Bushel & a Pickle

What’s Been Happening With Me?

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Or should I say ‘Welcome Back Linda?’

Yes, it had been several months since I have posted. Why? Like many of us life just happens and can be both exhilarating and exhausting.

winter days pass slowly into spring

This winter, the days passed slowly into spring. The unusually bitter cold temps gave me a reason to not venture out unless necessary.

Eventually, spring came. We weren’t back fully to our usual activities yet. With the blooms that graced our yard, I began to come out of the winter fog so to speak.

Were there constants during this winter and early spring?

Yes, thankfully. The weekly women’s study continued to meet each week. First, we have worship and teaching from the platform from several gifted women. Then we have table time for discussion and prayer.

We still had family celebrations. Birthdays were observed and celebrating. As Jim recovered family visited for the day. Except for Amy who trains in for a weekend, the other kids are in town of a few hour drive away.

Meg and I drove to a March birthday but no other road trips.

So what was different for us?

Surgery and recovery for JIm

Jim, my husband, had knee replacement surgery and weeks of not driving to all those PT appointments. I was thankful he could make it to the car using his walker. We don’t have a garage and must park on the road.

Now he is out in the yard every day possible, taking mile long walks and on the road to a full, hopefully, pain free recovery.

Jim’s birthday celebration was delayed but still festive.

Season Hightlights

Glass blowing studio

One season highlight this winter was Emma, one of our granddaughters and 3 of her aunts enjoyed a private glass blowing class. It was her Christmas gift of experience from Jim and I. She got the bonus of time by herself with the aunts.

Amy found one, Burning Branch Studio, about 45 minutes away that met all the requirements including age. Most glsss blowing classes are for 18 years and older. Emma’s not that old yet!

Handblown glass ornament bal

It was a success because she had a wonderful time and so did the aunts. The finished pieces were pretty wonderful too.

Moving furniture in the living room

Jim on bed set up in living room

To facilitate Jim’s recovery, we moved furniture around in the living room. We added a recliner from Nancy’s house and a Facebook Market Amazon bed. Having room in the living room to rearrange was a blessing. Once he felt able to climb the narrow stairs, we moved the bed up to the now guest room (Meg’s former room that didn’t have a bed. She took it with her when she moved into her house.)

Watch for that room update once I get it done!

Blissfully Balanced

Now the room is blissfully balanced with the move of the dining room credenza under the window next to the fireplace.

There are 2 windows on each side of the fireplace. Moving this piece in created a difference sense of balance that brings a sense of blissful balance to the room.

Once the bed was moved upstairs, I sat looking at the empty space for a few days before making any moves. The space was now bare and we could use another lamp in the living room.

Moving the credenza from the dining room to the other window on the side of the fireplace in the living room brought balance to the living room. Having another piece that was similar under this window was a good decision. The credenza is reproduction Italian renaissance style. The other piece under the other window is a small Chinese antique buffet that we brought back with us when we moved back to Pennsylvania.

Now the room is blissfully balanced with the move of the dining room credenza under the window next to the fireplace.

We like it.

One fun outing cowboy wedding

It was a unique wedding that perfectly reflected the bride and groom’s style…a cowboy theme. The dress code was cowboy style.

Jim borrowed a bolo tie from Nathan. He wore jeans with his sport coat and his Australian bush hat, a gift from an Australian friend years ago.

Amy and I went shopping for an affordable cowboy hat for me. Luckily, Boot Barn recently opened up about 5 minutes from our house.

Cowboy hats can be very expensive but the sales girl directed us to the right spot to find a very affordable one. We even found a dress for me! I added my blue jean jacket We were ready.

Amy turned out in cowboy style including Facebook market cowboy boots with pink embroidery. Sadly, Meg was so sick she couldn’t make it.

I may have found my style of hat. In the past when I would try on hats, my children would laugh. To be fair, I didn’t like them either.

But I liked this hat. Maybe it was my long hair. It started out with curls but the wind was not kind to them. Next, I’m going to try a baseball hat.

Buying that cowboy had was fun because it was so different from my usual. Turns out that in my retirement, hats are becoming part of my wardrobe!

Mother’s Day starts a new season

Family Mothers Day 2025

Mother’s Day capped off this season of recovery and reflecting.

Not everyone came home this year. Once our kids move out and pursue careers in other cities when and how we do celebrations for any holiday changes. This year was at Nancy’s. Nathan and the kids cooked. It was an especially nice day.

Here are 2 of our favorite dishes recipes we often serve at family meals. Grandpa’s Hash Brown Casserole is the side that is also good as a leftover if there is any left.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is another dish. It has been called retro but it is still around because it is so good.

Pausing to take a break

Hydrangea Mother's Day gift from Meg

Pausing to take a break caused me to consider all of the projects floating in my mind, Resetting so realistic priorities of what I want to accomplish and to do in the days to come.

Retirement isn’t from life; it is a different season with shifting desires and priorities. The pause I was in is similar to maybe a spiritual retreat and like a conference retreat for a hobby or work. Whatever label to put on it, I feel refreshed and ready to be more focused.

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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Reader Interactions

linda

Comments

  110. 5 stars
    This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your great post.
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    Reply

  120. I can relate to what has been going on in your life. My husband has Avascular Necrosis in both hips…well, he doesn’t have it anymore in the right because it was replaced. His recovery, unfortunately, has not gone well even with intense P/T. I finally asked the surgeon if he would ever walk “normally” again. His response wasn’t what either of us wanted to hear. Mike will have his left hip replaced this coming Thursday which begins another cycle of appointments with doctors and therapists. I just hope he will finally be able to walk in the grass again. It has been a very tough year for him. Luckily, we moved from our two storey house a few years ago to a condo (which lacks any personality). He would never have been able to negotiate steps, and that house wasn’t set up in any way that we could put in a bathroom for him. We could have used a couple of rooms for a bedroom, but the half bath wouldn’t have cut it for him getting in and out as it was really small.

    I love reading your posts whenever you write so continue to pause if necessary. Blogging has helped me keep my sanity at times!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    Reply

    • Marsha, hope the Surgery and recovery goes well well. It is not easy to both support and adjust to the new reality of our lives. So far we are able to remain in our old farmhouse. Adding personality is something we have done many times as we moved with the military and later overseas. So many quarters and empty apartments to decorate, adding our personalities. But ti can be overwhelming too as we navigate appointments and or new realities. Keep up on blogging. For your sanity and your readers !

      Reply

  121. Linda,
    Good Morning!! I love reading your post and Kudos to your husband on doing so great after his joint replacement surgery…It was the best thing I did as now I am 6 years out from mine…I have had to learn to “Give Myself Grace” since my husband Joe passed away last year… I learned that I needed to take that pause more often than I ever did in the past…Just to catch my breath… I also loved “Retirement isn’t from life”!! How true!! I have become more active in my church since Joe’s passing and I am still assessing how active I want to become in other things and organizations… I too am resetting my priorities…I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for sharing!!
    Hugs,
    Deb
    Debbie-Dabble Blog

    Reply

    • Debbie, thanks for sharing where you are today. The season of life
      s readjustments are not easy. Taking time and not rush into what may seem best but isn’t always. Like you I am accessing what is next for me. In November I am going off aboard that has been a big commitment. Im thinking and considering what next. I do love seeing your home and all your seasonal decor. Admirable. I still haven’t packed up the Easter decor! One of my must dos this weekend! Have a good weekend!

      Reply

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