For me, Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. I love the traditions, the movies,  the food, the gatherings. I love the Christmas lights dangling from the trees, kitschy decorations in every house corner, the carefully wrapped gifts donned with perfect ribbon.

I especially love the music. From classic carols to recent standards, one could consider me a Christmas music junkie. I have more than 1000 songs of the holiday persuasion. And I download more each year. I have a number of Christmas-themed playlists dividing my collection by favorites and genre. In the past, I devoted a few Tunes by Luka posts to holiday song recommendations (in a 2007 sampler, and a seven-day series from 2006: Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7).

But above all, Christmas holds a special place in my heart because of the spirit that beholds so many of us. This spirit is a special energy that surges through the month of December. The mixture of excitement, anticipation, anxiety and happiness bundled into one encompassing emotion makes the end of the year unique, as well as fly by. A lot of people don’t really like the holidays, namely ThanksMas Day, but I’ve always loved it. As I unpack my many boxes of Christmas decorations (I have six crates/boxes that house my stuff … and I live in a one bedroom apartment.), I remember how I got every item, each ornament. To me, my ornament collection represents memories of past holidays, reminders of loved ones and life events captured in a moment. My trip represents a conglomeration of not only December 25th, but of the important things in my life. Decorating my tree each year allows me to revisit these things from my past.

The red-and-green donned time of year also means a busier time for me at work, which is one reason for my recent blog-writing absence. An absence I hope to fix in the coming months. During this time of revelry, my company revs up for its largest trade show. It takes months to prepare for the show, and put the various publications supporting it together. I work on all of those, so I work a lot of hours.

As of late, at least for the past few years, the overlap of a busy work time and the holidays has made experiencing this time of year to the fullest challenging. This year was especially challenging as the weeks went by and I was busier than ever. I’m hoping my hectic schedule is to blame for a slightly less enthusiastic spirit this time around.

Despite my busy schedule and limited free time, I was able to knit a few people a special gift. Here’s a roundup and a conclusion of my Stash Knit Down 2011 progress.

For my dad, a man who’s drawn to the nostalgic days of old, I made a voyageur cap—a long, droopy hat with a tassle at the end. This dashing hat was worn on hunting trips, something I’m not sure my dad will be doing in the fullest sense. Here he is sporting his new headwear.

Voyageur Cap
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in red
Pattern: Voyageur Cap (archive) by Tina Shaddox

For my stepmom, I created this unique mobius scarf. According to Wikipedia, a mobius strip “can easily be created by taking a paper strip and giving it a half-twist, and then joining the ends of the strip together to form a loop.” This pattern alternates colors in blocks of alternating garter and stockinette, creating a thick ribbed creation. At the beginning, before joining in the round, you make one twist. Keep knitting, and the twist will hold as you work in the round. It was pretty simple and easy to knit, and created this fun scarf. In fact, I’m making one for myself.

Mobius Scarf
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Peppermint, Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Sterling and Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Pinot
Pattern: The perfect col by Amélie Lambert

Last, but not least, I made these classic garter fingerless mitts. I’ve made them in the past, so this was a no brainer. The picture is hard to see, but the yarn was a burgundy, brown maple shade that looked really nice. I followed the pattern for the most part until the end. I didn’t knit quite as many rows as indicated and judged based on how it fit around my hand. The first pair I made seemed a little too baggy, so I wanted these to be snug. It worked out in the end.

Burgundy Fingerless Garter Mitts
Yarn: Classic Elite Yarns Alpaca Sox in Brown Maple
Pattern: Fingerless Garter Mitts by Leigh Radford

Stash knit down 2011 total: 14

The Yarn Harlot, aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, made an appearance in Chicago last night to read from her book All Wound Up: The Yarn Harlot Writes for a Spin. I saw her back in 2007 when she was promoting another one of her six published books. As always, she was delightfully warm, funny and honest about the inner workings of the knitting world. She read two excerpts from her most recent work, which I’m looking forward to devouring this weekend.

What now is somewhat of a tradition, Melissa came to the event. We’ve been to a few Harlot events. New this year was Sue, who still categorizes herself as a new knitter. We all got our books signed by the knitting celebrity.

