#25 A Year of Making

Hi friends,

As we near the end of the year, I’m trying to draw out some words and reflections on this year. But first, I wanted to do a visual accounting of some of the things I’ve made and created this year. Of course, my camera roll doesn’t account for everything, but I do find it satisfying to make my own highlights roll.

Which is your favorite? What do you want to make in 2023?

On my needles

At the beginning of this year, I decided to start knitting projects for myself. And now I'm *obsessed*. There is something beautiful about making your own garment. But also, there is just something about a hand knit sweater... there is so much time and labor that goes into every garment. The ability to build shape, structure, drape, especially with minimal or zero seams, is a source of creative joy and satisfaction that I've really grown to appreciate this year.

I admit that some of these projects are still unfinished, but there's some time! The Frog and Toad ensemble was supposed to be a birthday gift for one of my kids back in... August. Oops.

From my kitchen

Baking is like breathing love into a home. I baked a LOT of Montreal bagels this year. The delta between a store bought bagel and a fresh homemade bagel straight out of the oven is significant. It's worth the effort. I also made a LOT of plum tortes thanks to a lot of plums in our CSA deliveries. And of course, the gingerbread houses are an annual tradition that dates back to before we were married.

One responsibility I take seriously is ensuring that my kids know and love Korean food like it's their food. We always start the new year with dduk guk. I made japchae for the Lunar New Year. I regularly make yakshik and freeze for easy warm breakfast. And then there's our standard chickpea everything-but-the-kitchen-sink salad. And grilled fish, Greek style.