Let's call them goals, yeah, goals...

Not resolutions. Resolutions make me want to crumple under the weight of having to resolve to do something. It sounds so dire. Goals, on the other hand, are good things to have. We score them in sports. In job interviews we say we're goal oriented, whether this is the case or not. So this year I've decided to set a few goals for myself. 

1. Get the procrastinating under control. It is my nemesis. It makes me feel horrible. I will try and do this by trying to see big projects as made up of little steps. Little, manageable steps. Also, if anyone has any tips on this subject- share!

2. Finish my graduating paper for my graduate degree. Obviously, this is tied to goal number 1.

3. Improve the readership of my blog. Thank you for visiting! Now I just need to attract a few more of you... 

4. Tame the paper tiger. I swear, paper I leave unattended even for a few short days multiplies into rather large, daunting piles. 

What goals are you setting?

Holidays!

The holidays have passed with a wonderful combination of food, family and friends. There was a bit of drama, as on the 22nd of December my back went into major spasm. Terrifying! Fortunately, I saw the chiropractor on the 23rd, and have been on the road back to wellness ever since. My kind father helped me out by purchasing the last few stocking stuffers I couldn't get out to buy.

We made it to the island where both our families live on Christmas Eve, after an abortive attempt at 7 am involving chains, a snowy alley, a soaking wet Mr. Ripley, and treacherous roads. Our later mid-morning attempt was successful. Just to give you an idea of how much fun it was, here's the ferry terminal:

Ripley took it all in stride:

Over the holidays, we walked in the snow.

We snuggled new babies. Another new baby arrived December 23, but I haven't had a chance to meet her yet.

We ate holiday treats and delicious meals. Here's our New Year's Eve dinner, prepared by my friend K. who is an incredible cook. The menu was German, with rouladin, spaetzle, gravy, red cabbage, and peas. Sooooo delicious!

We had a wonderful and restorative time. I even finished my cousin's hat in the nick of time.

I hope you and your families had a wonderful holiday season, and are looking forward to 2009!

Snow!

Snow! I've lived my whole life on the coast of British Columbia, and that means I am well accustomed to rain. We usually get snow only a few times a year, and normally it melts within one or two days of having fallen.  As a child, snow was exotic and had to be embraced immediately! There was no time to waste; we had to dig out the crazy carpets and toboggans and get sledding! Snowmen had to be built posthaste, as we knew by the next day (or two)  the snow would be gone, and our snowpeople reduced to shrunken, listing lumps of snow.

This year, for reasons unknown, I have really been craving some snow and my wish has been answered. It's been below zero (celsius) for the past week, which is unheard of here. Perhaps a dip below freezing for a day or two, but for more than a week? No. It snowed last week and shockingly, the snow is still on the ground. And it may snow more in the next few days! Right now it's -9 degrees (15 degrees fahrenheit) , and a mix of sun and clouds. We may get an additional 10 centimeters (5 inches) tomorrow, and it's supposed to snow on Tuesday and Wednesday as well. 

I love walking in the snow, and fortunately this year bought a pair of tall leather boots with flat, grippy soles so I'm able to get around without a lot of difficulty. Also, I live within easy transit, or longer walking distance of work. This really takes a lot of the stress out of the appearance of snow, as I don't need to drive.

The only downside to the snow is that it may impede our plans to travel to the island to see our families. We're scheduled to catch the ferry on Christmas Eve morning, so my fingers are crossed that the roads will be clear for our trip. 

I love the way my neighbourhood is transformed by the snow.

I love the look of my favorite garden in the snow.

I love the other sights around the city that are made special by the snow. 

O Christmas Tree

December is one of my favorite months of the year, and this year is no exception. One of the highlights of my Christmas season is decorating the tree. If I had my way, the tree would go up December 1. The way I see it, one of the perks of having a fake tree is that it won't dry out no matter how long it's up for. Mr Ripley, however, is of the school of thought that believes the tree should only be enjoyed for one or two short weeks each year. So, every year we have a, well, let's call it a discussion about when the tree should go up. The end result of our ongoing discussion was a compromise date of December 10.

We put on Christmas music, and usually have a friend (or 5) over to help us decorate the tree. 

As I  believe that the tree should be a collection of meaningful ornaments, and not a decorator's masterpiece,  my tree might be labelled tacky by some. Fair enough,  but I wouldn't have it any other way. This year, I purchased a large and a small glass acorn for the tree, as well as a glass pinecone, visible below. I'm beginning to think that my tree is inadvertently acquiring a woodland theme. 

The other ornament pictured above is the Ukrainian dough ornament my aunt gave me as a small child. I love unwrapping her each year and finding a place of honour for her on the tree. 

I also love this little reindeer, even though he wouldn't come into focus for me no matter how hard I tried.

My tree features red and gold, silver and gree, glass and metal and wood, all forming a cacophany of Christmas memories. For me, the end result is a harmony of Chrismases past and present. And this year, like every other year, I'll sit and gaze at the soft glow of the lights and have a cup of hot chocolate, or a glass of more a more adult kind of holiday cheer, and enjoy the season.

