“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.”
~Albert Camus
While tonight is technically the shortes night of the year (for those of us in the northern hemisphere), it is a great time to light things up around the house. Celebrate this solstice by creating your own luminarias (decorative lanterns).
Here is our household solstice routine:
* Pre-dinner: Enjoy hot apple cider and appetizers while we make luminarias (instructions below)
* Enjoy dinner together
* After dinner: Light the luminarias, bundle up and go star-gazing (or cloud-gazing) depending on the weather. Take turns making a wish for the holidays as we look up at the stars.
* Later that night: Warm up by a fire and hot chocolate with marshmallows to boot. Talk about wishes and dreams and the spirit of Christmas.
* Enjoy dinner together
* After dinner: Light the luminarias, bundle up and go star-gazing (or cloud-gazing) depending on the weather. Take turns making a wish for the holidays as we look up at the stars.
* Later that night: Warm up by a fire and hot chocolate with marshmallows to boot. Talk about wishes and dreams and the spirit of Christmas.
How to make a luminaria:
Materials:
* Brown lunch bags
* Sand
* Votive candles or small pillar candles (any candle with a sturdy base)
* Scissors and stencils or decorative hole punches (like those used for scrap booking)
* Sand
* Votive candles or small pillar candles (any candle with a sturdy base)
* Scissors and stencils or decorative hole punches (like those used for scrap booking)
If using hole punches, randomly punch holes in the bag or do so in a pattern–create enough holes to let some light shine through. If using stencils, you can create a design and then cut out the design. Or you can gently fold the bag either vertically or
horizontally and cut random snippets from the bag (similar to how you make paper snowflakes). When done, place the bags outside and pour an inch or two of sand into each of them. Secure a candle in the middle of sand. Light and enjoy. Typically luminarias are set out to mark a path up to the house, placing one on each side of the walkway up to the house every four to six feet. (Of course, keep an eye on the candles throughout dinner and make sure to snuff them out when done.)
horizontally and cut random snippets from the bag (similar to how you make paper snowflakes). When done, place the bags outside and pour an inch or two of sand into each of them. Secure a candle in the middle of sand. Light and enjoy. Typically luminarias are set out to mark a path up to the house, placing one on each side of the walkway up to the house every four to six feet. (Of course, keep an eye on the candles throughout dinner and make sure to snuff them out when done.)
Your Turn:
Whether you make your own luminaria or simply step outside to
stargaze, take a moment to celebrate the solstice.
Whether you make your own luminaria or simply step outside to
stargaze, take a moment to celebrate the solstice.
Today’s Affirmation:
Each day holds special joy and something to celebrate.
Each day holds special joy and something to celebrate.
Your Two Cents: Your feedback is what motivates me to create the Good Morning. Share your thoughts and browse my archives by clicking here.
And as always, don’t forget to start your day with a heartfelt: “Something great is going to happen today… I can’t wait to see what it is!”
And when ending your day ask yourself: “What is one more thing I can do to make today matter?”