resolve.

So, let's consider December "captured," and move on shall we? The whole thing went swimmingly until our house guests arrived. I had every intention of blogging my way beyond the Mayan apocalypse and into 2013, but intentions met real life and real life won.

I'm hoping to do better.

I've never been much for resolutions, and for a while there I had some kind of a well-thought out or at least heavily-emoted argument against New Year's resolutions, but I guess even my resolve not to resolve wore thin.

This year, I have one very small, very achievable goal (okay, one that I'm willing to name publicly and actively pursue — I'd obviously love to be healthy, organized & punctual):

 in 2013, I'm going to read more fiction.

So far, the pile on my nightstand reads thusly:

Ann Packer's The Dive from Clausen's Pier (started last night and so far: too much description of what people are wearing),

Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go (thrifted and paid for by the pound),

Wendell Berry's That Distant Land (I was so spoiled at Christmas. Also, I just read my first Port William novel this fall, and I am IN) and

Alice Munro's latest, Dear Love (another very much loved Christmas gift. Also, is it possible to read Alice Munro in the summer? I'd never even try).

capturing december 18: stockings

Well, just one stocking in this case. But a felted, foxy stocking for baby's first Christmas.

capturing december 17: presents

Packages arriving from etsy sellers!

capturing december 16: outside christmas lights

capturing december 15: favourite holiday song

My favourite holiday song is one sung by my favourite musician.

capturing december 14: christmas tree

A fulsome Fraser fir.

capturing december 13: family

This is my mom applying coconut oil to baby J's cradle cap after a breastfeeding session. Keeping it real. Which is how family ought to be.

capturing december 12: a beautiful sight

I originally took a photo this morning of our outdoor evergreen and the fresh snowfall. A few hours later, I realized this warm pan of Pine Nut & Rosemary Brittle was far more beautiful. I love this time of year.

capturing december 11: green

capturing december 9: what I'm reading

Kate DiCamilo is an incredible writer who happens to mostly write children's books.

capturing december 8: ornament

I'd like to enjoy the ritual without getting too religious.

With the photo-a-day thing, I mean. What did you think I meant?

capturing december 7: bright

 Bright spot of the day was a very sweet opening for Katie Flindall's tree-house themed show at Impresario.

So bright, in fact, that one picture is not enough.

capturing december 6: shopping

A special, tiny-village, quilt shop-closing, pastry-eating shopping trip for Lesley's birthday. Just right. So right, in fact, that I missed posting yesterday. I'll try harder today.

Off in search of the "bright" thing.

capturing december 5: today's temperature

capturing december 4: joyous

We're still living with the flu over here, so here's a joyous shot of Jasper & I from last week at the Toronto Christmas Market. Photo by Kate Sheffield.

capturing december 3: red

capturing december 2: favourite holiday movie

Posted a day late due to yesterday's flu — but the flu also enabled me to watch Love Actually on Netflix, so it's all balanced out.

capturing december 1: my view today