2026 Knitting Goals: So Much Sock Yarn!

My absolute favorite knitting projects are socks! I mean, knitting brings me joy regardless, but knitting socks with amazing yarn that just feels so gloriously soft is the absolute best experience. 

So let's talk about my fingering weight yarn stash!

So what I have is primarily Etsy seller hand-dyed fingering weight yarn, and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

I like buying bougie hand-dyed yarn from wonderful little shoppes on Etsy. It's a way for me to work with really quality yarn and also know that I'm supporting a small business owner who is doing what they love. Hand-dyed yarn is amazing and so fun because it is unique. No two skeins are going to be identical because that's just how the process works. I love knowing that what I'm working is uniquely individual AND also ethically sourced AND supporting a small business. It's just the best feeling.

Let's start with Potions and Purls.

I bought my first skeins of yarn from this shop in 2024, but didn't actually do anything with them until 2025, but oh my goodness, the yarn is so soft.

Yuletide sock yarn set from Potions and Purls on Etsy

I still have their Yuletide Carols sock yarn set from 2024, and I will knit up some socks with it, probably not until at least September in 2026. Just because it's obviously Christmas colors, but I love it and know it will be fun to work with. I have already finished a couple pairs of socks with skeins of yarn from this company and they have great quality!

Fast forward to November 2025 yarn purchases from Potions and Purls.

This year, I have bought two sock yarn sets from them, one for me and one for my sister.

Pink Peppermint sock yarn set from Potions and Purls on Etsy

For me, I bought this fabulous Pink Peppermint set that is just so pretty and girly. I love the mint green and the pink in the main skein and the mini skein is perfect for the cuff and toe.

Mulled Apple Cider sock yarn set from Potions and Purls on Etsy

And for my sister, I have this gorgeous Mulled Apple Cider in deep burgundy and brown with a few splashes of almost a muted yellow like fading leaves. It really feels very like autumn, which is perfect for my sister because her wardrobe is mostly in these colors.

Next up we have Wild Poppy Yarns.

These were also purchased in 2024 and I haven't done anything with them. I have set knitting goals for myself in 2026, one of which being to make a dent in my sock yarn stash, so I'm excited to work with these yarns.

Violet Lights sock yarn from Wild Poppy Yarns on Etsy

The first is Violet Lights, a super feminine purple, lavender, and white sparkle sock yarn. I know it's going to make some gorgeous socks, and I am restraining myself from starting on it without actually finishing some of my WIPs first.

Bluebell sock yarn from Wild Poppy Yarns on Etsy

Next is Bluebell, such beautiful shades of blue from a bright robin's egg blue to more of a denim shade. This is also going to be absolutely gorgeous when knitted up. It's a good thing I haven't caked this yarn yet or I might have dived right into starting a new set of socks.

Next is Gabies Knit Goodies.

Glitter Bomb sock yarn from Gabies Knit Goodies on Etsy

I only bought two skeins of the same yarn, called Glitter Bomb. It's gorgeous with pops of bright pink against a denim blue, also with sparkles! Yes, this is another one from 2024, but I already have it in my planner for January goals so I know I'll be using this yarn sooner rather than later. I have one skein caked already and just need to cake the other one.

It's dangerous looking at this shop because the owner has Van Gogh and Monet inspired sock yarn sets and those would be so incredibly fun to work with! But no, I must resist until I've actually used up a good portion of my stash.

Next is Sinful Yarns.

Black Sapphire sock yarn from Sinful Yarns on Etsy

I bought their Black Sapphire skein in September 2025 for my sister. She's a Wednesday Addams fan so I thought this would be fun to make for her. The yarn feels amazing, but I am curious about how it will knit up in terms of design. There's a lot of black and not a ton of grey in the skein so there may not be a really visible color change affect in the socks. It does feel amazing, so I know it'll be a dream to knit with regardless.

Last but not least is Stitchin with Yarn.

Heirloom Ornaments sock yarn set from Stitchin with Yarn on Etsy

I love, love, love this sock yarn in the Heirloom Ornaments colorway! It is breathtaking! I just purchased from them this November and I likely won't knit up socks with this until Fall 2026, but oh my goodness, so beautiful! This shop is dangerous because I adore their designs and could so easily buy one of each!

