Almost

45°f/7.2f, foggy in the morning, light clouds.

Goodies boxed up and ready for tomorrow. And crackers! We have never done these before.

Are you ready? Because here it comes, ready or not! I have pies baking today, potato salad and a cheese ball to make, veggies to prepare for the crudites tray, and just washed up all the pretty serving dishes. And I think that's about it. The ham and turkey are thawing, supplies are laid in for my homemade eggnog and the punch we like that combines cider, orange juice and ginger ale.

We will have a smallish gathering this year. Derek, his daughters Haley and Hannah, their partners, and Hannah's 2 children plus her boyfriend's 3. I had a bit of a scramble when I found out yesterday that those last three would be here, because no child will be left without a gift at my house on Christmas! But we had to go out later yesterday to pick up our milk and butter, so I was able to take care of that.

I made Granny Marigold's fudge yesterday, both the chocolate and the peanut butter. Both came out well. I had to laugh when I realized that the peanut butter one was the very same as one I made back in the 70s! I also made kahlua brownies, which we sampled last night. Yummy! 

Leaving you today with Christmas in the Trenches by John McCutcheon, with whom I had the privilege to share a stage some years ago. His late sister-in-law Tersi was also a good friend of mine. This song is close to my heart, as two of my great-uncles, James and Sidney Wilson, were in the British forces and were very likely present at that famous Christmas truce in 1914. We found that the truce was mentioned in reports from their units which were stationed in that area, so feel fairly sure they were there. My favorite version of this song was sung by Robbie O'Connell on the album All on a Christmas Morning. O'Connell is a well-loved Irish singer and musician with  whom I have stayed in touch since I took a week-long class with him at Augusta back in 2010.  There is also the movie Joyeux Noel,  which I have mentioned before, which is based on the Christmas Truce of 1914. Well worth watching. 

Merry Christmas, friends!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

The Turning of the Year

Sharing a few more thoughts on this time of year.

Winter Solstice Chant

By Annie Finch

Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,

now you are uncurled and cover our eyes

with the edge of winter sky

leaning over us in icy stars.

Vines, leaves, roots of darkness, growing,

come with your seasons, your fullness, your end.

Tonight's sunset:

One of my poems, from 2020:

Solstice

Smoke curls, swirls heavenward

through reaching branches

naked white against a dying day.

Holly and ivy twine

through wisps of flame and stars--

Owl drifts tree to tree,

Coyote sings,

a song ancient as mistletoe,

as time.

Spirits stir: 

the veil thins.

 

This night, 

Holly King yields,

Green Man takes the crown;

roots awaken.

An old photo of our house, from around 1980, I think, taken around this time of year. Back when we were walking in all winter.

One more old one:

Solstice 2015

6:00 AM, and dark,

still as the middle of the night,

as midnight, quiet.  I walk out,

into the glow of Christmas

strands left burning,

Defiant.

 The rooster crows,

just once.

Our little creek rushes

between shrouded hills,

Over-full from hours of steady rain.

No stars in the sky this longest night

to welcome the coming Light.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.

Merry Solstice!

27°f/-2.8C, mostly clear. Warmed into the low 50's. Nice day.

Wishing you all comfort and warmth on this longest night, at least for us in the northern hemisphere!

My favorite poem for this day:

The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper 

So the shortest day came, and the year died,

And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world

Came people singing, dancing,

To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;

They hung their homes with evergreen;

They burned beseeching fires all night long

To keep the year alive,

And when the new year’s sunshine blazed awake

They shouted, reveling.

Through all the frosty ages you can hear them

Echoing behind us—Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,

This shortest day,

As promise wakens in the sleeping land:

They carol, feast, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,

And hope for peace.

And so do we, here, now,

This year and every year.

Welcome Yule!

 

A quiet welcome here at home.

The wheel turns, and around we go again. Welcome to the Oak King! Goodbye, Holly King!

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.