Reading, writing, and chicken soup

My sister, Bonnie, was once an antique dealer and shares my love of American primitives.  She gave me the old wooden "thingy" and I've always wondered how best to use it.  I saw something similar done on a primitive decorating blog and love it (even if something less gaudy would probably work better).

Sooo... it is a rainy rather yucky looking day here.  I am glad it was nice yesterday on our errand day.  We left home at nine-ish and arrived back at around mid-afternoon.

It was a dreadfully long day for someone who experiences fatigue but that feeling of accomplishment which comes from a To Do list with checks beside every "Do" was worth every ache.

I should do laundry today and I should declutter my office-craft room (which contains the remnants left by decorating for Christmas) but they shall be set aside.  Dishes must be washed... there are always dishes... and the stock pot will be brought out of the refrigerator to simmer the chicken soup.

The chicken (stuffed with an onion and celery) was baked on Sunday.  It will provide a rich stock that... when combined with some of the white meat, orzo, and a lemon... will make a beautiful soup.

This soup reminds me of the delicious Greek lemon chicken rice soup we enjoyed in many restaurants when we lived in Detroit.  Yes, I have the recipe... here.  ;)

Instead of more checks on the To Do list, I am taking advantage of such a gloomy day to keep the tree lights on, sip a hot beverage, and lose myself into one or two books.  I also have some writing to accomplish while the words hover in a circle, waiting to land.

One benefit of being an empty nester who must stay home most of the time is this... time... and the ability to tweak one's schedule for reading.  Today that is a good thing.