Winter Solstice

I thought the winter solstice came on December 21st. I discovered that no, the sun doesn't necessarily adhere to our calendar.  The winter solstice can occur anywhere from December 20 through the 23rd whenever the North Pole decides to tip to it's maximum point away from the sun.

I'm sure it's more sciencey than that. But I like thinking of the North Pole as it's own independent entity getting a peek at the sun on December 21st and saying, "Nah, y'all have to wait til tomorrow when I'm darn good and ready to tip." (Three weeks soaking in South Carolina sprinkles my imaginary speeches with Ma'am's, y'all and how do? like colored sugar on Christmas cookies.)




Solstice comes from the Latin solstitium - sol, the sun, and sistere, to stand still.  

The earth, once tipped, holds this position for a couple of days, lengthening shadows all day, giving us long nights to ponder the meaning of life.

If we weren't all rushing around trying to get the last minute Christmas shopping and baking done, we too could hold our breath for just a minute and listen to the winter silence creeping in with the lengthening shadows. 

Let that old, stale breath out, and take in a new clean breath.

Marveling that we do this a million times a day without thought; never noticing the miracle of fresh air in, stale air out.

Why not take a minute right now?  Take a breath. 

Hold it. 

Let it out. 

Breath in.  

Feels remarkable doesn't it?

The Universe abounds with miracles like this in the midst of our busy, ordinary days.  Here's wishing you a Christmas miracle, the gift of unconditional love, a peace that fills your soul and a joy so complete that simply breathing in and out fills you to the brim with love.

 Merry Christmas!

Window Shopping

Anthropologie on King

Prince Charming and I are just returned from window shopping on King St. in Charleston.  This is the only kind of shopping either of us likes, neither of us has started a lick of our Christmas shopping, instead of feeling worried or anxious we enjoyed these frothy creations of delight.

We weren't the only ones out enjoying the pretty windows.  That baby on the scooter is maybe two-years-old. I admired this family's energy, mom and dad walking, sister on the bike, baby pushing like crazy on the scooter.

Another pretty window with various Christmas trees at Anthropologie.

Even the buildings themselves are beautiful.  Here's the old Kress building, given new life as H&M'S home.

Loved these old TV's with their 3-D Christmas scenes.  This picture doesn't really do them justice. Too bad for you and me, they are all sold out!

If you're rocking the hip pink thing this Christmas, Moon and Lola's got you covered.  Even your furry friends are welcome at this shop.

This pair can serve me a cocktail any time!  One thing we loved from our trip to Charleston was the way everyone dressed like a grownup.  Sure jeans and yoga pants have their place, but I'd like to make a small plea that sometimes we all put on our best attire and spiff ourselves up.  Charlestonians set a high bar for the rest of us.

I wanted to take this fellow from a Talbot's window home with me so I could find a little Christmas cheer in his snowy embrace.  The 14-inches of snow we received just before Thanksgiving was gone before the week was out.  It'll be a brown Christmas for us on Pershing Road this year.

Whew!  After all of that busy shopping on the crowded streets we found this little walk to give us a quiet reprieve.  Turns out it was the reflection garden for the Unitarian Universalist Church. Very pretty.

And a little wild as we got into the heart of the garden.

They even decorate their houses uniquely here.  Wonder how they ever got this massive canvas Santa's hat on the turret?!

Our "shopping" trip ended with a glass of cheer at Slightly North of Broad.

We're on our way home now. Wishing you the meeriest of Christmases and good luck on finishing up on that shopping!