It's also super sweet that they sent me a mini skein as a bonus! That will be so fun to use for the next holiday season!

I do have an order of yarn coming from a new-to-me company on Etsy, called Falling Leaf Fibers. Her colorways feel like they came out of my soul! I restrained myself so hard with this shop and only bought two sock yarn sets, although I did sign up for her January Books Yarn Mystery box and her January Mystery Colorway set too. The sock yarn sets that aren't part of the mystery boxes will come sometime in mid January so those will be fun to unveil!

I wish you all a cozy and restful winter, and may you find delight in your hobbies.

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Child Privacy Laws Compared: Why Nordic Nations Lead and the U.S. Lags

My childhood experience is already slightly different from that of others because I was homeschooled. But, as a kid, growing up in the 1990s, one thing I knew for sure was that any embarrassing anecdotes or photos were going to be shared only with my immediate and extended family. The baby bath pictures are in our family photo albums, not online. As are the awkward dance videos, preserved forevermore on VHS, not with an indelible digital footprint. Social media wasn't a thing in 1995 when I was 11-years-old! I never had to worry about my identity being shared with total strangers where my parents had no control over who viewed the information.

But today’s kids aren’t so lucky. From ultrasound announcements to viral TikTok dances, the lives of American children are broadcast, monetized, and archived before they can even tie their shoes. As debates over child privacy laws heat up, Nordic nations like Sweden and Norway are setting global standards with strict safeguards, while the U.S. scrambles to catch up. In this post, we’ll explore why Scandinavia’s proactive laws—rooted in collective responsibility—are shielding children in ways America’s reactive system still struggles to match, and what it means for parents navigating a world where childhood has become content.

Here are some key differences between Nordic (or EU in general) approach vs the U.S. approach to child privacy laws.

Scandinavia/EU Proactive Enforcement

• Proactive Monitoring:
• GDPR violations (e.g., collecting data on minors without consent) can trigger fines up to 4% of global revenue. National agencies actively investigate complaints (e.g., France’s CNIL fined a family blogger €20,000 in 2023 for failing to secure a child’s data).
• Norway and Sweden audit high-earning family channels to ensure earnings from child-focused content are held in trust.
• Public Accountability: Cultural norms discourage monetizing childhood, leading to social pressure and reduced viewership for violators.
• Content Restrictions: Commercial use of minors under 12 in ads or sponsored content is often prohibited.
• Right to Erasure: Children can petition to have content removed once they reach legal adulthood.
  

In Norway, a 2023 government study found that two-thirds of family content creators avoid showing children’s faces, reflecting both GDPR compliance and cultural discomfort with monetizing childhood.

U.S. Reactive Enforcement Challenges

• Reactive and Limited:
• COPPA fines (e.g., $170 million against YouTube in 2019) target platforms, not individual creators. Family vloggers rarely face penalties unless they directly violate data-collection rules.
• State-level trust laws (e.g., Illinois’ 2024 Child Influencer Act) rely on self-reporting; enforcement is sparse due to limited resources.
• Labor Law Gaps: Only extreme cases (e.g., 8-year-old “YouTube star” Ryan Kaji’s parents facing FTC scrutiny in 2025) draw attention, but most content falls into unregulated “family business” exemptions.

While Illinois and California have passed laws to protect child influencers’ earnings, experts estimate fewer than 15% of eligible families comply due to lax enforcement and low awareness.

Viewing Child Protection through a Biblical Lens

Scripture frames parenthood not as ownership but as sacred stewardship. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6) calls parents to guide with wisdom, ensuring a child’s path aligns with their God-given identity—not a parent’s agenda. Yet modern family vlogging often inverts this principle, treating children as content commodities rather than image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27). The Apostle Paul sharpens this accountability: “Anyone who does not provide for their relatives… has denied the faith” (1 Timothy 5:8). To “provide” here transcends material needs; it includes safeguarding a child’s emotional, digital, and spiritual well-being. Exploiting a child’s likeness for profit—without regard for their consent or future—violates this mandate, trading stewardship for selfish gain.

