What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~ Yiddish proverb

2020 has been full of surprises. I think you would agree, these aren’t the surprises most of us like to receive. Fortunately, craftvent and my self-care calendars have been a joy to open. I’m enjoying watching Northern Lights and Cinnamon Sugar grow.

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Day 7 surprises did not fail to disappoint. Given how much I enjoy casting on projects, stitch markers always seem to be on demand. Snowflake stitch markers are so festive! They will come in handy when I cast on Ribbon Candy Beanie. How exciting I have a pattern for the yarn I opened a few days ago. It also included felt to line the hat. While I’m all for learning new techniques, I’m not actually sure I want my hat lined. I’m thinking the felt could become fantastic cat toys. Now, I just need to see if I have any loose catnip.

• Day 1: Needles and pattern code, msm hand cream and tender loving care herbal tea “Tea-LC” from Plum Deluxe.
• Day 2: Yarn for the first lace section and DK weight yarn in Barn Door from Apple Fiber Studio. I had some amazing teas while working on this section. Chocolate-orange rooibos from Lizzy Kate, Elderberry Wine from Adagio teas, and Grandmas Caramel Butterscotch Black from Plum Deluxe.
• Day 3: Yarn for first transition section. My crafters self-care advent calendar had Dream Catcher tea from Flying Bird Botanicals. I had to laugh because the last thing I need right now is more tea, but I’m always excited to find new local businesses. Flying Bird Botanicals has drinking chocolates in interesting flavors along with honey, matcha and tea. I see more of this brand in my future. Since this took less time to knit, I only managed to get through two packages of advent calendar tea: Spiced Apple Chai from Adagio and Lizzy’s Breakfast Supreme from Lizzy Kate. The breakfast supreme was a great pick-me-up for sluggish mornings when I need to be alert for the day job.
• Day 4: A project bag and Craftvent 2020 pins that became ornaments. This time I drank two teas from Plum deluxe. (In case you were wondering, I’m not drinking the teas in the order I open them necessarily.) Fog Cutter black and Decaf House Blend both were scrumptious.
• Day 5: Yarn for lace section three and knitting accessories. I’ve had two lovely cups of tea while knitting the day 5 rows. The first was Cherry Marzipan Oolong from Adagio. It had elements of a British baked confectionary in tea form. Yum! The second I made into a hot toddy with Earl Grey Cream from Lizzy Kate.
• Day 6: Contrasting yarn for the next transitional lines and fisherman’s ribbing sections along with a knitting sleuth happiness sticker. I had two fantastic cups of tea while working on day 6. The first was Pu-erh Chorange from Adagio. This tasted like a Terry’s chocolate orange candy in beverage form. The second cup was Porch Sippin’ Pecan Black from Plum Deluxe.
• Day 7: Snowflake stitch markers and candy ribbon beanie pattern. Since this was a surprise day that involved no knitting, just one cup of tea from Plum Deluxe. It was Coconut Macaroon Dessert tea. I love tea with hints of coconut.

Holiday leftovers are the best! Doesn’t my open faced lamb melt below make your mouth water? (It sure brought the kitties running.) With carb-free bread, I can layer on the protein and veggies. Just because I’m trying to lose some extra pounds, doesn’t mean I can’t eat well.

SkeinHerder’s Songs: Today I’ve mostly been listening to an audio book, Live and Let Chai. Iced tea, sun, surf and a murder, what’s not to love? I’m trying to squeeze in a few more finished books to make my 2020 book challenge. Even if I don’t make it, I still expanded my mind to new possibilities.

This is Ernie’s favorite way to spend the holidays or well any day.

May your last hours of 2020 be filled with laughter.