Much Better

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The top ten reasons I am much happier.

10. I put the largest possible tree that would fit in my house.

Treeup71208

9. That rather big glass of wine can’t hurt.

8. Christmas knitting, on the needles and off the needles, as per Lene’s schedule. Right on target. (Admittedly, it’s only day one, but I’ll take my successes where I can get them.)

7. Erin told me that my nephew Hank is definitely old enough to appreciate getting a knitted thing for Christmas. (This means that he passed through the “knitted presents are sort of lame in a world that contains a Wii” phase very, very quickly.)

6. I finished socks and a hat over the weekend. Pictures to come, but I love them.

5. I forgot about this Sockumentary, made back when we were doing the sock scavenger hunt all over Toronto. It’s genius, and it makes me happy all over.

4. Kim got David Suzuki to hold a sock. (I just donated to MSF again because — well, frankly I love David Suzuki so much that this picture turns every crank I’ve got.)

Suzukisock181208

My mum has an actual real live crush on him, so I expect she’ll freak right out, and if you knew my mother, you’d know how hard that is to achieve. Kim – Excellent job.

3. I made really excellent bread.

2. I got a whole bunch of emails and comments from really decent people making really excellent points.

1. I hardly have time to blog because of the BIG PILE OF MONEY THAT KNITTERS DONATED to MSF. Seriously. Check out the sidebar, and know that I’m putting the total up again tomorrow, and that I’ll be giving karmic balancing gifts out this week too, and that once again I’m blown away by what I’m seeing all of you do.

It’s enough to make a knitter weep with Joy. Which I did. You guys are awesome. Changing the world. How about that.

149 thoughts on “Much Better”

  1. Wow – David Suzuki. Incredible. Our giant christmas tree incident resulted in chopping more than a foot off the base once we got it in the house.
    Regardless – love the tree … it fills me with the holiday spirit.

  2. Can it be true that I’m the first to comment?
    Reading your blog for today took the “I’m so stressed” wind right out of my sails! Thanks for that! I love my Christmas knitting (too bad I’m not on schedule, but I do love it), I have lovely red lights on our ficus tree (‘real’ tree coming soon), we have an extra daughter with us this week, and life is good, after all.
    Thanks for the reminder.

  3. Typically, it is easy for me to look like an idiot in a world of smart people, so here goes one more time at it.
    What’s MSF?

  6. I am so glad to read blog posts like this. I work in collections and I’ve had about 12 people crying in my ear just this morning and I was beginning to wonder about the state of the world when I read your post.
    You’ve inspired me, here are my ten things:
    10> Inspiring Harlot blogs after being at work for almost 12 hours….
    9> Finishing my socks last night!
    8> Switching out my crappy, ancient, decrepit monitor for a nice flat screen from one of the desks no one is using.
    7> Huge incentive check coming right before christmas!
    6> I saved some poor woman from financial ruin today by setting her credit card up on a payment program and she was so happy she was screaming with joy to her been-out-of-work-for-10-months husband.
    5> My cat is too stupid to figure out how to get out of the knitted collar I made him… hehehe….
    4> I get to go home in 76 minutes!
    3> I made potato casserole this weekend and it…is…de-LICIOUS!
    2> Obama is going to be replacing Bush-wacked VERY VERY SOON!
    1> None of the managers are here tonight and I can knit at work! WOOHOO!!
    This was fun! You rock! =^)

  7. Oooooooooh…David Suzuki. (Homer Simpson “beer” voice.) He’s (David Suzuki, not Homer Simpson) my hero.

  8. Holy CRAP, STEPH! HALF A MILLION DOLLARS!
    My big, beautiful tree has no ornaments on the bottom 2 feet. We have 2 kittens. Even the plastic ornaments have fallen to their mighty destructive power.
    And no wine yet… just tea, but if the kids don’t stop fighting soon, I’m switching to wine…

  9. The tree is spectacular…makes you feel joyful just looking at it. The wine…a pic of Davis Suzuki….adding to the coffers for MSF…it looks like a great day in Harlotville!

  11. Wow! A lot of money for a good cause. I’m glad you’re feeling better, because while knitting your life away may be fun, you still have to live. And stuff knitted under stress is always way too small. And, seeing as my local mitten tree needs larger than toddler sized mittens, I had to come up with ten reasons Christmas is good, anyway, too.

