When Life Gives You Carrots...

I was very excited recently to present my family with a 3-layer carrot cake...

drizzling with cream cheese frosting, exquisitely served on a beautiful cake plate.

I decided to try a new recipe- this cake would be a gluten-free, low carb version.

Into the oven went the three layers. A taste test revealing a delicious raw dough!

Timer set - the baking began.

 Upon its retrieval from the hot oven the cake appeared a bit thinner than usual,

 but still smelled and looked wonderful. As usual I let it cool before turning it out of the pans...

But that is where the dilemma began...

as hard as I tried - the stubborn cake would not budge!

 I tried the knife around the edge trick, the turn it upside down and bang on the pan routine,

 the re-warm the bottom of the pan try...but this cake was indeed stuck -

with no intention of coming out in anything close to one piece!

Salvaging even one intact layer let alone three was impossible...so... improvise I must. 

I began to earnestly scrape the cake out of the pans - noticing a slight, albeit unintentional,

 welcoming caramelization that occurred during the bake, each spoonful revealing that familiar

 carrot cake aroma.

 I would make this work!

 Instead of a 3-layer cake I would serve a "Deconstructed Carrot Cake Crumble" with

 a dollop of cream cheese icing on top. 

And you know what - it was absolutely the BEST carrot cake I have ever made or eaten!

It REALLY was!

Yes...I had to literally scrape it out of the pans, but when it was pried loose it was just delectable.

 And it was a good reminder to me that even the best laid plans, though they may not go the way we hoped, can be made good and maybe even better than we imagined.

 Just as God promises us - when bad things happen, He can use them to accomplish good... and even sweet and rich adventures in our lives.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

I love to bless our clients with special gifts...

I really enjoy creating special gifts for people.

MY LOVE LANGUAGE = GIFTS 

 I put together this patriotic gift basket for a new homeowner who decorates in red-white and blue.

These little "pop-by" gifts are for our special clients.

 The little boxes are filled with "lemonheads"

And this darling couple moved into their first home.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

My 1st Crafting Tutorial - Let's Make Chunky Mail...

I love to craft, decorate and organize - and like many of you I have many passions!  I decided to give YouTube a try where I can post some fun crafting and other tutorials to share with others.

 Here is my first one...please tell me what you think. 

Of course, I would love it if you would hit the subscribe button on the video to help my channel get started...or even go over and visit my channel where you can see my introduction video as well. 

I can really use your support! 

Remember it's brand new.

 

Stay Cozy, 

A Boy and a Cat...

The neighbor's cat decided to pay a visit to my grandson

when they were moving into their new home. 

The visit began with a shared view out the window.

From there it was outside to the patio where they said hello.

"Eye to Eye" 

As little Van pulled up a chair to get a closer look, Chole the cat

reacted with a submissive pose. And then...

 ♥  They're friends  ♥

 

                                                             Loving this cozy embrace, 

Carrie

A book is a gift you can open again and again...

Since my grandson is turning three in August, I thought I would climb up in the attic and bring down some of my vintage books. They are filled with delightful illustrations page after page.

♥ Many vintage books had illustrators that have become very well known for 

their incredible work...such as this one illustrated by Eloise Wilkin! ♥

This timeless classic, featuring some of Eloise's best artwork, will delight little ones and their families as much as it did when it was originally published in 1960

♥ How cute is this little "Blondie"?  ♥

This precious book celebrates 73 years this year!

For sixty years children have been captivated by this classic story of Mary and her dolls. Mary's father was a sea captain who took long trips across the ocean, bringing back a doll from each journey. Soon Mary had six dolls and wished for a seventh one to become her Sunday doll. But Mary's father said six dolls were enough for any girl, so she set off to visit the Dollmaker and, oh, was she in for a surprise!

Remember the "Bobbsey Twins" and the "Five Little Peppers"

 My sister, Diane from Saturday Finds and I loved ♥ these books.

The Five Little Peppers covers the lives of the five children in their native state and develops with their rescue by a wealthy gentleman who takes an interest in the family.

♥ Just in time for Easter ♥

♥ These are mini "Golden Books" ♥

Perfect for tiny little hands.

Books are the best...holding a child on your lap and sharing a book together ...

even better!

Stay Cozy and read a book,

Carrie

A quick share...

 I picked these up at Costco a few months ago and they have truly been a life changer

 for removing my make-up in the evening!  

I just wet one of the soft little cloths in warm water and wipe my make-up away.

 That's all there is to it. At the end of the week I put the used ones in the zipper bag,

 throw them in the laundry, and they come out perfectly clean ready to be used again. 

. 

And I save money and waste by no longer using those throw-away

 pads and make-up wipes.

Just look at some of the fun colors they come in!

Stay Cozy,

“Dansk” for these wonderful pans!

The first time I saw a piece of Dansk Kobenstyle enamel cookware — while shopping at an antique mall – I was instantly drawn to the bright color and unique style of the handles.

Dansk was founded in 1954 by designer, Jens Quistgaard, and is rooted in mid-century Scandinavian design. He designed the Kobenstyle enamel cookware line which were both functional and visually attractive, and able to be brought from the kitchen to the table, with the lid serving as its own trivet. 

 It remains as modern today as it did when first introduced which speaks to the true beauty and functionality of all Dansk designs. They were designed to celebrate bold, colorful moments in everyday life.

So far, I have three vintage Dansk enamel pans and they work

 beautifully on my induction stovetop!

It's quite fun to be on the hunt for them as they are hard to find...

and they can also be rather pricey.

After 20 years of being out of production they are being produced again by Dansk

- in many beautiful colors and designs!

Although I find it to be much more fun finding the vintage versions.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

 

My Cozy Cuddler...

Add a load of warm towels right out of the dryer...

With one two yr. old little cuddler...

♥ And you get one happy and very cozy little grandson ♥

Staying Cozy,

Carrie

 

Do You Like the New Look?

I recently spied this coffee table at my local Goodwill for only $12.99 and thought it would make a good addition to my living room since my old one was getting worn and the room needed an uplift after some recent painting.

We had just painted this vintage buffet from this dark taupe-green color...

...to this very light and bright gray-white shade and the old table just didn't seem to look right.

So here's the new look...what do you think?

 Stay Cozy,

Carrie

A bit of yellow joy...

 My husband picked this daffodil from our garden and had it waiting to greet me on the kitchen counter this morning.

 

     Reminder to us all...it doesn't take much to brighten someone's day!

Still Cozy!