This year we sort of have a long Christmas weekend with Christmas Eve being on Monday and Christmas Day on Tuesday. For some this is an entire weekend of preparation and celebrations. We kick of the glorious weekend with Winter Solstice on Friday. The first day of Winter will take us into a splendid weekend of merriment and the holidays.
I hope that some of you have the opportunity to welcome the winter by going outside to make snowmen and take sleigh rides because before you know it, the snow will have melted, and the days will soon become warmer. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the darkness is embraced with open arms for after this day the days of the year slowly begin to get longer once again. So, as we welcome the cold weather with this first winter day that Mother Nature has gifted us don’t shy away from the outdoors.
If you are in California, we truly have the opportunity to appreciate the few hours of daylight given on this wintry day in the outdoors because the sun still shines here. Rise early for the sunrise and take a winter picnic into nature. Whether you choose to enjoy the full stream of daylight with lunch or relax in the twilight, a Winter Solstice picnic will be an omnipotent experience. If you choose to stay out and watch the darkness fall this year, you won’t regret it because the full moon will welcome you with a spectacular meteor shower. The Ursid meteor showers will kick off on the first day of winter, but you can enjoy its peak during the weekend.
I can’t think of a better way to embrace earth and the Winter Solstice than with these natural gifts we have been bestowed this year. For my winter Solstice picnic, I have an earthy Olive Loaf that invites darkness and Humus with Pine Nuts. Pair this with any wine of your choice or enjoy it with rose infused champagne. Take your picnic and head up to the top of a dark hill, for this Winter Solstice shall be like no other as you look up at the show in the sky.
