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My Pink Saturday Shopping Trip

This may be my motto for 2019
 
Now that I'm getting around more I'm able to visit some of my favorite shopping stops in the neighborhood. I don't do much actual shopping -- still in a decluttering mode -- but I do enjoy looking and taking pictures. I have a couple of pieces of kitchen ware that are cracked and I've started scouting for replacements. I haven't found quite what I want, so I've been doing quick drop-ins at HomeGoods, where I took the pictures I'm posting today. 
 
My visits always include a stop in the housewares department where I peruse pieces from the Rae Dunn Collections. I just discovered them in the last few months and I've gotten very fond of the look. I did a little research tonight and discovered that Rae Dunn also has a collection on Etsy, which is hand done and fabulous. I've become a browser in the sale section and found a cute bowl after Christmas. I discovered the piece below and since I don't use butter very often and have no place to put it, I restrained myself from buying. You can imagine my great temptation.

   I stopped myself once, but don't know if I can stop myself twice. 

There's also a line of desk products, which is another great temptation.

On a different note, I'm posting a link to Lavender Dreams New Blog. Over the last ten years of blogging I've had the good fortune to become part of a group of blog friends. One of these terrific women is Lavender Dreams. I enjoy her good sense and kind heart, book reviews and beautiful photographs of nature. I received an email this morning that Blogger had shut down her blog for phishing. I can't imagine what was triggered and feel so sad about the loss of years of this terrific blog. The link above is to the New Lavender Dreams. If you've been missing our friend, or if you just want to stop by and say hello, I know it would be appreciated.

I know I'm not quite my most energetic and I keep reminding myself that it's not even two months post-surgery. Today's activity was a long awaited pedicure and I got to share the fun afternoon with my college friend, Jane. Definitely enjoyed our pedicure and lunch at the local diner. I'm sure as the weeks go by I will get my energy back.

 Once again, I'm joining my blog buddies at Pink Saturday for blog fun. Do you have any fun plans for this week? I've got some reading fun to share in the next week. Please stop by!

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a great week!

Please Meet Chromium Cobalt Hip, Formerly Known as Bone Hip

 

Today was my last scheduled appointment for 2019 for my hip replacement surgery. Unless something unforeseen happens, and I fervently hope that's not the case, I won't return for X-rays until next year. I am now permitted to travel by air, bend my leg and return to the gym. I laugh when I write this last phrase. I was never among the first chosen for teams growing up and gym was not a favorite time for me. But I am looking forward to getting back to my yoga classes and trying aqua aerobics. I'm going to do one more month of physical therapy and work on stretching my still somewhat stiff leg muscles and improve my balance. 

I have thankfully avoided the big risks after hip surgery -- infection, a blood clot and dislocating my new hip. It's still possible to dislocate my hip -- falling is the big risk -- but a blood clot is unlikely and the risk of infection is primarily a concern with dental work or other medical procedures. I'm still in the three month window of recovery, but if I'm prudent I'm permitted to get a pedicure, and a mini-spa day in the neighborhood is on my schedule.

So long last, please meet my right hip, Cobalt Chromium (CC), formerly known as Bone Hip. Thanks, Bone Hip for sixty eight years of companionship. You were with me for thousands of miles of walking, hundreds of miles of swimming laps and years of tap dancing. You carried me to many countries and seven continents. CC, glad you're on board for the thousands of miles yet to walk and laps to swim. We're going to have fun.

I've realized any number of things as a result of my hip replacement surgery. Days without pain are a gift. Walking is a gift and walking without a limp is a gift. My cane has been my trusty companion through this experience and even in crowded, busy New York it guarantees me a seat on the bus or subway. I'll be happy to retire it to its place in the back of the coat closet, but for now we're going steady.

We had one of our few snow days today. Usually by this time of the winter, we've had so much snow that I'm ready to box it up and ship every last flake far, far away. But we've really had very little snow and I enjoyed being outside and seeing the flakes fall. I don't have to worry about snow for the next little while. In the wacky weather world we've been experiencing the prediction for tomorrow is high 40s and high 50s on Sunday.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care!
 

Happy Valentine's Day!


Sweet Greetings from New York/Buttercupland
 
For most people Valentine's Day is winding down, but here in Buttercupland I'm still enjoying the sweet feelings of the day. Valentines 2019 included texts, cards, a fun exchange from a group I belong to on Facebook and a rose from a Weight Watcher friend. 
 
I thought the excitement of the day was over by dinner, but my mail included a package from my friend Nellie, of  Berries and More. Once again I've been blessed to have "blog friends" become friends. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Nellie when I visited Tennessee in October and we've kept in touch since then. I had been thinking I'd put my coat on and go out and get candy -- a bad idea for so many reasons -- when I went downstairs to get my mail. I knew having a bag of candy would be like having krypton in the house and then the perfect amount of chocolate arrived in the mail, with my name on it. Yummy, delicious and thoughtful! Thanks, Nellie, and friends throughout the world who made this a very sweet day. 
 
