Saltwater Sounds Weekly: Daylight Saving Time
Welcome to Saltwater Sounds, a collection of ideas, tips, and inspiration. This is where I share everything happening in the world of Shiplap and Shells, what’s to come, and the inspiration I’ve found from other bloggers around the web.
This and That…
Daylight saving time has begun, which means we’re one step closer to spring. Only eight more days until spring!
Chicago Green River
My hubby was in Chicago when the river was dyed yesterday.
Do you know the history of the Chicago river dyeing?
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The green dye was originally used to help clean up the river’s waterfront areas. In 1955, the mayor wanted to discover where the sewage in the water was coming from. The green dye was used to help identify the source of the leaky pipes.
Knee Update
This has probably been the busiest week I’ve had since having my knee replacement four weeks ago.
I drove myself to PT for the first time last Thursday. Driving was easy, especially because it was the left knee I had surgery on.
The unpleasant part of this adventure was trying to get my left leg in the car. I’m sure it was entertaining to watch. I was lucky that no one was parked next to me, so I could open the door all the way to get the knee at the right angle.
But I did it! Check “driving” off the list!
I can go up the stairs, VERY slowly, using both legs. Coming down will take more time.
And, I’m walking on my own and trying to work on my gait.
I went with a friend for her birthday lunch and did a few errands afterward. I was wiped out! Ice and a 3-hour nap are what I needed once I returned home. But I did it, and I need to keep exhausting myself to build my stamina again. It’s incredible what you lose after a month of sitting on your behind.
Baby steps.
My biggest challenge remains trying to straighten the new knee. It’s almost like I’ve gone backward. Although I’m disappointed, I am giving myself all kinds of grace.
My physical therapist now wants me to add 7 lb. weights to my knee and keep it straight for 5 minutes, five times a day. It’s uncomfortable, to say the least, but I will do anything I can to get my knee where it needs to be.
I went shopping for flowers for a project at the grocery store before therapy the other day.
I can’t wait to start growing my own fresh flowers in the garden again.
Around the Garden and Greenhouse
The greenhouse is full, and we have a few more varieties of flower seeds to sow today. We were supposed to finish the last batch of seeds last weekend, but the cell trays I bought were late getting here.
I feel a bit removed from the process of sowing seeds for my cut flower garden this year, but at least I got someone fabulous to help me this year.
Some of the seedlings have dried up a little faster than expected since I haven’t been checking on them as often. That’s where grace comes in once again. I need to accept that perfection doesn’t exist when you’re a gardener, especially a gardener with a new knee.
The hellebores are looking pretty!
Spring bulbs are starting to pop out of the ground, and I couldn’t be more excited.
I bought a few pansies to hold me over. How hard can it be to plant a few pansies in some planters, right?
It’s always fun to shop at the local nursery.
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From the Blog
How to Create a Cottage Style Seasonal Refresh: Early Spring Home Tour
Are you looking for spring home decor inspiration and ideas now that the season is fast approaching? In this post, I’ll take you on a spring home tour of my kitchen and laundry room while sharing some simple home decor ideas for refreshing a cottage-style home in early spring.
16 Easter Ideas and Inspiration to Bring Cheer to Your Home
Are you looking for Easter ideas and inspiration for your home this spring? Today I’m sharing 16 creative ideas for Easter decorating, DIY craft projects, brunch menu ideas, Easter tablescape ideas, and more.
My Favorite Inspiration Around the Web This Week
My sweet friend Mary from Life at Bella Terra shares how she reinvented an old, run-down wreath into this dried flower masterpiece.
This moss-covered bunny DIY idea.
This gorgeously decorated home in Fargo.
Molly at Molly in Maine shares her creative wall decor.
10 benefits of gardening that can change your life.
A healthier take on a classic Girl Scout cookie.
My gardening buddy, Stacy at Bricks ‘n Blooms, has the most beautiful purple coneflowers growing in her garden. Learn how to care for these beautiful blooms.
Meyer Lemon Cream Pie with a twist.
Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill has created the prettiest vintage-style Easter eggs.
I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and let me know what you’d like to see on the blog! Thank you for being here.
Until next time,
Wishing a week full of joy, kindness, and peace.
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Thanks so much for sharing my eggs this week! Just keep giving yourself grace, you can’t do it all and need to focus on getting your knee back in shape. You’ll have to come down the stairs the fun way…ride down on a cardboard box..weeeeee!!!
Hi Kim! Glad to hear you got out this week! It might not feel like you are progressing, but you definitely are! I hope the beautiful flowers you bought brought you some good cheer! Thank you so much for sharing my post this week!
It was really good to get out, Molly. And the flowers really changed my mood. I was a little crabby before I brought them home.
Congrats on making it to PT! Baby steps is right, and you’re super smart to take it easy! You’ll be up and around just in time for spring! 🙂 Thanks so much for the beautiful info, it’s so nice to catch up with you!
Thank you, Barbara. I do get so impatient. I’m not a baby-step kind of girl but I know that’s the only way to look at this. Happy spring! We are so close!
Thanks so much for sharing my moss bunny DIY!
So glad you doing well after knee surgery!
Thanks, Michele. I can’t wait to try making one myself. Fingers crossed.
Kim, I lived in Chicago and loved it so much. I just could not make it through the cold winters, lasted through one whole year and ran. LOL! Thank you so much for including my post, so grateful to you. Get better soon because Spring is almost here!
I don’t think I would be able to handle the cold winters, but I sure love the city and the river walk. I am going to try to get out in the garden on Friday. We’ll see how I do.
I’m so glad to hear you’re recovering so well after your surgery. It’s so tough the “giving yourself grace part”. Having had back surgery 18 months ago, I’m still dealing with gait and mobility issues. My sis had knee and hip surgery both and she said knee was by far the toughest. Have fun with your greenhouse and garden, but take it easy when your knee is fussy. Debra
I have nothing to complain about! My dear friend also had back surgery, and she’s still having issues after a couple of years. I know I will most likely feel great within a year. I am so sad to hear that you are having gait and mobility issues after 18 months. You are such a trooper. I only hope that your doctors think that you will continue to improve. Thank you for reaching out, Debra. Wishing you the best, my friend.
I’m so glad that you are doing well. I have been in the greenhouse yesterday and today. I’m so happy to have dirt under my fingernails.
How fun! My greenhouse is so full right now. Love it!!!
Kim
So glad you’re getting out and that you’re a step closer to being healed. Enjoy your longer days.
Thank you, Rachel. It feels good to finally be making progress.
Kim, it was so wonderful to chat with you yesterday. Thank you for sharing my dried flower wreath. Wish we lived closer… and sending good wishes for your knee recovery. It may take a full year but you’ve got this!
You are such a sweet friend, Mary. I loved your wreath so much, We will just have to visit each other more often!
I’ve lived in Chicago area most my 70 yrs.The vegetable dye is SAFE,, dissolves in a few days in Chicago River too. Not like red tide as some think…
Yes, I read that it was safe and learned so much about the history. So fun. I have vacationed in Chicago once and love it! Especially the river walk. I can see why you’ve lived there for so long. Thank you for reaching out!