Monday, March 13, 2017

spring puttering pleasures

I'm glad I bought this beautiful orchid for a bit of spring cheer yesterday...


because this is what we woke to today.

Granted, it was only a few inches and light and fluffy, but still disappointing to see in mid-March.


Thank you all so much for the kind comments and support on my last post! I am feeling good and no longer use crutches, though I do use a cane here and there. That helps alleviate the limping. My knee is still quite swollen and feels tight and stiff, despite doing gentle physical therapy exercises at home and elevating and icing several times a day. I start formal PT tomorrow, so I know this will be a big help in the healing process. I've also been doing a lot of walking...I'm pretty much back to my usual home care routine and I even went grocery shopping by myself yesterday, including making several trips into the house to carry in the bags. I've been having some calf pain, but I think it's from too much walking. I had my post-op appointment this past Friday and the doctor thought perhaps I had a blood clot. I didn't think so - I had a blood clot in my other leg/calf after a surgery in 2001, so I know what one feels like - but the doc sent me to the hospital for an ultrasound just in case. Thank God, no clot.

One thing I really missed while being laid up was puttering around the house and playing with decor. Now that I can (slowly) walk up and down the stairs again, I'm able to go to the basement to dig out some spring decor. Nothing fancy, but I put some lighter colors in the china cabinet...


and fresh flowers on the mantel.


I made some other simple vignettes, too. I love using these mini Limoges teacups every spring.


I just bought this shamrock plant at Trader Joe's. I'll transfer it to a pretty planter after St. Patrick's day. I have another shamrock plant that I bought several years ago and it's lush and full of white flowers. The secret is a south-facing window and giving the plant a thorough saturation only when it starts to wilt a bit (about every 5 days).


Time to bring out the spring birdies...



Of course, it's also time to bring out the bunnies and Easter decor.



Since Mother Nature is still in winter mode despite the spring decor, I'm trying to keep this proverb in mind:

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

24 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you are doing well with your recovery. PT will help I'm sure with the leg cramps. Oh your sweet Spring decor makes me smile. I have a collection of the Avon bunny items they sold in the 1980's. I kept finding them at the thrift shops until I have 8 pieces! Now I want a shamrock plant so I think I'll see if Trader Joe's still have them. Hugs!

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  2. What a pretty orchid. Stay safe and warm with that snow.

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  3. I'm so glad your recovering and getting back to normal.
    Your puttering yielded some very pretty vignettes. ❤

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  4. Good Morning!
    So happy to hear that you are recovering so well Melanie, and also thankful that the surgery is behind you.
    I love the lighting in your home and your Spring Vignettes too. Your snow is pretty to me!
    Hugs,
    Jemma

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  5. Looks like spring inside and winter outside. I have the same dilemma here. Snow and ice falling as I type. I am glad to hear that are feeling more mobile. I hope that the swelling dissipates soon. Be careful in the snow! :)

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  6. That proverb has proven to be true time and time again. Hang in there... it's coming. In the meantime your cute Spring touches will help make your home cheerful and conducive to healing. I'm glad to hear you are doing so well.

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  7. Glad you are getting around again, Melanie, what a quick recovery you are making! Spring? What's that????? We are the midst of an insane blizzard, there's at least 18 inches so far and they are expecting 30. OMG!!

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  8. I'm so happy that you are feeling better and on the mend . . . but don't over do it. Sorry about the snow . . . but that's the northern mid-western states, isn't it? Spring is coming, that's hard to see when you look out at your snow, so keep looking at your pretty spring decorating ad know that Spring will follow. Pretty flowers and I love that little yellow bird, what a cutie :)

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  9. Everything is so springy in your house.

    I have no spring decor for except spring flowers.

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  10. You've made quite a big step in your recovery, Melanie! So glad that you're able to get out and about, but too bad Mother Nature isn't cooperating. We missed the snow, but it's been bitterly cold this past week, so I'm looking forward to some warmer weather, too. You've been busy adding spring cheer to your home, which is one of the best picker-uppers. I love those sweet teacups!

    Thank goodness you didn't have a blood clot!

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  11. So glad you are feeling better and are able to get around more. Take care on those snowy sidewalks.

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  12. So glad you are off the crutches and recovering. Way to go! Just take things slow and pretty soon you'll be doing just GREAT, the pain and swelling a thing of the past.

    Love your spring and Easter decorations.

    Have a wonderful week dear Melanie ~ FlowerLady

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  13. Your home feels so cozy.... it is very cold here too. So glad to see you're doing good!

    Cielo

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  14. Hope you continue to progress & improve & swelling goes away soon. Happy early spring!

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  15. You are amazing! This is great news and I'm so glad to hear you're getting to putter, one of life's most rewarding activities. And surely the calf pain might be from overcompensating in other muscles to make up for trying to be easy on your knee? I hope you get a wonderful PT person, that makes all the difference.

    I love those blue and white teacups! And glad to know that you only water your shamrock every 5 days. I have one in the same green paper and may have been overwatering it. I think I used to plant them outside in the summer and they came back for a few years. I have to admit that I'm pretty fond of my shiny green paper around it now, but then I never can throw away the red foil around poinsettias either. I just like shiny things!

    Please take care, you hear?

    Dewena

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  16. Now I need a shamrock LOL Love all the spring touches. I guess that means I should bring out my very few things too :)

    I'm so glad to hear that you're doing better and yes... thank God, there's no clot.

    Sorry about the snow, but it'll go away soon, I'm sure.

    hugs,
    rue

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  17. Your Spring touches are pretty and cheerful. Glad you are on the mend. Take care.

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  18. So glad you're doing much better, Melanie. Better to have had the ultrasound, just in case, and thank goodness all is well.

    Your touches of spring around your home are adorable. The mini Limoges teacups are lovely, and the Easter bunnies bring a cheery vibe to the space, especially since it's still snowing, there!

    Keep calm and putter on!

    Poppy

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  19. Your decorations look so pretty, Melanie. I used to put out so much seasonal decor but I stopped using it when my kids were born because I was afraid it would get broken. I think they're both finally old enough that I can stop being so concerned and get it out again. It took longer than I thought it would, ha. I'm so glad to hear you're doing better and I am sure that your PT will help the healing even more. I'm glad you didn't have a blood clot. I hope the snow melts quickly and you're back to springtime soon. Take care and have a good weekend!

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  20. Your decor looks great! So glad you are up and feeling better. I'm sure PT will help tremendously. Take care and stay warm.

    Judy

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  21. Always love when the spring birdies come out again! Have you had robins yet? I saw my first about two weeks ago.
    So glad you're getting around better! Before you know it you'll be back to normal, only better. :)

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  22. It's nice o read you're back i your two feet! Is that a Beatrix Potter teapot I'm spying?

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  23. We've had little bits of snow here and there, but it never stays around. Thank goodness! Funny, but I just wrote a blog post about this very subject. I know you are feeling better, and anxious to get back to your usual activities. But I have to be honest, you may delay your healing a bit if you don't slow down a little. Keep moving, but also keep resting and icing it!

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