🧡 A "GRAND" catch-up! 🧡

 

Little moments, big memories, and a peek at what’s been happening around here.

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and I wanted to start by sharing a little update from our world. My almost‑four‑year‑old granddaughter took a tumble and ended up breaking her arm, which led to surgery and a whole lot of bravery from such a tiny person. She’s healing well, cast and all, and her resilience has reminded all of us just how strong little ones can be when life surprises them. She, her little sister and mom and dad will be visiting us next week from Florida - Yipee! 

It will be a welcomed distraction for them all.

And then there’s my youngest grandson, who recently became the proud owner of an accidental hair buzz. His dad set out to give him a little “fade,” but somewhere between the clippers and the confidence, things took a turn… and let’s just say the fade faded a bit too far. The result? A full buzz cut and a very surprised little boy staring back from the mirror. It’s one of those parenting moments that will live in family lore forever, and honestly, he’s pulling off the look better than any of us expected. I got to say - I barely recognized him when I first saw him.

And my other two grandsons? They’re growing faster than I can keep up with — all legs, laughter, and ice‑cream‑covered faces. It feels like every time I blink; they’ve stretched another inch and found a new way to make a mess that somehow ends up being adorable. There’s something about little boys with sticky smiles that just melts me, even when I’m wiping drips off their chins and shirts.

And look what these two found in their yard cleverly hidden under a flowering shrub...

A little nest of four baby bunnies safely tucked under the bush. What a surprise it was and how fun it has been for them to watch mama bunny come and go as she cared for her babies until they were ready to jump out of the nest on their own! They were so small and so adorable!

Grands are a blessing — pure and simple. Each one brings their own joy, their own chaos, and their own little spark that makes life feel fuller and sweeter.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

🦋 A Quiet Return in May 🌸

May has come upon me on the wings of a quiet butterfly,

gently entering my garden, barely being noticed.

Yes, the sun was choosing more days to shine,

and March and April had done their job in preparing me for the coming of Spring.

Yet still, it was the hostas blooming overnight,

and the enormous flowers of the rhododendrons that have finally managed to catch my eye

and remind me to stop and look, and notice

and breathe in the wonders of the season-

and remember my garden of friends here in this truly special place 

where we can share and grow together. 

🌼 “Thank you for being part of this little garden with me.” 🌼

“It’s a small space we share here, but it feels like a special kind of friendship.”

Stay Cozy,

 ❤️

A Trio of Bitty Bogg Bags 💗👜 Help Me Choose!

I have somehow ended up with three different Bogg Bitty bags sitting on my table—two authentic ones and one very convincing dupe from Hobby Lobby.

If you have never heard of Bogg Bags, it was all started by a mom who was frustrated hauling gear for her kids and her family that she could never find a bag that worked. So, she decided to make one herself. There are all kinds of accessories and fun clip ons for the bags too. Similar to Crocs.

Bogg Bag Story

 Anyway, I didn’t plan it this way, but here we are. If you’ve ever fallen down the Bogg rabbit hole, you understand how quickly colors, sizes, and “maybe I’ll use this one more” can multiply.

So now I’m in that familiar place: which one (or ones!) do I keep?

The two authentic Bittys are both adorable in their own ways. The colors are different enough that each one gives off its own vibe—one soft and pretty, one a little bolder. The quality is exactly what you expect from Bogg: sturdy, flexible, and that perfect little purse‑size that doesn’t overwhelm me. 

"And fun surprise—both of these were about half the usual price thanks to a lucky TJ Maxx find.”

And then there’s the dupe. Honestly? It’s great too. The color is white, the shape is right, and if you didn’t know Bogg bags well, you might not notice the difference at first glance. Only thing it did not come with is the little added on zipper pouch. But that is certainly not a "deal breaker".

One more thing...I plan to use my Bitty Bag as a purse, so I want something that feels like me every day. Something that works with my outfits, my accessories, and my little routines. And of course, I want to be practical… but also a little bit joyful. Bags should spark joy, right?

I do like color!

The best part? I already had a little purse insert on hand, and it fits each Bitty like it was made for them. 

I can just lift it out, pop it into another color, and go.

So now I’m narrowing it down. Do I keep the soft, pretty one? The brighter one? Both? Do I let the dupe go even though it’s cute and is neutral to go with everything?  I've been giving myself a little time to carry them around the house and see which ones feel right. 

After all, sometimes the best way to decide is simply to live with them for a minute.

I know this isn’t a life‑changing decision, but it’s been a surprisingly fun one to sort through.

“I’d love to know—do you think I should keep the two real ones, or does the dupe deserve a spot too?” 

“Help me decide—what would you keep if these were sitting on your table?”

Off to switch my bag again, 

Carrie

💕Happiness on a String: My Heart Banner Tradition 💕

 I love slipping tiny surprises into the envelopes I send out into the world. Sometimes it’s a cheerful sticker or a cozy tea bag, other times a mini pop‑up card, a playful bookmark, a small bundle of devotional cards or even a soothing face mask for a moment of calm.

But most often, I tuck in one of my little heart banners. They’ve become my favorite tiny tradition—a sweet, handmade token that matches the card and can be hung up to sprinkle a bit of joy long after the envelope has been opened. 

A small string of love, ready to brighten someone’s day.

I cut and paste the hearts together, then stitch them on my sewing machine to create the banner. I attach cute little sticker holders to each end of the thread so they can be hung easily with some tape or a push pin.

For instance, I might include this banner with one of these cards to coordinate with the colors.

I love having a stash tucked away, ready to sprinkle a little joy whenever the moment calls for it.

I am hopeful these tiny surprises might evoke big smiles.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what’s been blooming on my craft table lately.

Sending a little cozy your way,

Warm Hugs, 

Carrie

🧊 Fridge Raider on the Loose! 🧊

 

Just a toddler living his best life in the glow of the fridge light

...pure joy. 🧊🧊🧊

He wasn’t hungry… just on a very important cold‑air adventure.

Staying Cold + Cozy,

Carrie