The Nordic emphasis on societal safeguards mirrors Paul’s charge to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). While Western individualism often isolates families, Nordic laws reflect a communal ethos—ensuring corporations, platforms, and neighbors share responsibility for protecting childhood. For example, Norway’s trust fund requirements for child influencers operationalize the biblical ideal of “storing up treasures” for the next generation (Matthew 6:20), not exploiting their labor. Similarly, GDPR’s restrictions on harvesting minors’ data align with Proverbs 31:8–9’s call to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Nordic policies, though secular in origin, inadvertently reflect a theology of collective care—one that challenges America’s idolization of parental autonomy. Scripture never grants parents absolute rights but instead charges them with temporary guardianship (Psalm 127:3). By legally prioritizing a child’s privacy and economic future, Nordic nations model a practical outworking of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31)—treating all children as a shared trust. For Christians, this invites a sobering question: Does our defense of parental freedom serve the child’s flourishing, or our own comfort? True stewardship, as modeled in the Gospels, sacrifices control for the sake of another’s wholeness.

This biblical framework doesn’t demand mimicry of Nordic secularism but calls believers to lead the charge in crafting systems—and family habits—that honor the sacred weight of shepherding the next generation.

My Personal Takeaway

As a kid in the 90s, the mistakes I made were in private and could fade away into grace. Strangers didn't know me, didn't harangue on my "failings," and didn't have any clue about my fluctuating weight or acne problems. I was free to be awkward and grow up organically, without fear of a phone being pointed in my direction, broadcasting my image for all the world to see, and worse, to comment on. The idea of a child enduring the reality of digital permanence in American culture breaks my heart. That's not how childhood should be. 

While I doubt that America would ever allow itself to go to the level of Nordic restrictions, however healthy I consider them, I do hope that, as a society, we eventually realize that children should not only be allowed to be children, but socially required to have a childhood free of the digital footprint. American parents today need to take into consideration the right to privacy that their children should have, just as we did when we were kids. And one of the biggest steps we can take is to stop engaging with child influencer or family vlogger content.

Disclaimer: All thoughts are my personal opinions and I encourage readers to do their own research into failures and successes on child privacy laws in the United States.

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The Agatha Christie Project Update

I know, I know, it's been forever since I've added anything to The Agatha Christie Project page!

The truth is that I just haven't been very motivated to put my bookish thoughts online for quite a few years now. But I am going to try and get the ball rolling on this project again, this time, without an end date. I hate deadlines in all aspects of my life, so we'll just not have one for this project and I'll get books reviewed as I get around to them.

One thing is for sure, though, I am saving up to add to my Christie collection of hardbacks. I've realized that I only want to collect books that I love so the bookcases need to be weeded. But for those beloved authors, I will go out of my way to buy special copies of their books. With designs that I love and that I feel add to the mystique and adventure promised within the pages. Christie is one of those authors, and I am enjoying the experience of adding pretty editions to my sadly lacking bookshelf bearing her name.

When do you read Agatha Christie? Do you have a season when you want to just reach for her books, or is it an all-year-round thing?

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No, fans have not turned on Keira Knightley

 

Photo Credit: Keira Knightley at Netflix The Woman in Cabin 10 London News Photo 

 

First of all, can we just admire how beautiful Keira Knightley still is at 40. There is such grace and poise in how she is aging, so much sparkle, and I hope and pray that other actresses feel like they can follow suit. That it is okay to enter different seasons of your life and to allow your body and your face to change. If Helen Mirren can do it (here's an interview with Helen on Allure), so can every other actress out there, and it would be such a healthy thing for society rather than having so many women absolutely run from natural aging.

Back to the topic at hand. 

In case you haven't heard, Keira Knightley was hijacked during an interview about her latest film, where the interviewer grilled her about her knowledge of JK Rowling's pro-woman views and if she knew about them before agreeing to be cast as Professor Umbridge in the full-cast audiobook series of Harry Potter that's about to be released. Yes, that's a long sentence. But it completely changes the perspective of the reader by phrasing it as Rowling having a "pro-woman" stance instead of "anti-trans." 

Keira, bless her, responded with a laugh showing the absurdity and misplacement of the question, and graciously called people to figure out how to get along with one another because we are a diverse group of beliefs and opinions and mutual respect is important. I'm paraphrasing.

