As the Sun begins His decent behind the big barn, I notice how far south He now sets.  I guess I've always noticed His climb back to the north without noticing how far south He goes...  On this Solstice, I am particularly anxious to welcome the Sun back towards the North as I have just received my Baker's Creek Seed Catalog!  I'm so happy to have received it early this year as it is time to buy all fresh seeds for the garden.  This year, I will be much more mindful of planting and distances so the I can again replenish my stock by saving seeds. I love the tomato seeds I save as I leave some pulp for easier handling when starting seedlings the following year.  This year, I will save seeds from more than tomatoes and flowers.  My goal is to successfully save pepper seeds--in previous years, what I saved was not viable and did not grow.  Half the fun to me is saving seeds then taking them from seed to seedling to plant to fruit to harvest.  I love the entire cycle of Mother Earth and Her bountiful gifts of Her body... Tonight, I have candles ready which I plan to light here shortly to welcome the rebirth of the Sun.  I feel so peaceful and ready for the new year's cycle to begin.  I've even noticed that my garlic has sprouted rather well in the salad bed further encouraging my excitement for the garden this spring! Thank you, Sun, for coming back to us!  A new year begins!