the day after the party

I've always kind of loved waking up and walking around the house the day after a party. Besides the dishes covered in remnants of chocolate cake and the occasional stray beer bottle or wine glass, the house is tidy from your hurried sweep before guests arrive. The decorations are still up, the colors still on the table, the chairs still pulled away from the wall and left haphazardly around the room. It's quiet except for the coffee pot purring and bubbling, and the thoughts of friends and food and celebration still linger in the kitchen and around the living room. It's a warm, easy feeling.

(And sometimes, there are enough leftovers to make breakfast tacos for two. This is even better).