Last night was my family's solstice celebration. It's a tradition we're slowly growing, replacing the Christmases of a family that has more connection to the seasons than the church with something a bit more connected.

We all got together for a pot luck last night. Pizza with pesto and cranberries, cheesy escarole and mushroom and pasta casserole, home made egg-nog, home made ravioli, a huge platter of fresh vegetables.

We light candles, light for the dark night.

We still have a left-over Christmas gift-giving tradition, though I think that's half held together by my mother, who works in a thrift shop and gets everything half price.

It's a quiet holiday, but I really like how my family celebrates.

My sister leaves on Boxing Day for Denver, six months in paramedic school. I'm going to miss her.