These are a few of my favorite things....

I have to say raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens are not some of my favorite things, even if they were Maria's favorites (and I love Maria). She did get it right with the warm woolen mittens, of course! But the season does evoke some of my favorite things.

I love Christmas music. Love it. I know in general it's viewed as being corny and ridiculous, but the thought of baking Christmas cookies while listening to Sleigh Ride or Mele Kalikimaka is wonderful to me (and what says Christmas more than Bing Crosby? Not much, frankly). My favorite Christmas album is the iconic Boney M Christmas. Mary's Boy Child by Boney M. That's Christmas all wrapped up in one song for me.

The finishing of knitted gifts is also a highlight. I'm so close to being done everything right now, and it makes me feel content. I put a lot of effort into those knitted gifts and the feeling of finishing is worth it. Only the big blue blob which has some minor finishing, is left to complete. I did it. I finished what I wanted (other than one pair of socks which has been deferred to a March birthday instead) and it's good. I even surprise myself sometimes.

One thing that has moved off the list of things I dread, to things I look forward to, is blocking. Ever since going to the Lucy workshop, I've been blocking pretty much everything. I'm converted. This blocking; this is good. It works. Things look better. It's easier to seam up a sweater that has been blocked (and seaming up is usually dreadful to me). It may have to do with my little blocking pins I got that are all yellow and cheerful. Or, it's the results (likely a bit of both). I still haven't blocked socks yet, but I read somewhere that Ann Budd (who knits A LOT of socks) doesn't block her socks (except for photoshoots); and I figure if Ann doesn't block her's, I'm not blocking mine.

I also quite enjoy the Christmas chaos. I like going to the mall when there's a flurry of activity. The feeling of being in the vortex of chaos, yet not feeling chaotic myself. I have a few minor things to pick up and it's not dreadful to me to have to wade into that pool (as long as the boys are left at home of course...).

Weddings. Ok, to be honest weddings are not one of my favorite things, but I didn't know how else to segue into this. My office-mate Catknip went off and got hitched all secret-like on the weekend. I'm very happy for them. Congrats to Catknip and the man who winds our balls!