The Year of the Fire Pig

Although not quite over (not until February), it still seems quite appropriate on this day, the last day of 2007, to reflect on this past year, the Year of the Pig. (I don't do new year's resolutions since the only one I would actually honour is one that stated "I will break all new year's resolutions.)

It's been a truly memorable year, but I know you're just here for the eye candy and sound bites so I will keep it short.

So where to start? Well, at the beginning of course! More specifically, with beginnings.

According to Wikipedia, in Chinese culture, the pig is associated with fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the pig is considered to be very fortunate, for they will be happy and honest. This year we welcomed three special fire piglets to our fold: Sophia (recipient of the Blue Sky cotton Baby Sweater), Cecily (recipient of the Cashmere Baby Poncho) and Viviana (recipient of Rocketry Baby Cardigan)! (Apologies to Viviana; I had the cutest little picture of you from your first visit to Alterknit when you were five days old, but alas my phone ate it so I had to substitute an earlier one your mom had sent me!)

Alterknit? Did someone mention Alterknit? How we loved thee. We mourned your untimely demise in November but rejoice in your resurrection in the coming days. Not only did you provide us with luscious yarn, savoury soups and delectable lattes, but you brought many of us new and old friends together for hours of joy and knitting and sipping. My life became a lot richer when Terri opened the doors and invited us in. (Lovely photo of an actual latte at Alterknit taken by Angie).

This is what I will remember most about the Year of the Pig -- my friends and family and the good times we've had this year eating, drinking, knitting and generally being merry: at Alterknit; elsewhere in Toronto - my couch, Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queen West, uptown, downtown, at Canoe, at the Windsor Arms; and beyond - in wineries, in Niagara region, in Rhinebeck, on Safari, in Montreal, at the Culinary Institute of America, at Dunkin Donuts, in Ottawa, in Holland Landing, on Vancouver Island, playing Killer Bunnies, in Winnipeg, in Whitby, in Belleville. Good times, good times!

In theory, if one starts with a beginning, one should have an ending. Whatever. Happily, there isn't one! Time flies when you're having fun. (And when you're knitting.)