Saturday, December 19, 2009

I think this would be a good point at which to pause for the hols. Happy Winter Solstice, everybody – except for Kate and her friends, who will have to watch the light retreat henceforth. (Alice, as she fell down the rabbit hole: “How funny it’ll seem to come out among the people that walk with their heads downwards. The antipathies, I think.”)

The ASJ is finished, except for its two buttons and a couple of loose threads, no more. I wanted to rush ahead and get it blocked so that it will be dry in time for Loch Fyne. It’s a light yarn, and I’ll move it in to the cosy kitchen tomorrow or Monday. Looks OK, but the proof of the pudding…

I hope to have some action photographs when we get back, of that and of my Christmas knitting. Maybe even one of me in my green suede jacket.

Here’s a pic of the left-over yarn, easily enough to knit another ASJ except that I’ve used slightly more than half of the Charcoal. Thus are stashes formed.


I think I’ve come through these dark days in slightly better form than usual, with only occasional glimpses into the abyss. This could be due to:

a) taking a lot of vitamin D;
b) the placebo effect of taking a lot of vitamin D;
c) the weight loss. Nobody seems to notice my new, trimmer self but two stone is a lot of luggage not to be carrying around, and I feel much sprightlier;
d) the lo-cider element of my regime – alcohol is depressing; or
e) just one of those things.

I'll relax my regime a bit over the hols, although I won't be sending out for any deep-fried Mars bars (not a joke: they are a well-known Scottish delicacy). But cider! cheese! bacon! that sort of thing.

I didn’t buy any yarn yesterday. John Lewis only had a couple of balls of Rowan’s Calmer, uninspiring of colour, and the whole frantic atmosphere of the place disinclined me to spend any money for anything. My current thought is the Coward’s Solution – two chemo caps, one cashmere and one sock yarn.

So – goodbye, God bless, see you next year sometime.

32 comments:

  1. rosesmama11:29 AM

    Your jacket is beautiful. I'd be interested to know how you managed the sleeve taper.

    Enjoy the holidays. We on the US east coast are hunkering down under a big snow. Just hoping it lasts until Christmas . . .

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  2. Your ASJ looks great. Hope your other Christmas knits turned out just as pleasing. Merry Christmas Jean, hope you enjoy your wee break away. Looking forward to reading your blog in the New Year.

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  3. Happy Christmas wearing your colourful ASJ.

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  4. Anonymous1:26 PM

    Love your ASJ, Looking forward to seeing your new green suede jacket on the new 2 stone lighter Jean.
    May your holidays be merry.
    See you again in 2010.
    Genie

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  5. Anonymous2:37 PM

    The ASJ is stunning and I look forward to seeing it on the new you.
    Have a wonderful holiday!

    Barbara in CA

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  6. Anonymous2:42 PM

    The jacket is truly beautiful and you did such a lovely job arranging the colours. Thanks for all the pleasure you have given me this year. I really enjoy seeing your projects. Best wishes for a happy Christmas and all good things in 2010 to you and those you love.
    Ron in Mexico

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  7. the ASJ is wonderful! Enjoy your holidays. I look forward to reading your blog in the new year
    Sandy

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  8. ASJ turned out a thing of beauty - I imagine it is even better in person. I appreciate reading your posts (I almost wrote that I turn to your blog first thing, newspaper talk still haunts my brain, I guess.) Have a wonderful holiday.

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  9. Congratulations on finishing the ASJ - it is really stellar.
    Best wishes for a lovely holiday with your family.
    Happy New Year!
    Lisa in Toronto

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  10. Judith in Ottawa3:57 PM

    Enjoy your holidays. We'll miss you!

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  11. Maureen in Fargo4:52 PM

    Merry Christmas, Jean!

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  12. Merry Christmas!

    May your holidays be full of family love and joy !

    ASJ is gorgeous and inspiring... may have to attempt one after seeing the beauty of the varied colors. like the Coat of Many colors from the Bible (was it Abraham?)

    will miss your postings as yours is one of the first i read each day...

    looking forward to the new year and tales of the hols!

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  13. Wishing you happy holidays with your family. As others have said, I turn to your posts early in the day, and I always feel lost when you're away for any length of time! We'll look forward to hearing from you in the new year.

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  14. Regardless of cause, feeling better is a good thing. Best of the season to you and yours.

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  15. Congrats on the weight loss. That is a great present you've given yourself for Christmas. Happy holidays!

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  16. Merry Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year from Downunder.
    The ASJ inspires me - but not in this heat!

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  17. =Tamar11:02 PM

    The ASJ is lovely. I find that cheese and bacon cheer me up considerably. Very soon the days will be getting longer (not precisely on the 22nd for some reason but soon enough) and that will help.

    Congratulations on the weight loss! I'm sure people are noticing.

    Franklin's cartoon today is perfect, only I want everything postponed - around here we need total amnesty for any obligations occurring during the aftermath of a big snowstorm.

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  18. The ASJ is gorgeous. Happy Christmas to you and yours.

    I second your cries for winter fuel food - cheese, bacon, etc.

    Safe travels - looking forward to hearing of your festivities in the new year.

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  19. Have a delightful Christmas and New Year's. I'll miss reading your daily posts but it's good to take a break.

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  20. Merry Christmas, Jean. I think your ASJ is one of the most appealing that I have seen. The definition afforded by the dark lines separating the colours works really well. I'd love to see it modelled.

    Best,
    Helena

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  21. Donice4:23 AM

    I look forward to pictures of the ASJ upon your slimmer frame! Much joy to you and yours for Christmas.

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  22. Dawn in NL10:33 AM

    Dear Jean,

    Have a wonderful time with your family. I will look forward to catching up with your posts when I get back from Prague.

    The ASJ is looking great.

    All the very best for 2010,
    Dawn

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  23. Gerri2:16 PM

    Happy Holidays! Enjoy great times with your family!

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  24. Theresa I3:33 PM

    Have a wonderful holiday! The ASJ looks great.

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  25. Merry Christmas! Fantastic job on the ASJ :)

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  26. Merry Christmas, Jean! Your ASJ looks to be a great success.

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  27. jacket is lovely! Wishing you and our family a safe and happy christmas!

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  28. Anonymous12:40 AM

    As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you

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  29. Anonymous3:47 PM

    Happy New Year Jean! Looking forward to your posts in 2010.
    Erin D

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  30. Dear Jean -- I am months behind on reading blogs and decided to treat myself and catch up today. Nice to know that you have been as busy as usual with interesting and thoughtful posts, and lots of good projects.

    I hope you come back here soon! Happy New Year!
    Maryjo

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  31. Anonymous7:32 AM

    This rather good phrase is necessary just by the way

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  32. It's finished and it's glorious! I love the drama that the charcoal gives the rest of the palette. It should definitely be the pride of the Christmas morning and/or New Years Eve wardrobe.

    Good grief. If H&A or Neighbors is the only thing to provide solace in waxing solstice times,the times are grim indeed. If you're going to be saddled with Australian drama, at least it could be something of good quality like "MDA", "Sea Change" or "Bed of Roses". Perhaps these are importable to your library, if they do DVDs from the Australian Broadcasting Commission.

    As for waning solstice, like you I can't wait to have January and February over and done with. Each year the heat seems more oppressive and less sleep available due to tossing and turning with the heat. Roll on March!

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