Thursday, March 10, 2022

So Much Good

Life is so topsy turvy, isn't it? So, when you get a good week, you celebrate it.

We had a lovely dinner at home with our friends Mark and Jan to kick off last weekend. I decided it was time to honor Ukraine with blue and yellow for my table. They were out of sunflowers at the market but the bright tulips were just as pretty. 


Jan brought a salad; I made Marie's curried chicken with rice for the main dish and her lemon icebox pie for dessert. No one left the table hungry!


I've had good doc reports from various docs and subsequent tests. The MRSA has cleared up and my lung CT scan showed no significant change, so the pulmonologist was very pleased. The back doc was able to put some of the things that got out of whack in two recent falls back into more or less the right place. And, I ordered new glasses. I hate the ones I have and can't wait for those to arrive. All good!


I whipped out my paints again and cleaned up my palette which was looking pretty messy and did a couple of studies in my practice journal. Nothing worth sharing but soon!

This may seem insignificant to others and I won't plan on it happening again, but Lizzie made it down to the litterbox of her own accord -- and actually used it. Granted, I was done fussing in the basement, but she ignored me and went straight to the box. I take this as a small victory, and the puppy pads remain in place. Indefinitely.


We actually had a day in the 60s and I enjoyed a terrific ditch walk. 


OK, the next day we had snow but it's March. This happens.

There was absolute joy when I answered the phone and it was my friend Diane. I've told you about Diane before (and thank those of you who added her to your prayers). She went into the hospital on December 8 with Covid and shortly after went into a ventilated coma for three months. She's recently out of the coma and recovering very slowly, still in the hospital but hoping to be released to rehab soon. I have never been so grateful or overjoyed to hear a voice on the phone in my life. It will be a long haul but she will triumph. (And if you haven't been vaccinated or boosted, please do so if you can. Trust me, without the vaccine I would not be celebrating her return to life but mourning her death.)

 

And then there was this.


Yes, a shelf in the cookbook case collapsed and with it the books. Let's just say you don't want Craig Claiborne landing on your foot. He looks like a skinny guy in his photos but believe me, his book is enormous!

And every day, the people and situation in Ukraine is front-forward in my mind and heart.

 

 Having a chunk of the bookcase fall on your foot really isn't a big deal, is it?

Sharing with:      Pink Saturday   /  Love Your Creativity   /  All About Home  

52 comments:

Lynne said...

You ended with a clunk . . .
I hope you managed to get out from under the shelf collapse.

Good doc news all the way around.

Loved your festive colorful for Ukraine photos.
I think of it all constantly . . .

I just wrote a blog post and finished one I had forgotten to post.
(I am patting myself of the back.)

I am having fun with Wordle . . .

Linda Sue said...

Oh Jeanie- I guess it is all relative isn't it- Being ill with covid is horrendous and long lasting, damaging to many organs -the brain being the most fragile. And war in one's home, one's peaceful land, babies being blown up- dear lord. What do we do with this??? You have done the perfect thing- tulips and a lovely table, continue to celebrate life as long as we are in it!Congrats to Lizzie the cat- do art in your note book, and take a lovely walk along the ditch. I am pleased to hear that you are getting back in order physically - we are going to need to be pretty damned together to survive or to be of any help to others. Carry on, Jeanie, you are a ray of sunshine!

Mae Travels said...

Having a tome fall on your food is terrifying. However, it is ironic that it was Claiborne, who struggled in fact with weight issues and health issues from eating a famously rich diet. When his doc told him to go low sodium, he ended up writing a Gourmet Diet book and losing 20 lbs. I hope your food is fine!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Jeanie, I'm feeling the same way. All the little inconviences in my life are of little consequence compared to the horror that continues in Ukraine. I so enjoyed seeing your table set in their honor.
Believe it or not, but we are expecting a little snow on Saturday! Spring is a fickle one.
It's nice to hear about your friend. Thank goodness she is on the mend and it sounds like you are as well.

My name is Erika. said...

