On the first day of Christmas

Spent the day with family up in Santa Rosa, starting with a visit to my parents' place to exchange gifts with them and hang out a little, and then we went over to my uncle's to eat. We made the mashed potatoes, from a new recipe, and they came out quite well. My younger brother, who moved back to California this year, joined us for dinner, so this the first Christmas that my nuclear family has celebrated together in something like eight years. A happy occasion to be sure.

I received three books and a Barnes & Noble gift card (which I will turn into a book), meaning that every single gift I got was a book. It's like they know me or something.

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates, and Happy Friday to everyone. :)