I brought my European Adventure sock project with me to finish. By the time I returned to Chicago at the end of my 17-day trip, I had knit both socks up to the cuff of the second sock. Quite a hefty feat, if I do say so myself. I was able to finish the cuff (with just enough yarn from the Knit Picks skein Stroll Hand-Painted in Tea Party. One skein made the knee sock pair!

The colorway also had some really nice variegation. It wasn’t until the top of the sock that the striping got a little off. Overall, though I really like the result. They’re comfortable and warm, all the characteristics desired in a nice pair of knee socks.

I may have to experiment with adding some elastic into the cuff to hold them up, but I’ll look into that later.

Stash knit down 2011 total: 11

Tonight, on the eve of my 16-day trip throughout Europe, it still hasn’t hit me that I’m about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m excited and nervous, and looking forward to getting this party started, to quote Pink.

Tomorrow I’m heading to Europe to visit four countries: Switzerland, France, England and Scotland; and explore four major cities: Geneva, London, Edinburgh and Paris. I’ll be staying with some friends in the Geneva area and meeting up with another friend in London, before wrapping up the trip on my own in Edinburgh and Paris.

The weeks, and months, leading up to tonight have been a whirlwind of activity. From the half marathon training and changes at work to getting ready for my 30th birthday and an Indian wedding to pattern debating, I have been one busy girl. I’ve been so busy, and time has flown so quickly, I haven’t had much time to over plan my trip or over think the eight-hour overnight flight or having to switch airports in Paris. I look at this as a blessing.

I also haven’t fully investigated all that I want to do, so I am leaving a lot open to last-minute decision making. This is very unusual for me—I’m the one that makes all the plans. My Google Calendar is my bible. I’m a managing editor by trade, so I’m constantly organizing for myself, for the publication and other staff members. I make a lot of lists. I have to do lists for my to do lists. Leaving details of my trip to chance is an anomaly in my overplanned life.

And I have to say, I’m thrilled. I’m ecstatic to let go—of the plans and worries and organizing, even for just a little while.

The plans I had to make, such as accommodations and flights, have been hammered out for months. I have a sketched out idea of what I want to do on each leg of my trip, and I have a general idea of a timeline. I even identified yarn stores to hit up in each town. But while some of my itinerary has been solidly nailed down, there’s still a lot up in the air. What a thrill!

Maybe I’ll see the Louvre on a Thursday and watch the changing of the guard on a Sunday. Coffee along the Seine before taking a stroll through the Latin Quarter or spending a day in Swiss museums. My trip is what I make of it.

As John Denver would say, All my bags are packed I’m ready to go …

Well, my bags are packed. And I’m ready to go. I don’t think I’ve ever been as ready.

Admittedly, I’m a nervous traveler. I get worked up about the possibility of missing my flight or forgetting something. Well, I’ve never missed a flight (knock on wood) and forgetting something is generally fixable.

So this trip feels different. I feel different. I’m looking forward to traveling with this new me, and see where our trip takes us.

And of course there will be friends. Close, good friends that I’ve missed. I look forward to seeing them and living in their European lives for a little while.

There’s also the part of the trip where I’m venturing out on my own. Absolutely alone. For a moment this terrified me, but just a moment. I don’t know if it’s my nearly 30 years of age, or the fact that I’m in a different place now, but heading off for a week traveling by myself sounds amazing. I look forward to some exploration and quality alone time. And since I’ll be disconnected from my computer (eek!) and 24/7 smartphone/internet connectivity (double eek!), I will definitely be alone. My internet activity will be limited to free wifi connections and my very small smartphone screen and keyboard combo (triple eek and where’s the sedative!).

It’s definitely going to be an adventure.

I hope to blog from the road. And of course Tweet, if nothing else, there will be pictures.

Stay tuned.

>> There’s still time to donate, so if you would like to, please support this great cause.

Sunday I ran. I ran 13. 1 miles. I ran 13.1 miles for the first time in my life. I also ran in a historic half marathon that occurred on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. To say it was a special race is an understatement. I’m so proud of my accomplishment, of participating in this race and overcoming various health related issues to complete this race.