I could tell your table was meant to honor Ukraine before even reading what you wrote. It looks lovely and you did have the sunflowers on your vase. You must have enjoyed having friends for dinner. And that must have been a celebration after the good news from the doctor and also about your friend being out of her coma. And the bookcase does seem like small change compared to everything else, but it still is something to deal with. Hope you got that fixed, and you have more spring like weather and not snow. Hugs-Erika

anno said...

Oh, Jeanie, everything was going on so swimmingly well, at least in your personal life, and then... your poor foot. I hope nothing is broken; I hope none of this deters you from taking your walks.

Such beautiful flowers, and such a beautiful table. And thanks so much for the update about your friend Diane -- it was wonderful to hear the news of her recovery. And it sounds like maybe some good news on the Lizzie front, too.

Looking forward to seeing what emerges from your recent painting practice! Take care, friend.

Joyful said...

I'm so glad everything is going mostly well, exception being the collapsed bookshelf. As long as it didn't injure you all is fine. Some great health news you've been having too both for yourself and your friend. Those are definitely things to celebrate. I too am thinking daily about the Ukraine situation. Truth be told it has affected me more than anything has in a long while. I can't fully function right now and if I can't function, I can't only imagine how much worse it is for all those directly involved.

Elderberry-Rob said...

How lovely your themed Ukraine table is, it's on all our minds, like you I am seeing these colours in everything around me.

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad your tests all turned out well, that's good news. Your meal together sounds wonderful, so yummy! Sorry about the self crashing dowm, always a nasty surprise, this has hapened to me several times, and always in the middle of the night! Enjoy your weekend, hugs, Valerie

Iris Flavia said...

Now, this was a post to love - the first pic had me in awe already, and the second, also alng with the news even more so.
Yay to Lizzie!
Oh, the good news don´t stop! So wonderful to learn of your friend! Here COVID strikes badly again, I just learned from the news.

Sorry, but Claiborne, that made me laugh!
Yes. To Ukraine. To freedom and peace in general.

Anonymous said...

Your Ukraine dinner setting looked perfect Jeanie. So pleased your health is better than expected. Prayed for your Diane. Love from Australia Cath

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
Your table looks beautiful, I love the lovely flowers and the pretty vase.
I hope your foot was not hurt when the bookcase fell. Great news on your health reports and on your friend recovering from Covid. I hope all is well with Lizzie. We all have many reasons to be grateful. Take care, have a happy day and a great weekend!

Joanne Huffman said...

Ow! on the cookbook landing on your foot. Last night and this morning's snow make me think winter is trying to give a last rally and spring is on the way. Love your table setting.

acorn hollow said...

So glad you friend is on the mend what a very long ordeal she has had. I need to new glasses the place I go for eye appointments is 40 minutes away. I always take the first appointment and their eye shop is not open by the time I get out of there I am dilated and in no mood to pick glasses. I need to order new glasses too.
how wonderful you got good reports always a relief. take care of your foot.
Cathy

Steve Reed said...

Well, everything is relative, and having a gigantic book land on your foot is no fun! Your Ukrainian-themed table is beautiful, and I'm glad your friend is better after that vicious bout of Covid. Great photo of Lizzie, too!

Anvilcloud said...

You must be a domestic goddess to be able to creat a themed table setting like that. And you made dinner too? 🤪

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I chuckled a little at the book shelf collapse. It used to happen to me with a fair degree of regularity until a friend built me wall-to-wall book shelves in my office, strong enough to withstand nuclear explosion (that may happen soon if the Russian madman takes his insane decisions any further), and anchored right into the joists of the house. Highly recommended!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I just left a comment, Jeanie, but I am not sure it went through. You don't need to publish this one!

The French Hutch said...

Jeanie, such a lovely nod to Ukraine with your tulips and table setting. Your dinner with friends sounds delightful. Wonderful news about your health. As my doctor says, keep on with what you are doing. And, miracles do happen! You must have been overjoyed hearing Diane's voice after being in a coma for so long. I wish her a complete recovery. We are having crazy March weather here too, sunny and our forecast is high in the 70's today and tomorrow possibly snow! Happy weekend.....

shoreacres said...

