Tis (almost) the season

Yuletide looks like it'll open on time (give or take 9 hours from now, 9am UTC) HUZZAH! Between the flu-that-ate-november lingering and getting (and having to shovel) tons of snow I wasn't as productive for it as I hoped to be, but there still should be lots of amazing goodies to read in the collection.

The chocolatebox exchange isn't running this year but candy hearts exchange is being run as a one time only exchange to take its place and opening on valentine's. It's still open for noms if anyone wants to toss a few in.

Two weeks of recthething recs (Untamed/MDZS fics, as usual):

Harvest Festival Times Two (written for Mountain Retreat Exchange 2022, currently anon, 2k)
Summary Snippet: The Wens host Sukkot/Mid-Autumn Festival. (very cute dual cultural mishmash fic)

for you, andante by xuanxuanwo (ostentatiouslyrealistic). (35k)
Summary Snippet: On a rainy Thursday evening, after his final concert of the season, pianist Lan Wangji ducks into a bookshop, befriends a toddler, falls in love with a guitarist, and, ultimately, rediscovers his passion for music. (absolutely adorable modern musician AU)

something wicked by isabilightwood (13k)
Summary Snippet: Wei Ying runs a magical coffee shop where he helps the living work out their problems and makes coffee for ghosts. So when his best friend is turned into a bunny with a curse that can only be broken by True Love's Kiss, he tries to help Lan Zhan find The One. This would be so much easier if Wei Ying wasn't in love with him. (absolutely delightful)

howl into the void by insane_falcon (7k)
Summary: Lan Wangji, under an animal transformation curse, arrives at Yiling to protect Wei Wuxian from an upcoming assault. (well done canon era witch!au)

What We Grew in this Forsaken Place by Admiranda (28k, locked to archive)
Summary: Wei Wuxian is the sole cultivator stationed in Yiling Tower out in the Forsaken Battlegrounds, the loneliest post out across the jianghu. No one else in memory has ever lasted the five years of a cultivator posting, but he's determined to do it and make it out before the sheer emptiness can affect even him. His quest becomes that much easier when he rescues a snow white fox that unexpectedly appears one day, giving him the companionship and friend he so desperately longs for out here in the desolate wastes. The mystery of just who this giant, white fox is and how he ended out here in the first place is a secondary concern to the joy of finally having someone at his side. (interesting modern-with-cultivation AU with WWX saving a fox that might not be what it seems)

A Heart Made of Jade by makkurokuro93 (67k)
Summary Snippet: "Breaking news! Breaking news! Emperor Jin raised the award for Twin Jades’ heads into three thousand and four hundred gold taels!” The newsman shouted in the middle of the pathway. (Physician WWX just wants to help his customers and treat the citizens of Yunmeng and teach his son his trade but saves Emperor Jin's grandson and gets embroiled in a whole conspiracy as a result. Fascinating world building and great read)

I made cookies yesterday with a new recipe and they didn't spread (which is what I was hoping for), hopefully they stay moist and chewy for a while.

And I did a few small crochet things for gifts: a hot pad, a soap keeper, a cat toy, a 4 leaf clover bookmark and a small star of David to go on a ribbon to finish wrapping stuff:

and
and

I'm not entirely sure the hot pad is really thick enough, I might try a different pattern and make a second to give too. My wrist is very unhappy due to all the shoveling, so maybe not though. We'll see.

Hope everyone's having/has a nice Hanukkah/Christmas/winter (or summer) break/weekend/whatever!