Nearly record-setting high temperatures, and I baked a cake.

My brother's birthday fell on a day that nearly broke state-wide high temperatures. Humidity, too. And his one request from me?

 Strawberry shortcake. 

Which bakes at 450 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Just long enough to heat up the whole house.

So with fans roaring in the kitchen and the central air set low, I made it. I figured that if he's helped me with things like...

...getting rid of this humungous icicle...

...building the harp bench Harry's sitting on
and the bookshelves in my living room...

...and getting one of these every year, 

it was kinda the least I could do.

I honestly think it was the best batch I've ever made. From the size of the helping he ate, I would assume my brother agreed. I used half and half because I didn't have any milk, and that may have been the difference. Happy accident.