twelve

Joyeux Noël!

French felt appropriate today, and I'll tell you why. Eventually...

I have quite a large family (and an even larger extended family) and we're all peppered about the globe. From California to New York, Florida to Australia (at the moment), and all across Pennsylvania. Between geography and vacation time, I've always been with a group of family members for Christmas. Whether it was my relatives or my husband's, we've never celebrated Christmas without some branch of our ever-expanding family tree.

This Christmas was just the two of us, though. It really brought new meaning my very favorite Christmas song of all time ever ever ever, "All I Want for Christmas is You." James and I had decided (weeks and weeks ago) that we would be spending Christmas together at home this year, and neither of us was really that concerned. Our work schedules also helped us into that decision, but that's another story... and probably boring. No work talk on Christmas. There. Anyhow, it was a wonderful holiday, spent with the only guest on my must list of life, my husband.

Oh yes, back to the French up top. Today we went to see Les Misérables and it was très étonnant. I won't give anything away here, but I can say that if Anne Hathaway is cast in any movie, I'm already loving it. I'll say it here first, she'll be winning an Academy Award for this role. Mark my words! Also, Wolverine Hugh Jackman was sensational, of course. A small (but incredibly important) role was also played by Bellatrix Lestrange Helena Bonham Carter, who I love! Really, she's just wonderful. I'd be hard pressed to name a better character actress. She is the cat's pajamas. Or the cat's meow. Pick your pleasure. So run, don't walk, to the nearest movie theater and go see this wonderful movie. Unless, of course, you don't want your mind blown.

In knitting news, I did start a new project the other day. And no, it's not a hat. And no, it's not fair isle. I'm knitting 22.5 Degrees by German designer Martina Behm. I will be eliminating the scalloped border on the finished edge for a simpler look. Here's Martina's ravelry designer page and website. I'm knitting this shawl in madelinetosh tosh sock in the lichen colorway. The garter stitch is really appropriate for this colorway, in my opinion. It's a beautiful sage green with little hints of a grayish almost sky blue thrown in. Below is a stitch-level photo that I took to show the patterning and color of the shawl, in the almost hopeless natural light of winter in Pittsburgh. A for effort, guys.

Whether you're with family and friends, or celebrating with the one you love, I hope your Christmas has been as wonderful as mine!

Feliz Navidad
Gelukkig kerstfeest
Frohe Weihnachten
С Рождеством
God jul
Buon Natale
Καλά Χριστούγεννα

Okay, I'm done.

Feliz Natal

Okay, now I'm done... For now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Done. Seriously. Done.

six

Christmas movies are the best.

I really love the holidays. I mean, I really love the holidays. Also, I have been known to enjoy a movie or two or ten. You are now probably making the connection that this post will be about holiday movies. When you combine my love for the holidays with my love of movies, well, things get a little crazy. And sparkly. And warm, cheerful, and egg noggy. I decided to compile a list (a la David Letterman) of my top ten favorite holiday movies. Now, I do reserve the right to adjust the ranking at any time, depending on my mood, the weather, or my knitting projects at hand. I mean, who can knit colorwork during a comedy?

So here's my list... With my two cents, naturally


10. Elf (2003)
Will Ferrell may not be one of my favorite actors, but Zooey Deschanel's singing really makes up for it here!

9. Radio City Christmas Spectacular (2007)
In 2007, they finally put this amazing show on DVD, which I bought promptly. The Radio City Rockettes doing the March of the Wooden Soldiers is one of my favorite memories of Christmas when I was younger. Oh yeah... BEST. KICKLINE. EVER.

8. A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Another classic! Oh, Charlie.

7. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Growing up, I identified with Herbie the outcast elf more than I'd care to mention...

6. Home Alone (1990)
Culkin perfection. Also, I could listed to Catherine O'Hara scream any day. She's marvelous.

5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
Boris Karloff's spooky voice makes this my choice for best narration ever!

4. Christmas Vacation (1986)
Okay, I really feel the need outline the entire movie here. Seriously, folks. It never stops. From Snots to Julia Louis-Dreyfus, the lights to the turkey, the grandparents to the mailman. I love it all.

3. Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
3 words... Horses. Horses. Horses.

2. The Family Stone (2005)
The only thing wrong with Diane Keaton is nothing.

1. Love, Actually (2003)
Oh yes, this is THE one. Laughter, tears, laughter through tears. All in London. At Christmas. It's perfect.


I really should mention, though, that there are some CLASSIC Christmas movies that I've never seen...

Miracle on 34th Street
It's a Wonderful Life
The Polar Express
White Christmas

I know, I know. I really should have seen these, but I just haven't. It should also be said that the first time I watched A Christmas Story I was 29, and I didn't love it. At least not as much as everyone said I should. So that's that.