T’was the Week Before Christmas…

Ohhhhhh, the things I still have to do! I took stock today of my holiday preparations as I sat in my big comfy chair. The floor around my feet was littered in every direction with gifts, gift bags, and all manner of flotsam and jetsam that needs to be taken care of. The dishes were piled in the sink. Mr. FixIt was kind enough to whip up some oats for breakfast while I decided what was going to get done first.

After eating my oats and toast and sipping on the new store brand decaf tea (which wasn’t bad, mind you) I came to a semblance of order. In my head, anyway. I cleaned the kitchen first. I’ve learned over the years that if I have a nice clean sink and a clear countertop, I can move mountains. Once that was done, I raided the icebox and set the Dutch oven on low to make chicken and noodles.

I had half a rotisserie chicken left in the fridge. I threw it in the pot along with a coarse chopped onion, a couple carrots, and several stalks of celery. I added a little salt and fresh ground pepper, a couple shakes of smoked paprika and poultry seasoning. I tossed in a couple dried bay leaves, some minced garlic, and half a box of chicken broth I had leftover in the fridge.

To this heavenly mixture, I added about eight or nine cups of water and placed the tight fitting lid on the pot and let it simmer all day while I worked on the presents. It smelled SO delicious! I got all the girls’ gifts in their gift bags with their names on them and under the tree. Then, instead of hustling all day doing this and that, I sat down and worked on another knitted Christmas stocking for the littles.

So what if people get their cards after Christmas…it just extends the holiday joy, right? More cookies? Heck…I’ve baked plenty! I’ll just box up what I have and call it good. Nope, yesterday was a day to just sit and enjoy the season. Mr. FixIt ran to town…yet again. And I elected to enjoy the peaceful setting I created in our little corner of the world. A cozy red chair. A cup of hot tea. Homemade Chicken and Noodles simmering on the stove. Knitting in my lap. Slippers on my feet.

Indeed…the world was my oyster!