Did you feel it, the instant last night when the sun moved as far from the earth as it ever gets? Solstice, the start of winter. (Or the first day of the countdown to spring.)

We sure felt something here in Paradise Cove, though exactly what is still under discussion. The pear/rosemary martinis packed enough of a punch for a few inebriated profound discussions and a lively game of flip-the-shrimp skewer, which involves the lever-action trash can, a swift foot stomp, and some Golden Glove catching near the kitchen sink. Malibu. We know how to live.

Anyway, the top photo is the solstice sunrise, as far south across the Santa Monica Bay as it'll ever get. You can see a bit of the mountains on the left. And below, for comparison to how far we've spun on our celestial journey, is the dawn at last summer's solstice, the sun lifting up over the mountains.

Last year's solstice sunset was pretty great. (There are a few pix in the series if you click through.)

And here, should you need a bit of leverage against the loved ones in your life, is the pear martini recipe.

winter

summer