish now that the end is in sight. Because of course, the next design is already brewing in my head :)

–Cassandra

Steek, Well Done.

steek

/stik, steɪk/ Spelled [steek, steyk] 

verb (used with object) Scot.

to shut, close, fasten or lock (a window, door, or the like).

Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English  (north) steken  (v.), Old English stician  to prick, stab

There's nothing better than learning new words from a dictionary. However, the dictionary, often, provides only the narrowest of definitions for a word. And, interestingly, in the case of the word "steek", the dictionary definition is pretty much the opposite of how the word (as a verb) is commonly used today.

From Wikipedia:

In knitting, steeking is a shortcut used to knit garments such as sweaters in the round without interruption for openings or sleeves until the end. After completing a tube, a straight line is cut along the center of a column of stitches, in order to make room for an opening or place to attach another piece. The steek itself is a bridge of extra stitches, in which the cut is made, and is usually 6-10 stitches wide. This technique was developed by the knitters of the Shetland archipelago and is particularly associated with Fair Isle sweaters, although it can be used for solid colors as well.

Steeks can be used for front openings (such as on a cardigan), armholes, or necklines. It has several advantages: For many knitters faster at the knit stitch than the purl stitch, it goes faster, and allows one to work with the right side of the fabric facing the knitter all the time, and thus follow an intricate pattern more easily. It is also easier to maintain an even tension and, as the color changes can be hidden, there are fewer ends to weave in.

This is one of the the most paralizing things I've ever considered as a knitter. To knit something and then CUT IT (!) - Yikes.  In my mind, the word "steek" is right up there with the word "spider" (the scariest word in the English language).

So, what the heck was I thinking when I bought this?

The Viticetum Coat by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence

Which specifically says, "You will need US 3 (3.25mm) 32-60" circular needles, or size to obtain gauge, 32-60" circular needles one size smaller than those to obtain gauge, yarn needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn, crochet hook for provisional cast on, sewing needle and thread for steek, and 5-7 2" clasps."

I'll tell you what I was thinking. I was thinking, "That is a gorgeous sweater. And it's in my "signature color" (which is moss/sage green, btw. Cassandra's signature color is mustard yellow). And I haven't made anything for myself in a LOOOOOOOONG time. And the kit is 50% off!

That 50% off the kit pretty much clinched it for me.

So, I patiently wait the delivery of my kit from KnitPicks and steel myself for the steeking to come. Unfortunately, the kit is sold out now but the pattern is still available and there are 16 projects on Ravelry. Reading through people's challenges with the project (the pattern is complicated, primarily) make it even more scary but I'm determined to have this sweater for next winter. Fingers crossed everyone!

- Alex the Intrepid.

Friday Finds: Venerable Radio

I love, love, love, old music. I mean real old. Stuff recorded on 78rpms. Standards, folk, blues, jazz...etc.

So naturally, this week when I discovered Venerable Radio I was knocked out. This site describes itself as The 20th Century Archive of Recorded Music". And true to that tagline, it has a really wide variety on it's playlist. (I just heard a song in Greek a minute ago that was awesome!)

You can listen to the music on your computer and even your iPhone or Android. It operates like a radio station. To listen through their web site, just click on the track that is "now playing" and then click the "Tune in via Loud City" link at the upper left. You just drop in and enjoy whatever is playing. And what's super-fun is that there is even a place on their site to make requests!

The next time you need some background music to inspire you while you have your hands busy, give Venerable Radio a whirl.

–Cassandra

PS-This service is free but there is a place to make donations.