You know how you have plans, and then something happens…
celebrating the prospect of spring… the specific day probably isn’t important
In general we have a special celebration on the day of the winter solstice. We celebrate the turning of the seasons, the shortest day and the prospect of light and abundance to come. We have a special meal – usually made using local produce. This year I ordered some locally produced, grass-fed beef (quite a rare meat for us to eat) and was supposed to be collecting in on Thursday (the solstice itself) with the aim of cooking some to eat in the evening. However, a message yesterday asked if we could collect it on Friday instead… I hadn’t explained its date-specific use to the producer. So, that aspect of our celebration has been postponed.
In addition, yesterday I suddenly got a pile of requests for editing work – including one piece to be done by Friday. Everyone is so focussed on Christmas, that there is little understanding that some people might take time off work at any other time… especially in the week before 25 December. However, I am pragmatic and work is work, so I didn’t say no. A flurry of editing this morning has allowed me to make good progress and so I think I will be able to find time for solstice-related activities on Thursday, albeit without the beef.
A past 25 December picnic
So, the new plan is either to go out on Thursday or for me to raid the freezer and rack my brains for some suitably celebratory dish that I can make from what’s in there… possibly plaice or mackerel. Then we’ll have our local beef with Yorkshire puddings on Sunday, and that will leave some lovely roast beef for sandwiches to eat during our traditional (indoor) picnic on 25 December. Life is all about being flexible…
The Snail of Happiness 
coppicelearner
/ December 19, 2017Sorry to hear you are having to be so accomodating of others! I hope you enjoy all 3 celebrations and have no doubt all the food will be delicious. I was planning to mark the solstice AND Christmas (being notoriously greedy) but have just had an email from some friends offering to take me out for lunch on Thursday – even better!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017Sounds like a fine way to celebrate solstice!
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katechiconi
/ December 19, 2017Flexibility is good, except if it results in the actual celebration time becoming so eroded by other demands that you end up being deprived of your turn-of-the-season celebration. I hope nothing else happens, and that you find a way to be creative with what’s available – in the best tradition of winter solstice!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017Mr Snail has just gone off to do some family visiting. I have worked like mad and made big in-roads into the work, meaning that the piece that needs to be done by Friday may well be completed tomorrow and the other stuff can wait until next week if necessary. I have put my foot down and said no more work before 2018 and so I think that I should be able to have my celebration – fingers crossed.
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katechiconi
/ December 19, 2017That’s the trick. Just say No.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017Sometimes I’m not very good at it!
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Laurie Graves
/ December 19, 2017It sure is. The older I get, the more I realize this. Happy solstice, whatever you eat.
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Ann Pole
/ December 19, 2017Love the idea of a Christmas picnic! However we have our lovely friend Sue coming on Monday, with Hannah dog, a lovely greyhound. Can you imagine having a picnic with that pre-hensile snout poking its self into anything edible?
Hope you get sorted though.
Whatever you decide, I’m sure it will be amazing and that you will have a lovely time.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017We have to shut the dogs out of the limery during the picnic… although judging by the state of Max today, I think we may be down to just one by Monday 😦
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Ann Pole
/ December 19, 2017Very sad to hear that. Love to you all and a gentle hug for Max. 😦
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thecontentedcrafter
/ December 19, 2017It usually works out well in the end doesn’t it – sometimes we just give a sigh and get on with whatever life has presented. One of my favourite quotes is John Lennon’s ‘life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans’. You sound like you are good with being flexible. Happy Solstice! PS I went to bed last night at 10 and it wasn’t quite dark yet – I do love high summer!!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017I miss the light!
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thecontentedcrafter
/ December 19, 2017It will return!
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eloquentparadise
/ December 19, 2017A good meal is a good meal, it’ll taste good on any day so don’t worry about that. Have a good time celebrating the solstice. 😊
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 19, 2017you are quite right
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nanacathy2
/ December 19, 2017Life as they say is what happens whilst you make plans. Sure you will have good time, it’s just not how you planned it. My mouth is watering at the thought of the roast beef and yorkshires. Enjoy.
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Born To Organize
/ December 19, 2017I love that you have a solstice celebration. How nice to be in demand as well. I had plans to see the new Star Wars movie with my family, to attend a card-making class with my sister and a party with friends, all quashed due to the flu. It hit us hard. I’m grateful to be upright again, though only on the couch. Happy solstice, Jan.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ December 20, 2017Wishing you a speedy recovery – it’s especially horrid to be ill at this time of year when so many sociable things are going on. ❤
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