Wednesday, December 9, 2020
The Return of the Light - Celebrating The Winter Solstice
Updated Post With New Ways To Celebrate!
- Richard Heinberg, Celebrating the Solstice: Honoring the Earth’s Seasonal Rhythms through Festival and Ceremony
We have observed the solstice over the years with various, simple celebrations, but as the girls have grown up and moved away, my celebrations have become much more personal in nature. Building upon the traditions of the past and adding a few new, "just for me" touches, I have made the observance and celebration of this day, for the most part, very much my own. And so today, I thought I would take some time to share some of these traditions, both past and present, in the hopes that you might be inspired to indulge in your own celebrations. I will warn you now, this post is LONG, and it is only the beginning, there will be more! Did I mention this was one of my favorite days? But before I get into the how to celebrate, let's first begin with why, and if you will, a bit of a disclaimer.
Many years ago, for fear that the days might be becoming darker and that the the sun might never return, our ancestors began observing a number of customs that were designed to hopefully entice the sun from departing. And while there are some in christian circles (my circle) that would warn that such customs stem from pagan beliefs, I would argue that life itself has been washed in the bath of such beliefs (sin), since Eve first tasted the apple at Eden. Any ritual or tradition is made whole/holy simply by means of its focus and intent. My goal, based upon my personal belief in and relationship with Christ, is in a sense to "redeem" these customs by making Christ the ever present focus of my rituals and celebrations. But this is simply what seems right for me, you may, based upon your own personal beliefs adapt or omit any of these ideas as you see fit. My intent is neither to condone what some may seem as sinful, or to force my personal beliefs upon anyone. I would simply admonish (in love) that we each "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling before God." Mine is not to judge, and I would request that same grace be extended. Ours is simply . . . to love.
❅ A SOLSTICE HOUSE BLESSING
Many traditions include a bonfire, and this is one that we observed a few times over the years. The idea is that the offering of warmth and light might appeal to the sun to warm the earth once again. One custom suggests that each person write down one habit they want to rid themselves of in the coming year and throw it into the bonfire. If you decide to build a bonfire, it might be fun to make up some of the these spicy fire starters in the days before your celebration. They will help to make your start up a little easier, and the fire starters themselves are quite lovely!
❅ THE SOLSTICE SPIRAL
The solstice spiral is one my favorite observances for this most special day, and is a celebration of the return of the light! Solstice Spirals are popular in Waldorf schools, and you can read about that, here for context.
I do a much smaller table top version for my observance, using apples with white birthday candles, and in a pinch, I have also used tea lights and the presentation was just as lovely. I typically set it out on the kitchen table the night before so that it serves as a sweet reminder that we are cycling into a new season. This helps to build the anticipation, especially if there are children in the home. When the sun sets, I light the candles and allow them to burn for awhile, our own little celebration of the return of the sun.
This is a new tradition that I began last year and I plan to make it a regular part of my observance. Thankfully we live in an area that plentiful with woods, and it makes for a lovely setting. Last year I went early in afternoon to soak in the last rays of sunshine before the early darkness set in. But this year I am considering taking it about thirty or forty five minutes before sunset. I like the idea of returning to the warmth and shelter of home, lighting the candles on my solstice spiral, and then enjoying a festive meal, which I'll share more about below! If you do decided to make your own solstice spiral, large or small, going on a walk might also serve the purpose of collecting some greenery. And now, about my meal plans!
Traditionally, I always make a big pot of Grammy's Cabbage Soup. Everyone in our family loves this hearty soup, which I really consider more of a stew, it's much heartier! Although I was considering trying out this recipe, Crock Pot Cranberry Orange Pork Tenderloin, I think I might save it for the new year and stick with tradition. There is just something about keeping the menu simple that appeals to me, and I like the **homeyness** of a pot of stew. I think I'll find a nice loaf of bread and serve it up with a cheese spread. Once I have the particulars of my menu figured out, I'll post more about that.
But regardless of the main course, it wouldn't be the winter solstice without gingerbread and lemon sauce. Gingerbread conjures memories from my childhood, when my grandmother would make it for me every time we visited! I especially enjoy it during the long winter months, and traditionally make it for the time each season for the winter solstice.
Ginger is a favorite solstice and holiday spice, and gingerbread is a favorite from my childhood. My grandmother made it for me often, and I always think of her when I make it today. And though I enjoy gingerbread throughout the year, I traditionally always make a loaf on the winter solstice. Here's the recipe I have used for years.
Gingerbread
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
2 large eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup hot water
Lemon Sauce
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Dash salt
Dash nutmeg
1 cup half-and-half cream
2 large egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Preheat oven to 350°.
