Christmas nails!

I had a hospital appointment yesterday, with a fair bit of waiting around, and none of my WiPs are portable anymore, so I cast on a hat on the train and knitted much of the brim. Now I can't put the sodding thing down, can I? #ShowMeYourKnits #knitting #knitsky

Post-work haircut. Possibly the best plan I've made for months.

Next week will be more of the same, if not worse. Seven working days left in 2025.

What a fucking week.

Why yes, the one thing I really need to round off 2025 is a stinker of a cold. Of course, of course, of course.

Not a lot of Christmas spirit in my house (the only spirit I want is a bottle of Disaronno amaretto) but this weekend I'll get a tree and some decorations and at least try to get into some kind of festive groove.

Fire Hound' by stained glass artist Tamsin Abbott, who is inspired by folklore and nature #WomensArt

Breathtaking.

THIS

Accountability post/update #ShowMeYourKnits #knitting #knitsky

I think you mean 'stolen'.

Sick to death of Salah spitting his dummy out in public. Childish, petulant, tired tactics. Don't let the door hit you on the arse on your way out, Mo, if you're that fucking miserable. #LFC

Channelling my inner 95 year-old and invested in cotton flannel bed linen. I'm not getting out of bed til the spring.

#ShowMeYourKnits I spent four weeks knitting like fury to make presents for family in 2013, as it was our first Christmas in Bordeaux. Never again. Every other aspect of my life is dictated by deadlines. My knitting is sacrosanct.

Sudden realisation that Maggie Smith is the sole reason why I'm already three seasons deep into this costume drama trash. (The best trash.)

This week has been one of the shittiest in a parade of shitty weeks since late March. Can't wait to see the back of 2025 in many ways. And yet... and yet there's a voice whispering "it's not been all bad, Rae". At many points, it hasn't; at many points, life has been good. Just not this week.

Nikki Haley is fundamentally dishonest, even (perhaps especially) about herself. How is any of her conduct surprising?

There it is - EU Commission fines X €120 million under the Digital Services Act (for deceptive blue ticks, also ad repository, researchers access issues) - ec.europa.eu/commission/p... For the legal background, see my thread (starting with my pinned tweet)

Of course. She knows where the (possibly literal?) bodies are buried.

Cost of a mammogram, as per the invoice received this morning: 27.90 euros.

Binge-watching Downton Abbey, to my shame. It's just posh Eastenders, isn't it?

It is 1 December and 2025 has been a bin fire and 2026 promises much more of the same.

Bretzel raclette is a thing and I loved every bite.

Mad to think that, given how poor Liverpool have been in recent weeks, they're still only 3 pts off Villa in 3rd & 4 pts off City in 2nd. There are 25 league games left to go. There is still plenty to play for. No matter what some of you might think.

Bit of a stinker of a day. However, I have the Google TV set up and oh whoops, there's a new Disney+ subscription taken out and I'm watching Agatha All Along, with my knitting in my lap and the cat fed and snoozing, and maybe - just maybe - the day wasn't that much of a stinker after all.

It's mammogram day. Breast cancer awareness every month. Check your breastss!

Same colleague, different text, same vibe. I'd have spent less bloody time doing the translation myself. And the air would be less blue.

Another reason to love Luxembourg. Tipptopp.

Scrolling through the news and what strikes me is this: The UK is... well, fucked, isn't it?

Admiring my floats #knitting #knitsky #ShowMeYourKnits

Workmen are here this morning to hang the fucking massive flat-screen telly that good friends no longer wanted. And a Chromecast has been ordered in a Black Friday sale. I'll never leave the flat again, will I?

Double down and try to listen to Tim Montgomerie on any topic. The bunny is no longer at the controls.

Had a tartelette citron meringuée in Jan's honour. He'd approve (and fight me for the lemon meringue).

Whoops. Sorry not sorry.

On the brink of an admittedly small (by my own ludicrous standards) yarn accident.

Eight months today. Eight bloody months.

Big decision made today: taking myself and Miss Lola down to the house for Christmas. It's going to sting A LOT and there will likely be A LOT of tears but it feels right.

Kantha in Bengali means cloth, traditionally made from the best parts of old worn saris or dhotis. Also the name of a way of stitching in which variations of running stitch are worked though all the layers of cloth, quilting them together, creating intricate designs #WomensArt

An unplanned cast-on is the best cast-on. #knitting #knitsky #ShowMeYourKnits

The state of it.

Just as well I'm working from home this afternoon, blubbing aside: fairly urgent work to get done and a bœuf bourguignon to prep.

Who has just had a grief meltdown at work at the mention of mince pies?

Tapa or bark cloth with freehand painting, is traditionally a women's art from Polynesia, though terminology, decorations, dyes, and designs vary throughout the islands #WomensArt

Welsh born textile artist and knitwear designer Kate Jenkins creates fun crochet/knit creations #WomensArt

Aperitivo time again. Salud, dinero y amor.

Glad I did this. It's snowing.

Day suddenly epic.

Today: better. Determined to have a better day than yesterday. Here's this morning's pat wisdom from my 6h30 tisane.

Today: Jan-related admin. Christ almighty.