12/22/2025
'In the middle of winter there is a door
the root king’s fury falls before.
The door is guarded by shoe and salt,
evergreen bough and a shining bolt.
The door stands guard for the hearth,
O beeswax and candle, berry and spark.
The stove is red and the hearth a-glow.
Berry and branch, silver and gold.
The kettle is singing, black tea steeps,
Smoke and honey, bitter and sweet.
A good book waits by the chair, half-read,
O orange and clove, fresh-baked bread!
The cat is purring, watching the cream,
Strike the matches and copper gleams.'
-excerpt from The Root King's Winter by Jessica Wick
I missed my annual winter solstice celebrations with the family yesterday because I was finishing up my last market day for 2025 at Vinterfest at IKEA Winnipeg which was honestly very lovely and so much fun to be at.
Usually we decorate the trees outside with oranges and cranberries and bird seed ornaments and I bake a Yule log cake complete with merengue mushrooms (our favorite part).
So today in honor of the returning light I'm drinking my coffee slowly under the twinkling lights draped across the beams in my home. Ready to settle in for a long winter's nap.
Shop info for the holidays: Although my website remains "open" I will not be shipping orders until after the New Year.
I'm grateful for all of you.
Happy Solstice, Bitchin' Yule, Merry Christmas, Happy Monday