Wednesday

I got home and braved the cold for the Christmas outdoor decorations. I switched out the wreaths (as I do every year) and put the old, bicycle rim wreath up and on a timer.

I bought a 30 foot length of cedar roping and, measuring carefully I swaged it along the front porch rail. I had to cut off about 5 feet. I have never done this at this house before, but did so with dramatic effect at North River Road one year. I still need four big red ribbon bows to complete the effect and I will then take a picture for you.

I put up the Yule man and the little sled McKay made for us one year, back in the day. I replaced my mat at the front door that says, simply, "Go Away!" with the holiday one that says "Bah! Humbug!" (I obviously have got a theme going here, lol!)

Then, shaking off the cold (and its damn cold here) I put a small pot of my chicken soup on to warm and got to work on the bathroom door lock. I checked and the door and jam are not perfectly aligned. So, I used a flat file to take the door jam down a bit.

When I got it where I wanted it, I used a watercolor brush and some white paint to cover the fresh wood. Again, I must wait for the paint to thoroughly dry and so; the project is stalled until tomorrow. (sigh)

Hungry now, I turn to dinner. The chicken noodle soup is, of course, now just leftovers so I need to jazz it up some. I had picked up a baguette on the way home. I cut off some 2-inch slices on the bias and, after drizzling them with olive oil, toasted both sides of them under the oven broiler. Then I rubbed each side with a fresh clove of garlic and, using the micro-planner, topped them with Parmigiano-Reggiano. Then I put them back under the broiler until golden brown. And, that was dinner.

I read until bedtime.