Counting again, and today it is the 21st December.
A special day for us, Winter Solstice when we mark the longest night (ergo the shortest day) by lighting candles and eating some of our favourite foods. We usually tell stories or poems, the boys play the piano and if we can persuade Himself enough, he will sing for us.
This year was a little quieter than usual as Youngest is sporting the meanest and snottiest cold he has had in a very long time - poor thing, but he did try nibbling a thing or two before retiring to the settee with a blanket and pillow.
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After work this cold and frosty evening, I came home to a warm and heavenly scented kitchen. This morning I had prepared tonight's meal leaving it for Himself to finish off. And what a wonderful job he had done. To celebrate, not only the solstice but also a rare lunar eclipse he had decorated the pastry on the salmon pie (another one for my 52 recipes not tried before) with a wonderful image of a smiling sun, earth and moon. It was such a shame to eat it, but once we'd cut into it, making a wish as we did so, the wonderful aroma of the salmon and leeks just made us all salivate with anticipation.
We love the idea that from now on it will gently gently start to get lighter in the mornings and stay lighter for longer in the evenings. Each day nearer to spring.
Eldest lights one of the candles next to the sun cake.
Mixed red berries, shortcake and Chantilly cream for desert (another new recipe!)
from a certain pukka chef
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That's all for now, I am very tired and ready for bed. This week as been very long (and it has only been two days so far.......) Glad to share with you our Solstice evening, I now bid you goodnight and wish you a happy and blessed Solstice xx
All sounds and looks lovely but I'm afraid I would have been with Youngest on the sofa with tissues, blanket and pillow.
ReplyDeleteThursday -
ReplyDeleteOh no - not another one with the dreaded lurgy! Actually Youngest would love to have some one to cuddle on the settee - he loves nothing better than curling up with someone - unless it's his brother!