Hi! I am never going to win any prizes for prolific blogger of the year. There is just not enough time to do all the things I would like to do. I promise to get in some posting about recent knitting - where I am with respect to MS#3, my Heartbeat Sweater, the two different pairs of socks in (slow) progess, plus anything else I can dream up. However, the main purpose of this post is to answer the 25 questions in the Christmas Around the World Swap. I just remembered that I had not done this yet, and there is a deadline looming, so here goes:
Are you religious? Somewhat; some of my holiday fun is church related and some is not.
How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced? I have been knitting for something like 40 years (Eeek!). I would call myself a "high intermediate" - I can still find things to learn and ideas I haven't tried, but I can learn from written instructions and work things out when needed.
Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting? Reading, participating in music of many kinds
Favorite color(s)? Jewel tones and sunrise/sunset colors, rainbow things (no faux fair isle - I don't care for the spots)
Do you collect anything? Other than fiber related things, you mean? I have a lot of cookbooks and I did get into collecting/researching Christmas carol music at one time. Did you know "The First Noel" actually has something like 12 verses?
Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? Not that I know of, and I think I have been exposed to most of them by now.
Do you have any pets? Yes, a dog named Pippin. He is a 6 year old Shiba Inu (think miniature Akita). He doesn't knit, but he does shed. Someday I am going to get someone to spin the shedded hair I have been saving - it is very soft!
Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate? I like them all - the hot chocolate needs to be "dark" and not too sweet.
Cookies or Sweets? Yes! - if it's chocolate, it should be dark (or at least not too "sugary")
Do you knit socks? Yes
If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits) I like to try new things, especially with interesting pattern stitches
Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do? We generally put up a tree, but often fail to decorate it completely due to all the other holiday activities.
Favorite holiday treats? Hot cider, cookies, truffles, fruitcake (the kind with real dried fruit, not candied "pebbles" disguised as
fruit!); and I know there are others
Favorite holiday smells? Baking spices and pine; the air when it is about to snow
Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate. Our celebration is fairly conventional.
We have relatives who mail gifts to us which we often open when they arrive or on Christmas Eve, so they can have their own moment in the sun. The music I get to sing in church choir and listen to on my extensive collection of CD's is a huge part of my holiday.
What are your favorite holiday traditions? I mentioned music - Early in December I get to play the trumpet in a small brass group while all the 5th graders in town sing the songs and the lights on the town common are lit. There are several parties over the next several weeks - open houses, really - that we are invited to each year. One Sunday a group from church goes caroling to folks who are home bound. For the last few years we have been lucky enough to attend the Christmas Revels - a combination of theatre and music that is different every year, yet loaded with traditions...
Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....” Sharing and experiencing music
If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….? A glass globe with a rainbow finish (like a soap bubble, only permanent
What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given? One year when I was still buying gifts for my son's age mates (there were five of us from church who had our first babies in the space of a few months, and I used to give a gift to all five pus my nephew who is about the same age) I was combing the bookstore for a likely choice (that I could get 6 copies of!). Once of the employees steered me to the first Harry Potter novel - it had not quite taken off yet, but was available in quantity and at a good price. I am pretty sure it was well read in everyone's house that year.
When do you start your Christmas? I suppose the Christmas caroling and tree lighting here in town is sort of the official start.
Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them? I used to send Christmas cards - I have made some and bought some, and sometimes we send photo cards (those darling children, you know) but it has been years since I have been able to make the time to do this.
What is your favorite Christmas dish? The lobster lasagne I invented one year. I think I dirtied every pan in the kitchen, but it sure was good. I love trying other people's traditional dishes too. Then there is always fruitcake and chocolate truffles!
Carolers are at your door. What do you do? Sing along and then give them cookies.
When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning? Both (and other times - see above)
Do you celebrate with family or friends or both? Both. We have relatives that live near enough to join us on Christmas Day -
and often stay on for a day or two. We also have lots of church friends and musician friends that we visit and party with
throughout the holiday season. And then there is one family here we have been friends with since college - we usually
have dinner with them the evening of Christmas Day.
My holiday mantra? Happy Holidays - celebrate them all early and often!
