Much Needed Rest Days

These last 2 days have had plenty of rest. 

I woke up yesterday feeling like I was getting a cold.

Sure seemed like it.

I fought it with all I knew.

Lots of rest, watched Christmas Cheesy movies, had

Canned Campbell's Chicken Soup 

and ordered groceries for today, which included a whole chicken

that I thought of making into soup.

This morning I woke up feeling so much better.

No need for Kleenex, feeling more clear and rested.

I still rested a lot today but also made the chicken soup,

which was so delicious. and the whole house smelled so good.

I put half of the chicken soup away for freezing

and the other half I made into a chicken vegetable soup.

We had it tonight with biscuits.

I added at the end about 1/4 cup of sour cream.

I just like the depth the sour cream gives; this soup was really good; 

we added salt and pepper to taste in our individual bowls.

I had 3 bowls of it with my biscuit; 2 full bowls one about a third full.

So nourishing.

I wish I could share it with you!
***
Note about the soup, so I remember how I made it.
Boiled it whole 90 minutes. Used my candy/meat thermometer and
put in both water and chicken and both registered to above 165F which is
the safe cooked temperature for chicken.
I cooked the carrots and celery, this time around, in the non-vegan
margarine that I need to use up (thinking it was vegan originally, called
I can't believe it's not butter) for about 4 minutes until not too hard.
Then I added the soup right away and simmered.
At the end I added the sour cream.
I read this recipe as well as looking at my 1953 Joy of Cooking
for guidance.
I took the boiled chicken out of the water by itself in another pot
and used grilling tongs to slowly de-bone the chicken,
putting all the the chicken meat back in the soup pot with the
very golden broth.
I did not keep the skin but did boil the chicken with the skin.
Simple and it worked wonderfully.
It does take time but was a welcome break to make this
as part of my rest today....

***

My Husband and I both had another one of the 12 Caramels 

that I got us for Christmas... we are trying to guess them... we had

caramel number 10: Husband and I both guessed correctly and remain tied

***

We also finished our read-aloud of Tolkien's Father Christmas Letters;

we have the latest boxed edition and it ends in 1943 when WWII is still going on

and it is so tender and full of hope amidst the devastation of war.

***

Because I was not feeling well 

(I think my body finally just said 

'stop already, listen to me, I need REST)

yesterday I did not take down any Christmas decorations 

that I was planning to do.

To be honest I don't think I was ready.

Christmas is 40 days, I just need all 40 (ends this weekend).

***

I hope that I can have a good sleep tonight and

that tomorrow's day will go as planned.

God bless each of you and may He have mercy and help us

in our times of need and distress! 

A Lovely Ladies Luncheon

New beeswax candles glowing in the early morning....

 Breakfast at the counter as I set the table for the luncheon the day before...

Chicken and Biscuits with Cream Gravy (recipe from Betty Crocker 1956 cookbook

for the chicken!).  I used Marion Cunningham's Rescue Biscuits for the biscuit part.

Salad with delicious maple goats cheese, bacon, walnuts and dried cherries.

My friend brought the toppings! And another friend brought the fruit salad!

And my other friend came an hour early and helped me in the kitchen,

which was a life-saver of help! 

I was about an hour I think behind on the meal; I did my best

and I know I did my best and everyone was happy

and it was really delicious... 

My one friend brought 2 Russian treats, a marshmallow confection and a 

wafer cookie treat! 

 I also had the Godiva cookies, chocolate covered ginger cookies by Walkers, 

and Trader Joe's Christmas dark chocolates. 

I had the salted caramel chocolate, it was really good. :)

It was a lovely luncheon and we all talked up a storm and really

enjoyed listening to each other's thoughts and stories... 

My paperwhites are blooming!!! I am thrilled about that! 

We had leftovers for dinner after vespers! 

***

I have most of the dishes cleaned up now; Mr Husband helped and 

we did 2 loads of dishwasher dishes and I washed almost all the ones

that need to be washed by hand.

***

I have a busy week ahead; still trying to pace myself; 

doing my best to do so.

***

I woke up with the song

this is the day that the Lord have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it... 

and was humming it all morning...

Sometimes I forget that we are called to be glad

and rejoice... 

***

May God help us all and have mercy

and bring us to Himself, our life and our Joy.

Thank you!

Thanks everyone for your kind comments on my last blog post!

I really enjoyed telling you all the story

and your comments each were encouraging to me, a blessing! 

Thank you!

***

Another busy day here. 

I made easy beef stroganoff, cream biscuits and a green salad

(I need to get better at my salads)

and we had a friend over for dinner.

***

I added a Post Script to my last blog post,

that I wanted to be sure you all knew about.

Here it is... 

***

(Edited to add:) Post Script ~ all of this happened today, February 6, 2020:

My Husband chatted me that his colleague (X) stopped by his desk hoping there was still some chocolate torte to eat.

My Grandma, when I told her the (above) story and how my Husband was so determined to show me that I had not failed, told me: 'Honey, that is what true love looks like'  

My Husband, saying good night to me (I often stay up later) said, 'So, your Grandma finally told you the truth about me' :) 

***

Well, tomorrow I hope to quickly visit L, I have my yearly candles being

delivered tomorrow and have a Saturday luncheon to prepare for.

So off to bed I go...

***

May God bless each of you not only for your kindness, but

for whatever you are in need of, be it comfort, strength, help...or a full miracle...