Solstice Sweetness

Funny thing how the solstice snuck up on me this year. School, work and life seems to be keeping me too busy for my own good. I managed to make a few holiday gifts, but haven't yet got anything sent in the mail. I guess they'll be new years gifts.

Solstice is a special time when the world is quiet, sleeping, waiting for spring. It's been tough with the dark coming earlier every day, the sun is setting at about 430 these days, and I'm looking foward to a bit more daylight in the evening hours again.

Today we woke up late. Laid around in bed for a while. I woke and saw the first sun rays kiss the aspen tree out the window, then fell back asleep for a few hours. When we finally got up we had breakfast, chai and a shower. On a sunny winter's walk this afternoon the first messenger from Gaia was a beautiful blue heron that we startled away from the creek. I love how slowly they can glide away, low to the ground, graceful yet ungainly. Herons are so big!

Then I found some old flowering stalks of evening primrose poking out of the snow. I peeled the strong fibers from the stalks and twisted it into cordage as we walked. The cottonwoods all have giant buds covered in yellow sap. Soon it will be time for collecting cottonwood buds for oil.
Found a stand of motherwort stalks, and then tried my hand at making cordage from the old milkweed fibers off the stalks. What a lovely fiber, strong, white, and fine. I must get more of that!

I also ran into a young alder tree that I hadn't seen before! What a treat! I've been wanting to learn more about that tree ally, and though this one is young, and not appropriate for barking, it made LOTS of cones and leaves for a spring harvest.

It was clear, cold and sunny today. Perfect setting for the solstice.
I spent the afternoon making a nice infused ginger coconut oil for a clients arthritis, and my sweetie made crawfish soup for dinner.

Here's to hoping everyone has a warm and merry holiday. See you in the new year!