  12. I loved seeing that glass of wine on the table with the knitting. Your tree looks awesome! Now…. what will you knit Hank? I remember last year you made him a very groovy hat!!
    One more thing— I noticed I am the 10th one to write. Usually there are hundreds ahead of me. I am visiting the east coast so I got the news earlier I guess. I am certainly getting in the Christmas spirit with all the cold weather, a dusting of snow, and all the great Christmas windows in New York City. Yay!!

  13. Glad to see that you are in better spirits. Christmas trees …..and wine… they sure do help. When we put our tree up,its a special time. Each ornament has a special memory. I imagine yours is the same.

  14. We must get our Christmas tree, with pretty white lights, and a nice glass of red wine to drink while contemplating our Christmas tree. I thought about getting one tonight, but the temperature being 1 degree F made it not seem like such a great idea.
    No wonder you are feeling better. And the MSF total brought tears to my eyes too. Knitters are awesome people. Thanks for inspiring us.

  15. I love that you get us all to support MSF — it’s now a regular part of my family’s giving. Do you still acknowledge all the donations that you’re notified of, because I want to be sure mine from last time got counted in your awesome total and I never heard from you. (It was $250 US, btw) Just wondering and wanting to clarify. No pressure. I, for one, would totally understand that you can’t personally email everyone of your donating fans!!
    Knit on! and Happy Christmas. 🙂

  16. Did I ever tell you about the time I saw David Suzuki walking down the street in Vancouver? It was one of many memorable moments on that trip.

  17. Your tree is beautiful! I’m so glad you are in a nice Christmas-y mood. 🙂
    My donation to MSF is coming soon, honestly. It looks like I’ll have a new job (after six weeks of unemployment) next week. Fingers crossed!

  20. Love the picture of David Suzuki avec knitting! This could become a side hobby getting pictures of celebrities with knitting!

  21. Donated $50 to Doctors w/o Borders (USA)so put in your total but kwbATyarnharlotDOTca did not work to email you from my end./

  23. How wonderful…. today I got a fund-raising call from MSF and was happy to tell them that I had just donated, thanks to the Yarn Harlot.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours, Steph. My youngest son and his wife just separated and he moved back home, so I understand about your brother. I also understand about Amanda, but let me tell you: after they move out and you reorganize so you can use their room, it really complicates your life to have them return and take it over again! (The stash and the sewing machine and the knitting books are now homeless again, and I will need to spend this week finding more corners to use for storage.) But we are all healthy and (so-far) employed, so we feel pretty lucky this year.
    Barbara M.

  24. Beautiful tree. I donated, not much but I could spare a few dollars. Have to save the rest for our Heifer gift. Looking forward to seeing the hat!

  25. That is a gorgeous list — and that picture is priceless! I’m glad that Christmas is starting to feel at least a little more Christmas-y…

  27. I got Tom Friedman from the New York Times to hold a sock!! 😀 Super excited about that one, sent you pictures but i think they got eaten by your spam box.
    Pretty Christmas Tree! (haven’t got one yet, have to live vicariously through you!)

  29. Ah, I do miss seeing Suzuki on PBS. Let’s hope he gets another series for them.
    Lovely tree picture with all the necessities of life: light, yarn, wine, and wheel hanging around should you run out of yarn.
    And, Stunning MSF total, just stunning. Your mom must be so proud.

  30. I’m happy you’re better, truly I am, but if you could’ve stayed depressed just a little longer I might have been able to justify a trip to Toronto.

  31. David Suzuki! I think that is my new favourite famous person holding knitting photo.
    Your tree is lovely. My fake tree is prone on the floor in my living room right now b/c there wasn’t enough room to pass between it and the couch to get to my craft room. I kicked its arse and left it for dead tonight. Luckily, I hadn’t yet decorated it… but something about knocking it over relieved my holiday stress. Hmmmm…

  33. Scrambling to catch up after a trip out of town – just wanted to mention that we are totally with you on the KSF appeal and would still like to donate squishy karmic prizes.

