Fresh Beginnings

As my friend Mrs. Smith would say, "Happy New Month!" The beginning of a new month is almost as exciting as a new year. There can be new beginnings, fresh resolves, and renewed vigor. As some of you may have seen, I have freshened  up the graphics on my blog and one of my shops in the attempts of uniforming them to a small degree, but I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with them quite yet.


Thankyou for your kind understanding in allowing me to take a month off of blogging and less social networking. Little did I know that it was Providential! Truly, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Ps. 37:23) even when His leading doesn't always make sense. That simple trust is something that I've been having to learn all over again. Or maybe it's just in a deeper way.


Almost two weeks ago, I found myself lying helpless on the floor audibly crying out for God's help. As I described the incident to a friend: my body was shaking uncontrollably, all sense of feeling leaving my feet, hands and fingers as they grew nearly unmovable, my skin turning an ash-gray color, and seriously thinking that this is what it's like to die. Such an event found me in the ER with the doctors uncertain as to what was wrong with me. They did suggest some things, and while I'm resting and drinking lots of fluids, I've chosen to explore some natural help for this health problem.

[If any of you would know of family and friends who like vintage styled aprons, tote bags, skirts, etc, would you consider telling them about my etsy shops? Please don't feel obligated, but I'd be eternally grateful for any word of recommendation you could pass on to others! Receiving hospital bills with the monetary sums of four didgits look overwhelmingly impossible to pay off. Back to trusting in God...]

Speaking of health, it was such a fun challenge to stay away from sugar last month! I made all sorts of treats with using honey like apple crisp, cinnamon rolls, and other delights. Of course around Valentines Day, we brought out the cookie cutters, real sugar, and frostings to decorate cookies. And no, I didn't eat a single one! ::wink::

A friend of mine flew out to visit an actor friend of her's at local university and she stayed with our family in between theatrical productions. It was great fun to visit with her, talk and laugh late into the night, watch movies she had never seen such as Lantern Hill, Somewhere In Time, Little Dorrit, and Jane Eyre. We also did some exploring in the snow, which she is not accustomed to with living in the south.

 It was as if we had entered Narnia that day where the tall evergreens stood staunchly against the winds, but across the lake the wind and sun played a musical fairytale-like dance with its rays and swirling snow.

But company has left and so has good health since the ER visit, but little things like crocus' in the south-facing bed beginning to bloom and many friends having babies or news of wedding bells keep me in good spirits. I've ventured out a few times to help a friend with some estate sales she and her husband are having (and I've come away with a few treasures from there myself!). 


My sewing machines will be put to good use this next month with Mother-dear needing a few garments, a friend's daughter in need of a few jumpers, and other odds and ends. Just yesterday I was given several lengths of cream colored cotton lace in various designs and widths, large piping for home decor use (like pillows), and three wooden handles for tote bags. Just last night I excitedly went through my stash of fabrics and found enough fabric to make some totes for the shop. 

The first one is in the shop this morning with the other two to follow sometime this weekend. I forgot how much fun it was to make totes, and these, with wooden handles make it all the more fun.

Well dear readers, this probably gave you more than what you wanted or expected to read, so until next time, have a lovely week in March!