Gardening in Stilettos
 
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Today is the Celebration of Winter Solstice Traditions – Monday, December 21, 2009 marks the Winter Solstice traditions, and this is the announcement of the official start of the winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Winter Solstice is also known as Yule.

Winter solstice falls every year around Dec. 21. It is because of the earth’s axial tilt, which is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. At this time of the year, the sun is closer to the horizon, thus giving out least amount of daylight therefore shortening the day and lengthening the night.

But there is a bright side to it. Starting Tuesday, the days will start getting longer, leading to summer solstice, which in 2010 will fall on June 21. At that time, the day will be the longest with the daytime lasting for about 15 hours compared to 9 hours on Monday.

Our ancestors lived in a world where everyone believed in mystery and magic. Every year, they gathered together to celebrate the seemingly miraculous return of the light after the longest night of the year and that’s how Winter Solstice festivals were born. To this day, people all over the world celebrate Winter Solstice as a time of rebirth, a new beginning and a chance to marvel at the power of transition from darkness into light.

Source: Winter Solstice 2009: Today is the Celebration of Winter Solstice Traditions | Daily World Buzz http://www.dailyworldbuzz.com/winter-solstice-2009-today-is-the-celebration-of-winter-solstice-traditions/7748/#ixzz0aM2u6tTD
Via: Daily World Buzz

Every day we are given is a reason to celebrate and each season teaches us somthing new. So for the first time this year I will be participating in a Winter Solstice Celebration at the Lakeview Mansion.

"Candelight Winter Solstice Ceremony"
(releasing the old...making room for the new)
 
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Recipe courtesy of Charles Corpion from the Four Seasons via Martha Stewart Show (december 2008)

Ingredients: Makes one cocktail

1 1/2 ounces orange vodka
1/2 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Club soda chilled
Garnish: 1 mint leaf, 1 raspberry

Combine vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and ice in a cocktail shaker
Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass top with a splash of club soda.
Add Garnish
 
One of my favorite hobbies and interest is photography. There was a time in life that I would never leave home without a camera, I must get back to this habit. So in efforts to move back into one of my all time favorite pasttimes. Here are a few photos of the 1st snow fall in my area this weekend.