Riding through my friend’s neighborhood after a night mountain bike outing the other week, I passed a house that boasted a remarkably diverse array of holiday lights. Illuminated across the front lawn was flamingo, inflatable Snoopy Santa, reindeer collection and nativity scene. Seriously? I thought to myself. Is this legal to have the sacred and profane commingling on Kentucky blue grass?

At first I was put off. I mean, pick one or the other, would ya? Out of respect for Jesus, get rid of the lawn Santa! But the more I’ve been reading about winter solstice, the more I realize these two symbolize the same thing in different ways: the return of light to our darkened days.

For centuries, the rituals and traditions of pre-Christian cultures were intimately tied to celestial, seasonal passages marked by the summer and winter solstice and the spring and fall equinox. Astronomically, we have winter because of that remarkable 23.5 degree tilt in the Earth’s axis. Winter begins when the earth is furtherest away from the sun and days become long again.

In the northern hemisphere, winter solstice is among the most celebrated of all seasonal passages. The hardest of times, winter in days of yore meant meager living, possible food rations, starvation, and deep, bitter cold. Surviving those fierce days called for sacrifice and celebration. With solstice came the promise of renewal.

I am heartened by this promise and am grateful for the many, many ways ours and other cultures celebrate this season of light. The most well-known religious and secular observations in North America, from Chanukah to Kwanzaa to Christmas to Solstice, involve illumination. Candles marking days, counting down, guiding the path, restoring faith and burning bright – the flame of hope draws us near and we count our blessings and reward our spirits by sharing in the joy of another season of life.

So how did you celebrate the return of light? This year, winter solstice occured on December 22. I’m contemplated making my own candles. Ever done this? Then, I thought I’d head to the kitchen to make something I’ve never contemplated until this year: a chocolate Yule Log or Buche de Noel like this one or perhaps this one, which has twice as much vanilla, so already I’m hooked. Learn more about the history of this holiday ember here.

As we look to the New Year, I’d love a recommendation on your favorite holiday or winter cocktail. By the way, have you seen the recipe for Rodelle’s Vanilla Ginger Snap? I can see me now curled up next to a fire place with glass in hand. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a special way to help others less fortunate in the world make it through this season of light, check out Chez Pim’s sixth annual Menu For Hope and start giving. The fundraiser ends December 31.

May your season be bright!

Carol

Thanks to Zombizi, ItzaFineDay and Bgreenlee for their enlightening photo contributions.

With the coming of fall, the smell of vanilla fills the air.  Summer time is perfect for those light citrus scents like orange or mango, but the cold air of fall and winter demand something deeper and richer and vanilla fills that role perfectly!  Did you know that vanilla is the most common scent around?  From beauty products to household air fresheners, the fragrance of vanilla is everywhere!

I, for one, am quite happy to be surrounded by vanilla.  Just looking around my apartment, I know that I am pushing the vanilla agenda!  I have a great Yankee candle (almost burnt out now) on the kitchen counter which emanates a great vanilla scent throughout my apartment. Then there’s my Crest Vanilla toothpaste in my bathroom!

With the holidays approaching though, my mind has shifted to thinking of gifts for my friends and family.  Luckily, I know I can’t be the only vanilla lover and it seems like the safest and best scent to give.  Besides  the great Rodelle vanilla gifts available from Cost Plus World Market, I’ve been keeping my eyes open and I’ve seen some wonderful products you might want to check out for your closest afficionados!  There is a beautiful Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner from Carol’s Daughter (a natural company) and Graham Webb has a Vanilla Plum Fortifying Conditioner.  For skincare, there are vanilla lotions and vanilla lip balm.

Somehow, though, even though I know these are great products made by good companies, it doesn’t feel like enough.  I also want to do a green Christmas this year and add a homemade touch.  A few years ago, my best friend made a series of bath salts with different scents.  I loved mine and quickly used that up and I think that was a really neat idea.  That’s why I was so excited to find out that there are a ton of easy recipes for homemade making vanilla candles, vanilla perfume, vanilla bath salts, vanilla lotion, vanilla shampoo and conditioners and even vanilla lip balm!  I’ll be making some of these over the next few weeks and I’ll let you know how they work out!

Vanilla: A scent made for giving! What are some ways you all are personalizing your holiday gifts this year?

Thanks to AngelSK and kendiala for the pictures!

Laura