So long, 2008!

I know there's been some days in 2008 that I'd rather not experience again but not many. There was a lot to celebrate, too. New babies, new houses, new jobs. We were both healthy, and wiser, if not wealthier.

Today, I'm blocking my last knitted item for the year. It's time to think about the New Year project. For many years now, I have made it my personal tradition to clear up the old year's knitting projects by December 31. Then I spend some time thinking about what I'd like to start. Of course, I usually start today but I count it as Jan 1. It will probably be some new socks. I have a design idea in my head and this is a perfect time to try it out. Nothing else on the horizon that needs to be made.

I will also probably draw out some coasters to hook. I won't start a new rug because I still have the quilt blocks to finish. If I put it away, I'll just be creating a UFO. Not something I can live with anymore. Bad enough I have to live with the UFO's that exist from before I started making the effort LOL

I have just finished the last book for 2008: The Other Side of the Bridge by Mary Lawson. When the book fell into my hands a few weeks ago, I read the jacket notes and thought "sounds interesting but probably a bit of a pot-boiler." Just shows that you shouldn't judge a book by it's dust jacket, either. It has turned out to be an outstanding read. I polished it off in 2 days - excellent characters and a gripping story line. It's set in northern Ontario with dual time lines: depression through WW2 and late 50's and 60's ending in the present. Four stars.

Which brings me to my last rant for the year: did any one else see the results of a little survey commissioned by Canadian Heritage? I was appalled by the weekly hours spent reading books for leisure or interest. So shocked that I can't really believe the numbers. Apparently, the weekly average for the university-educated is less than one hour per day. For retirees, just over an hour per day. So, who is buying all those books? When do they read them? Was this an off week for all the readers?

Apparently, about 22% of the books we read are by Canadian authors. And I think that was the real point of the survey. Now since it was a grant-giving body which commissioned the study, I'm not sure the results don't suit those government types. " See? Readers don't care about Canadian authors so why bother throwing money to them? " Or, could there be genuine concern? Hard to know but it's also hard not to think this was a self-serving survey. Of course, I don't think surveys are useful anyway. There are so many ways to crunch the numbers that you can prove any case you want from one. Merely interesting.

That's it. Last words for the year: may you have just enough challenge in 2009 to keep life interesting and may you have just enough of everything else to be materially satisfied.

Cool gifts

I found some pretty neat surprises under the tree for me this year. There was a delightful old book from the 50's: The Houses in Between by Howard Spring. I have no idea what it's about but I know i will enjoy reading it. One DS took his time in a used book store and found treasures for everyone.

I received some money to make a micro-loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world. If I make a wise investment, I am repaid and I can reinvest. Go to www.kiva.org if you're interested in this idea.


There were no knitting tools, gadgets or yarn but there was a renewal for Knitter's magazine which will fire my imagination for another year. Even though there is so much on various web sites, it's always a pleasure to have something to hold in your hand. Besides, what would I do with all that empty space if all my books, patterns and ideas were on the computer?

The most fun, though, was my package of Barbie stickers. That just made me smile. I know I'll find ways to use them.

Best gift of all was having the kids here for Christmas Eve. I think the spontaneity of the event just pushed us out of our comfortable rut. Having to be flexible and change plans at the last minute is so exciting. Not when you think about it in advance and make contingency plans but when you are truly surprised into change.

So, New Year's thought ( no resolutions!): keeping plans to a minimum is challenging but can create more joy

Drip, drip, drip

What a pleasant sound the melting snow makes. Not that it won't take ages to actually disappear but it's a start.

Since I'm kind of tired of talking about the weather, I'll move on. The rug I was going to have finished by Christmas is still waiting. I think I'm going to take apart the basting of the squares since it's not holding as well as I had expected. Usually, when I add a piece of burlap, I do a fair bit of zig-zag stitching. I was a little lazy - and in a hurry - so I didn't do as much as I should have. And it's hard to hook around the stitching so I was trying to solve a lot of problems at once. Haste really does make waste.

And today was the first day since the 24th that I've actually picked up the knitting needles to finish the little hat I was working on. Just too busy with parties, people and that which will not be mentioned again. I have an order for more socks since my niece really liked the Diamond Lace pair I made for her. And maybe some more mitts since they seemed quite popular. I also have an enthusiastic request for a cable 'sweater' tea cozy. So, pretty busy needles for the next few days.

Boxing Day

This is our big day. No, not for shopping. We have the whole family coming to eat, drink and, definitely, be merry. There's always lots of food, chatter, laughter and kids scooting around the grown-up legs.

We hope that everyone will be able to get here. But the snow has begun to fall - again! The weather predicted is rain mixed with snow but this is awful darn snow-like. I think we'll be shovelling - again!

I also wanted to give a back story to the Santa stocking photo yesterday. The kids didn't have their Christmas stockings with them so each one whipped off a sock for Santa. Mom had remembered to bring the special cookies Becky had baked for Santa...he seems to have enjoyed them. Maybe Santa felt bad for eating them, because he left a heart cookie for each stocking.

Happy shopping to all who are venturing out to help our economy.