Nessie: The New Symbol of Christmas

Since I gave up on knitting Christmas presents, because there was no more time before Christmas, I tried to figure out another way to efficiently and cheaply create gifts for friends and family. Talking my problem through with some thoughtful foodie friends I came to the conclusion that baking was the answer. Generally I am a good baker and enjoy it very much, so I thought what better solution could there be? It's fun for me and tasty for them!

I decided that I would make spritz cookies because they're easy and delicious, and you get a ton of cookies. In the past I have used the recipe that came with my press, but this year I decided to use the recipe in my cookie cookbook. It's Betty Crocker, she knows good recipes, right? Um...well...

I did all of the right things, I even double checked the ingredients and the measurements. No luck. First the cookies wouldn't come off of the press, they were too greasy. So I decided to make snakes, they're easy, that's why little children make them out of play dough. Scowling and swearing at the stupid dough that stuck i rolled it into snakes and baked them for the allotted time. The allotted time apparently wasn't enough because the dough was all mushy after it was supposed to be done. More swearing. Finally when they were fully baked and cool enough I decided to taste my delicious work. To my astonishment and dismay they were nasty! Not sweet enough and too greasy. Ugh! How depressing. Oh well. I'll try again later.

Gifts

Christmas is coming and soon. This year once again I decided to make all of my Christmas presents, that was in September. I know from experience that you have to decide to do such things early or you will never get them all done in time. Well, I also should have kept in mind another item I have learned from experience; that I am a procrastinator. Right now one week before Christmas I have two facecloths made, and I think I made them back in September. I don't even know who they are for. So once again my grand ambitions are out the window and off to the store I go.

Maybe next year is my year. If I start right now I will, for sure, be done in time...

Lucky

I'm not sure if this is the right format for this, it's totally off topic, but I need to get it out.

I'm really lucky. I'm lucky because I have seen a lot of hard times, in my few years here I have been through the stress and trauma that it takes some people a lifetime to build up. I have watched loved ones die and seen the effects on those around them, I have been faced with the random tragic nature of life itself, I have watched people beat the odds in the worst way possible, I have been privy to a lot of pain. Why then, you ask, would I consider myself lucky?

Here's why: I appreciate everyday because I know there might not be a tomorrow, I live my life being grateful for every hearty laugh and great character I encounter, I always tell those I love that I love them, and when tragedy happens I accept it as part of the inevitable and grieve, but continue to be in awe at the world around me. Life is hard and painful and there is no escaping that.

There is a line from a Mason Jennings song that has always stuck with me as a metaphor for life.
"Beautiful, like the darkness between the fireflies"

Light and dark, the combination is what makes life beautiful.

Yarn and Needles

Reconstructing my sweater, in the right size this time, made me think of how yarn and needles must match. If the yarn is too big for the needles you can make something but it will hurt you to do it and what you get will be stiff and inflexible. You can use needles that are too big for the yarn and sometimes you get something you want but your work will be loose and flimsy.

Needles and yarn have a relationship that can resemble the relationships of people. Some people work well together and just understand each other from hello, while others just can't seem to hit it off. It's not necessarily true that one or the other is bad, it's just that they need a different needle to be beautiful. The right pair together is capable of making something lasting and valuable.