Tuesday's snow is gone and I've spent the last few days enjoying my routines. I've walked throughout my neighborhood and enjoyed seeing Weight Watcher buddies, having coffee and going to the library. I know there's a month (or so) more of winter, but as the days get longer, I'm happy that the longest and darkest days of the winter are behind.     
 
I hope everyone had as sweet a day as I did and has a great weekend. As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care.

Pink Saturday Goes to the Beagle Channel

Two years ago yesterday at the Beagle Channel
 
The Beagle Channel is at the extreme Southern tip of South America and one of the most breathtaking sights I have seen in my travels. It was a perfect, crisp, clear day and one to remember and to treasure. I find it's easy to let the moments slip away, but whether it's the end of the world -- and the Beagle Channel was as close as I can imagine to the end of the world -- or a moment enjoying a cup of coffee in the bagel store down the street, they are all moments to treasure. 
 
Joining my Pink Saturday friends and that's a moment to treasure, too. 
 
I've been a little under the weather this weekend, but I hope to be back to full steam at blogging next week. I've got a book review and some last thoughts on recovery to share. As ever, thanks for visiting and keep cozy.  

Pink Saturday Giveaway Winners

Sunday morning, Sydney Australia
 February 3, 2018
 
Exactly a year ago I was drinking coffee at a Georgie Boy, a great coffee bar in Sydney, Australia, 9,929 miles from home. Not surprisingly this morning I was also drinking coffee, but at Bagel Etc. on Broadway, Manhattan, about a mile from home. It's been a great visit back to Sydney via photographs and memories and this is the last of our virtual travels there, at least for this year.

It's time to announce the winners of the Buttercupland Tenth blogaversary giveaway. Lisa D', you are the winner of a coffee gift card. It's your choice of a ten dollar gift card at either Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. Our book prize winner is my blogger buddy, What's New at My House. I will be in touch to follow up with both of you. Thanks to all for being part of the Buttercupland family and congratulations to our two winners!

It was really balmy today with a high of 51 degrees. Loved being outside and loved the feel of the air. No hat, no gloves and no boots was very sweet, too. I did a few errands, met my friend J for coffee and enjoyed my mile + outside.

I'm also happy to begin the week joining my Pink Saturday blog friends. The weather looks to be kinder this week and I'm looking forward to being outside. I'm still taking it easy, but I am adding a class at my synagogue one night a week this month. I've been reading more -- a great mystery to share in the next few days -- and doing some decluttering. But I'll be happy and very grateful when recovery is behind me and I'm back to my expeditions around New York City.

As ever, thanks for visiting and take care! 

Dear Trader Joe's

My (somewhat) typical shopping cart at Trader Joe's
 
I love living in New York City, but I do not love grocery shopping here. In the last few years, three grocery stores that were in easy walking distance have closed, leaving a grocery void in my life. One has become a cosmetics/drug store, which is convenient, but does not replace a grocery. The other two are empty, a sad commentary on the commercial rents in the neighborhood. 
 
But last summer, Trader Joe's opened at an easy walk from my building. It's an easy walk as long as I remember to go light on the canned goods. I'm generally there once a week and their cauliflower fried rice has become a staple of my menu. It's a great store with wide aisles and somewhat unique for Manhattan, it's all on one floor. I love it!
 
I love the cauliflower fried rice, I love the frozen cherries and I love the guilt-free macaroni and cheese. But I also try to buy one new food each visit. My best find was Blue Cheese Mustard. It was great as a base for salad dressing and one tablespoon was zero Weight Watcher's (WW) points. 
 

All I have left are memories and an empty jar
 
I made my first post-surgery trip to Trader Joe's on Tuesday. I needed cherries, macaroni and cheese and mustard. I found the mustard section, but I didn't find blue cheese mustard. I thought I must be in some post-surgical fog, but alas it wasn't. Blue Cheese Mustard was a seasonal/special item and it was gone, perhaps never to return. The nice young man who gave me this information also added that it was a popular seller -- of course! -- and it might be back. Might! I am holding on to this slender thread of hope. Dear Trader Joe's, I implore you, please bring back my beloved Blue Cheese Mustard. I will be forever grateful.
 
On a different note, I'm thrilled that I made it through, what I hope will be, the coldest days of the winter of 2019 in New York. Boots, gloves, heavy down coat and hat. Thankfully, the snow that is was forecast was a dusting of flakes and not an icy mess and I managed to get out every day, get to my Weight Watchers meeting and two sessions of physical therapy. I'm feeling good and pleased to do as much as I did, three weeks post-surgery. I know everyone wasn't as fortunate as we were and I am sending warm thoughts to my friends in the Midwest. 
 
As ever, thanks for visiting. Take good care and keep warm.