Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Although it feels like summer is here, it actually officially arrives on Wednesday this week, at 7:09pm. I had my thinking cap on early this year making some plans to celebrate the solstice and what began as a few ideas to celebrate has turned into a week of festivities.

Here’s a peak at how we are planning to celebrate the solstice:

We actually began our celebrations on Saturday when I had the amazing opportunity to attend an herbalism workshop. I studied herbal medicine in nutrition school, but never really took it to the next level and put it into practice, so this was the perfect opportunity to refresh everything and discover the amazing herbs right under my nose. It was a wonderful day, with wonderful people and together we discovered the amazing gifts Mother Nature grows for us. There was wild ginger, burdock, red clover, white clover, mallow, yarrow, wild bergamot, goldenrod, red raspberry leaf, plantain, catnip and jewel weed. Yes we found all of that growing right along the hiking trails we visit during Oaks and Acorns every Friday. It was amazing! After hiking we gathered together to make an herbal infusion with comfrey and a herbal tincture with lemon balm. So much fun!

This wonderful day was followed by a community potluck. This is the third potluck this new community has hosted and each time it is more amazing than the last. Some new faces this time, and some old friends. We caught frogs in the pond with the kids, we played games, we had a clothing swap, we sang songs, we shared the things we were grateful for in a gratitude circle, we enjoyed delicious food and we continued to form a foundation for the community that is being built. It was truly an amazing evening and I left feeling grateful for this community and the opportunity to be a part of it.

So that began our week of celebrations, here’s how the rest of the week will play out, I hope.

First thing Monday morning Reece, my niece Aubry and I are heading out for his very first camping trip. We are heading to a lovely spot, Balsam Lake, for three days of camping, hiking, exploring and fun. Reece is super excited, and I am too.

When we return on Wednesday I will be off to Coyote Guide Club for our last official meeting. While we have a little bit of discussion to determine where our club will go from here, we have plans to ring in summer with some listening to bird language and little sit spot time. I am looking forward to welcoming summer with these wonderful and inspiring people.

Thursday morning Reece and I are hitting the strawberry patch.  We will pick, pick and then pick some more, bringing home lots of those delicious red berries to make jam and stock the freezer. We are actually still eating strawberries from last June; we have about a cup left in the freezer. It is perfect timing to go and pick some more.

Friday morning will see us doing arts and crafts creating sun catchers to hang in our windows.  And then to round out the week, on Saturday a trip to the market, a family hike and a picnic.

Summer we are so happy you are here and can’t wait to celebrate with you all week long.

How are you celebrating the summer solstice this year?

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I will be offline for the next few days, but will be returning to 

announce the winner of this giveaway on Thursday. 

Have a lovely week and Happy Summer Solstice!