And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing right within your heart.

• Am currently burning the 28 CDs of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander to my computer. I assume it will make some lovely listening while I knitknitknit.
  
• However, I also am enjoying listening to Anna Karenina via LibriVox. I have tried to READ AK any number of times; the listening is much pleasanter.
  
• All this audio goodness is to help me knit the four baby hats my husband asked me to knit for baby-having coworkers. He asked last week. He wants them before Christmas.
  
• It was a good excuse to go buy yarn I might not otherwise: a pale pink alpaca/silk blend, and some gorgeous Malabrigo silky merino.
  
• At least one of the hats I am knitting is the pink ruffly dealio in here.
  
• It's already so adorable I could scream.
  
• I am also knitting the umbrella edge beanie in here. I am just not sure in what color yet, although I have some gorgeous soft turquoise-y blue Malabrigo worsted lying around...
  
• I am reading actual real live hard copybooks. I swear.
  
• I am totally in love with Lillian Nattel's River Midnight. Engrossing and complex and human. LOVE this book.
  
• I want to own this, as I will reread it.
  
• I also started Kate Jacobs' Knit Two last night. Oh, how I want to love these books, like I love Gil McNeil's Beach Street books.
  
• But I don't. They are cold and detached. I don't LIKE any of the characters. She's like Jennifer Chiaverini with all the schmaltz but none of the redeeming heart.
  
• I am doing my own Christmas shopping, mostly at Persephone Press. Will keep you updated on my selections.
  
• I am also buying myself a lovely pair of chestnut short Uggs boots.
  
• I think.
  
• Unfortunately, all the Amazon packages flowing into the house these days contain gifts, not goodies for me.
  
• I bought H this and this for Christmas. Just today.
  
• Our tree is bought and up. It's easily nine feet tall, and smells gloriously like oranges. The tree guy says this is typical of Douglas fir trees.
  
• Outside lights are up, framing our front door, and the rest of the decorations will go up this weekend.
  
• Baking for teacher gifts will commence this evening. I am leaning towards lemon slice.
  
• Kim gave me the world's best lemon bar recipe ever. I think they're festive enough for Christmas gifts...
  
• The boys completed their shopping at the school store, and all mysterious packages are sequestered in my bedroom.
  
• I hear we may get a few inches of snow this weekend.
  
• It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
  
• THIS is more like it.