Christmas is Coming!

December is here. I want to be knitting, cooking and listening to Christmas carols. My own academic work is finished for the term, but I'm teaching for another two weeks. But I am making some progress on some of these goals. I've been knitting on my interminable second Monkey, and making progress on the secret knitting project for Mr. Ripley. I'm about ready to start on the projects for my cousin as soon as I make the final hat pattern decision. 

Every year Mr. Ripley and I have a bit of a seasonal battle- a good-natured one of course. When will we decorate the tree? We have an artificial tree, a legacy of one of our first Christmases in Victoria when we couldn't have a real tree in our apartment building. For me, one of the chief benefits of an artificial tree is that it doesn't dry up, and thus can be up for a longer amount of time. I'd like to see the Christmas tree up on December 1. Mr. Ripley would prefer we wait until about December 20 to put up the tree, which is clearly way too late. And so we compromise. This year our negotiation resulted in an agreement on December 10 as the decorating day. This Wednesday night I'll be making a pot of chili and some avocado salsa, along with a pan of cornbread. We'll put on the carols, decorate the tree, and drink red wine. One of my good friends is coming over to help us. 

I can't wait!

Welcome to the World, Little Sprout!

One of my close friends has finally had her baby girl, who was born at home this morning. My friend's mother was there, and has posted a bit about it over on her blog. I completely agree that the new parents will soon be masters of dealing with a newborn, as they are really wonderful human beings and will be wonderful in this too! Congratulations!

I cannot wait to see pictures of the little one, but her father is having a hard time finding the camera cord. Perhaps Materfamilias will indulge us? Hint, hint... 

While I wait with an inordinate amount of excitement for any further news or pictures on the little sprout (who, incidentally, is the recipient of this hat), I can show you pictures of the second version of the little sprout's hat:

This one is heading to London tomorrow, now that I've found a card to enclose with it and received my cousin's address. 

In other knitting news, I've started a stealth knitting project for Mr. Ripley's Christmas stocking. The big challenge will be finding time to complete it, as Mr. Ripley is a homebody and is usually around the house when I am. Fortunately, the project is portable and I'm hopeful that I will be able to complete them on transit, etc. Mr. Ripley doesn't read the blog, so I think it's fairly safe to mention my secret knitting, but just in case he surprises me I just went back and took out the name of the actual project.

Speaking of knitting projects, I've cast on the second of the interminable Monkeys. And speaking of Christmas knitting, I bought some Malabrigo worsted in Olive to knit some items for my cousin (mother of Hadley of the orange hat pictured above), who is the recipient of Christmas largesse this year. I'll post a picture once I pick it up from the LYS- it's waiting to be wound. 

Two years ago, my family decided that we'd continue to buy for all the children in the family, but now we draw names, so that everyone only has to buy for one adult. It works really well for us. How does your family handle the holiday shopping? Do you buy for everyone? A select person? Only your immediate family? I'm always interested in finding out how other people handle the Christmas season, which can be so amazing and so commercial all at the same time. 

0%, 50%, 100%

Well, this weekend provided me with a brief respite from the November craziness that is part of my life as a grad student. I slept in, cleaned the house, and did some knitting:

100% done: 

This is for my friend's baby, subject of the shower a couple of weeks ago, and who is set to make his or her appearance at any time now!!! I can't wait to meet and snuggle this baby! 

The hat is made from Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky, which is a 50/50 alpaca wool blend, and is soft and squishy, yet firm. It's delightful to work with. Part way through knitting this one I had a panic that I wouldn't have enough yarn (I totally did), and this spurred me to knit faster and faster, as if somehow knitting quickly would use less wool? I know this is totally illogical, but I can't help myself!

50% done:

I'm sure any regular readers of this blog are sick of hearing about them. but too bad! I've finally, finally, finally finished my first Monkey. This is no fault of the pattern, which is truly a delight to knit. It's merely a side effect of a stupidly busy schedule. It fits perfectly, and I can't wait to finish the other one. Or cast on for it, which I guess is the logical first step. I'm not really thrilled with the Fleecy Nylon I've used to reinforce the toe and heel, but unfortunately my only colour choices were white or cream. Next time I try this technique, I'll buy a better match online. Or I'll just resolve to buy yarn with some nylon in it from now on. 

0% done:

This will be the second baby hat. It is also Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky. These suckers knit up in the matter of a couple of hours, which is perfect for my current available knitting time. I anticipate that I'll be finished this one soon, and then it'll be parceled off to a cute British baby born to my Canadian expat cousin. I have to wait until Christmas to snuggle that one, but snuggle him I will!

Anyhow, off to engage in some procrastiknitting, and cast on for the orange baby hat, and listen to the Beach Boys. For inexplicable reasons, I'm obsessed with their song God Only Knows. I love the sound of the jingle bells in the intro; it seems a fitting intro to the holiday season. Hmm. Perhaps it is explicable after all!