As we pulled off I-94 into Madison yesterday, my stomach dropped a little bit. As much as I try to avoid all the pre-holiday hype, I still love Christmas with my family. Cookie decorating, exchanging gifts, laughter. This year was especially fun with the 10-year High School reunion. Getting back to the daily routine is so anticlimactic after such a great visit home.

Fortunately, I have this week off, so my time in limbo between the holidays and real life is extended. I spent the day finishing Population 485, finding space for my new gifts, and sipping coffee at Mother Fool’s coffee house.

Today, I am grateful for the two things that made my coffee house visit remarkable: free refills and my new camera.