around here: December 2012

Our month has been full of good times.  Visits to lots of festive places, wide eyes, birthday celebrations and sharing.  Solstice was quiet and small as usual, maybe even more so this year. 

We had lots of snow for Solstice which was very festive feeling.  It also added to the peacefulness.

We fed the birds on our Solstice walk and I set up my altar that evening.  Winter's mantle has settled over us these days and we sleep later and go to bed earlier.  It just seems to fit where we are right now.

then comes snow

Winter has officially arrived in the Lower Mainland.  Specifically we have snow and below zero temperatures which for us is cold.   Last year we didn't get any snow so this year has been very exciting for Kyan and he's been making snowballs and crunching down paths to pre-school and telling me all in the same day: "I love the snow" or "I don't like the snow" depending on whether the extra clothing involved in playing in it has been donned or not. 

Keeping warm is my goal these days.  Besides my slippers (which I just noticed are starting to come apart after close to 6 years of use) I've been warming with scarves and tea. 

Our new year routine is moving along nicely.  I'm on week two of the 52 Weeks to an Organized Home Challenge and what I'm gaining from this daily ritual of tiding up is some serious help in those crazy moments.  Being on top of the housework is extremely satisfying when spending so much time indoors.  January is working out so far.  Not bad at all.

Greetings

Hi everyone.

I took a bit of a break from blogland for a few weeks, soon I'll be caught up on all of your holiday doings. Our holidays have been great. Our west coast bones have been shocked from some seriously cold days but we tried to take advantage of the snowy wonders while we could. We fly home on Monday and so you can expect regular posts after the 4th. I wanted to share some pictures from our holidays...hopefully you aren't all holidayed out yet. Before we get to the images I wanted to welcome the new followers who have appeared over the last few weeks, thanks for joining me on this little journey.

I also wanted to share that the new Pagan Pages article is up. This month I wrote about flow in parenting as it relates to the element of water. And Angie at the Pagan Writers Community has posted an interview with me since Chasing Domestic Bliss is the featured blog there this month. I have a fun (hopefully) surprise for everyone next week, so Happy New Year and happy weekend to you all and I'll be back here on Tuesday.

Our Solstice table

Solstice fire

My parents who joined me despite the cold (my Dad built the fire for me) I am blessed with loving and supportive parents

A walk in the woods on a warmer day....only -5 Celsius

The blue moon on New Year's eve.

Baking & Snow

Today was our first big snow. We don't get much snow here and it doesn't stay very long so it is always great to take advantage when it is here. Kyan was a bit indifferent but I'm sure when he can walk in it himself he'll take more notice. Yesterday was very busy with baking. I made my Gran's famous pan rolls for the first time. They turned out okay. I baked them a bit too long but better luck next time. They are going to be for our Solstice dinner (just Mom, Dad & Baby with our gift exchange) and I also made shortbread for the first time. Shortbread is tricky, I overcooked it a bit as well, but it tastes good and I separated the overcooked for us, and will give the nice ones to our neighbor and take some to a Yule party we are going to this weekend. I can't believe that it is only a week until Yule eve. I still have birthday party prep to do, and a few last gifts to get. I'm enjoying the season though. Our tree is great, I'll post some pics soon. I hope you are all well and are getting some cheer from the season.