Knitting. This week, that's what my life was. Outside the time I spent working, nearly every waking moment was spent in a desperate scramble to finish all the handknit Christmas gifts I'd planned. I knit in the morning, I knit at night, and on a couple of days I even knit through my lunch break. In between all the knitting, I did manage to find time for a well timed brunch with one of my oldest friends. The weather was even nice enough to walk - at least at the time we left home. Andy and I definitely found ourselves walking home in some unfortunately cold and soggy conditions. Then again, we did find some pink blossoms on a poor confused cherry tree in our apartment complex, so perhaps the weather has been more vernal than I’ve noticed.
Read moreLife: Week 50
As the end of the year approaches, I rely on candles and books and quiet walks close to home to get me through the short, dark days. I've been knitting up a storm recently to get all my Christmas projects finished, which means I've fallen behind on my reading. Luckily books don't go anywhere, and slowly working my way through the towering pile of books on my nightstand has been a marvelous way to spend the rainy days and nights of this early winter. A friend once told me of an impressive woman she saw knitting and reading a book at the same time in a cozy little corner of a yarn store. Since hearing of that, I haven't been able to decide if that should be my new goal, or if that level of multi-tasking would take all the fun out of each activity. For now, I'll happily stick to just one at a time, even if it means forever falling behind on my list of projects or books. At least winter is the best time for catching up on both!
Read moreLife: Week 50
Now that work has (finally!) slowed down for the holidays, I've had more time for mid-day walks and evening baking sessions. It's continued to be cold and overcast, but sadly there's been no more snow around home since the dusting I missed last week. It's been years since we last had a good snow around here, and now that I'm working from home, I wouldn't mind a few snowy days one bit! Luckily, we had plans to spend a lovely weekend in snowy Bellingham visiting friends who recently moved north. I'd thought it had been cold at home, but when we got into town Friday evening we discovered we were terribly under-dressed for the 18° temperatures! We didn't have to suffer too long, since there wasn't much walking to do, but the cold was certainly a shock! Saturday morning, we had a delicious brunch followed by a peaceful walk around Lake Whatcom. After a few hours relaxing at our friends hours, we spent the evening bar hopping in the city. Andy and I have become major homebodies since the summer, and it was a nice change of pace to get out so much.
Read moreLife: Week 50
This week started with one of those days that make me desperate to get outdoors. Bright blue skies and puffy, white clouds. At least I have a great view from work, and got to enjoy the sunshine. By Tuesday night, I was sick with a short but miserable cold, so I spent Wednesday on the couch watching BBC adaptations of Jane Austen novels, snuggling with my cat, and drinking lots of tea, and occasionally a hot toddy. Thankfully, I was feeling better by the weekend — just in time for a packed schedule of holiday parties.
First up was my annual holiday craft party, which I spent most of the week baking for, with lots of help from Andy. I always enjoy having this party as an excuse to snack, watch Christmas movies, and catch up with friends I don't see often enough. I spent the craft party working on the socks I've been knitting, finishing the left sock just after everyone left. Now I just have to resist the urge to completely wear out the left sock before I finish the right one!
Sunday morning, we met family for another wonderful brunch at Stone House, then in the afternoon, headed to my parents for an early dinner with my extended family to celebrate Christmas. We ended the night with a steal-a-gift exchange in which Andy and I did very well, coming home with several bottles of hard cider and a large travel mug filled with chocolate. Hard to believe the holiday festivities are just getting started!