Hello 2026

As usual, I’ve fallen behind. I have lots of ideas for blog posts but they all seem overwhelming, so I’ve decided to tap the ice and see how things feel. Creaky?* Yes. But excited at the same time. So let’s catch up the tiniest bit and look forward to some future posts, shall we?

The last time I blogged was November. My big goals were to continue working on the personal curriculum that I started in September and to finish knitting a sweater. I’m happy to say that both of those projects are done!

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I am so happy to share that I stuck to my plan and read these five books. It was definitely a labor of love as I tip-toed through them every morning, settling into my cozy burrow with a cup of coffee and a highlighter. And taking the time to plan out the chapters in a rough chronological order was a bonus that made this whole project feel purposeful and thoughtful. (I’m also happy to share that plan with anyone who is interested. Just let me know.) I’m kicking myself — I wanted to write more about what I was reading as I went along and never found a good way to work it into my routine. But I’m planning to do this with a new set of books next fall and will try again.

I know several of you are joining Sara Hildreth and her This American Lit project — I’m not joining given that I’ve just taken such a deep dive, but I am giddy to hear about your plans. What are you planning to read?!

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I finished my Lettuce Mint sweater on New Year’s Eve! This picture is before I wove in all the ends and blocked it so you’ll have to trust me when I say I love how it came out. I was really worried about those sleeves: yes, they’re a little baggy but not uncomfortably so. And they blocked out to the perfect length – just before my watchband. I know that’s a little short for some, but it’s my favorite length. I don’t have to keep pushing up my sleeves and it makes washing tons of dishes all day long a breeze.

Right now I’m sort of working on a cowl but haven’t knit a stitch in over a week so I’m not counting it as an active project. I’m hoping to get over a little psychological hump and get to work on it.

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Okay, this felt good and I feel like I could go on and on but I’m going to end on a high note. I’m planning future posts: to wrap up my 2025 reading and to share my 2026 plans. And then we’ll see where we’ll go from there.

I hope your year has gotten off to a relatively good start. Things have been hard for everyone and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of you. Take good care!

*Not so funny story: I decided to cut across the edge of a beaver pond on a walk a few weeks ago, thinking that the water was frozen given that snowmobiles have been crossing it. I ignored the creaking sounds, full of hubris, and splash! The ice gave way and I was knee deep in frozen slush. My leg was bruised for quite a while but it could have been much, much worse. Moral of the story: don’t ignore the creaking sounds!