Winter Solstice 2009: December 21, 12:47 PM Eastern time
Do you even notice the solstice? Does this time of year make you sleepy and sad, or full of energy and good cheer? Where will you be on the longest night of the year?
For some, this time of year brings decreased energy and sadness, while others pull their collars up and soldier on. Some don't notice it one way or the other, and some rail against the darkness with bright festive parties, extra twinkle lights and gaily wrapped packages.
So far this year I seem to be a combination of the soldier and the giddy party girl. Still, it's important for me not to lose sight of the request to slow down, rest, deepen, and listen carefully to the teachings of silence, stillness. I plan on spending solstice at home, alone, with a warm toddy and, as a nod to the party girl, a few strings of twinkle lights that never fail to lift my spirits.
Then, on the following day, it's back to work in the holiday kitchen. This year I'm feeling somewhat overwhelmed and my response is to get a little goofy. So I've decided to pull out an old favorite side dish from the 60's that involves fresh cranberries, miniature marshmallows and a can of crushed pineapple.
2 cups raw cranberries, ground in a food processor or chopped very finely
1 cup white sugar
1 pint heavy whipping cream
6 cups miniature marshmallows
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
Combine the ground cranberries and sugar in a bowl. In another bowl, whip the cream and stir in the miniature marshmallows. Let both mixtures sit in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and then fold the cranberry mixture into the whipped cream. Then gently fold in the crushed pineapple and spoon the mixture into your serving dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let set for several hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator.
My mom used to grind the cranberries in an old hand-cranked meat grinder (this was before Cuisinart!)
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(Image: Dana Velden)
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The winter solstice is a big deal for me. I live in Ottawa, Canada - far enough north that this time of year it is dark when I leave for work in the morning, and dark when I leave work to head home. And I work a normal 8 hr day. Right now, we're hitting sunset around 4PM.
So, yeah. If I can make it to the solstice, I've made it over the hump, and it won't be too long 'till I'll at least see the sun once a day.
Don't know how the people that live way up north do it. This is about as much as I can handle.
knowing that daylight increases after the winter solstice keeps me going!
On the longest night of the year I'll be flying home from San Diego to England where the nights are longer even than here in CA. I'm flying home for christmas with the man I love and I couldn't be happier :D
It is my favourite day of the year. Or is that night? I love the darkness. It means glowing candles, stars (when its not raining) and general cozy indoor enjoyment that can seem to last forever.
I will enjoy being home for that extended evening.
A candlelight yoga class, a little reflection, and a good meal, hopefully with family.
It'll still be morning for me at the precise moment, which means the Western Hemisphere will experience the longest night of the year in daylight hours? Huh? Anyway, whether the longest night is Sunday or Monday, I will be snuggled under the duvet with clicker in hand watching a stockpile of Christmas movies. And, yes, the solstice signals the start of lengthening days, which is always better than shorenting days.
I love this time of year! I don't get grumpy about the weather until February or so, when I'm sick of chapped lips.
A good friend of mine has always remarked that the winter solstice is his favorite day of the year and the summer solstice is his least favorite day of the year; citing the (slowly but surely) lengthening days vs the latter. As for me, I love both days and tomorrow will be celebrated with a warming bowl of bortolotti bean and kale soup and some toasty rosemary bread; our lit Christmas tree and a Monday night football game on the 'tube.
As usual I am having my big holiday dinner on Solstice night. I always celebrate the Solstices and Equinoxes with a meal and time spent with loved ones. This year I'm going traditional and roasting a goose. We're also having yorkshire pudding popovers, brussels sprouts and pearl onions, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing. Dessert is a yule log. Happy Solstice everyone!
Religiously, Solstices and Equinoxes are big days for me. I look forward to traditional activities of food, friends and family, and enjoying time outdoors... though Winter Solstice always means a little LESS time outdoors that the others. Brr!
Happy Solstice everyone!
For those of us with birthdays around this time of year, it's bittersweet. Usually people are so busy with the holidays, that we are grateful for the few people who can find the time to celebrate. The Solstice is important, but for me it's overshadowed by my birthday.
Happy Birthday violet222! I hope you find time/energy to celebrate.
I think we'll let the kids stay up a bit and take a late-night walk, looking for owls.
This is a great solstice day (solstice was technically 10 minutes ago). We have had two days of sunshine before another storm rolls through. Yesterday my husband and I organized an outdoor ice skate and cocoa party and the weather was perfect. Now we gotta wait to hunker down again, but that is what hot beverages are for, right? This is a great time of year to soak in thoughts and warmth from loved ones.
I celebrated early this morning by breaking out the fruitcake. Tonight, a friend is bringing us a meal and we'll stay bundled up inside.
The solstice is my husband's grandmother's birthday. This year, she turns 103 (and she is still amazingly bright and beautiful).
We sent her flowers.