  35. Wow. Half a million dollars and climbing. Impressed.
    I’m also impressed that you’re (so far) on schedule with your Christmas knitting. Same here – I’ve only got one scarf and the collar/zipper of a sweater to do. Yay for finishing on time for once! Good luck with the knitting and Christmas prep!

  36. You mean David Suzuki is famous for something beside writing an awesome genetics textbook and playing with fruit flies?! I thought only us bio-geeks knew about him! Reason #87,962 on the list of why Canadians are stealthily uber-cool.
    Anyway, nice celebrity sock encounter, and VERY nice tree.
    Jenny

  39. Putting the tree up always makes me feel better.It may be the sparkle of it that cheers me up becuase it does get so dark so early.One of the best memories I have of Christmas is sitting in the dark with just the light from the tree,just staring at the tree.I didn’t even care how many more days there were ’til Christmas or even if there were presents under there…it was just peaceful and magical…anyway,when Hubby gets paid this week,I’ll send our small contribution to DWB-thanks for the prod…

  40. Your Christmas knitting schedule starts TODAY? I’ve been stressing for weeks already! Of course, I don’t knit at nearly your speed and I have a kitten to “help” but I’m still way impressed.
    Here’s to all of us making our knitting goals this month.
    And I wish my bookstore would have some big celebs in soon so I can get some sock photos!

  41. so glad to see you “back”. and although the sadness engendered of loss lingers, you have remembered the light shines again…

  42. What a wonderful list and gorgeous tree!
    I’m knitting, enjoying the view of my Christmas tree and reading your post has put a big smile on my face and in my heart.
    AND David Suzuki holding a sock?! way cool.

  43. David Suzuki is one awesome guy…did you see him on Rick Mercer?? And I love his kids books..we had 2 for my 19 year old daughter that we now read to my 8 year old son. Makes understanding nature very easy for kids….He has a great voice too!!!

  46. Your tree looks really nice. What I wrote the other day about finally having a solstice tree for the first time in 6 years? Um, yeah, not so much. My rabbit died over the weekend. I feel like my heart is smashed into 47 pieces. Maybe next year.
    David Suzuki is really cool.

  47. I wonder, do you convert the donations in various currencies into one currency for the total? I think that would be difficult, plus I’m sure you have no idea what some people’s currency was! Anywho, impressive number!

  48. OK, first, Holy Crap. Knitters so rock.
    Second, am I the only stupid American who wondered why you had a picture of Mr. Miyagi holding a sock? I hate to admit, I had to look your dude up.
    And to MaryPeed…funny you only have ornaments above the 2 ft mark…because our tree only has ornaments below the 4 ft mark. It’s sure fun with the kids decorate. All by themselves.

  49. Hi Stephanie – I don’t know if you can count this, but my husband and I are continuing our $30/mo contribution to Doctors Without Borders. You should count it because it was your discussion of the subject that led us to donate in the first place. I really want to see that tally hit the $1M mark!

  50. So glad you got your holiday mojo back.
    Oddly, I was recently at an alpaca farm where one of the alpacas looked just like David Suzuki!

  52. Ok I just watched a video of you knitting irish cottage fashion……you know have even more of my admiration. No wonder you get as many pairs of socks done as you do. Good gracies lady.

  54. Benita, Medecins sans Frontieres is a humanitarian aid organization, where doctors from different countries, for short or long periods, go to different parts of the world where medical aid is desperately needed.
    Stephanie – I really appreciate your latest book, great work. How many projects do you have going at a time?
    Dee

  55. I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling more festive. For me, some snow on the ground always helps. That, and neighbourhood houses lit up for the season. I wish my house could be lit up too, but somehow I don’t think it’s going to happen this year. I think it’s very fitting that David Suzuki should be holding a sock. I think he and knitters and wool have many values in common. There he is, holding one of the world’s most natural, renewable resources, wool. Awesome.

  56. Your beautiful tree is getting me all wound up to have mine up. I can hardly wait until Friday!
    Love the David Suzuki picture! That is quite a coup!
    Can’t wait until I can help make that MSF number go up some more too.

  57. Half a million bucks…all because you simply said, “hey, guys, great cause, wanna give ’em some money?”.
    Your mom must be so proud of you…..YOU must be so proud of yourself! You should be!

