Snapshot outside Main Street Cafe in Jonesborough, Tennessee from a past fabulous blog post.

Hello, fabulouses, and welcome back to the blog!

I hope each of you had a super amazing (and safe) Independence Day weekend because I know I did! I had a wonderful time enjoying ‘Merica with friends, family, and neighbors, watching the fireworks light up Johnson City, and exploring Jonesborough during their infamous Jonesborough Days festival!

So today on the blog, I am going to kick off the first full week of July by telling y’all about my Fourth of July adventures at Jonesborough Days + a little video of the AWESOME, Pepsi Co. sponsored fireworks in Johnson City! So, without further ado, let’s get started :)

Overlooking Jonesborough at night. How gorgeous is this view?! Love. Love. Love.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! For those of you who follow my mom's art studio Facebook page, y'all know that she entered several pieces into the Jonesborough Days artwalk. This was her first time ever compete in an art walk, and I am proud to announce that her piece "Uncle Sam's Laundry Day" won 3rd overall! Woo hoo! Go Momma *wink* Check out her Facebook page here for more photos of this mixed-media piece. — SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! For those of you who follow my mom’s social media and blog, y’all know that she entered two pieces of her art into the Jonesborough Days Art Walk. This was her first time ever to compete in an art walk, and I am proud to announce that her piece “Uncle Sam’s Laundry Day” won 3rd overall! Woo hoo! Go Momma *wink* Check out her Facebook page here and Instagram here for more photos of this mixed-media piece. ALSO…her winning piece was displayed at Shellz–it’s a shopping thing. Lolly Molly Art and Shellz…I don’t think it gets much better than that *wink*

My mom's other art piece, "Uncle Sam's Fair Cabin" was displayed at The Nest Interiors and Gifts. Such a sweet little store that I had never visited before the Jonesborough Days Artwalk! — My mom’s little house (an original art piece and idea) “Uncle Sam’s Fair Cabin” was displayed at The Nest Interiors and Gifts. Such a sweet little store that I had never visited before the Jonesborough Days Art Walk! I know I will be checking it out again soon!

pens made from the staves of whiskey barrels — Whiskey Pens handmade by Paul of Paul’s Pens Odds and Ends in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

While strolling around Jonesborough looking at all of the fabulous local art entered into the art walk, I stumbled upon one of the coolest stores in downtown Jonesborough–Paul’s Pens Odds and Ends!

His shop reminded me of my Paw Riley who taught me how to make candle holders and baby beds on a wood lathe when I was just a wee thing. I also learned how to tie my shoes in that wood shop at the embarrassing age of eight *wink* He always joked that I had more important things to do, and that I would learn to tie my shoes when I saw it as important…ahh…good times, good times in Paw Riley’s wood shop!

ANYWAY–I purchased a super cool pen from Paul’s Pens that was made from Ancient Bog Oak. Being the writing junkie that I am, I saw having a handmade pen fitting *wink* Check out Paul’s Pens Odds and Ends on Facebook here and their website here to be TRULY AMAZED at his craftsmanship! I will take a photo of my Ancient Bog Oak pen, after I get a manicure–no one needs to see my nails like this, y’all *wink*

https://instagram.com/p/4vVA1JtJuE/?taken-by=abbyhathorn

Last but not least, the fireworks in Johnson City. Take a look at the IG video above for a small glimpse of how amazing the show was :) There will be a longer video on my Tumblr later.