Snow Day Soup

I found this delicious recipe but of course I had to change it.

Barley stew with mushrooms and leeks

I do not care for barley so I substituted chick peas.  I also added andouille sausage.  Tomorrow when I venture out again (too much snow today) I will get spinach instead of kale.  Although it was on my list yesterday, I forgot it, only to remember when walking out of the shop.
It already smells delicious.

And Life As It Is

Three months on the new job and I am still trying to organise my time off.  After three years of unemployment and able to do what I want to do (or need to do) when I want, I now need to develop new habits.  It is ok, I will eventually get to it.
I had my probation hearing (frightening I know) and they do love me and what I am bringing to the job.  They had no idea of what a professional assistant was capable.  Imagine asking for office supplies and actually getting them without waiting a month.  Paying invoices?  Oh you can do that?  It is satisfactory and sad at the same time.  I am working way below my abilities (and pay grade) but I sense that by the end of my first year I will be back on top again.  I feel sorry that these poor people put up with subpar assistance for so long but then again it makes me look supernatural!  ha!
Working around office politics is not my favourite game.. I really hate it and am trying to teach the naysayers and gossips new habits.
So now you know why I have been quiet lately.  I get up at 4.30 am and am usually in bed by 8.30 pm.   Who has time for anything?