I'm taking a different approach to the holidays this year. Normally late November and December will find me chugging along in high production mode, trying to knit a ridiculous number of items for my loved ones. This year, I'm just sort of floating through the holidays, doing whatever the heck it is that I feel like doing, and it's lovely.

Hallo, ik ben een Koolhaas

How did this come about? You may recall that I spent July, August and September in designy/deadliney mode and, while I'm quite proud of the three patterns I managed to scrape together (lotus leaf mittens, rainy day fingerless gloves, and one more yet to come out in January), three months was more than enough stress to last me through the end of the year. So I'm just sortof moseying through the holidays, not worrying about how Christmas cards will get written (will they?), only going to parties if I feel like it, and spending more time on the things I like to do like baking Christmas cookies, decorating things, dancing around to Christmas carols, and trying to fit in a little reading every evening too. This is all totally unlike me and, honestly, the most fabulous thing I've done for myself in a long time.

I made these guys as ornaments, but they took up residence under the tree

So I've thrown a few photos of some of the Christmas stuffus here, but I'm feeling pretty lazy and I want to get to my reading tonight (tonight I start The Subtle Knife!), so you'll have to be happy with a few details, short captions, and no links. The current tally is as follows:

- 3 completed gifts
- 2 nearly completed gifts (only finishing remains)
- 1 botched handspun design-in-progress (I ran out of yarn. Oops)
- 1 just started project
- and Thunk's project which (as usual) I will try to complete in time for his birthday in February. Because his always gets sacrificed, and this year is no exception.

dear, your ends are showing

All in all I'm supremely unconcerned about how it will all get done. I'm sure I'll work something out. They're all smallish projects. Anyway, I've been unusually verbose this evening so I think it's time to wrap this one up. I hope you're all staying warm and sane! I'm thankful for you this holiday season.