Yes, Winter Solstice is nearly here and we have been enjoying some delightfully cold temperatures. Last night was predicted to hit minus 17C and tonight is -20C (-4F). I’m sure the furnace is getting a good workout, keeping the house at +15 overnight.

The snow that fell is now ice. We have to drive carefully on the side roads, but the highway is mostly dry now. It was beautifully sunny today, and I enjoyed my weekly piano lesson followed by 20 lengths of the local pool. I also stopped in at work and picked up some mesh wrap in silver and turquoise to add to our Christmas/Solstice/Pagan/whatever tree!

There’s also a couple of metres of turquoise organza with silver snowflakes on around the base.  Seems like the bottom of the tree could do with a bit of pruning as a couple of branches are looking a little out of place.

I had an enjoyable weekend. Saturday Tai Chi Man and I took the boys out to a vegan restaurant downtown that we’ve never tried before. They are heavy on the faux meats but the food was good. The boys had “burgers” and we had pulled “pork” sandwiches, all with fries. And OMG, I had the BEST hot chocolate complete with whipped coconut cream and a vegan marshmallow on top.

We followed this up with the movie Moana at the big theatre not far from our house. It was fun and when we came out it was snowing heavily.

Sunday Tai Chi Man and I went to the Holistic Market, a regular gathering of energy workers and vendors, and had some Tesla treatment done. This apparently heals at a cellular level. I certainly noticed some effects, and it took a while to ‘ground’ myself again afterwards.

In the evening, I had the work Christmas dinner to attend. Eating out at a non-vegan restaurant can be tough, not just for finding tasty vegan food  but also from the perspective that I’m surrounded by people eating meat and fish, which I can find disturbing. This time, I made a conscious decision not to let it get to me. I love my group of co-workers – there were 18 of us there Sunday, which is almost all the staff, except for a couple who couldn’t make it. We sat at a long wooden table and I plunked myself down right in the middle of one side. The food was okay – I’m sure this place prides itself on its food, but it’s very meat-centric and expensive. My plate of roasted vegetables was $21!

The managers handed out gift certificates for part of the meal, gift certificates for the store, and gift bags which were totally unexpected and welcome. Mine of course had yarn in it, plus a few other nifty things. My friend across the table received a ball of yarn and a pompom (same kit as the one I used to knit the hat I showed you last time) but she doesn’t knit so she gave them to me. Next day, they were already transformed into this…

This is my Gio hat pattern, minus the peak, with a crab stitch edging (reverse single crochet).

There is a new WIP in my life and it is a girly Santa hat. The plan is to make it in hot pink Red Heart With Love (crocheted) with a knitted Astrakan brim. The brim is more than half done and then I shall see how easy (or not) it is to crochet along the edge and work the body of the hat up from there.

Not using a pattern. Just winging it as usual. I can’t believe how much knitting I’ve done in the last couple of weeks. Maybe my knitting mojo is coming back. I did try crocheting the brim but the first row convinced me that knitting it would be easier. It really is impossible to see your stitches with this loopy stuff. But it’s perfect for a Santa hat.

Brrr, I’m feeling a little chilly. Must be the thought of that -20 temperature outside. Stay warm, people! Talk to you again soon.