THE SOLSTICE, June 21, has more daylight hours than any other day in the year. Traditionally, it was celebrated throughout the northern hemisphere. We owe the changing seasons to the 23.5-degree tilt of the earth's axis, and our annual journey around the sun. During the cold, dark winter months, the sun appears briefly, low in the sky. At midsummer, it lingers, high overhead, and northern peoples get the chance to catch some rays. Across Europe, the official return of warmth, new growth and long summer days was marked with bonfires and beer fests. Crops were planted, herbs, honey and berries were gathered. These seasonal activities are doubtless why the full moon in June (appearing this year on June 30) is known as the honey moon or the strawberry moon. Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, has some fun with the magic and romance associated with the shortest night of the year. Because their lives depended upon a bountiful harvest, the ancients had many superstitions around the planting season. Certain rituals must be performed to ensure abundance. Irish potato farmers took burning brands into the fields, and mixed the ashes with the soil. It was also believed that apple orchards would fail unless midsummer fires were lit. Today, it's quite possible to spend much of our lives inside homes, vehicles, stores and office buildings, but those of us who choose to live in the country remain attuned to the imperatives of the season, even if we're not marching firebrands around the garden. Warming soil, the return of the hummingbirds and blossoming trees all beckon us outdoors. This morning, I paused to photograph a goldfinch in the plum tree, sampled tender shoots of asparagus, and noted the unfolding of the delicate, pale yellow flowers on the honeyberries. These are perfect moments. It's not too hot, the air is still and pure, and the yard is full of life. It's bliss, as long as I can ignore the fact that the weeds are growing faster than everything else. A solstice theme emerged as we were planning this issue of Acreage Life. With a nod to the bonfires and beer fests of old, we offer recipes to get you grilling, and a guide to the best of Canada's craft breweries. A story on the latest designs in garden furniture will help you make the most of your outdoor spaces. We also have step-by-step (pun intended) directions for a flagstone path, and critical information to prevent getting lost in the woods when you're out enjoying nature this summer. You might want to create your own solstitial traditions. Let this be the day you launch the canoe for the first time in the local pond, or go for a hike, or have a picnic. Organize a potluck with the neighbours. Wear your sunscreen, now that the sun's near its zenith, but definitely catch a few rays.