Seattle Times food writer Nancy Leson announced that she is taking a six-month leave of absence to rest, read and clean out her refrigerator and spice collection. In her Seattle Times column that appeared online Tuesday, the Edmonds resident also noted that she will be following her doctor’s orders to lose “more than a few” pounds. “If you see me walking along the Edmonds waterfront or heading home, uphill, hopefully with one of my heretofore-much-ignored pals at my elbow, feel free to say “Hi,” Leson wrote.

You can read Leson’s column about her plans here.