She's right. We will never move forward as a society if we cannot agree to disagree and move on from topics of contention.

But that reasonable response has resulted in a bit of a Keira Knightley witch-hunt and reinvigoration of the "boycott Rowling" crowd. Both of which are completely uncalled for and extremely dramatic, something that frustrates me as I grow older because drama is just so absurd.

But I did just think of something else that is bothering me.

Why Keira? Is it just because she was "to hand" in an interview? Or is it because she's the most well-known female in the audio cast (from my perspective)? Or . . . what? Because I see famous male names like Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen (now that's kind of funny that they're in the same audiobook series!), Kit Harrington, Simon Pegg, James McAvoy, and Riz Ahmed (maybe not everybody knows his work, but I do) in the cast but it doesn't seem that they were pressured the same way as Keira.

How is that okay? Now that I'm really thinking about it, I am quite upset that she was jumped like that, out of the blue, when it seems none of her male costars have had to put up with the same absurdity or endure the same online witchhunt. She was simply being diplomatic in her response! Or are these people only upset if someone doesn't voice their disdain for Rowling, not if they are acting in a Harry Potter production? I wouldn't be surprised if that was it. They're fine so long as the actor hates Rowling.

TikTokers and Redditors are not the majority of people. They're just not. Are they the most vocal, oh yes, but do they reflect the beliefs of every single person, absolutely not. So they really should just be viewed as the vocal 1% and treated as such. A flash-in-the-pan knee-jerk response of online rage isn't going to impact my love and admiration for Keira Knightley and her varying roles in the slightest. And I can guarantee you that she has a ton of fans IRL who will never know about this "controversy" and wouldn't care even if they did because they are not chronically online. What next? A call to boycott the PotC franchise? I don't think so. The rage echo chamber is getting old and it's showing how little the 1% actually spend amongst the rest of us.

Now, back to the actual reason for the Rowling question in the first place, the Harry Potter full-cast audio book series! It sounds amazing!

I look forward to intense pangs of hatred and loathing for Professor Umbridge that I know Keira's voice acting will deliver. And, wow, give me my Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore! He's an absolute fav of mine from waaaaaaay back in the 90s, yes, I am that old! I truly hope the full-cast audiobooks of Harry Potter live up to the hype!

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The Social Media Paradox: How Critiquing TikTok Trends Fuels the Fire

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"It’s ironic: The louder we shout about toxic trends, the more oxygen we give them. In our quest to critique, we risk becoming unwitting megaphones for the very content we claim to oppose."

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1. The Algorithm’s Unforgiving Math

Social media platforms thrive on engagement—any engagement. When YouTube commentary channels dissect TikTok trends (overconsumption, rage bait, exploitative family content), they inadvertently amplify the reach of those trends. Even disapproval signals relevance to algorithms, boosting visibility for creators and their controversial content. In my opinion: “The best way to stop the fire is to cut off the oxygen supply.”

• The Attention Economy: Every view, comment, or critique feeds the machine. Creators profit from outrage, and platforms profit from division.

• The “Critique Trap”: Well-intentioned criticism often introduces niche trends to broader audiences, sparking curiosity in viewers who’d never have encountered them otherwise.

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2. The Rise of Meta-Commentary

YouTube’s “commentary on content” culture creates a self-perpetuating cycle. Creators analyze trends to condemn them, yet their videos become the trend—a hall of mirrors where outrage drives clicks. This mirrors broader cultural dynamics:

• Vicarious Stress: Watching critiques of platforms you don’t use (for example, I don't have TikTok) can create “secondhand anxiety,” wasting emotional energy on distant dramas.

• Moral Licensing Trap: Viewers may feel virtuous for “resisting” trends by watching critiques, yet still contribute to the ecosystem.

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3. Breaking the Cycle: Practical Steps

A. Starve the Algorithms

• Silence = Impact: Ignoring trends and their critics denies both the oxygen they crave. Mute keywords, block channels, and curate feeds to exclude meta-commentary.
• Redirect Attention: Follow creators who focus on solutions (e.g., mindful consumption, creativity) rather than dissecting problems.
  
