Friday, December 22, 2017

The shortest day of the year



There are many who suffer from not having light and get depressed during this time of the year. I don’t mind the darkness, this is such a peaceful time. I have lived up here for the most part of my life and I am accustomed to the changing amount of light, the lack of it in midwinter and the wealth of it in midsummer. Our darkness it not all that dark, the white snow that surrounds, reflects and gives strength to the tiniest of light sources, and when it is moonlit, clear night, it almost feels like an arctic afternoon.

Today is 22nd; it has been both long and short way to get to this point. December 1st seems already far away, yet it feels like days go by in a rush. This year I paced my life little better than during most of my years before. I had a chance in the beginning of November to spend some time by myself, all alone in the house, and the timing was perfect for me. I had time to gather my thoughts, think about the past year, look little bit ahead. I don’t want to seem like I know how to do things well, because honestly, I don’t, but I had this one revelation earlier this fall that I want to share, little thing that changed my life during this season for the better.

The amount of extra work is huge during the Christmas season. Even though the work load is bigger, it needs to be squeezed into the usual 24-hour slot. The kitchen work seems to double, there is the usual amount of cooking plus all the holiday preparations, little bit of jam making here, cakes, cookies, pastries, casseroles there. During November I stuffed my freezer with everyday meals. Every time I cooked in November, I made enough to put into the freezer to take a homemade dinner out of it in December. This worked very well. It did not only give me more time to enjoy all the December kitchen work, it did save some shopping and planning time too. I am sure this tip is out there in the universe already; this year is the first I did this and it worked well. I wish I had figured out this already years ago.

I have enjoyed this December very much with you. It has been nice to read the comments in the mail box, to know that you are out there; rattle the brain to see if there is anything worth writing about every single day. The crafty content has been little bit thin, but this is the way life goes. Some of you have commented and wished that I would keep writing next year, and hopefully more regularly. I will be here again once Christmas is gone.
There are still two more days to go. Most likely very short posts, part of my family came home yesterday, and the rest will come tomorrow.
Few years ago, knitters shared little video clips of the way they knit and hold the yarn… here is little clip of me knitting and crocheting.

Until tomorrow,
Wool with you,
Lene

10 comments:

  1. I have definitely enjoyed your posts this month (I enjoy them all the time, but these have all been special). Like you, I enjoy the dark of winter and have no problems with it, though I know some do.

    Have a wonderful, happy Christmas Eve and Day with your family! Best to all of you.

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  2. I am new to your blog, and will spend the weekend catching up on posts. But, Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  3. I, too, have been enjoying your posts this December - you write so beautifully. Wishing you a Merry Christmas with your family and all the best for 2018. Looking forward to more of your posts.

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  4. Anonymous17:11

    I am happy to hear you will be back after Christmas! I have so enjoyed your cat creations, your doll house posts, and all of your pictures of your home/pets/property/surroundings. Your world is a beautiful one and it is easy to see why you love it so much.
    Have a lovely holiday with your family and best wishes for good health, good times, and good cheer in the new year.
    Wool with you, too,
    Denise in Ohio

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  5. Anonymous17:50

    It is the wonder of life that you share in your writing. Merry Christmas and peace to you in this coming year.

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  6. I am impressed by how quickly you knit! No wonder that you have so many beautiful socks as well as kitties and sweaters! Thank you for sharing. I too hope that you will keep posting in the new year. I read every day even though I don't often comment. Your thoughts are a gift.

    Laura

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  7. Thank you for the video! I am always trying to improve my knitting style, and you have given me a new idea for how to hold the right-hand needle. Glad Yule to you and your family, the dogs, the cats and the kittens!

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  8. Happy Christmas! Thank you for sharing your creativity and your perspective on life so close to the arctic circle.

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  9. God Jul, Happy Christmas to you and yours, i am new to your blog, so I too plan to spend some time reading your previous posts over the holidays. I must say I admire how effieicnt your grip is for the knitting on double pointed needles, I knit the English way, by throwing the yarn for every stitch, I really need to learn the way you are doing it to limit muscle strain.
    regards
    liz in Limerick, Ireland

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  10. Have a wonderful holiday with your family. Merry Christmas!

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