  58. Since my Bunny & I don’t decorate for the holidays (for many reasons, chief among them being lack of space), we instead helped my parents decorate. Just smelling the sweet, pungent pine and opening box after box of well-loved decorations from my childhood, I am officially in the Christmas spirit right now. It doesn’t hurt that not only is the massive amount of Fair-Trade coffee from theanimalrescuesite.com on its way to us (for gifts), but my knitting list is rapidly shrinking. I might actually finish Bunny’s gloves for the first time this year! 😀
    *hugs* and good wishes for the season. 😀 And a big ol’ WAHOOO for MSF!!

  59. If we try to change the world is because you inspire us to do that. Beautiful tree, glad you are feeling so much better.

  60. It is laudable that you do what you do: Fund the MSF, soothe the savage knitter, parent the sometimes unappreciative children. But what I’m most pleased about is that your stress level dropped and you are cheerier. It’s the personal stuff that turns my crank. (Though Suzuki IS quite an coup!) Oops, lost my zen.

  61. Wow. David Suzuki. I love anything PBS lets him do!
    My cats not only knock ornaments off, they EAT the tree, so I’ve given up. There’s a reproduction feather tree in the yarn room, but that door’s shut. Santa knows where it is. I do, however, have a heavenly balsam fir scented ornament thingy hanging by my front door, and it is wonderfully perfuming the whole house. Yes, it’s artificial. And I like to knit with acrylic yarn, so ptffftb! Sometimes one has to settle.

  63. Wow, now that I’ve read about him, I’m totally crushing on David Suzuki too! (Yes, I live in a cave.)

  64. Let’s hear it for human hope! Almost done with the scarf for my best friend! 11 1/2 inches in one day, six more inches to go, bulky yarn, big needles, gotta love them. Merry Christmas, Merry Solstice, Happy Holidays, everyone, especially you, Stephanie. Love “Free-Range Knitter”, by the way, except for the last essay. I like that one too, but it touches a raw wound. Love it anyway!

  66. Nice tree. Glad you got your mojo back.
    I get to finish my Christmas knitting with a pulled muscle in my back (the one that enables me to hold my right arm up in knitting position), and a trigger finger (a swollen tendon makes the finger lock into position, and release suddenly) on my right hand.
    A Challenge!

  68. Is that Canadian dollars or US? Either way, it’s amazingly awesome how generous everyone is. That’s some serious good karma there.

  69. I didn’t know who David Suzuki was but followed your link and have now signed up for all their newsletters – you sure can learn awesome things from a knitting blog!!!!
    Gave $50 US to MSF. YEA!!

  71. David Suzuki had a long-standing affair (series of fab one-nighters?) with my aunt every time she came to Toronto.
    We used to hide behind the curtains and peek every time he came by to pick her up!

  72. Do I see a llama ornament on your tree? Glad to hear you’re feeling better about the season.

  73. I’m so glad you got your balance back, Stephanie. David Suzuki really does rock.
    After seeing your beautiful wineglass-with-Christmas-Tree photo, I went and re-read the Return of the Light post and clicked over to MSF. Add another $50 Canadian to that total.

  75. Hey, I am in that sockumentary! I forgot all about that too!
    Good job cheering up! We are not decorating this year at home, but we got things started at my parents and even made doughnuts, which were a Christmas tradition for decades until my great aunt died. Here is to starting new traditions and bringing back old ones!

  76. Glad to see you finding some Christmas cheer. Cool picture of Suzuki! Yarn – insulates and is usually natural (we won’t mention those fuzzy scarves several years ago- though pace to those who love ’em).
    Pretty tree!

  78. I like it when it’s called TSF Ãœ
    I met some MSF fund-raisers in a shopping center, and before they could give me the spiel I said, Oh, MSF! I’m a member of TSF…
    then I had to explain that… hehehe!

  79. You should send David Suzuki a copy of the photo – he rocks!
    Look at that total climb. Way to go Knitters, and, of course, you Steph, for starting it all.
    Happy to hear that you’re on schedule for the knitting, even after one day ;o)

  80. I’m with Kim – who the hell is this guy?
    My 9 year old enjoyed going through the MSF US web site and learning about what they do. We donated with happy hearts!

