Here in Tennessee it is winter and it's cold. Okay, it's cold for Tennessee. Which, for the last few years hasn't been all that cold, even by our standards. It's really more of cool and damp. Cool and damp is just as good a time for soup as any though.
It still seems like a good time for soup. To be specific, chicken soup. To be more specific, chicken soup with barley. I like to use barley in place of the noodles. For one, it's a really nice alternative because it is full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that processed pasta just is not. It also happens to taste really, really good in chicken soup. So, what's better than chicken soup to bright the gray winter? Chicken soup with barley, that's what! it doesn't really take much more time to make, but it is worth the little bit that it does. Barley gives it a slightly nutty flavor, a really nice texture, and just a hint of sweetness.
Go ahead and give it a try. You'll feel better if you do.