Hark! A Christmas Blog Contest!

Ladies and gentlemen (and Steve. Shut up Steve), after a rather long hiatus, I have returned, and with goodies from the fat guy himself!

Okay, Santa has nothing to do with this, and when I asked him he said "Leave me out of your life's plans, weirdo," but that's besides the point.

The point is, I am hosting a Christmas contest right here on the blog! Ravelry even said it was a good idea!

Okay, they also seem to like pie.

The game is this: Every day until the 24th, I will post a strange phrase or image that represents a Christmas song or carol. Your job is to figure out which one it is. There might be duplicates, so if you've answered, say, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" once, it might come up again.

For the people who answered "Pie!" there will be a link to a pie recipe every day. Just for you guys. Even if you don't want to participate in the contest, I am doing something for my pie peeps.

Here's a recipe for pecan pie!

I will open the comments for the answers, and the next day at 9 am I will close them so I can tally up the correct answers. Because all comments on this blog are moderated, you won't be able to see anyone else's comments until I post them... which will likely happen right around the time the comments are closed. I know. I'm evil.

Rules:
1) You may only post once per question. Once you've answered, you're done. Any additional answers will be disregarded.

2) You must be logged into a Google account. I know, very single-minded of me. Here is my reasoning. I really don't want anyone upping their odds by entering multiple times, under multiple accounts or anonymously and regularly changing their name and entering over and over.

This also allows me to email you if you win. If you would like me to inform you another way (say via text or twitter because twitter), drop me a line in the comments. I'll get back to you right away.

As for the prizes...

::coughs nervously:: ... they aren't, um, exactly finished. But I can tell you that there are three of them for the first, second and third place winners. They (will) contain handmade ornaments, tasty goodies and possibly something to do with the Piano Guys. The first and second place winners will also get something extra special.

Also, there is a fantastic playlist I have made, just for this year's Christmas on Spotify, that everyone who participates will receive a link to.

So, without further ado, the carol.

Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in their belief.

Happy guessing, blogonauts!

Dear Depression

You're back.

Screw you.

Just when everything in my life is starting to work out for the better, you decide to roll on back into town like a not-friend who I don't want to talk to. You demand my time, my focus, my ability to write or think or do absolutely anything. You don't want me to knit, so I don't knit. You decide that my hobbies are pointless, so I don't do them. Not like I could anyway. You're such an energy drain that it's not like I could muster up the strength to pick up a project.

This happens every year. Just as my favorite season rolls around, so do you. Perhaps it's my allergies (I love fall but I'm also allergic to it), perhaps it's that August usually sucks for some reason and you just decide to come on in with that, perhaps it's that fall signifies everything I love and you don't want me to love it.

Either way, you suck.

But this year, I've got good meds and I'm fighting back. I've got too much stuff to do this year. I have socks to knit and clothes to sew. I have code to write and places to go and food to make and things that absolutely must be finished by Christmas. I actually have stuff that has to be done, and whether or not you care about that is not going to be considered when I make my plans.

The fact of the matter is, I simply don't have time for you this year.

Please go away, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

-Me

Growing Up - A Teddy Bear's Perspective

And on that note, ladies and gentlemen, I think I'm going to go hug my dolls and stuffed animals now.