Peace, love, and knitting!

Love is the bridge between you and everything! rumi

There’s quite a few hours left to finish those last few rows, cast-off and work in those loose ends of your holiday knits parade. There’s also enough time cast-on and finish something smallish. Hope does spring eternal, especially knitting hopes!
I am actually casting on today for 2 gifts but I do not have to have them done until the end of next week so…yay!!!
My family celebrates Solstice and Christmas, one of my favorite times of the year.I love the peaceful aura that permeates this season. All the magical twinkling lights especially at night in the snow. I love the traditions and just having time with my family and friends.
This year has been very very different both for me and my whole family. I feel this is in part due to the loss of my mother right before Halloween. Loosing your mother is a big loss that takes a whole lot of time to get your head and heart around. A whole lot of my love of this holiday and the traditions that I have passed on to my family come from my mother.
I was thinking yesterday as I looked at the tree still all twined up on the front porch and the empty cookie tins and holiday decor that I was just way to busy with Blue Moon this year to get my act together. All the snow did not help matters either and then last night as I was doing some (almost last minute) shopping it hit me. It hit me in the wine aisle at Zupans, as I considered the wine to buy for our Christmas Eve mulled wine, that it was not that I was too busy or otherwise occupied with the everyday business of life. Nope, it’s just plain old grief that has held me back from my usual joyous celebration of this season.
So…today after I finish wishing you lovely knitters a lovely holiday. I am going to finish my coffee and honor my mom, who would so not be down with this lack of mine. No way, nothing kept Joan Hook from her holiday celebrationing. I am going to put on the my favorite holiday music and start some cookies baking. I gonna put up the Christmas Tree and spend three whole days not working and hanging out with my four favorite people on the planet! Oh…and I am going to knit and spin a little too. I have 2 projects patiently waiting for my attention.
I was going to tell you all about Vogue Knitting LIVE and how we have sent a whole lot of yarn to Feather Your Nest for their booth and about 2017 Sock club sign-ups which start on the 2nd of January and Emma’s stunning sweater but I think we will save that for next week.
I wish you all so very much love, light and hope! Love each other! Thank you for being such a richly textured and colorful part of my life! I feel truly blessed by each and everyone of you!
A few special notes of love to:
The Vancouver HandSpinners for knitting the yarn we donated to them for the homeless here in the Pacific Northwest and for the brave souls at Standing Rock.
Also, to all of you knitters who have purchased yarn for the Pussy Hat Project. Because of you Blue Moon is able to send a nice donation to the ACLU thanks to you!!
Sheri Berger of the Loopy Ewe, thank you for letting us donate yarn and be a part of your lovely holiday giving project.
I send to all of you for whom this season might not be the most wonderful a big hug.

And lastly…chickens in the snow! Just cause.

xoxoxo