Goodness! Pure and Simple

 So yesterday I woke up to this .... snow! Ugh! As most of you know, I took my husband to Savannah on Saturday for his VESPA trip across America.  Savannah was lovely and warm.  Not here!
I rushed back for this?  What?

It was kind of peaceful and pretty for a few minutes.  But gosh it was cold!  And the 50mph wind gusts were no picnic either!  Air born bits and pieces every place.  So I got to practice my fire building skills! Lucky for me I remembered how and the cats and I did not freeze.  Test 1 of the Mr. being gone - passed! Whew!  One of my big plans while he is gone was to clean the wood stove inside and polish it outside ... maybe next Monday.  I need it right now!  This little stove is my best friend about 6 months out of our year.  It was a gift (!) unimaginable, right?  Beth gave it to us our first winter.  She knew we would freeze ... we had no idea.  Ignorance can really be bliss sometimes!

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 Today is my son and his wife's wedding anniversary.  I am so proud of them.  They are a darling couple, and seem to be on top of things in this big bold world.  Happy Anniversary Jon and Melissa!  Hope you see about 95 more years of life together and enjoy every second of the adventure!

I love you two. xoxo
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I began advertising on an additional blog because I just love this woman!  PLEASE check out
Melody Joy right here.  I fell in love with her, the precious family and life of hers, and her style the minute I first read her post!  We will do a giveaway soon.  Hence, my journal cover intensive!
Stay tuned ... and ALSO

as producing an Etsy shop is my new goal, I began the endeavor yesterday in between stoking the fire, shivering and checking the thread from the Vespa Run that the Mr. is in every 47 seconds.  Busy .... but here is how I started the project:

First things first - maintenance.  After the push for the Metrolina Expo show and using muslin for table runners, I decided that I needed to clean and oil Ms. Daisy (my sewing machine) before I began my new push.  So, I showed her some love and she was absolutely purring by the time I got to sewing!  I have a VERY simple, basic machine.  I'd love to step it up, but have NO IDEA where to go from here.  Please, if you have any suggestions and/or recommendations, I am ALL EARS!  Ms. Daisy has been a pleasure to work with but she is tired and gets frustrated with me when she cannot do what I want her to do.  Then she strokes out and I have to rework her.  That takes too much time and patience in the middle of projects!  Please forward any suggestions!!!

And the cutting began ... journals coming up!  LOTS of them ...  and a variety of styles and types.

First up --- happy vintage orange and gold

And of course, inspirational art work for the soul by Tammy Brinkley. 
So, although not finished with all of my thoughts here, I must be off to complete some more journal covers to hit my goal of the day.
If you are interested in the newest update from Sir Paul, you can find it right
HERE
just scroll about half way down the page and there is an entry from Sir Paul.
He is on Day 3.   I cannot even imagine riding a Vespa across America.  But I am so happy for him and his enthusiasm and ability to seek out adventure at every turn.  You go, Sir Paul!
Thanks to all of you for your good thoughts and prayers, your positive energy and your support.
GOODNESS, pure and simple.
Blessings!