  82. My dad is often mistaken for David Suzuki, which is kinda funny as he is a) not Asian and 2) at least 10 years younger. But my dad does recycle!
    Good luck with your continuing Christmas knitting!

  84. You have a lovely tree. Putting up the Christmas tree always makes me happy . . . with or without a glass of wine 🙂 Sadly, I am not familiar with David Suzuki, but he looks a lot like Pat Morita from the Karate Kid (one of my favorite movies as a tween).

  85. Thanks for the very hopeful post today. I have been blue thinking about the state of the world, and you reminded me that no future is set in stone, and if we all try a little harder we can change things. Lovely tree, I especially like the camels!

  86. I love the picture of the tree – it’s like everything that’s good in the world – Christmas trees, wine and knitting!!

  87. I’m so glad your feeling better. Your tree is really lovely. Sometimes you have to make your own light until nature sees fit to send it back. Looks like you’ve done that. Rock on, Harlot!

  88. Fantastic tree! It’s gorgeous!
    And awesome pic of David Suzuki. 😀
    Oh, and when my boss asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year, I suggested she make a donation to MSF (or to another charity… but I’m hoping for MSF). I’ll let you know if she actually does. 🙂

  89. What a lovely picture of your beautiful tree and glass of wine! I don’t do Xmas trees but I love looking at others’ trees and giving ornaments. My holiday decorating consists of getting the menorahs out of the cabinet, cursing violently upon seeing wax embedded in the candle cups, finding a paring knife and digging it out, then searching for the Hanukkah candles I bought last year. But THIS year I’ll try melting the wax out, as suggested by Dale-Harriet (I think).
    And affixing all holiday cards to our door. That’s all the decor here. Sometimes we cut out paper snowflakes and hang them up.

  90. Excellent. so glad you have stepped back and reassessed.
    I love the tree. And the spinning wheel next to it, can’t hurt either.

  92. DAVID SUZUKI HOLDING THE SOCK. I just fell off my chair. I’ve printed this pic for my cubicle – it’s awe inspiring. THANK YOU DAVID AND STEPHANIE AND KIM. OMG!

  93. The tree (and the wine) look wonderful! And the total on the sidebar is just WOW!!!!! I’ll be adding to it as soon as payday arrives on the 15th. I can’t think of a better way to say Merry Christmas than sending a donation to MSF.

  95. I’m glad you’re feeling better. You make me proud I’m a knitter and part of this amazing community. Look at you go.

  97. OMG,I just checked Kim’s site…the second picture, even though it’s a tad fuzzy, is HILARIOUS. David Suzuki is so cool!!!
    And, dear Harlot, you didn’t add the (other) eye candy… Guys, go check Kim’s blog….

  98. Is the $509,639 just this year or is it from when you began to pitch MSF to us all? Love the tree!

  99. Stephanie, I don’t know what shows you watch on TV (if any) but last night on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central he did a spoof on the Canadian government “crisis”. I was so thrilled that I had your tutorial and knew some of the background! You may get a kick out of his humor…he is definitely leaning towards the left.

  100. Carmen, THANKS for notifying me of Kim’s blog. ADAM VAN K!!! Seriously folks, I’m dying here. DYING. I feel like standing on my office chair and yelling DAVID SUZUKI and ADAM VAN K in ONE POST PEOPLE ONE POST! No one would understand. Feh. Seriously, this is a monumental day.

  101. your blog is always a bright spot in my day! knitters truly do make the world a better place, in big and small ways.

  103. Are there people who SERIOUSLY don’t know who David Suzuki is?????????????????? I am shocked.
    He is indeed the bomb. But also the bomb and SERIOUSLY sexy – Adam van Koeverdin! Well done, Kim! I bow to your superpowers.
    Love the tree BTW.

  104. I love this post. And I so wish I were in a position to continue supporting MSF–not so, for old retired folks who are no longer working part-time. I do keep sending my small knitted items to my favorite charity but the money is too short to send.

