Bout of Books 36 headed off into the sunset. While I managed to take part in the Twitter chat, I failed to visit any blogs or post any updates here during the event.

But I had a good time. I finished Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On on paper and Suzanne Park’s The Christmas Clash in audio. I made it about halfway through GennaRose Nethercott’s Thistlefoot on paper (which I’m loving — such lyrical prose!) and began listening to Roan Parrish’s The Holiday Trap. All in all a good way to begin a reading year.

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. Three friends and I played pickup volleyball both Sunday and Monday down on the Mall, which felt like an amazing way to start the year.

2. I took my last overdue book back to the library, so until Saturday at least, I’m no longer delinquent!

3. The weather has been unseasonably warm in D.C. this week, so I’ve made a point of spending many of the evenings outside, sitting at cafes with my book or knitting. Winter temperatures return this weekend, so I’m glad I got a chance to do this.

How about you? What’s been beautiful in your world lately?

I did manage one final finished object in 2022:

This is Mum’s Campfire Cozy, an Espace Tricot pattern. It took over a year to make and may have been gifted for both last Christmas and this year’s. The pattern is great and it makes a ginormous, blanket-sized shawl.

I didn’t take measurements, but it’s huge. Probably 9.5-10 feet long and 3.5-4 feet deep. I had to block it folded down the center seam at my parents’ house because I didn’t have enough space anywhere else.

The yarn is Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool Worsted, a favorite of mine. It took 8.5 skeins, so a little more than 2000 yards. I used a U.S. 10 (6 mm) circular needle.

We’re both very happy it’s done!

It’s time for the triannual Bout of Books, and in keeping with my recent participation, I’m going low-key. I’m planning on reading a little every day. I hope to check out some new-to-me-blogs and to take part in at least one of the two Twitter chats.

The official lowdown: The Bout of Books readathon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It’s a weeklong readathon that begins 12:01 a.m. Monday, January 2, and runs through Sunday, January 8, in YOUR time zone. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are reading sprints, Twitter chats, and exclusive Instagram challenges, but they’re all completely optional. For all Bout of Books 36 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. – From the Bout of Books team

Here are ten last things I’m hoping to cross off my to-do list before the calendar turns over, in no particular order:

1. Paint my nails something sparkly.
2. Finish reading and return my last overdue book to the library. (They’re closed and won’t know, but I will.)
3. Vacuum.
4. Make some year-end donations. (Done!)
5. Eat ice cream with Sarah.
6. Check in with my BFF.
7. Get a negative COVID result. (I was on a plane yesterday with a horde of unmasked travellers, after all.)
8. Take out the trash and the compost.
9. Put away the groceries.
10. Listen to new music.

Three beautiful things from my past week:

1. After 2020, I will never take Christmas with my family for granted again. We had a low-key celebration with a tasty feast, phone calls with family who live elsewhere, and gifts in front of the fireplace.

2. Because I wrote about Christmas piano parties during the Virtual Advent Tour, I was inspired to clear off the piano bench, pull out some sheet music, and butcher my way through sight-reading some holiday tunes. I have a keyboard that’s been sitting in my closet for years and I should see if I can find the power adaptor that will allow me to use it. It’s not the same, but music is a good thing.

3. I arrived home this afternoon after more than a week away to a beautiful day, a cat who thinks my return is the best thing ever (he’s lying on my arms as I type this), and tea and peanut butter toast after stopping at the library to pick up my assorted holds.