I made three of these trees a number of years back. I have no idea where the smallest one has run off to. Run off being correct because, although the trees do not have legs, there is a cat in this house who loves small wool things that she can carry in her mouth. I hid the little tree from her one year, but she found it and now has hidden it from me. Figures. I would really like to make more, a whole forest of white soft trees, but I never get around to it. Maybe this is the year.

After spin class yesterday morning, I spent a good chunk of time in the studio. I worked on the quilt back, trying to figure out how to make the most of the length of Liberty that I have to use. I love this part of quilting - the puzzling of how to waste as little fabric as possible and how to fit dissimilar parts together in a good, easy, clever way. I came up with a plan and started implementing it. It was toasty upstairs and Scout hung out with me. Neither one of us really wanted to be downstairs where there was a hole in the wall and lots of cold air. By noon, we had a new door and it is lovely.

I cast on another hat while waiting for Kate at guitar lessons. This one is red. I'm using Purl Soho's Super Soft Merino Hats for Everyone, for those of you that have asked, with some modifications (mostly adding length). I don't plan out what I am doing, but rather think about who I am knitting for and then go from there. I got two rows past the ribbing and called it a day so I can think a bit about what my next step will be. More puzzling. Just what I like.

The window guys were back yesterday, working outside in the cold. It was around 40 degrees, but it felt much, much colder. I offered coffee and told them to come in and warm up as needed. Today, they will be back again, this time to install an exterior door. Can you say cold?

I finished a quilt top yesterday. I knew it would be a fairly fast sew, but I am surprised at just how fast it was. I will show and tell after the holidays. Mind you, it still needs a back and to be basted and quilted. I'm undecided if I should go with straight lines which is time consuming or free motion loops which are faster, but I am out of practice.

Hats are being knitted. About 1 a day - I carry a bag of yarn in the car with me and find myself knitting in the carpool line and at guitar lessons. Big needles and bulky yarn means a very small time investment for each one. About an hour? I finished up yesterday's while watching "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on TV with the family last night. You should have seen the four of us, smashed into the smallest room in the house that only has two chairs. The girls were on the floor, in their new flannel pj's. You would have thought they were 3 and 5 instead of 13 and 15. I loved every second.

Jane didn't have school so my day was a little upside down in a good way. She helped me clean out the sewing machines and projects at school and we grabbed lunch together. I dropped her at the library to study, did a quick run to the grocery and then we picked up Kate. When both girls were busy working, I snuck upstairs and cut into the Liberty I bought in New York. I was chomping at the bit to start making and over the course of the evening, in between helping with Algebra II and making dinner, I managed to sew a few seams. Today, more of the same.

There is nothing like Christmas in the city.

The day started with a missed alarm, but a caught flight. The sun was shining when we landed, the skies were pouring when we went to bed. We walked and talked and shopped and ate and drank. A great start to the weekend.

It was gray today. Too dark, dreary and rainy to inspire much of anything. A three cup kind of morning.

I'm joining Leslie this month, taking photos of the things around me, looking for light and inspiration in my every day.

And knitting. I am knitting.

Jane is 15.

What is it about those milestone birthdays that come every five years, the ones ending in 0 and 5, that make them seem so big? I can't wrap my head around fifteen, but it is here and she is wearing it well. Fatty said that the theme of his day was everyone saying "one more year!" in reference to that coveted drivers license that comes at 16. Me? I'm screaming, "Don't rush things!" This girl needs to be 15 with all that it entails, not almost 16. Although, admittedly, that drivers license will be nice for both of us.

Jane is smart and beautiful, inside and out. She is a wonderful friend, with a great sense of humor and a positive outlook. She is sensitive and caring, extremely creative and theatrically inclined. I love watching her perform and am extremely proud of the young woman she is growing into. It is a true privilege to witness her journey and call her our daughter.

I got a little teary about another milestone today. This will be the last month of posting at habit.

In the last six years, I have had the privilege of participating in this wonderful marriage of a photo and thirty or less words many times. It is always a treat to be part of the community that Emily, Molly and Tara have built there. There are so many voices that fill up that space and I am honored to join the final party this month. I will miss habit as a daily read and I will miss being part of such a beautiful space, but I am excited for this final chance to post my daily photo and words that I probably won't miss a day. I'd love to have you follow along.