Happy Winter Solstice

road to the beach

December 21, 2012

Peace. Silence. Nature. Renewal. Light. Possibility.

A space of repose, to reflect on the year past, and prepare for the year to come.

Nature has decided to kick off the season in style in my neck of the woods, and we are choosing to hunker. I welcome it.

~~~

Thank you for joining me here these past few weeks for Solstice Reflections. The stories and images shared by this year's contributors were a beacon of peace during what can so easily become a busy time of year.

Thank you Darlene, Karen, Jodi, Susan and Vivienne, for making the season that much brighter for us all.

Happy Winter Solstice.

NEW Holiday/Winter Cards in the Shop!

They're heeeeeeere, new greeting cards to celebrate the season!

Send them out for the December holidays, or pop them in the mail in the new year, to surprise someone with a mid-winter treat. Snail mail in February is the best, isn't it?

These are what I've dubbed the winter trio, based on three of my favourite seasonal original pieces: Bundled Up, December Moon, and Holly (click on the photo, or the title below the photo, to purchase).

Bundled Up

December Moon

Holly

Then I played around a little with a different style, based on some of my original photography, and had a lot of fun! Introducing Red Car Holidays and Swingin' Santa...

Red Car Holidays

Swingin' Santa

That's it for now. Stay tuned for another holiday happening, coming soon...

Savouring Winter - Online Happenings and Inspiration

Bundled Up, 8"x8" on canvas

Three days into December I'm already feeling a strong call to cocoon with tea and jigsaw puzzles, to fall into a restful state and savour the season. I thought I'd pass along a bit of online goodness that's been inspiring me...

Darlene's (a.k.a. Hippy Urban Girl) December Views. In its fifth year, December Views is a "space for spending time with the visual...to sink in and be with what is in front of you, the beauty you see, the lush imagery that seems to explode in the darkness of this time of the year."

If you're craving a break from words and a shift to images, this is a wonderful way to explore your world this month.

Tina Jett's ideas to celebrate the Solstice and enjoy winter on Scoutie Girl. From outdoor camping to hot winter drinks, this is a great list of activities to help celebrate the season starting in December and all the way through to March.

Leah Piken Kolidas' Winter theme for December over at Creative Every Day. Her Art Every Day Month challenge taught me more than I ever expected. She continues challenging us to be creative every day, this month playing with ideas of winter whether expressed through images, food, decor or any other medium of choice.

The concept of Connie Hozvicka's Soul Hiatus over at Dirty Footprints Studio. Taking a step back from the online world to focus inward and on life with loved ones, this isn't a formal challenge, but a personal one for Connie. I included it here because it inspires me to do the same.

Pixie Campbell's Mother of All Releasings Ceremony. On December 22nd, to honour this year's Winter Solstice, Pixie is inviting us to gather for a collective releasing ceremony to let go of what no longer serves us: "Envision a fire, and see yourself tossing your old worries and fears in there." What a beautifully cathartic way of preparing for the year to come.

If you're interested in joining in, Pixie's graciously offered detailed instructions for creating your own releasing bundle here. You can also create your own version of the ritual.