Christmas Cakes 2024

Candy Cane Christmas Cake from Curly Girl Kitchen

Gold and Green Christmas Tree Cake from Curly Girl Kitchen

Sugared Cranberry Orange Rosemary Cake from Must Love Herbs

Happy Winter Solstice 2024!

Today is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Tomorrow, the sun begins its return to the northern hemisphere.

Welcome back Sol Invictus.

Last Day Of Autumn 2024

Say goodbye to autumn. Soon, the sun begins its long struggle back to us...

International Human Solidarity Day 2024

Every December 20th is International Human Solidarity Day.

Started in 2005 by the UN, today is a day to observe, remind, and support the world's population in the fundamental and universal values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first century. Of the observance, Ban Ki-Moon, eighth Secretary General of the United Nations succinctly said, "We all have a role in overcoming today’s economic, political, environmental and social challenges, and we must all share the costs and benefits of sustainable development according to needs and ability. This is the essence of justice, fairness and equity. It is the meaning of solidarity."

International Human Solidarity Day is:

• a day to celebrate our unity in diversity;
• a day to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements;
• a day to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity;
• a day to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication;
• a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

Background
Solidarity is identified in the Millennium Declaration as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, wherein those, who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable.

Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed 20 of December as International Human Solidarity Day.

Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

The U.N. has set forth a new set of Sustainable Development Goals. "The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030."

For those of us in the United States, it feels like our semblance of sanity is in peril because we, as a nation, as in many other parts of the world, still struggle with hatred and divisiveness. We can be better than those leaders who wish to lead us away from humanism and core values of decency and solidarity, and we can be better than the small percentage of citizens who believe those leaders and are misguided enough to work against the interests of our species.

To learn more, visit:
https://www.un.org/en/events/humansolidarityday/

Sempervirent, The Ever Green

BEAUTY: AI Digital Art for Winter--Robert Mealing (Spiritus Loci)

Artist Robert Mealing working as Spiritus Loci (previously here) uses the AI tool Midjourney to create some gorgeous portraits of Pagan and Druid men (and magical spirits?) from long ago in his "Winterborne" series...perfect for this time of year.

https://spiritusloci.tumblr.com/

Classic Christmas Animal Illustrations 2024

"The Carole of the Field Mice" by Inga Moore from WIND IN THE WILLOWS

"The Rabbit's Christmas Party - Roasting Apples" by Beatrix Potter

BEAUTY: Painting For Winter--Maggie Rowe

Devon-based British painter Maggie Rowe creates charming winter scenes of farms in the Cotswolds. While she is a living artist, these pieces feel like they are from 19th century rural England.

https://www.maggierowe.co.uk/

Cold Moon

Holiday Decor 2024

Tabletop tree in the home of James Coviello

Garland and bells by Amanda from Aunt Peaches

Orange, clove, and eucalyptus on the mantel by The Sisters Bloom

Vintage ornaments on tabletop trees by Atta Girl Says

Ornaments 2024

Clip-on candle ornaments by John Derian

Vintage pine cone ornaments from Darryl Moland at The Decorated Tree

Vintage ornaments collected by Cackie Trippe McCarty
at Glittermoon Vintage Christmas