3.05.2014

comforts...



it would seem that I seek comfort in the floral department of my local grocery store. because on the way home from the hospital last night, stopping just for toilet paper and milk, I couldn't help but add these two sweet potted violets and a shamrock to my cart. some beer, hard cider, oranges, and ingredients for my recent favorite smoothie also leapt right into the cart.


mornings are starting like this, a cup of hot tea with milk and honey, a smoothie made with pineapple, banana, orange juice, plain yogurt, a splash of milk, flaxseed meal, cashews, chia seeds and kale.  mmmm mmmm good.  I'm not so sure it's a great idea to start a cold morning with a cold beverage (I'm not huge on cold foods, in general) but gosh, it's tasty.  I haven't tried making my own nut butter in the vitamix yet, but I'm looking forward to trying it out, along with many of the other ideas you all shared with me recently, everything from hand cream to mayo to hot soups and frothy hot cocoa!

thank you, thank you for all of your thoughtful comments and encouraging words after my last post about my mama.  I saw her yesterday, and while there were a few hurdles and the pulmonary doctor wasn't pleased with her progress (or lack of), took her off of solid foods and ordered an ECG to make sure her heart hasn't been weakened, the overall consensus is that she is moving in the right direction.  she is moving in that direction veeeerrrry sllllooooowly, but I'll take it.  she is still in the critical care unit, and will be until she can maintain her blood O2 saturation levels without the BiPap.  she looked so much better than she had the last time I saw her, was able to keep a conversation going for a little bit without compromising her blood O2 levels, she likes her nurses and respiratory therapist, she sipped a bit of the smoothie I brought her.  though it was not 'clear liquid', the respiratory therapist okay'd it and we talked all about vitamixes and whole foods while my mama was getting a 'shake down' treatment with a vest that basically vibrates the heck out of her chest in an attempt to loosen things up in there and get everything flowing.  when I left the hospital I was feeling pretty tender, thinking a lot about what amazing people these nurses and therapists are.  about what an important and challenging job they have, about how much of a difference it makes to patients and family members to have these incredible people caring for our loved ones.  so thank you to all the nurses and such out there.  thank you, thank you.  you are so incredibly appreciated.

this morning I called the number to get an update on my mom and they transferred me to her phone.  we got to talk for a minute, but I didn't want to wear her out so we kept it short and sweet and Claire got on briefly to say hi.  the ECG was fine, she is feeling weak but still better, and the X-rays show, according to the pulmonary doctor, a slight improvement in her lungs.  very slight, unnoticeable by the X-ray techs actually, but again, I'll take it. focus on the positive, yes?

in closing, I'd like to share one more thing I've just treated myself to in an attempt to comfort myself through all of this- I bought this gorgeous quilt from Cory's etsy shop.  I keep telling myself I'll make one, with the machine I bought myself for Christmas, but that's not happening anytime soon, it would seem.  Cory is phasing out quilts in her shop to focus on some new things, and I recommend getting one while you can!  I've thought about treating myself to one of her beautiful quilts for a long while, first a hand-tied one that sold before I could take the plunge, and I've had my eyes on this one for a while because it's just so me.  my favorite colors, soft and crinkly, all those bees and feathers and birds!  oh, I cannot wait to get my hands on it, thank you Cory!

20 comments:

  1. Have you noticed they put those flowers right where you enter before the goodies? I have been eyeing up a shamrock plant but so far haven't bought it yet (I already have one I torture with too much/too little water). I'm glad that your mom is feeling a wee bit better and there is progress. Sometimes when a body is fighting very very hard at killing a virus it takes a long long time. I hope she continues to improve.

    It'll be interesting to see what the liquid diet reveals.

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    1. thanks, Karen~ she is continuing slowly in the right direction. thought she'd be out of CCU today, but now they are waiting until tomorrow. she feels a good bit better, now her lungs just need to play catch up!

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  2. I think your little plants are just beautiful. I know for me that nature nourishes my soul and I need it daily, maybe you too?

    Regardless that the improvements are slow, they are improvements and that is wonderful news. I have been thinking and praying for your family and will continue to do so Amanda.

    I love seeing how you start your day because that is my start to the day too, although this morning it was a two cup tea day, I'm cold!