  105. Christmas trees and wine seem to magically help just about anything.
    I called my mom about the David Suzuki sock picture and she freaked out (loudly) on the phone for five minutes. I’m now partially deaf.
    I guess having a crush on him is a mom thing? 😉

  106. Weee! David Suzuki! He is my long time hero. I love reading your blog. I feel like I’ve come home. I’m collecting places to donate this year and MSF is on the list along with a wonderful group that puts together gift boxes for children in cancer wards.

  107. Merry Christmas, Steph! A lighted tree, a glass of wine and knitting, what could be more special than adding a few knitters and family!

  109. When, not if when, the total tops $1 million how about having Ben blog for the day?
    PS McKenna turned 18 on Saturday, I feel so old.

  110. When talking with my boyfriend about possible career choices, he suggested I go into “Yarn Harloting.” I told him that was sorta your gig and he said “I know” (a surprise in itself), “but you know, it makes a good verb for all that yarn stuff.” So, consider yourself verbed. Hope that can make you happy too!

  111. I’m glad you’re feeling better, Steph. Does Hank like turtles? Maybe you could knit him Sheldon (free pattern on Ravelry)?
    Benita, you probably know MSF better as Doctors w/o Borders.

  113. Oh my god! David Suzuki! I’m reading the book he co-authored with Joseph Levine, The Secret of Life. I may have to print that picture out and frame it. I love him! Awesome awesome awesome. 😀
    I’m glad you got your Christmas crisis sorted out. Be one with the knitting.

  114. You’re the best. I’m glad we’ve got you as a center point. Awesome job knitters!! Happy Holidays!

  116. Hey Stephanie,
    You and Joe (and the girls) should come over to our house for some Newfie Cheer over Christmas. That will surely cheer you up!!
    Maria

  117. I don’t think I’ve had a Christmas tree sing…. my sophomore year in high school…. And even then, someone else set it up for us as a surprise for my parents. XD

  118. I now must always thing of you by your Canadian name – She Who Inspires Thank you to the universe for making a Stephanie who inspires

  119. First time in my life I get a mailing from MSF — today. And I just donated two days ago, and already have my acknowledgment email for my donation from you, Stephanie. Clearly, MSF is finding a way to contact every knitter in the world!
    I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the new total is at least 750K! And yes, is that Canadian or American dollars?
    We *think* we’ve managed to score tickets to one of the inaugural balls, so even though I may have to take it off the needles and put it in scrap yarn to meet security requirements, I’ll definitely have a sock in my evening bag — nobody’s gotten Michelle Obama yet, right? Anybody know if she’s a knitter? 🙂

  120. Here’s to getting some holiday spirit! Yay! Perhaps more necessary this year than ever before. I must go dig out the decorations and get my house and myself in the mood…
    Love the Sockumentary except I can’t read the signs fast enough – I need a slow button on YouTube.
    Yeah to Knitters without Borders who time and time again pull out all the stops – you go knitters! Very cool indeed.

  121. I knew you’d get there. Thanks for being so honest. I’ve got several MSF donations I haven’t sent so will get those off to you soon.
    Ain’t knitters grand?!

  122. That photo looks like heaven. I hope I am there by Sunday after my finals are all over!! You have given me something to look forward to. Thanks Steph!

  123. Glad to be educated about who David Suzuki is…learn something new every day. And I considered myself relatively well informed. Guess not. My mom died 40 yrs ago on Christmas Eve, the year I was 16 so very early on, I made the vow that Christmas Eve and the whole season was NOT going to be about her death but about her LIFE. I just couldn’t carry on about my ongoing sorrow, when I had three little ones to make Christmas for. I know she would have kicked my arse for moping around. Now that the kids are adults, I still have moments (you never get over it, it just gets a little easier, a teeny bit at a time) but we will celebrate Christmas joyfully because for once in a long time, all three kids will be on the same continent and home! Hooray! My donation to MSF is on its way. You started my relationship with them Ms Harlot, so ya done good.

  124. Do you have any way of knowing that I give to MSF once a month (electronically withdrawn), except for me telling you right now? I do, I do, I do. I want a karmic gift (of course that is not why I am giving, but oh how cool it would be!)

