I finally got pictures from the last couple of weeks off my camera. This is what we've been up to lately. Maisie has been enjoying her various play mats. I made a pair of baby pants. The garden has been providing us with veggies for lunch and dinner. The mornings became cool and then cold and we decided to turn the furnace on. For a few days hot chocolate was a big part of our lives. Over the course of a few days I made a wee blanket for Maisie. Right now it's to cover to her feet when she's in the swing or the car seat but later on it can be a doll blanket. There were overripe bananas so there was banana bread. There have been birds in the backyard to compete with the squirrel. Mostly Grackles and Redpolls. Ollie is kept busy. There has been knitting: a summery tunic for Maisie that might be put off until it is back in season and a little hat for a walking buddy who had a cold head. My sister lent us their Jolly Jumper. Maisie loves to be on a level with Abby and laughs every time she is barked at. Abby does lots of play bows and circling. It's cute but noisy.

We're starting to get calls and emails from friends and family who apparently think we will have our baby and not tell them about it. Don't worry, if we know you well enough for you to be asking about it, we know you well enough to let you know when it happens: the baby hasn't arrived yet. In the meantime I made another batch of muffins for the freezer. Spice muffins make the house smell so good.

Yesterday was the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Since I was home by myself all day I decided to record it. I set up my camera and tripod to take a picture of the living room (the brightest room in our house) every hour from 8 in the morning until 8 at night.

I also set up a timer so I wouldn't forget.

In the twelve hours I was taking photos there were only four where the living room felt bright. The sun rose a few minutes after 10 AM and set again just after 3 PM. There was direct sunlight hitting the living room wall from just before 1 PM to just after 2 PM. Most of the time I find the lack of light at this time of year frustrating (it's so hard to get a good picture of a pair of socks) but in those few hours of brightness every day I rediscover just how wonderful sunlight is and how much I love it. I'm looking forward to watching the days grow as we move into the new year.