STATE ANNEXATION
Credit: NY Times Crossword
Charles M. Deber - February 5, 2012 (Ex. and #1-9)

Answer the first part of each clue below and then add a US state postal abbreviation that will satisfy the second part of the clue. 

For example, given the clue POSED FOR - SMOOTH FABRIC, the answer would be SATIN - SAT means POSED FOR, and SATIN is a smooth fabric, needing the addition of IN (Indiana) to complete the word.

1. BACKYARD WHIRLPOOL - GARDEN TOOL
2. PERFECT RATING - OPERA SINGER
3. BASKETBALL RIM - EXCITEMENT
4. SUPERFLUOUS - PULL OUT
5. KNOCK - FAST
6. FASTING PERIOD - SOUP BEAN
7. BLOUSE, FOR ONE - GEMSTONE
8. HOT DOG PARTNER - EASTER ANIMAL
9. FOLLOW PERSISTENTLY - RELIGIOUS TENETS
10. CONJUNCTION - TYPE OF WHALE
11. CHURCH SONG - CHURCH SONGBOOK
12. BIBLICAL WORD - SEASONING
13. TRIGONOMETRY FUNCTION - MUSCULAR
14. ILLNESS - MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
15. IN FAVOR OR - LYING FACE DOWN


Answers:

1. SPA + DE = SPADE
2. TEN + OR = TENOR
3. HOOP + LA = HOOPLA
4. EXTRA + CT = EXTRACT
5. RAP + ID = RAPID
6. LENT + IL = LENTIL
7. TOP + AZ = TOPAZ
8. BUN + NY = BUNNY
9. DOG +MA = DOGMA
10. OR + CA = ORCA
11. HYMN + AL = HYMNAL
12.  THY + ME = THYME
13. SINE + WY = SINEWY 
14. FLU + TE = FLUTE 
15. PRO + NE = PRONE