Of course I was most impressed to hear about Lizzie's feat! Small victories are victories, after all, even though no one can know the mind of a cat. Your table's beautiful, and it's even more beautiful that your friend is slowly rejoining the land of the living. As for that bookshelf - at least you don't have to decide which home improvement project comes next!

crackercrumblife said...

That table is so beautiful! What a wonderful idea! We planted sunflower seeds - they've already sent up seedlings. :)

I am so glad to hear that you had such good reports from your doctors! Yay!!!

And even more yay for your friend Diane. That is definitely news to be thankful for.

Linda P said...

I was catching up with your news when I had an alert to let me know you had posted a blog post. Like you the terrible situation in Ukraine is on our minds. We pray for them and the individuals and organisations coming from far and wide to bring comfort in different ways. Your table setting in honour of Ukraine is a thoughtful gesture. I'm thankful that your friend is out of the coma and recovering from the covid ordeal and glad that your kitty is making progress. Painting and walking are good ways to relax. I wish you a peaceful weekend.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Who could be sad looking at that beautiful table?! Wow! Love that yellow.

Your health reports are all positive, too. Happy day!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am glad to hear that your friend is doing better. What a beautiful table. Glad to also hear about your doctors reports!

La Table De Nana said...

Good news all around except Ukaine.
Isn't it funny how we gravitate towards recipes of people we know:) Her recipes always work.Oh no the bookcase:(Like you said,ce n'est rien in the big picture.

Jenn Jilks said...

Good news health reports.
I really enjoyed the table setting. What a lovely idea.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Love the blue and yellow table scape and everything you fixed sounds so good! And yay for a good health report! And Lizze not thinking outside the box. I hope that she continues to use the litter box!

The situation in Ukraine really does put my day to day complaints in perspective. I was particularly sad to hear of the bombing of a hospital/maternity ward. It's hard to see how the situation will be resolved without further escalating. I hate Putin so very much.

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

So glad you had so many things to celebrate and I love how you always fine ways to do that. Your table setting is wonderful. You're right about the book shelve. It's an inconvenience but not a disaster like so many people overseas are going through right now.

Bonnie said...

A beautiful table in honor of Ukraine recognizing all the tragedy there. Many prayers for this country.
So sorry to hear about your friend's long and hard hospital stay with Covid but glad she is now recovering and was able to call you.
Glad to hear you got a good report from your doctor.
Hang in there. Spring is coming.

Marilyn Miller said...

What a happy with a bit of sad post. So happy your friend is recuperating. I wish her well for the future healing.
I pray for healing of Ukraine once those bad guys disappear.
So smiling for the Lizzie adventure to the basement.
Your health reports are worth rejoicing.
And Loved your beautiful table and the food sounds delicious. Now I will check out the recipes.

Bill said...

A wonderful table setting, the Ukrainians need all the support they can get. Good news about your friend, I hope she makes a full recovery. Ouch about the book shelf collasping. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Divers and Sundry said...

The table is lovely, and the food sounds delicious. The weather in March is only predictable in being unpredictable. A few days ago we broke a record with a high of 81. Tonight we're expecting a low of 22 and snow *sigh* I'm so happy for your friend! Recovery will take a while, but I hope she recovers completely and gets to go home soon.

gigi-hawaii said...

Oh, too bad about the shelf collapsing! Take care of that foot. I must say that you set a beautiful table. Simply lovely, and the food sounds amazing.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I'm so glad for your bits of good news and that you are a bit better! I appreciate your cheery and encouraging visits. Your table looks so pretty dressed that way. I am long overdo for a little gathering like this.

Linda said...

Glad you are on the mend even if that darn bookcase tried to do you in. Bookcase does not know how resilient we are but you show it.

Traces of spring are helping me stay in my happy place. 1 hour of sunshine helps me get through the rest of the day with a cheery heart.

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Hello, Jeanie. So glad to hear about your friend-I know you were thrilled to pieces to hear her voice and know she is on the mend. Such good news about your doctors reports.

Also, such good news about Miss Lizzie. I wonder if something may have scared her and that is why she decided to make changes. Anyway, happy the situation is improving.

