Five Things that Don't Suck, Vacation Edition

1. someone else making the coffee
2. someone else making pancakes
3. the specific someone elses in question
4. really though not having to make that coffee
5. how late teenagers can sleep

Five Things that Don't Suck, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas Edition

Note: Five Things will be taking a little holiday break to focus on family and onion dip. If I have time to post between Christmas and New Year's Day, I will, but you should expect posts to be even more sporadic until January 3. Meanwhile, know that there are many, many more than five things that don't suck, almost every day.

1. my oldest nephew completing the transformation into his dad by repeating a joke his dad and I have been telling since we were kids*
2. biscotti as a pre-breakfast snack
3. Lou Rawls' version of "The Little Drummer Boy"**
4. my mom, who apparently put a partially-used roll of ribbon into my aunt's gift this year
5. being able to spend the day with people I not only love but like.

*and not crediting either of us, by the way, which is the thing that really clinches the whole turning-into-your-father thing as far as I'm concerned

**the man brought some serious funk to Christmas, I tell you what

Five Things that Don't Suck, Baking Frenzy Edition (Part 3)

Note: Five Things will be taking a little holiday break to focus on family and onion dip. If I have time to post between Christmas and New Year's Day, I will, but you should expect posts to be even more sporadic than usual until January 3. Meanwhile, know that there are many, many more than five things that don't suck, almost every day.

1. baguettes
2. spritz
3. chocolate chip cookies
4. putting together kick-ass cookie boxes
5. honey bourbon with honey from our bees*

*I know, I know. That's technically got nothing to do with baking. But it'll get you nicely toasted, which is kind of the same thing. Cheers!

Five Things that Don't Suck, Baking Frenzy Edition (Part 2)

1. orange cinnamon biscotti
2. salted caramel cashew shortbread bars
3. molasses spice cookies
4. lemon thumbprint cookies
5. biting off more than you can chew

Five Things that Don't Suck, Baking Frenzy Edition (Part 1)

1. cinnamon sugar pecans
2. candied orange peels
3. crack*
4. chocolate crinkles**
5. sugar cookies**

*no, not that, you wise-ass. Google "toffee crack" and be amazed
**well, the dough anyway

Five Things that Don't Suck, Secret Santa Edition

1. how cool being a Secret Santa can be
2. a little snow on the ground*
3. wondering whether there is such a thing as secret reindeer
4. secret elves?
5. sowing confusion among the Secret Santa community for fun

*but not enough to shovel!!!