Winter Solstice and Our Christmas Trees at Home

It was the winter solstice, December 21st, and the snow was piling up outside our windows here in Truckee. Inside, the house was warm with the glow of our Christmas trees. We ended up with a few this year, each one with its own personality.

There's a sparse, natural-looking pine decorated with dried orange slices and little red birds, set against the window looking out at the snowy woods. Another is fuller, more traditional, covered in glass ornaments, red beads, and little animal figures, with a toy train track running around its base.

We even have a small tabletop tree in a corner, which has become our dedicated University of Michigan tree. It's decked out with a 'Go Blue' scarf and a small Santa figure in a Michigan sweatshirt, watching the snow fall on the pines outside.

Having the lights on as the evening draws in feels right for the shortest day of the year. It's a quiet, simple way to celebrate the season.