Winter Solstice

I cannot believe how quick the Autumn has passed us by and I had not even sent any newsletter in November.

I am sure with all that I have to share today, I will make up for the lost month.

It has been a busy time for me, with a trip to Montreal for my yearly La Chaine des Rotisseurs National events. I am so grateful for the role of Bailli for Nova Scotia, a hat that I wear very proudly.

I also love the opportunity to dress up elegantly and wear some of my outfits. (I have many in my closet).

While in Montreal, I had an honour to be a junior tasting judge (not often I get called junior anymore!!) at the Canadian Young Chef Competition.

Next Year we will be holding the competition in Nova Scotia, and the winner will come with me to Edmonton in October 2026, where the next Canadian competition will take place.

In November I have also hosted a Gala for the members of La Chaine in Nova Scotia.

We had two amazing Chefs preparing the Gala for us at the NSCC Dartmouth Campus.

Chef Thomas Carey and Chef Ray Bear.

This was a phenomenal success and a night to remember, so much timeless elegance, amazing gourmet dining, wonderful wine pairings.

We all come from different walks of life and cultures, but we enjoyed sharing and celebrating good fellowship, a comradery of the table, all that are core values of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.

We inducted new members, celebrated the existing members, shared funny stories and ended the night with hearts full of gratitude.

And another dress came out of the closet!!!

I have been preparing and making tons of products at Rosa Valley Apothecary for Christmas Markets, Events and for my beautiful friends and loved ones.

I love receiving self made gifts together with the sentiment that goes into it and the effort. The time spent making something, is a sign of authenticity and commitment.

If you are still looking for Christmas gifts, I have the best Gift you can offer to someone.

A Gift of Foraging with a Gourmet Lunch.

We will re-start our tours in the Spring with the coastal seaweed tours, followed by mushroom tours later on in the year (when they decide to come out, as this year and last year was the worst in my whole career. (NO SHROOMS!!!!)

We all need shrooms in our life!!

Some scholars believe that Santa story may have roots in Sami Shamanic traditions, where Amanita Muscaria mushrooms were used for spiritual journeys and the 'gifts' brought back were insights for the whole community!

I also like the story of a Green Santa.

Before the bright red suit became famous around the world, Santa Claus had another form- older, wilder, and deeply connected to nature. This was the Green Santa, a figure rooted in ancient winter traditions and the spirit of the earth.

In early European folklore, the Green Santa- often known as Father Christmas, was not just a giver of gifts.

He was the embodiment of winter's magic, the turning of the seasons, and the quiet promise of renewal.

Clothed in deep, green robes, he symbolized:

• The life hidden beneath the snow

• The evergreen trees that survive the cold

• The return of sunlight after the longest night

• The sacred cycles of nature.

It was only in the 20th century that the red Santa became popular, replacing the older one. Yet the Green Santa still lives on in folklore, pagan traditions and the heart of winter magic.

On Friday I hosted my yearly Yoga Christmas Potluck. Those ladies are very special to me and have been coming to my classes for more than 6 years, supporting all my work.

They are my Yoga family.

The table was filled with beautiful food and our bellies and hearts were full when the night ended.

And to finish my newsletter I want to invite you to go into your deep self today on this special day of the year- Winter Solstice.

In this holy pause between darkness and dawn, I encourage you to release a grip on old patterns, heavy sorrows and wounds that we may continue to carry.

May we step forward with open hearts to promise of brighter, more hopeful beginnings.

May we find comfort in this peaceful turning.

May the light guide us faithfully through the darkest days, reminding us that even the longest night must turn into the morning.

As we give thanks for all that has nourished us, every lesson, every kindness, every tenderness that shaped our year, we honour the path that brought us here.

And in gratitude we begin again.

This is the season to purify ourselves and let our own light shine like a lantern into the darkness.

Light your soul, strive it to shine, so you can become the sparkling light, the light that shines as your unique gift to humanity.

As the longest night arrives with its quiet breath sweeping the hills, and the stars hanging heavy, we will gather strength and honour the night, its depth, its grace, its quiet teaching of how to hold on and how to begin.

May the winter moon pour silver over your path, softening the edges of worry.

May this night be gentle and warm and tomorrow when the sun rises may it warm your spirit despite the cold.

May you rise with light woven into your heart.

Sending many blessings on this Winter Solstice

Merry Christmas and a joyful and healthy beginning to 2026.

Jolanta