Winter Solstice
Home for the winter holidays, home on the shortest days, so let’s hang pretty lights and light some candles!
(Sunrise: 09:02, sunset 14:55)
The last few months have been rather busy but in all the good ways. Travel, work, friends, family, a printmaking course, Belgian food, … I can say: I am content.
But I’m also glad to be back up north to get some rest and recharge my batteries for 2024.
Since we moved north almost 7 years ago, I had not been back to Belgium for more than a few weeks, and with even more travels in spring, I did plan on taking it easy.
One thing that hasn’t changed in Belgium since we left is the pressure of business, always having plans, always somewhere to go, always being on and available, and doing things fast. After all these years up north, or perhaps just getting older (hopefully a bit wiser too) I’m just not buying into that.
I’m sure I’ll miss some fun things, but I know that slower and with more attention and intention works better for me. I’m luckily not chased by FOMO 🙂
Slow and with intention is also a perfect winter holiday for me. Snow walks with the dogs (zoomies!), hot chocolate, movies, trying new dishes and our traditional oven pastries,… It doesn’t have to be much.
Earlier this month, I discovered one of my favorite kinds of holiday parties: drawing parties! I joined a few with TJ, Sarah Dyer, and Emma Carlisle, and it’s been so joyful and fulfilling. We even had one session with Santa himself!
A thousand times better than the regular office party!
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A thick blanket of crispy white snow arrived just in time for the winter solstice (and Christmas). How lucky can one be?! But it’s also a lot of work 🙂
When we arrived, I got out of the car, got up to my knees in the snow (one dog accidentally dived in too), and started shoveling snow right away to be able to park and get our bags inside. The next morning, we shoveled a path to the woodshed. It’s a great workout!
4th advent candle.
Hope, joy, love & peace.
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The wish for peace is sent into the world with this year’s window drawings.
I grew up thinking that ‘never again’ meant something, but I see history repeating itself.
There are a few days left of 2023 and I’ll be using them to reflect on these past 12 months, review some plans/goals, and decide on my focus for the next year- and enjoy all this snow, of course 🙂
Thanks for stopping by,
see you!