  

B. Reclaim Your Mental Space

• Audit Your Consumption: Ask, “Does this content enrich me or drain me?” If it’s the latter, click “Not Interested.”
• Channel Curiosity Productively: Replace trend-watching with hobbies, faith-based content, or skill-building (e.g., cooking, DIY projects).
  
  

C. Advocate Quietly

• Model Alternatives: Share positive, life-giving content—art, family moments, service projects—to counterbalance cultural noise.
• Teach Critical Thinking: For parents, discuss social media’s pitfalls proactively (e.g., “Why do you think this trend went viral?”) without directing kids to specific toxic content.
  
  

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A Personal Reflection:
“I’ve deleted my ‘trend critique’ playlists. It’s freeing to realize I don’t need to be a cultural watchdog. My time is better spent creating, connecting, and cultivating peace than shouting into the void.”

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Closing Challenge:
What if we treated toxic trends like a passing storm—acknowledging their existence but refusing to stand in the rain? The quieter we become, the less power they hold.

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“How to Murder Your Wife” (1965): A Mixed Bag of Laughs and Cringe

Jack Lemmon shines as Stanley Ford, a lifelong bachelor cartoonist whose drunken antics and reluctant plunge into marriage drive this dark comedy. The film’s humor hinges on his physical comedy—think expanding waistlines from Italian cooking and lightbulb-electrocution mishaps. His habit of acting out comic strip scenes before drawing them adds genuine laughs, showcasing Lemmon’s genius.

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The Good: Vintage Lemmon

• Physical comedy gold: Slapstick moments (like the infamous lightbulb scene) highlight Lemmon’s talent.
• Creative flair: Reenacting comic strip scenarios blurs fiction and reality in clever, absurd ways.
• Charming chemistry: Virna Lisi’s character softens Stanley’s edges, offering glimmers of genuine connection.

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The Dated: 1960s Gender Dynamics
The film’s “battle of the sexes” premise hasn’t aged well:

• Misogyny as punchlines: Women are reduced to objects (bachelor parties turn wakes for “lost freedom”) or manipulators.
• Marriage as imprisonment: The mustache-growing rebellion feels tragic, not funny, in today’s context.
• Scantily clad stereotypes: Lisi’s wardrobe choices prioritize male gaze over character depth.

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The Uncomfortable: Mutual Manipulation
Both genders weaponize distrust:

• Stanley’s friends celebrate freedom when weddings collapse.
• Wives use emotional blackmail (no motorcycles, no mustache, no independence).
• The title’s dark premise—fantasizing spousal murder—feels jarringly mean-spirited.

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Verdict: A Time Capsule, Not a Blueprint
While How to Murder Your Wife offers laughs through Lemmon’s brilliance, its gender politics clash with modern values. It’s best viewed as a cultural artifact—a reminder of how far we’ve come (and how far we still need to go) in portraying mutual respect in relationships.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for Lemmon) / ⭐️ (for messaging) 

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The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson (2024)

As a longtime reader of Melody Carlson’s Christmas novels and YA works like her Secrets series, I approached The Christmas Tree Farm with high hopes. While Carlson’s signature storytelling charm shines in moments, this 2024 release ultimately left me wanting more.

What Didn’t Click

Character Development: The sisters’ constant bickering felt more juvenile than sibling-rivalry authentic, making their 30-something ages hard to reconcile.

Plot Pacing: The story’s abrupt shifts between the tree farm’s challenges and the neighboring dirt bike park subplot created a disjointed rhythm.

Relatability: Though the noisy neighbor premise holds potential for cozy conflict, the execution leaned heavily on situational tension over heartfelt connection.

Silver Linings

Carlson’s knack for creating festive small-town atmospheres remains intact, and the Christmas tree farm setting itself brims with untapped hygge potential. Longtime fans of her quick-read holiday style may still find moments to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

While this novella didn’t resonate with me personally—I’ll be passing my copy to a local Christian bookstore for others to discover—it reinforces how even beloved authors occasionally miss the mark. Here’s hoping Carlson’s next Christmas tale recaptures the warmth of her earlier works!

Here's my page of Christmas Reads reviews.

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