October 15, 2026
gem
fire, trees, who knows
barn, solar, solar array, solstice fire, tree removal, tree work, winter solstice
Infrastructure for a solar array on the barn roof has been in place for a decade. But there were some nice trees causing too much shade. We decided now is the time to take those trees down. We (or rather JC) are removing a maple in the paddock, and a stand of three smallish trees behind the apothecary shed (namesake alert). We’re also having any overhanging black walnut limbs removed to control the risk of walnut bombs.
It was not an easy decision, especially since solar will not really be cost effective that fast for us. But we are committed to generating our share of power.
This will be step one of three. Step two is installing a battery (there is no reason to do that now since we will never be generating more power than we are consuming with the barn array…and Rappahannock does not allow energy arbitrage on rates yet). Step three more panels, likely on the house or maybe a ground array. Who knows when those phases will kick in.
Before.
During.
After.
One side effect of all the tree work is that the winter solstice fire is completely built! Plenty of time to cure.
December 18, 2023
gem
party, photography
bonfire, party, solstice, solstice fire, winter solstice, winter solstice 2023
It was a perfect evening for a solstice bonfire. Sundown at 4:50. The fire lit incredibly quickly. Yes please.
The Air Force flew in for setup with some paper planes.
Or was that the Marine Corps?
We polished up the disco ball expecting a crowd.
Moonshine was celebrating his third birthday.
The party barn was set, now all we need is some people!
We sat by a burn barrel as people arrived. And arrive they did, this winter iteration included about 90 people.
Early lighting.
Sparks to the sky.
Burning curlicues.
Lots of great fun and food in the barn and “a whole nother” scene down by the fire. Eventually there was music with Gina, Clark, Juliana, and Alec. Much joy enhanced by the huge fire just feet away.
Apparently parties that start early end early these days. We were inside by 11:15pm. Must be getting old.
BUT WE TURNED THE SUN! Thanks to all who came.
December 18, 2022
gem
dogs, farm, fire, party, photography
dogs, photography, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, video, winter solstice, winter solstice 2022
It all started at 3pm for me (with the perfunctory “lighting of the barrel”). Just making sure there was a heat source for people who arrived before the big bonfire lighting.
The sky was gorgeous.
And soon there were solstice attendees and tiki torches.
We lit the fire shortly after 5pm when it finally got dark enough. There were LOTS of people here for the lighting. It was a good one.
The fire had a huge core (that is still burning late the next day).
Meanwhile up at the barn there was terrible Christmas music, lots of food, and a great sense of camaraderie.
The homemade eggnog (recipe here) made things a little blurry. Delicious.
The space between the barn and the bonfire is always magical. This year, the lasers were particularly remarkable.
And the highlight of the evening for me. Music with Clark and Gina. Yes please. This is how we turn the sun.
We wrapped things up around midnight with the last of the hearty attendees, leaving a large pack of 20 somethings to deal with the skunk!
Moonshine loved it.
And he says, now that everything is cleaned up, lets do it again!
Thanks to all who came. Magical.
December 22, 2019
gem
farm, fire, party, photography
bonfire, dogs, gem, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, sophie, winter solstice, winter solstice 2019
The solstice tradition continues in force. Thanks to all who came for the love, laughter, music, and joy.
Tiki lighting
Deck the bridge
Sophie prefers indoor parties, thanks.
The barn in party mode
Before
More before
Sundown on the solstice
The lighting was as spectacular as ever.
Turn sun turn!
Meanwhile in the barn…Sophie takes a party nap.
Do not party like Sophie.
Boilo
Solstice potluck disco center
Burn hot
Alec and the fiddle player
The solution to cold butts
2am coals
I know, lets do it again. See you at the summer solstice!
December 24, 2017
gem
dogs, fire, party
cerbe, dogs, jacob, mogli, photography, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, video, winter solstice, winter solstice 2017
Cerbe meets mogli before dark
Music. Great food. Huge fire. Friends. Boilo. What more could you want?
Early birds get to see the lighting
Mmmmmm. Beer.
The lighting
Put it in perspective: 100 feet of flame.
This year the fairy ring of osage oranges turned into a warning line for fire spread. We had to get water buckets and a hose out for the first time ever.
The fire spreads
View from the field
The two (or three) pods making up the solstice party are always a good mix. Food and cheesy Christmas music in the barn. Fire and live music in the field. This year some of the real music moved into the barn during a brief rain.
Lights
Boilo causes time warps
Marco
Boilo
Turn sun turn
Thanks to all who came. An excellent iteration.
December 21, 2015
gem
dance, fire, mixology, party
berryville passage, bonfire, mixology, solstice fire, solstice party, team tartan, turn the sun, video, winter solstice
Winter Solstice Fire 2015
It all started out with champagne, celebrating Team Tartan’s 2015 Leukemia Cup accomplishment with a crop of Timex watches. (About which this.)
bubbles
Burn barrel before the lighting
Then it got dark, the keg was tapped, the cheesy xmas music was put on infinite repeat in the barn, burn barrels were lit, and off we went! Early birds got to see the bonfire lighting. Middle birds got to see music and sparkling guitars. Late birds shut down the bar inside with Berryville Passages at 6am. Are we too old for this? No we are not.
Fire
Who let the banjo player in?
Fire too
Thanks to one and all for coming! We turned the sun around again!
December 21, 2014
gem
farm, film, party
solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, time lapse, video, winter solstice
The longest night is over. We turned the sun again. Great solstice party, as ever, thanks to all of you. Of note this year, superior food in the random food pile and really tasty tunes by the fire.
I know, lets do it again!!
2014 winter solstice fire
The night was still and cold, and the fire took a couple of minutes to get going. Jack took some video that was transformed into this time lapse.
lighting (starts small)
Sadly, the keg was dead by 7:30?! It’s impossible to get the beer amount dialed in even after 11 years of practice. Oh well, there’s always bourbon.
December 17, 2014
gem
animals, farm, fire
dogs, nature, photography, river, shenandoah, shenandoah river, solstice, solstice fire, solstice party, winter solstice, wood
Puck sez “Fire ready to light”
The solstice fire is ready. The weather report is improving (sorry cynthia). Time to turn the sun around!!
Spring-like day on the Shenandoah
Sunlight begets fire light
Before.
2014 fire
After (2013).
December 23, 2013
gem
farm, fire
solstice, solstice fire, winter solstice
What started idyllic.
Sunset on the solstice (comes early).
Turned to the apocalyptic.
Apocalypse now.
90 feet of flame
And ended with the ridiculous.
Who took my winter??
Salubrious solstice to all, and may your recovery be complete.
