It's 11:30 PM and I'm just pulling a cake out of the oven. It's my sons 9th birthday and the start as you said of the season. Every year for Xmas eve, my wedding anniversary on 12/23 and Xmas dinner we like to go fancy. Every year my son gets introduced to a new classic dish and so far so good, he loves it! Candlelight etc. Last year we had Tornedos Rossini, Duck L'Orange and Duck Confit (not in one night!. The year before we had Steak Au Poivre and Roast Goose. This year we are broker than before so if I can swing it it will Be Faison Souvroff, and after that I'm not sure. But we are finally back to the cold here in upstate NY and after Fla. and Pa. it's nice to be back to snow! Nothing like eating a million calorie meal and then working it off with a walk in the snow and a snowball fight. Happy holidays to all and to all Bon Apetit!