Hi, Hey, Hello!
Thank you for joining me on this (still incredibly) unseasonably warm Winter Solstice day! I’m so happy to share this day with you! How the heck are you?!
What can I get started for you? I’m brewing up some black tea with milk and honey (obviously) but also have coffee or any herbal tea your heart could desire.
Let’s have a seat down on the front porch, shall we? It’s 62*F and sunny, almost t-shirt weather!
Lovely, but not normal!
No, no it’s not. 62*F surrounded by days and days on either side of the Winter Solstice in the 60s up to 70* without a dip below 34*F or a flake of snow in sight is definitely not normal.
I will remain hopeful for actual Winter weather in January and February because the necessity for deep freezes and solid moisture is essential in the high desert for our warmer months to be not only sustainable, but also safe (think: fire danger). That one little storm we had will not carry us through.
Send some good moisture juju our way, will you? A little cold snap would help, too 😉
How’s the weather where you are? Is it behaving or throwing you curveballs like ours?
Embracing the Slow Season
Winter is, truly, my slow season.
Without crops to tend, I’m faced with a little bit of free time each day to do with what I wish.
Slow(er) mornings watching the sun rise with extra cups of tea
Doodling in my journal, or
Reading an extra chapter in my current book are a few of my favorites.
Of course, that is, after the blurr of the Christmas push has passed.
But first, I still have presents to wrap and last minute homemade goodies to pull together. I do feel good about where I’m at in my prepping and planning though, so there’s that!
How about your holiday prep? Are you feeling rushed and overwhelmed or happy with your tempo?
Speaking of Tempo
I’m down to my final books of the year and am feeling so happy with my all of the lovely and challenging and enlightening books I’ve experienced this year! My current tally has taken me well beyond my personal goal and I’m proud of myself for enjoying every page and minute without allowing any outside pressure.
I’m toying with joining a couple of reading challenges on StoryGraph in 2026 but only want to do so if they will bring joy into my world instead of pressure.
But first to finish these two!
How’re you feeling about your reading this year? Do you participate in reading challenges or do you let the vibe decide what is read when?
Happy Wintering!
I so appreciate you sharing space and time with me today on the Solstice! I hope you are able to enjoy your slide through the holidays and into the eve of the new year.
I’ll probably continue to be largely quiet in this space in the week ahead as I focus on family and self-care. I wish the same for you (self-care, love, joy, abundance, and anything else your heart desires) and will see you on the other side.
As always, sending a big thank you to Natalie for offering up the virtual space to share space and time together each weekend! Pop on over to see what other bloggers have been up to.
Onward,
Melissa
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Hi Melissa, well done on exceeding your book goal. I confess I am not an avid reader. Once I start a book if the story grabs me I’ll read it in a couple of days … if not….
“I will remain hopeful for actual Winter weather in January and February because the necessity for deep freezes and solid moisture is essential in the high desert for our warmer months to be not only sustainable, but also safe (think: fire danger).”
I understand this only too well. Although we are not in the desert rain for the last few years has been in short supply and the dams were at an all time low. It’s raining hard so so I am happy.
We have had some awful forest fires over the last few years.
to much or not enough water and warm temps in winters seems to be the new normal.
Hppay Christmas!
Happy winter solstice and merry Christmas, Melissa. I understand your concern about the lack of rain, snow or moisture. I hope you’ll have a normal winter in January and February. Enjoy your “slower” time. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
It is early summer weather here with the odd cooler day still, but definitely summer. It has been hot in other parts of the country with warmer temperatures than usual for December. I’m not going to do a book challenge – prefer to pick according to mood (and my two book club themes).
I’m ready to hibernate once the holidays are over. Thanks for the friendly read.
While I do not participate in challenges or set reading goals for reading but it is always great when I have read more than the year before. Wonderful that you surpassed your goals. It is cold where we are… more rain than snow.. I would prefer the snow.. but oh well. Happy Holidays.