"Get Well Soon" - Chicken Noodle Soup

So, a few nights ago I went to bed with a sore throat, and over the last few days it's gotten progressively worse, so that yesterday and today I have been downright sick.  Yesterday afternoon when my older boys got off the bus I was feeling totally wiped and needed to lay down, so I drew them each little lists of the things they needed to do before supper (take care of coats, backpacks, cleaning up toys, practising piano, doing homework etc) with check boxes beside each.  I gave them an hour and fifteen minutes to complete it all and told them they could have an ice cream cone after supper if they did, then I set my alarm, and enjoyed my 1 hour and 15 minutes of much needed rest.  It worked like a charm, as they were quite happy to work towards a goal.  My husband (who came home later, and is a very logical thinker) also told me it was a great idea because lists like the one I made work to both sides of the brain, so it's more appealing for children.  Huh, who knew?  I just needed a nap.

Today, once again, I've been in bed literally ALL day, except to put new movies in for my daughter (don't think that one works both sides of the brain, darn-it) or help her in the bathroom.  Luckily, the baby has been extremely co-operative and slept right along with me, which is a blessing, because I seem to have gotten mastitis along with my flu.  For those of you feeling sorry for me, don't worry, I'm a pro at mastitis and this is quite typical for me.  I'm losing count as to how many times I've had it, but somewhere around 11 or 12 times total with my four kids, so I know just what to do, and can usually kick it without antibiotics.

Anyway, the strangest part of my day was just about half an hour ago...when I woke up after having the strangest dream.  I hesitate to tell it because I'm embarrassed, but I found it to be so funny that I don't see how I can't, so here goes...

The setting was just as in reality, I was sick and in bed.  On one of my trips to the bathroom however, I discovered a tiny little puppy swimming (nearly drowning), in the toilet.  The puppy was not much larger than a golf ball, and at first was black with the features of a Jack Russell Tarrier, although he soon morphed into a brown German Shepard (as is the nature of dreams).  I of course was the hero in my dream and rescued the puppy straight away, vowing to raise it as my own.  I proceeded to wash the puppy off at the bathroom sink, but it began to  be a challenge, as there were five soap dispensers at the sink and only one of them contained soap.  The other four were toothpaste and their order was ever changing, so it was a guessing game with each squirt, like I was in an arcade playing wack-a-mole.  Meanwhile, in the hallway outside the bathroom door was my mother, who was jabbering on about how proud she is of her children, while she was hanging on my wall framed screen shots she had taken on her phone of the highest levels me and my siblings had achieved on "Angry Birds" (could it get any more random than that).  I remember thinking to myself in the dream that I wished she wouldn't hang those on my wall, because it was embarrassing, but I chose to ignore it and concentrate on the puppy I had adopted instead, as I needed all of my concentration to find the correct soap dispenser.  Anyway, this is about where I woke up...

What is up with dreams?  Whenever I have a doozie like that I always try to dissect it afterwards, so here's what I've come up with...

I had talked to my Mom (who lives 20 hours away) on the phone right before my nap, and she had told me all about my brother and his wife having their new baby (so that would explain my mom and siblings thing).  I can't quite connect the Angry Birds bit, as I've never really played it much at all, but my kids do seem to like the stuffed animals...
As far as the rest, I have no idea.  I was an animal lover as a child, but upon repeated requests I have not caved in on getting a pet as a mother, as I see it as way too much work.  I have often said it would be like having another child.
I have been reading "The BFG" by Roald Dahl to my kids as their bedtime story at night, and last night we got to the part where the BFG mixes up a dream to give to the queen of England in her sleep, so I can only surmise that this must be why I had such a crazy dream in the first place.

Regardless, it is what it is, lol, and although embarrassing, I hope that it will at least provide some entertainment.  Other than dreaming, I have been doing my usual things to try to get well soon, and here they are, my recipe to recovery:

{tissue} + {herbal tea} + {chicken noodle soup} + {fisherman's friends} + {a good book}

Get Well Soon - Chicken Noodle Soup:

Ingredients:

2 medium chicken breasts

1 T. canola oil

1/2 bunch of celery (about 6-8 stalks)

4-5 carrots

1 large onion (or 1/2 c. dehydrated)

1 t. minced garlic (or one fresh clove, diced)

13 c. water

13 t. chicken bullion (one for each c. of water)

250g (1/2 bag) of medium shell pasta 

pepper to taste

frozen peas (optional)

Method:

Because I usually buy my chicken in a frozen state, I begin by putting my chicken in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes, after which I dice it up into small pieces (if you buy your chicken fresh, you can dice it up and cook it right in your stock pot).  Meanwhile, while the chicken is baking, dice up the celery, carrots, onion and garlic.  Add these ingredients into a large stock pot, and sauté them in oil on medium heat until tender.  Add water and chicken bullion and bring to a boil.  Add pasta and boil for an additional 7 minutes, covered.  Add pepper to taste.  Cool slightly and serve, or add a handful of frozen peas to each bowl to help cool (my kids love that part).  Enjoy!

Serves 8-10