In a large pot, melt butter, and saute onions until translucentAdd chicken stock, bring the stock to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.Add chopped celery, carrots, and thyme.Simmer until the celery and carrots are tender to your liking.In a separate pot, boil one gallon of water with 2 Tablespoons of salt.Cook 1 pound package of wide egg noodles to al dente.Drain and chill with cold water to stop the cooking process.Optional step: Combine cornstarch with 1/2 C water, and mix thoroughly until starch is completely dissolved and a slurry is formed. Bring broth to a boil, and add cornstarch slurry to the broth while stirring constantly for 3 minutes to cook the cornstarch and thicken the broth.Now, turn off the heat and add the chicken and noodles. Stir to mix the soup. Season with salt and pepper and/or more chicken base to taste.Serve immediately with toasted French bread or crackers, or keep warm on the stove in the pot so people can help themselves. An enamel-coated cast iron pot works well for this. It will hold heat for a long time without the stove flame or heat source.