after the long long winter...

 ...this is just incredible.  

Consider for a minute, how long and challenging this past winter was.  I had my surgery in November.  By Christmas I was still hobbling around on the walker, knee buckling willy nilly, couldn't go shopping, was making it out the door to PT, and to church on Sundays, with considerable effort.  (Thanks to Paul, who snow-blowed the front yard so I could get down the steps and into the car...he was so helpful!)

January brought sadness and grief as I lost my only sister.

I started going to the pool, still hobbling on a straight-leg, slow going.  

February was cold and snowy, and I continued going to the pool, and to PT.  

March was looking a bit better, made my trip to Norway, but still struggled so much with walking.  

Somewhere along the way, I learned to walk with the knee bent a bit, and it has gotten better.  I still don't have stamina, but I can get along.  Being out here has been better than I could have imagined.  Getting in the pool is wonderful, but we all know how knee replacement recovery goes:  forward, backward, hop hop hop.  I moved so much in that water today, now it feels like I have a cement block instead of a knee, with a tight band around it.  It doesn't hurt, but it's slow going.  

That is how it goes though.    I am so super thankful to be recovering and enjoying life.  

Aaron and I went over to the grocery store and I pretended this was our cart...the reduced baked goods.

Some French butter, too cute!

Riley cooking...

Last night's dinner was fresh golden and regular beets with pine nuts, chicken breast that was pounded, soaked in spices (30 different spices and seasonings went into the blender to make the rub), and balsamic Brussel sprouts.

Lunch by the pool:  smash burgers with homemade buns.

Banjo the Border Collie...

The Beef Wellington

It was so very yummy, with broccolini and riced mashed potatoes.  

I'm all comfy in my bed now, so tired and ready for sleep.  I had a good swim session today, did lots of exercises in that pool, walking and marching and walking backwards...so I'm a little hobbly tonight.  The water temp today was 93!  Can you even imagine?  

You all have a good night!