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    1. thank you, Tracey~ oh yes indeed, there is no balm for my soul stronger or more comforting than nature, in many forms. typically I'll get out and dig in the garden or go for a hike, but with weather and other things these days, little potted plants are standing in.

      yes, I agree- any improvement, slight or not, is improvement all the same, and I will rejoice at it and gratefully accept it!

      this morning is a two cup day here- it is cold (just realized it was 53 in the house and started a fire) and my first somehow neglected cup went lukewarm on me, blech! I am so ready for spring to be here for good!
      xo

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  3. We looked at the shamrocks yesterday when we were picking up some much-needed coffee and yogurt! Our new house has a kitchen window sill that is deep enough for plants. I already have two African Violets in residence. Sweet!

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    1. ha! my kitchen windowsill has been a conversation piece between my husband and I lately. it is not quite deep enough for plants (well, the teeny potted violets above do just barely fit) and I've been requesting a big fat shelf to be put up halfway up the window. hoping it will happen soon. of course I suppose I could do it myself, but.....

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  4. Nature is nourishing so I am not surprised you were drawn to the plants :) I just peeked in on Cory's quilts...I would love to get one, just out of our price range right now. How lovely for you to have one.

    Happy to hear your mom is improving. Will continue to keep her in my thoughts.

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    1. absolutely. nothing like nature, in her many forms, to bring some good soul-soothing.

      I've been looking at her quilts for a long time, thinking that I really couldn't/shouldn't, that it'd make more sense for me to just try to make one myself, however sloppily, and then yesterday I just decided to go for it without even glancing at my bank account first...... so I suppose nature and, in this case, a bit of shopping therapy, are bringing me comfort and joy ;)

      thank you, Kim~ I appreciate your positive thoughts and well wishes.

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  5. Hi Sweet pea. Thank you for the link and all the kind words. I'm about to get started on your patch!
    I really am thinking so much about you and your family. Many good vibes being sent from this part of the country.
    MUCH LOVE. You are such a sweet person, Amanda. And you've made me so happy with your quilt purchase. Honestly, I almost kept that one for my girls- who STILL have yet to get their quilts finished. It's a great one. Meant to be yours.

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    1. oh Cory~ my dear sweet grandma calls me Sweet Pea! love it.

      thank you so much, it's great to know that good vibes are coming from all the way across the country!

      I'm pretty pumped about the quilt myself~ happy to take it off of your hands and give it a new loving home here in western NC. I'll have to get a photo of me snuggled up in it for you ;)
      xo

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  6. I went to buy that same quilt in Cory's shop this morning for the same reasons and thought, "oh no, it's gone!" But I'm thrilled you bought it. I'm happy at least I know where that lovely quilt will be now. :) Glad to hear about your Mama. Sending healing thoughts her way. It's funny how little plants can make us so happy. I bought a pot of daffodils and just love looking at them every morning! xoxo!

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    1. oh that's pretty funny, Summer! hmmm... any chance you're the one who bought the 'favorite quilt' from her shop right before I was going to several months ago? wouldn't that take the cake!

      oh gosh, it's been such a crazy week. no one expected her to be in the ICU this long. apparently it's one heck of a case of pneumonia. we are now expecting her to move out of the ICU tomorrow, fingers crossed. yes, plants are such good medicine.

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    2. I ended up buying the bright Cory quilt last night. I just had to have one for myself! :) Hoping your Mama is moved out soon. It must be so scary to see her in there. Much love and healing thoughts to you and your Mama Amanda!

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    3. nice!
      thanks, Summer~ still in ICU, now maybe out of there tomorrow........

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  7. I pray gentle healing and renewed strength to your mom. Kindness and peace to your entire family, Amanda.
    Hugs.

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    1. thank you so much, Sandra- it means a lot to know there are all these good thoughts and well wishes being sent her (our) way.
      xo

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  8. Hope your mother is feeling better little by little! My mom was also hospitalized for an awful pneumonia earlier in the year - it really depleted her. ((Hugs)) She is lucky to have you to care for her!

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    1. she is, Shana~ thank you! this morning she was moved of the ICU floor and into a regular room, so that was a big step. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, and hope she has recovered fully!

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  9. though so many have been leaving thoughts and well wishes about your mom, I took would like to add mine. I lost my dear mother a few years ago so I know how important moms are to us and how this must be so difficult for you. Sending you hugs across the miles

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    1. thank you so much for taking a minute to share your supportive and kind words, Diane~ I am so sorry that you lost your mom a few years back, I can't even imagine... though this was a first lesson in the fact that my own mother is indeed not invincible.

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thanks for taking the time to read and comment~