Beat shortening, sugar, molasses and eggs until well blended. Combine next five ingredients; add to molasses mixture alternately with hot water.
Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, for lemon sauce, combine first five ingredients in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.
Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Gently stir in butter, lemon juice and zest, increasing juice if needed to thin sauce. Serve with warm cake. Refrigerate leftover sauce.
And while spiced cider has been our traditional beverage of choice, this year I'm giving serious consideration to this recipe for winter lemonade! I may do dual service and enjoy a cup of cider over tea earlier in the day.
Another observance I began last year is eating dinner by candlelight. In todays world, illuminated by gadgets and technology, and faces aglow with constant media all hours of the day and night, the winter solstice is an opportunity to pause and give tribute to the natural rhythms of life.
And NOW, I am going to close. As I have come across many addition lovely ideas for observing the solstice this year, my plan is to follow up with other ideas and expand upon a few I've already mentioned. Many of them, while destined for the solstice, need not be limited to observance on one day, and I think fitting for the beginning of the season and the new year!
Until then, my friends!
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
The Music of Christmas
- DR. SEUSS
This picture is of my daddy taken during their first Christmas in their new house. I love this picture for all the things it entails, my daddy, who I adored, and that it was taken by their Christmas tree, because my daddy LOVED Christmas!
Almost all of my favorite memories from my childhood are associated with Christmas, and I credit my dad for that. I loved my mom dearly, but in all honesty I think Christmas was more of a nuisance for her. I'm not really sure why. She waited until the last possible moment to put up the tree, and some of my not so wonderful memories of the season are of her, frantic and frustrated over a string of twinkle lights that was no longer working. She was the type to sit and go through every bulb until she found the pesky culprit, something she passed on to me in my younger years until I realized it was NOT worth my peace, and better to just take a few minutes to drive to Walmart and buy new. It's been years since I've fussed over such things, but back then I'm guessing you also couldn't buy a new strand of twinkly lights for under $3.00? What mom may have lacked in Christmas spirit she made up for when it came to being frugal and practical, :).
But my dad was just the opposite, and I was and am just like him when it comes to the holidays. In my mind the tree cannot go up early enough! In fact, this is the first year I can recall in many that I didn't put ours up until after Thanksgiving, and that is all due to the fact that this year I am decorating a small van. This year our tree is VERY small, but lovely all the same. I'll post a picture of it soon, once I have it exactly the way I want it. :)
One of my favorite things about Christmas is the music, and my love for it was definitely passed down from my dad. To be honest I think I could listen to Christmas music all year round, and confession, I'm known to! Not with any regularity, but there are times when nothing else lifts my spirit quite like O Come, Come Emmanuel by Casting Crowns, Noel by Lauren Daigle (a newer favorite from the past few years), or some of my favorites from my childhood like Here Comes Santa Claus or Up on the House Top by Gene Autry. I love them for the uplifting, cheerful mood they evoke, but I think more than anything, I feel close to my daddy whenever I listen to them.
I have a very vivid memory of being with my dad during the Christmas season. The album I will be referring to (see below) was released in 1965, so I would have just turned four years old. We were in an auto parts or tire store, in fact when I looked it up I think the store is still there all these years later! I don't recall what we went there for, but once inside there was a large display of Christmas albums that was put out annually by The Goodyear Tire Company. In 1965 they released Volume 5, and on that particular day my daddy purchased that volume and added it to his collection. Memories are a funny thing. I forget SO much its often frustrating, but I remember every detail of that day. What I was wearing, the smell of the shop, the display of albums, and my daddy taking one and placing it on the counter and purchasing it. It many ways it feels like yesterday, and is so vivid that I could almost believe that I could step right back into that moment at will.
One of the things my dad loved to do during the holidays was to turn out all of the lights, light up the tree and listen to his Christmas albums. There were several Christmas albums in my dad's collection, but out of all of them this is the one that stands out the most in my memory, I think we listened to it more than any other. It was this album that made me fall in love with the music of Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Doris Day and so many others.
Originally I thought about creating a Christmas playlist, I even made up the cover art! But now I've decided that rather than do that I am going to post links to the albums that were in my daddy's collection, beginning with this one. Any song I would have added to my playlist would have come from one of these albums, anyway, and posting them . . . well, like I said, my dad feels close. So I hope you'll enjoy them. Some of the links will be to You Tube playlists and others to Spotify.
