The "empty days"

People joke about the "empty days" between Christmas and New Years, where no one really knows what day it is or what they're supposed to be doing. Do we go to work? Are we supposed to be traveling somewhere? Why do we even exist? Who knows?

I've been taking advantage of the "empty days" to geek out and do little things here and there. Today, I found a book on marionette-making that I think was included in the back of an old children's copy of Pinocchio that I've had since I was 6 (and haven't been able to find recently *but I know it's around here somewhere*); I've been fascinated by marionettes since I was a kid and always wanted to make one, but never quite have done it. Maybe having this book on hand will kick start a project or something.

In the past few days, I've also bought replacement parts for my drafting compass, which they apparently don't make anymore, finally figured out and wrote Chapter 13 for my novel, and made homemade hot chocolate from a recipe on the side of the Penzeys Cocoa Powder bottle. Yum.

Combine 4 c. milk, 3 TB sugar, 2 TB Natural Cocoa, and a dash of Cinnamon and Vanilla. Heat in a heavy saucepan, top with mini marshmallows.

I skipped the marshmallows. This made about three coffee mugs full of tasty chocolate goodness, but the coffee mugs were all different sizes, so don't take my word on how many it actually serves. There are three people in our house, so for us three mugs was perfect.

Oh, and I've also gone clothes shopping with my Christmas gift card, because I need to update my wardrobe for the job search I'm planning on in January. I hate clothes shopping usually, but I had my daughter to help me out, and it was actually fun for possibly the first time in my life.

So, how have you been? What have your "empty days" looked like?

Hope you have a great New Year, and a great winter holiday of your choosing.