Southern December

Oh, the December nights! Just this past Monday I was talking about how my high school music teacher talked about how special the December sky was!

Here is proof!

See the beautiful reds and yellows in this December sunset? It even makes the sillouette of the poor trees that were damaged in the ice storm last winter seem beautiful.
See the beautiful reds and yellows in this December sunset? It even makes the sillouette of the poor trees that were damaged in the ice storm last winter seem beautiful.
Another December sunset shot.
Another December sunset shot.
Look closely and you can see the stars.
Look closely and you can see the stars.
And a beautiful full moon!
And a beautiful full moon!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

A little outdoor red for Outdoor Wednesday with A Southern Daydreamer and Rednesday! with It’s a Very Cherry and today’s lagniappe is a great idea for Crockpot Wedneday with Dining with Debbie.

Today’s Lagniappe: Slow Cooker Christmas Wassail
Add a little rum on the side and enjoy this wonderful holiday drink!

* 10 (6″) cinamon sticks
* 1 star anise
* 2 tsp. whole allspice
* 1 orange, studded with whole cloves
* 7 cups apple cider
* 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail
* 1/4 cup sugar

In a cheesecloth bag or tea strainer place cinnamon, star anise, and allspice. If using cheesecloth, tie shut with kitchen string. In 4-5 quart crockpot mix cider, cranberry juice and sugar. Put cheesecloth bag or tea strainer in slow-cooker. (Do not let bag hang outside of slow cooker.) Add orange, cover, and cook on low for 3 – 4 hours until hot and fragrant. Remove cheesecloth bag or tea strainer before serving.


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19 responses to “Southern December”

  1. SueLovesCherries Avatar

    I could just gaze at sunsets every day! Keep them coming, I love ’em! Thanks for the Christmas carol, too!

  2. Cass at That Old House Avatar

    Gorgeous sky shots! I LOVE late fall/early winter skies. I like your punch recipe too — very similar to one I make only mine has pineapple juice instead of apple, and a fifth of rum in it. Hot rum punch, just like Mary Poppins liked!
    Cass

  3. Mary Avatar

    How wonderfully you captured the December shy. Your photos are really beautiful. Have a great outdoor Wednesday.

  4. Sandi Avatar

    Oh, Christi, the sky is glorious! Your wassail recipe sounds delicious, I’ll have to try it. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful REDnesday.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

  5. Myrna Avatar

    Great Pics!That was a beautiful moon last nite.
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna

  6. Happily Retired Gal Avatar

    Wonderful sunset! Last night’s full moon was marvelous when I went to my computer class, but I didn’t have my camera with me to capture it. My Outdoor Wednesday is at Happily Retired gal, but earlier this week I shared recent Sunset Views over the Pacific Ocean that you might enjoy at Sacred Ruminations 😉
    Hugs and blessings,

  7. Rhonda @ Shellbelle's Tiki Hut Avatar

    Oh, the aroma is wafting from my monitor and it’s wonderful!

  8. Carol @ Old Glory Cottage Avatar

    Great pictures! Wasn’t the moon beautiful last night?! Thanks for the wassail recipe too. I love how it tastes, and how wonderful it smells!
    Happy Rednesday!
    Carol

  9. Hootin' Anni Avatar

    Amazing photography!!!

    My O W is now posted. Today a slide show of us attending the famous Texas King Ranchhand Breakfast. Come see a bit of ‘history’ if you can.

    It’s Here

  10. RobinW Avatar

    beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! and that recipe sounds great…thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

  11. Eileen Avatar

    They are beautiful skies, your photos are wonderful. I’ve been noticing the skies alot more lately.

  12. Mary Avatar

    Beautiful skies! And thanks for the wonderful recipe…have a fantastic Wednesday!

    God bless,
    Mary

  13. Joyce M Avatar

    The December skies you posted are beautiful and some are spooky. Nice job!
    Joyce M

  14. Eileen Avatar

    Beautiful photographs!
    And I’m so loving that December sky!

    Thanks for that recipe, I love using a slow-cooker, I’m going to try this over the weekend.
    All the best to you,
    Eileen

  15. Becky Avatar

    Beautiful nighttime photos…I love those stars…

  16. Claudia@DipityRoad Avatar

    YOu are so very right– December skys are almost sppppooooky.

    Thanks for sharing — your stars are cool too.

    Hey– I became one of your followers– if you get a moment, stop by and say hi!

    TTFN~~Claudia ♥ ♥

  17. Sheila Avatar

    This is lovely, Christi! They are beautiful sky shots…

    Happy Outdoor Wed!

    XO,

    Sheila 🙂

  18. Linderhof Avatar

    A beautiful sunset. I watched the almost full moon last week over the Pacific — it was amazing how it stretched from sky to ship. The wassail looks good as well. Have never made it in a crockpot but it does make sense.

  19. Pat@Back Porch Musings Avatar

    Gorgeous photos, wonderful post!!

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