Holiday update

I'm spending the day baking cinnamon rolls (bready goodness packed with slivered almonds, cranberries, and golden raisins) and listening to music. It's warm in my parents' house and I've cleaned almost the whole kitchen (in their house, that's a day-long endeavor.)

I'm staying here while my parents are in DC for a little break, hanging out with my 15-year-old brother. He's a kick in the pants - I mean, he's a teenager, which is eye-rollingly irritating, but he comes out with some funny stuff. Yesterday he got an idea for "gothic braces" and we spent a quarter of an hour cracking each other up with idea for chains connected from various piercings to braces, black rubber bands, ankh-shaped headgear charms, etc. *Snork*. Great kid.

It feels good to be doing something that isn't for school or money or some other sort of obligation. I've made a playlist called "lazy baking day" (even though it's not so lazy) and the house is full of good smells. Life is good, right now, in this moment, and I wish I could spread the goodness out to everywhere that needs it.

So here's some virtual tired dogs and cinnamon smells and good coffee and knowing that you are loved to all of you.