Many people get caught up in a whirlwind of activity in December and find little time for peace and reflection and time for themselves. I’m marking the solstice on December 21 with a day of hand-stitching and mindfulness and coziness and limited contact with the outside world. Anyone care to join me in celebrating with a Solstice Sew-in?
What’s the Solstice?
The solstice (combining the Latin words sol for “Sun” and sistere for “To Stand Still”) is the point where the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest point in the sky for the year and thus ancient astronomers came to know the day as one where the Sun appeared to stand still.
https://www.fi.edu/en/blog/what-solstice-and-what-equinox-and-why-should-i-care
This year’s December solstice falls on December 21st in North America and most of South America and on the 22nd in much of the rest of the world. The northern hemisphere marks the beginning of winter with the fewest hours of sunlight for the year. The southern hemisphere enjoys the most sunlight to start summer.
Because I live in the United States, this solstice sew-in will focus on winter solstice celebrations. My friends Down Under and in the rest of the southern hemisphere are welcome to join in, of course!
How is the winter Solstice Celebrated?
Well, it depends! There are many holidays associated with many cultures that correlate to the solstice. What most of them have in common is the theme of light returning to the earth and celebrating the longer days to come. Many pay homage to nature and family, which are themes that I plan to incorporate into my solstice sew-in.
Below are some ideas for a winter solstice sew-in celebration. I’d love to hear about your own solstice sew-in plans, even if you can only spare a few minutes to stitch!
Preparing for Solstice
1. Make decorations.
I’m aiming for a natural theme. I’ve tried to select projects that use items I tend to have around as well as sticks and pinecones that I’ve foraged from around my yard (plus a few scented pinecones from the craft store just for that little hint of cinnamon).
2. Plan a menu.
Think warm, nourishing, seasonal food. Think comfort food. Think of coming in from the cold and being greeted by the aroma of a meal that’s been slow cooking all day.
I’m no professional chef, nor am I a food blogger, but I’ll share a couple of family recipes.
Quick Caldo Verde
Ingredients
1 (5 oz) container refrigerated chopped onions (or 1 small onion, chopped)
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 (14½ oz) cans reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 c. water
1 (18 oz) bag refrigerated fully cooked sliced (or diced) potatoes
4 c. fresh cut-up kale
Instructions
Add the onions and paprika to the skillet; cook, stirring, for about one minute.
Add the broth, water, and potatoes; bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are very soft, about 5 minutes.
Coarsely mash the potatoes with a wooden spoon. Stir in the kale and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
Beef and Sausage Stew
Ingredients
½ c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 can (16 oz) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
3 potatoes peeled, diced
1 c. chopped leeks
1 c. chopped onion
4 stalks celery, sliced
½ c. chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp water
Instructions
Place ½ cup flour in resealable plastic food storage bag. Add beef and seal bag. Shake bag to coat beef cubes with flour evenly on all sides.
Place beef cubes in slow cooker. Add tomatoes with juice, sausage slices, diced potatoes, chopped leek, chopped onion, sliced celery, chicken broth, and minced garlic; stir well.
Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH 4 to 6 hours or on LOW 8 to 12 hours. (One hour before serving, turn slow cooker to HIGH if on LOW setting.)
Combine remaining 2 tablespoons flour and water in small bowl; stir until mixture becomes paste.
Stir flour mixture into slow cooker; mix well. Cover and cook until thickened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve.
Mulled Wine
Ingredients
1 bottle red wine (cabernet sauvignon)
¼ c. honey
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, zested and juiced
4 cloves
2 star anise
Instructions
Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Serve in mugs.
3. Create a playlist.
Calming, relaxing, cozy music. For me, that’s mostly a mix of acoustic (lots of folk), old jazz, and classical. This is a work in progress:
Solstice Sew-in
Most of the ideas I have planned can be solo or shared with family members or friends. Other shared activities might include building a blanket fort, looking at old photos together, board games, card games, puzzles, cooking/baking, reading, crafts, or spending time outdoors.
1. put away technology.
Connect with nature and/or family by avoiding screens as much as possible.
2. Watch the sun rise and set.
Sunrise on December 21, 2023, where I live is at 7:15 am, and sunset is at 4:36 pm. (Find your sunrise and sunset times here.)
3. Light a fire.
Whether you have an outdoor firepit, a fireplace, a candle (with a wick or flameless), or a video of a Yule log playing on a loop, celebrate the return of the light by keeping a real or virtual flame going for as long as is safe.
4. Play music.
I’m connecting an old iPad to a speaker to play a playlist so I can leave my phone and laptop turned off for the day.
Choose your own vibe!
5. Start a meal in the slow cooker.
If you don’t have a slow cooker, don’t worry about it. But you might like to simmer something in a pot on the stove all day for a nice cozy smell!
Aim for something nourishing (like a stew) that uses seasonal foods or a family favorite comfort food.
6. Take a hike.
Go for a walk outside. It doesn’t have to be a long walk. Be mindful of the nature around you, whether you live in the country or the city or someplace in between.
If you can’t go for a walk, look out the window or around your home and find something natural to observe and appreciate. Birds, trees, clouds, an insect….
7. Read a poem.
Of all of the winter solstice poems out there (google it, there are lots), Susan Cooper’s The Shortest Day (affiliate link) might be the most accessible. It’s even a beautifully illustrated children’s book.
8. Stitch.
Of course, what’s a Solstice Sew-In without sewing?! I plan to stitch by hand, but you do you.
I have some embroidery, small cross-stitch projects, quilt binding, and a wool appliqué quilt that I’m making entirely by hand to work on by the fireplace.
It’s a privilege to be able to plan a day like this, and many people simply can’t due to family, work, or other obligations and limitations. But even if you can only stop to take a breath and appreciate the moment, that is a gift in itself.
Wow! I needed this tonight as insomnia snuggled in. Setting aside time to simply be, to enjoy nature, to experience all the senses, though I lost my sense of smell and taste due to long Covid last year. Yes, I will set aside the solstice for me, for my family. Intention, gratitude, enjoying the process of sewing, of creating, not merely rushing to check off another project. Thank you for all the suggestions, and I think either Zappa Toscano or Turkey Tortellini soup will be simmering that day!
Oh, Mary Ann, I’m so glad this resonates with you! It’s lovely to be able to set aside time for you and your family to connect in different ways. Also…I would totally love it if you shared links to those recipes – they sound perfect! Enjoy your mindful solstice.
Lately been working on adult bibs. They will be donated to a local senior citizens retirement home where some of my former neighbors now reside.
That’s great, Peg! I’m sure they’ll be much appreciated.