  126. Glad you are feeling better. Gorgeous tree. Awesome totals for MSF.
    Your picture of David Suzuki along with the postings from your other readers on famous people holding socks has me extra excited about flying from Pennsylvania to New Mexico later this month. I have just gotten brave enough to knit a sock (oh I can see the addiction…) so now I will have a sock for a celebrity to hold.
    Laura

  127. I got my tree up. I am only doing the tree this year (usually I do the whole house she-bang!) But being from New York area this Christmas is veeerry different. There are a lot of good people in the financial businesses that are out of work due to their boss’s (sp?) misbehavior, and the mood is sombre.
    But I’m heading back home (to BC) this Christmas and it’s snowing there! The nice thing about knitting is that every stitch counts. And if you knit from stash you feel virtuous.
    Renewing my KSF monthly donation! Though those guys need to get their snail mail stuff under control!! I got 16 letters about the same pledge, with no option to renew the monthly thing I did last year….just saying as a fund-raiser person.
    Happy Holidays to all…especially David Suzuki

  129. That is all good!
    But….a tree two weeks before Christmas? Is that common in Canada? I see the same on some US blogs.
    In Norway trees are usually not put up and decorated until Dec. 23rd (in the evening, after the kids have fallen asleep) in private homes, so just thought I’d ask!

  132. I’m thinking that you forgot to list the clean table with a spot to put your wine & knitting. That would be a true joy to me!!

  134. Large trees are always entertaining and have lead to a many great stories to tell future generations.
    Glad you are feeling better. Wine is always a good thing.

  137. Hi Stephanie 🙂
    We are so glad our Socumentary makes you happy 🙂 We quite enjoyed making it.
    We know that on Youtube the song is broken halfway through, and sometimes the pictures move too fast ro read.
    Me, Bloodtears, and Shosh15 decided to host it back then in two places, the second one is on my website.
    http://www.rowsell.org/shosh/Site/A%20sockumentary.html
    If you want to see the photos individually that is the plac to do it 🙂
    Merry Christmas

  139. This post makes me happy. I sat down on Sunday night to start knitting something for fun and that made me very happy. I’ve been churning out scarves and neckwarmers and handspun yarn for local craft shows and such all season and finally, I’m done with those. They are fun while they last and they bring in money for more yarn, but I get tired of it. I only do scarves because the average person won’t pay the amount socks are worth for socks or for a hat… or mittens, but scarves are golden.
    that was a tangent, but there you go.

  141. Steph,
    Just thought of something. Why don’t you and Franklin Habit (aka “It Itches” author and Photographer of 1,000 Kniters Project to those who may not know) and assemble a collection of all the “pictures with the sock”? Fun, wow!
    ho-ho-ho

  142. So glad you are over your mid-month crisis. The still life of Tree, Wine and Sock is very poetic and lovely. The poster who was inspired with 10 things cracked me up, that was great. And just who is responsible for the shaved Pomeranian over at CO, hmmmm? Is one of you spinning up that fetching (yes, pun) peach colored fur????

  143. That is the MOST beautiful Christmas Tree shot I’ve seen in a VERY long time. Wow. Breathtaking. And now I want some wine to go with mine LOL.

  144. Steph, I gave a little to MSF so feel happy. You are the best and make me laugh every day. You also remind me a LOT of me. Lily

  145. I LOVE the David Suzuki picture. Fabulous!! Totally made my day. If only I could be home baking cookies or reading by the fire… I love Christmas.

  147. you probably already know this, but you are flipping awesome. really enjoy reading your blog. good luck on the whole schedule thing. i’ve got a tiny list and am procrastinating badly. dang it.

  148. Another change the world thing. You do realize, don’t you?, that it is because of YOU by dear, that sock knitting has become such a craze and a great boon to the economies of Canada and the U.S. It seems to me that you should get some royalites or something for this amazing craze/fad/Very, Very Good Thing that you started.
    I’ve been meaning to mention this in here for ages. You alone have changed our little part of the world a great deal. And all of it in Very, Very good ways.
    I just wish I had smaller feet since I can’t wear handmade socks with anything but my sneakers and 14-year-old Doc Martins.
    Happy Day to YOU! And all your readers, of course!

  149. donated $50 to Doctors Without Borders, but for some reason your e-mail address wouldn’t work from here in Anchorage, AK. So please add to your ongoing tally.

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