I woke with anticipation—at 3 am—the morning of the race. I attempted another hour or so of sleep before gathering myself and hailing a cab to Jackson Park—the epicenter of this year’s race. After arriving to a 10k with 10 minutes to spare, I wanted to arrive at this race with an hour’s time in order to prepare. I had plenty of time to check gear, stretch, eat a little yogurt and go to the bathroom. (I have the smallest bladder in the world.) Start time was promptly at 7 am.

The anticipation built as time inched closer and closer to 7. I was anxious to get started, having only time to think of all the other things I should have done to prepare. All the runners lined up in corrals—the assignment of which was based on your estimated finish time. I was shooting for a solid 2:15 to 2:30 (hours:minutes) finish time, landing me in Corral L.

This year, 20,000 runners traveled the half marathon route that took us north on Cornell, west on 57th Street over to Stoney Island Avenue, south to Marquette Drive, south on Jeffrey Avenue to 67th Street, east back to Marquette and north on Lake Shore Drive. At this point the route took us all the way up to 31st Street before looping back around and heading south again to the 63rd Avenue finish.

Overall, I felt pretty strong throughout the race. I maintained a pace average of 10:41 (minutes:seconds). My fastest split was 9:30 for mile 8; my slowest mile was mile 1 at 10:31. I expect a lot of the crowd that happens at the start of a race influenced my pace. My second longest mile was mile 10. I remember feeling a little fatigued as I waited for my energy gu to kick in.

There was a point in the race where the sun started to get hotter, my energy waned and I was feeling the distance. The race bibs had every runner’s name on it, and as I got closer to the finish line, more and more people gathered to cheer. One such cheerleader called out: “Way to go, Kate!” I’m not sure if I looked worn out or as if I needed encouragement, but it definitely helped drive me closer to the finish.

I knew my mom and a handful of close friends were waiting for me near the finish line. This fact helped me stay motivated to finish. I didn’t want to stop running in the last mile and disappoint them. As I passed the quarter-mile-remaining marker, I began scanning the crowd, but it was so packed and difficult to find anyone, not to mention the difficulty of seeing when you’re that exhausted.

Luckily I ran right near my mom who yelled out and extended her arm. My friend Charlotte grabbed this action shot. Looks like I may have run 13 miles or so, huh? Not the best picture ever, but you know, I was running.

The only major issue I had was really sore knees, which I’ve experienced before, but the pain started a lot sooner in the race than I expected. It was frustrating and discouraging, but I just kept my knee bands tight and pushed through. Still a few days later, they are sore. So I want to make a big effort in strengthening my leg muscles in anticipation of the Chicago Marathon next year.

I was grateful my mom and friends came out to support me. Here I am with my mom right after the race. She made a sign.

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Charlotte also came out. It was great to see her and have her there at this great event in my life. She’s been a part of my life since … well, forever. I can’t remember when she wasn’t. She’s like a second mom.

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Kym, Morgan and Melissa (not pictured) came to the finish line too, and held up signs. It was great they could make it.

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After the race, we all headed to Eleven City Diner for brunch, because let’s face it, I was starved. Sue met us there (far left). After freshening up a bit, we got a group shot with my sign.

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There haven’t been many races I have wanted to remember with various tokens, but for this race I have a plethora of symbols to remind me of this day. At the fitness expo (an event where you pick up your race packet), posters were handed out (top left). I am hoping to hang the poster somewhere in my apartment.

After completing the race, each runner received a medal (top right). I’ve received a medal before (probably from a 5k) but it seemed cheesy at the time. This one holds significance.

With each race I’ve completed since the spring of 2010 (after I started to heal my back and could run without pain), I have kept all of my race bibs; this race is no exception (bottom left). One day I might string them together to create a bib flag.

But most importantly, I love my sign (bottom right). Everyone who came to the race signed it and wrote messages of love and support. Honestly, without the support of family and friends, pushing myself athletically (or otherwise) would be a lot harder. I appreciate all of them for remaining compassionate and supportive with all of my endeavors (whether it’s running or something else).

I can’t wait to start my training for the Chicago Marathon 2012; and I know these people, among others, will help motivate me to meet my goal.

Overall, the race experience was a great one and I’m so proud to have completed it. Here’s to more running, more miles and more goal meeting.

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