I’m having a difficult time getting into the holiday spirit this year. I hate how aggressive people get around all the shopping centers here, especially on the roadways. I just don’t need all that extra stress. Who does, really??? It’s too bad, though, because I have a couple of children who are plenty excited about the holidays. I suppose I would be too if I were as innocent as they about the rampant commercialism and the shoppers stampeding one another.

For their sake, though, I’m going to be as cheerful as Bob Cratchit.

How’s that?

We’ll bake cookies and decorate a tree and go sledding when we get to grandmother’s house early next week; until then, we’ll all have to buckle down and run errands, do laundry and take care of last minute gift crafting.

I finished two!

I knit this pair of felted clogs for my father. He requested them, so they’re not going to be much of a surprise, but I hope he’ll like them. The colors are supposed to be reminiscent of shearling. I wish the bands around the ankle had remained a little fluffier, but if wishes were horses…

This here is the second pirate hat I’ve knit for my husband. The first shrunk after a trip through the wash, and then, when adopted by my son, ended up in that vortex of lost things that centers around his school. I’ve already given this to Robert, since it’s been FREEZING here. He’s delighted with it.

I’m supposed to be finishing up a couple of pairs of flannel pajamas for my kids, but my heart just isn’t into it right now. (I’d rather be dreaming about dresses!) The kids can wait until January for the PJs. They’ll have plenty of other presents under the tree.