The reason for the season

Today is the winter solstice. The point at which the northern hemisphere's tilt away from the sun reaches its extreme. Our shortest day of the year (and longest night). For the next six months, the tilt will gradually move back toward the sun, increasing the amount of daylight we get. Until the summer solstice. The Earth's tilt and its orientation to the sun through its year-long orbit are why we have seasons. Ain't science grand!

I recently received this terrific birthday greeting from my dear friends L&L in upstate New York.

It's also my birthday. Another reason to celebrate! And celebrate we will, with my traditional birthday dinner of steak au poivre (pepper steak) in a cognac cream sauce, served with frites (French fries). We'll start with an appetizer of escargots (snails) in the traditional garlic, butter, and parsley sauce, and finish with an apple tart, which I will get started on making early this morning.