Monday, December 7, 2020
Christmas At Home

"Now I look forward to our Christmases at home, and enjoy our parties. On Christmas night I have a dinner party of eight or ten. I like Verona to spend Christmas with her family, but she leaves everything superbly ready. As there's all the rest of the year to be original, I serve a classic English Christmas dinner, which is a delicious meal if you do it right. I can get a natural, healthy, free-range turkey (so different from those intensively mass-produced things one finds throughout the year). I use a Normandy stuffing: half crumbled chestnuts, the other half a mixture of diced apples, celery, leek and a few breadcrumbs, the whole bound with beaten egg; a little sausage meat at the other end. I infuse the milk for bread sauce in advance, leaving it for some hours with onions and cloves, bayleaf and nutmeg, salt and pepper, so only the bread crumbs have to be added near the time. Gravy I prepare in advance too from the giblets. We use Majestic potatoes for roasting, for Reg's special sprouts, lightly cooked so they are fresh and firm. The rum butter and brandy sauce I have also made in advance, to accompany Verena's delectable pudding, rich and dark, but light. She is always toasted in her absence over the Christmas pudding. Oddly enough we use for the pudding, an old wartime recipe of my mother's - we know its wartime because it includes the historic phrase, "Raisins are not included, as there is no issue of them this year." We use them, but apart from that, I see no reason to try another recipe. Then the Stilton with our own celery; then dessert - fruit in the olive-world corbeille we brought from Venice, nuts in the little baskets I brought from Annency in my school days, sweets in the silver dishes my mother had on her dinner table in India and on the pink dyed damask tablecloth a centre piece of silver jewry work on pale pink satin, which she brought home with her and somehow hung on to through all the years of packing and unpacking trunks. So all my life is there. With a light fresh first course - this year melon balls and chicory and prawns in sour cream, Ralph offers vodka, we have champagne in the hall by the fire before dinner. With the main course and the Stilton he serves Beychevelle - but alas, alas we have now finished the Beychevelle!"
Sunday, December 6, 2020
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Small Things
In no particular order, here are six small things that inspired, uplifted or encouraged me this week.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Monday, November 2, 2020
Soul Rest
This past week I started a short, one week devotional, Soul Rest: 7 Days To Renewal. The subtitle reads, Reclaim Your Life. Return To Sabbath.
Just yesterday we were forced out of a quiet, beautiful little campsite due to the threat of rain, snow and 40 mph wind gusts. It wasn’t the rain or snow as much as the threat of high winds that influenced our decision. Walmart parking lots seem more favorable at the moment, without the threat of falling trees.
I was sad to leave, as we were really enjoying the beauty of the late autumn forest and the especially the quiet. Constantly being on the go and with little to no time alone has left me a little weary. Don’t get me wrong, I am thoroughly enjoying all the wonderful places we have visited, and depending on the mood of the country following the election tomorrow, we hope to spend some time in and around Boston for my birthday. With that, I am learning to find rest in smaller pockets and in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life, EVEN when boondocking at Walmart!
This devotional has been so good and has prompted me to begin practicing what I call my rest reset, which is just ten minutes (preferably, sometimes it’s shorter) to just close my eyes and sit in silence. I got the idea from my reading on the first day of the devotional and I want to shares little of it it here with you.
“In our fast paced culture, we are constantly in motion, whether it’s our always-packed calendar, always racing mind, or always connected technology, we aren’t very good at resting. At the root, many of us are consumed with working, performing, and longing to earn respect, position, authority, value and love. Whether we attempt to receive these things from people or God, this striving causes us to become tired. Soul tired. The only way that we can begin a journey toward rest is to give ourselves permission to stop.”
The author goes on to suggest that you need to be intentional and find a few quiet moments, and it is further suggested that ten minutes is a ”reasonable amount of time to hope for.” It would be best if you could find a place that is restful, but in a pinch you should try to find a way to create stillness in the midst of your regular flow, such as drinking a cup of coffee or eating breakfast without the aide of technology. The key is not to allow anything to populate the time that you have set aside to be still and quiet.
I’ll be honest, I found this more difficult than I imagined it would be. Isn’t it amazing how dependent we’ve become upon our devices? It’s especially hard for me, living in the van, as the very devotional encouraging me in this comes through an app on my phone! It even warns that there will be the temptation to minimize the importance of being still and encourages the reader to be diligent. The first day I began this practice we were camping by a steam with a small waterfall, so while finding a restful spot was easy, my mind kept racing with a million thoughts. Then I realized I had my eyes closed and when I opened them to take in the beauty, it helped to still my heart and soul. Today, boondocking at Walmart, that may prove a bit more challenging.
What about you? Do you regularly engage in times of stillness? What do you find is your biggest struggle or distraction, and what have you found that helps?
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