Couch Potato

Yeah, not doing much walking these days. The good news is that with icing and elevation the knee is much better. But I miss my walks ... and so does my body.

Well, what was going on otherwise? We celebrated Wade's birthday on Monday 13th a day early because they had a very busy week getting ready for the beach vacation etc.

I made Red Beet Hummus again. So easy! I added the ingredients to my VitaMix and blended until it was smooth, which takes no time, really.

1 can chickpeas (this time I didn't shell them - not much difference) drained

1 can red beets (water packed) drained

zest of 1 lemon

juice of 1/2 lemon

2 1/2 Tbsp tahini

1 or 2 cloves fresh garlic

1/2 tsp cumin

salt and pepper to taste

I like it! And it looks so appetizing, doesn't it?

I also finished the wild duck egg (remember the story?)

Ready for next year's Easter tree.

And yes, I am doing a lot of sewing and making Chrismons (my therapy). But that is in the other blogs, found with the tabs on top.

Since Saturday we have a house guest. Schatzi is visiting for a week. She does like loving!!!

Had to go around the garden when I saw the butterfly. A bit tattered at one wing but still ...

But so many weeds, sigh! These are almost too pretty to pull out though.

Even the flower pots looked awful. But after I pulled those weeds ... wow ... there were flowers. My sweet williams. 

It's Thursday. Yesterday I finally had my appointment with the knee expert. The appointment was at 1:30 pm and we were told to be there earlier ... which was 12:53. We finally left about 4:30 pm.

The good news is that we were very impressed with the doctor. He gave us all the time we needed. He answered all questions and explained everything very clearly. We thought of him as levelheaded, logical and very knowledgeable. He sent me into the next room to have an x-ray taken ... the Rosenberg method ... which showed clearly that my left knee on the inside is clearly bone on bone. 

This means that a knee replacement is in my future ... up to me: when. We talked about stem cells about which he knows a lot, has done and can do but, as good as it sounds on the internet, it only lasts a little time too but he would be very happy to take our $$$. I agreed to get a gel injection to see how that does for me and give me time to think about what I want. 

So, here it is in a nut shell. No need to ask why I am limping.

At least I am very confident that I am in good hands with the best doctor. 

And then there is my James ... so supportive and sweet, as always.

End of week 32

It's much quieter in our house.  Of course after William and Helen had gone home there were things which had waited to be taken care off. Here are only a few things.

First on the agenda ... end of July ... the monthly church newsletter.

Nursing my bum knee. Oh well ... For all who are asking: I made an appointment to see what can be done about it. August 22!

A little bit of sewing ... This is the German July block (monthly quilt pattern) to be in the pot for the free give-away. Done in time.  One up and down is a block. This is an excerpt of the row.

I attempted to make "Red beets hummus" like we had it in Cambridge on our England trip recently. I brought some to my friend Julie to get her opinion (which was very favorable). I liked it myself and will do it again.
I even shelled the chickpeas (or garbanzo beans). Did you know that they are called "Kichererbsen" in Germany? Literally translated: giggle peas!

Omi, don't forget to bind the copies of last year's (weekly) letters to William to make his "Second Grade Book" and mail it with a few other surprises. He is starting third grade!

William knows we like to hear from him. He did FaceTime when the parcel arrived and opened it in front of us. How cool is that?

While making the yearly Chrismon plans, I got kissed by the muse and even designed a new Chrismon this week. The keys to heaven. The crossed keys are also the sign of Saint Peter the Apostle.

Occasional babysitting "over the river".

Wednesday we got up at 5:30 am to be "over the river" at 7 am. It was a very hot day so time outside was limited but we did have a lot of fun. James took Caleb to the library and lunch and the twins and I had fun too played nicely.

Colin was so desperately trying to use Caleb's bicycle. No luck to reach the paddles yet.

Caleb found a frog and Owen was very interested in that. He did let him go again though.

The German August row. The blogs are not sewn together yet though.

Friday (yesterday) was Sarah's day off. She wanted to take the children to the Botanical Garden. Papa went too. I skipped it but I managed to walk to the closest Mexican Restaurant to meet them for lunch afterwards. When we left the restaurant: How could we only have 2 hats and one walking stick for 3 children? 

And that is how fast time goes. Sigh.