Yes, we all keep Ukraine in our hearts and I do worry about what may happen next. Have a good weekend, we have heavy snow on the way for tonight.

Barb said...

What a beautiful table you set, Jeanie. Also, the menu sounds delicious. I'm so happy you got good Dr reports. I LOVE getting new glasses. My lenses are so expensive though that I often wear mine many years until my prescription changes. Ouch to the bookcase collapsing! Those cookbooks are too heavy! We finally got a bigger snow storm over 2 days that left us with about 10". We really need it.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

You have a wonderful way of always putting things in perspective, Jeanie. A lovely tribute table - love the vase - and so nice to enjoy a delicious meal with friends. So glad to hear that the Dr. reports are positive, for you and your dear friend. Life is so fragile, and we are being reminded of that every day in so many ways. Your beautiful painting says it all. x K

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Your table is beautiful and you are so sweet to honor Ukraine with it's colors. Your menu sounds delicious. So glad your tests are good. One always worries as we age. Sorry about your bookcase collapsing. I know you will be up to. Happy weekend.

Sandra Cox said...

So glad your friend is on the mend.
Your dinner table looked beautiful and I know your dinner was amazing.
Yay, Lizzie.
Have a wondrous weekend.

William Kendall said...

March is a time of up and down weather.

Carola Bartz said...

Thank you for telling uns about your friend Diane. I had often thought of her after you have written about her. I'm glad that she is doing so much better. Yes, it will be a long haul, but so much better than the alternative.
Ukraine is on my mind all the time as well. This morning I read a great idea on someone's blog how we can help individuals in Ukraine - buy from their Etsy shops. Of course we can only buy digital downloads since nothing can be shipped, but I liked the idea. Sure, it's only a small way, but every little bit helps. So far I've found a lovely knitting pattern and a digital print of a beautiful painting. Just put in "Ukraine shops" in the Etsy search bar.

Red Rose Alley said...

Jeanie, I'm so glad your friend, Diane, is recovering. That must have been wonderful to get a phone call from her. I really like the table setting with all the blue. Looks a bit bohemian to me. And I always enjoy seeing the Ditch pictures. I hear we may get a little more snow on Sunday, we'll see. So sorry your book shelf collapsed. That's going to be a process getting it all back together. I'm glad to hear you had good reports also. Yes, so much to be thankful for. Been thinking a lot about the people in Ukraine.

~Sheri

Lowcarb team member said...

I think your table looks lovely.

So pleased your Doc reports are good and it was good to read that your friend is on the mend from Covid.

Enjoy the weekend, it's almost here :)

All the best Jan

Linda Stoll said...

So grateful to hear that Diane is improving. What a thrill for all of you who know and love her.

And oh that bright and beautiful table had me smiling as soon as I saw it.

Weekend joys to you, friend!

Rita C at Panoply said...

This is wonderful post, full of food news. Except the snow and the bookcase. Tell me, please, how long had that shelf lasted with the weight, asking for a friend who has bookshelves similar to yours and cupboards with dishes that need reinforced! Yikes!

Victoria Zigler said...

Great news about your results being good, and awesome news about your friend Dianne recovering enough you were able to talk to her on the phone. That's good about Lizzie too... I'd keep the puppy pads down as well, just in case, but it's still a victory.

Pam Richardson said...

Yes, Ukraine and its people are always on my mind and in my heart. I love your pretty table, and the tulips are beautiful. Ooh, I love lemon ice box pie!

Sandra @ Dinner at Eight said...

Your table is a lovely salute! Glad to hear about the 'ups' this week -- except of course the bookcase collapse!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Great post, Jeanie! Yes, with all that's upsetting in the world, we must celebrate the good things, even if they are seemingly small. Glad to hear you had a good medical report, and that your dear friend is on the mend.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Your yellow and blue table is stunning Jeanie! Talk about a breath of Spring! I hope you didn't injure your foot!! How wonderful your friend is recovering after 3 months in a coma, a true miracle!
Jenna

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Wonderful post. Appreciate your support of Ukraine. And I'm glad for your good health news and for the recover of your friend from Covid. Take care.

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