Michael Huber, 8, left, Lily Huber, 6, and North Sparks, 8, roast marshmallows Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011 at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle. The kids came with North’s mother, Marcia Wiley, to celebrate the winter solstice a day early because they were leaving town. Wiley said they were celebrating good friends and sugary treats on one of the darkest days of the year. The solstice occured at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Erika Schultz/The Seattle Times – Lynda Mapes provides more information about the solstice in The Seattle Times’ nature blog Field Notes.