I shall stop writing ( *random SHORT thoughts*)

things like "cut down on travel" as it seems IMPOSSIBLE to stick to this plan. I've just found out that I have to go to Belgium next week (!). I  tried to decline but it seems as though I can't say no. Fine, I'll go for 24 hours.

My front teeth still has problems and we have to wait at least 15 days to take a decision. I'm a bit concerned but there's not much I can do at the moment. I am not too optimistic though.

As you can imagine, I'm pretty busy and I don't know when I'll be able to sit down, think and write like I used to do. I miss my blog and your blogs as well! However, in the evenings -when I'm too tired to switch on my laptop- I enjoy knitting and my first scarf looks good... so far.

I have just received this: hopefully not the uncorrected version! I'm looking forward reading it but I know how Franzen writes so perhaps this is not the right time to immerse myself in his book. Rather, I'll start reading this one and let you know about it.

Speak to you soon

Planning in advance

Ok, perhaps it’s a bit early to plan my Christmas gifts list but this year I really want to give a personal touch to the season. While I cannot hand-make everything, I can certainly knit at least two scarves for my best friends. S. & S. are very different from each other so the knitting patterns won’t be equal. I know their style and I’m committed to do something that will work with their preferences. I don’t want to spend a long time making a garment that will never be used! The main problem is that one of them is always very elegant and it seems challenging to match a knitting scarf with high heels or tailleurs unless it is a fashionable scarf … not sure I know how to do it. It is much easier to knit something (a scarf or a blanket) for my Canadian friend who is an easy going woman with NO interest in fashion.

Obviously I need to pick the right yarn and I already have in mind a couple of places for yarn shopping. I will shop with a family friend who offered to teach me how to knit a very nice and apparently easy pattern. I definitely need some advice.

However, those are just 3 gifts! What about my family & other friends/colleagues? Christmas cookies? Decorated coffee jars? I can’t come up with original ideas except for knitting projects. Any ideas?