Summer Solstice with Amelia

By Amelia Goebel, UMAC Intern

Hi again, fellow Trailblazers! It’s me, Amelia, and I’m here with DSU-inspired recipes, a craft, and a list of activities to celebrate Summer Solstice. Tomorrow, June 20, is the 2020 Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Many cultures have held solstice celebration rituals for thousands of years. The summer solstice symbolizes a rebirth or return to light.

The Dixie Life Iced Tea

Ingredients:

  • 8 cups of water
  • 4 black tea bags
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 thinly sliced lemon
  • Ice

Directions:

  1. Add water and tea bags into a pitcher and let it sit outside for 4-5 hours.
  2. While still warm, stir in honey to taste.
  3. Poor into a glass with ice, add freshly sliced lemons, and enjoy!

Brooks’ Fan Favorite Honey Lemon Cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 2 oz original cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • ½ tsp lemon extract
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 1 ¾ all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt

Glaze Ingredients:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Using a mixer, mix the sugar, butter and lemon zest on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the cream cheese and continue to mix.
  4. Now, add the honey, extracts, egg, and mixed until well combined.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. With mixing speed on low, gradually add the dry ingredients.
  6. Using a cookie scooper add the dough onto the baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are brown.
  7. Remove the cookies from the oven and let cool completely.
  8. When cookies are cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest.  Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze. Allow to sit for 10 minutes to allow the glaze to set. Enjoy!

Green Desert Garden Dip

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup green onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz spinach
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup loose parsley
  • ¼ cup chives, sliced
  • 1 tbsp dill, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • 8 oz container of plain almond milk greek yogurt

Directions:

  1. In a non-stick skillet, sauté the green onion and garlic in the olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the spinach and continue to sauté until the spinach wilts. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
  2. Transfer the spinach mixture to a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, except the yogurt, and process until smooth. Add the vegan yogurt and process until well combined.
  3. Transfer your mix into a bowl and let chill for 30 minutes
  4. Serve with raw vegetables, chips, and enjoy with friends!

Marble Trailblazer Nation Suncatcher

Supplies:

  • Colored glass stones
  • Clean plastic lid from butter or sour cream
  • Clear Elmer’s glue
  • Ribbon for hanging

Directions:

  1. Lay out your stones first to make sure design fits before you glue everything down.
  2. Clear the stones off of your lid and pour clear glue all over it (the flat side of the lid should be facing down).
  3. Start placing your stones. Make sure all of your stones touch, it will make it much easier to pop out of the lid in one piece when it’s dry.
  4. After you finish your design, pour some more glue over it to set the design.
  5. Let dry for at least 3-4 days. You’ll know it’s ready when it starts to peel away from the lid easily. If you try to peel it away and you see glue strings or it still seems wet, let it dry more.
  6. Hot glue your ribbon on the back of your suncatcher and let cool completely before hanging.

SUMMER SOLSTICE ACTIVITY IDEAS

We know there are lots of ways to celebrate the longest day of the year, but here are a few other ideas:

  • Bonfire with S’mores & More recipes
  • Sunrise yoga on Dixie Rock
  • Make a gratitude list in a DSU notebook
  • Plant Dixie red flowers
  • Trailblazer BBQ with family and friends
  • Take a hike in your DSU gear
  • Go swimming at Sand Hollow

Show us how you spend the 2020 Summer Solstice the Dixie Way! Tag us in or DM on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

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