Sunrise Margarita's are the perfect Summer Solstice drink. Image: Hannah Bullivant
Tomorrow is the summer solstice. The longest day of the year, where the Sun is at its highest point in the sky, and the point at which we can firmly say, SUMMER IS HEEEEERE! In other words, cause for some seriously merry festivities. Historically marked by my dad with a stoic, yet respectful comment and an accompanying dinner time toast, it has always been a quietly important day in our family, but it is exciting to really celebrate it this year. It is traditionally a time to celebrate light and sun, fire and warmth, growth and prosperity, fertility and abundance. And all of those things I hope to mark in a small way tomorrow night at a solstice dinner party with friends. If you don't have anything planned yet, or even if you do, here are some small ideas to inspire you.
1) Eat outside. A solo date with the setting sun, alfresco dinner picnic with your lover or a party with friends, there is simply no better way to mark the start of summer. A quick M&S picnic in the park after work will suffice, or an elaborate hand made feast would be wonderful too. Of course, a glass of something sweet and boozy will 'help' with those hippy solar vibes...
2) Go wild for flowers. Flowers are bursting from hedgerows and gardens, field and forest; so get out and pick some to bring indoors, or make some floral crowns?
Titania and Bottom. Image credit: Fox Searchlight.
3) Watch A Mid Summer Nights Dream. I can't wait for my next night in to watch this. Its one of my favourites.
Indoor candles. Image credit: Hannah Bullivant
4) Fill your home or garden with candles. Fire is an important part of mid summer celebrations. Bonfires are lit to ward off night creatures; both real and imagined, and celebrate the essence of the sun. Candles are a quick and easy way to introduce it, and a floral or citrus scented candle would work very nicely indeed.
Garden bonfire. Image credit: Hannah Bullivant
5) Or...light a fire! if you're lucky enough to be able to light a fire in your garden (safely, of course!) then tomorrow is the perfect opportunity.
6) Take some time to reflect, soak up all of the extra solar energy, and revel in something so much bigger than ourselves. There is something rather life affirming about marking these things; connecting with ol' mother earth and being humbled by the enormous, mind blowing and magical things she does.
I'll be hosting a dinner party along with my co-blogger Davina with some close friends, hopefully in the garden. (Fingers crossed for nice weather!) Whatever you end up doing, Happy Solstice!