Baby Shark Quilt for my sweet Baby Van...

 Staying Cozy

Carrie

This happened...

So sorry to have been away for so long...but I became a grandma - yes I have been busy "grandmaing"!

 This beautiful daughter of ours and our wonderful son-in-law gave us the most cherished gift we could ever imagine...

our little boy Van...born 2 weeks early and perfect in every way.

 He was welcomed by all our other kids...lots of aunts and a uncles to make him feel so special!

And of course our lives will be forever blessed...

Now how about some suggestions for "Grandma names???"

I am thinking maybe "Gigi" - what do you think?

Staying Very Cozy,
Carrie

She's getting ready to pop...

 This girl is having a baby...and I am going to be a Grandma!

Yippee!

 All these wonderful people celebrated the pending birth...including...

 Her three sisters and me (her twin sister is on the right).

 The afternoon was filled with yummy food...

Fun Photos...

 (that is daddy-to-be on the left and my daughter, Shannon is on the right)

"hospital pictures"

That's the new baby in the black + white photos! 

Sweet Treats...

 Games and Prizes... 

Favors to take home...

and of course loads of fabulous gifts...

Six more weeks and we will know if it is a boy or a girl!

I'll keep you posted!

Stay Cozy, 

Carrie

A little country drive...

As we drove out in the county this past weekend (only 20 mins. from our home)

we came across this wonderful little cafe called the

"Butteville Store"

Homemade goodies were waiting at the counter...

as well as soup and sandwiches.

Sitting on the porch was definitely our choice in the lovely weather.

 We will save the inside for the rainy weather.

 The ride home didn't disappoint with the spectacular views from our car window.

That is Mt Hood in the distance.

And loads of lavendar this time of year.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Unexpected treats...

An early "4th of July" treat from a sweet co-worker at the office.

The tart was especially delicious.

She even brought us patriotic plates and napkins.

Touched by a kind heart today...hope you are too.

Staying Cozy,

Carrie

A "make-do" makeover... (gotta read to the end)

When the economy "tanked" and we took a huge financial hit...

we had to (were fortunate to be able to) move from our home to

 a townhouse (long story!) 

Anyway it wasn't very big and the kitchen didn't have any kind of pantry. 

Let me start by saying - I am an "organizer" - It is in my blood!

I love to change things around - make a space feel new - and especially organize. (Just ask my family haha)

That being said - if you are finding yourself low on space -

 by choice or otherwise - think outside the box -

 like I did back then and still do of course!

This cupboard - previously used in one of our daughter's bedrooms

 for clothes etc., became my...

Baking Pantry!

We ust added a few shelves and it transformed into my baking pantry!

Hidden from everyone unless you happend to open the door (haha)

It was perfect for all my flour, sugar, grains, cereal, etc. 

Even a drawer for my cake decorating supplies. 

(How do you like all that wonderful Tupperware?)

As for the regular pantry - well that was non-existant too...

So, true to form, I took over the coat closet for that.

Voila!

Oh..."where did the coats go?", you ask...they went in the garage....

Hey...

♥You make-do when you have too ♥

Oh...and by the way - 4 years later when we sold the townhouse and were able to move into our current home...the buyer wanted to know if we would include one thing in the sale - yes - you got it - that cupboard! 

She even paid me $300 for it!

Stay Cozy gals,

♥Carrie

Bonjour mouli-julienne!

 I couldn't resist this item at a thrift store recently. 

It's was made in France and this version came out in the '70's.

 Do you think this is a redundant tool if you already have a 

modern day food processor?

 I have a mandoline too - but I could not pass up this adorable

 orange French kitchen tool! 

 It is sooo retro! 

 It looks like a metal three legged creature to me. 

To use it, the round rotary cutting blade of choice is inserted, 

the crank is dropped in to hold it in place,

 the item to be ground up is dropped into the hopper-- be it carrots,

 cabbage or cheddar cheese—the lid goes down and

 the crank is turned. 

Voila, out the bottom comes perfectly shredded or

 sliced bits and bites. 

I will probaly end up selling it - they go for $25-$35  - 

but I have to try it out first.

Does anyone else have one of these beauties?

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

World Market Treasures...

I found these wonderful Easter decorations at my local thrift store.

They are all originally from World Market.

Aren't these "faux" nutcrackers adorable?

I need to get decorating...

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

72 candles...

This is what the cake looks like when your friend turns 72 and 

his wife decides she will adorn it with all 72 candles!

And he blew out every one of them!

 ~Good Job and Happy Birthday Fernando!~

It took three of us to light the candles and the
icing nearly melted off the cake - but what fun!

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Having a bit of a rough day...

Life would be a million times better if there were pinatas strategically placed throughout the day!

Trying to Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Mom with a purse...

When you're in Dollar Tree and you ask your mom if 

she remembered her glasses?

So cute...
(btw...she is 89 and beautiful as ever)

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

What's Your Valentine Fortune?

DIY Paper Fortune Cookies are easy to make and fun to receive!

I have made them for Valentine's Day and other occasions as well...

All it takes is some fun colored paper  - solids or prints - some glue, 

scissors and some homemade fortunes...

Here is a great link with directions and free printables for the fortunes:

Paper Fortune Cookie Tutorial

Have fun!

Carrie

Goodbye Starbucks - Hello Instant Pot...

Have you tried these egg bites at Starbucks - 

they cost over $4 for only 2! 

 Easy Instant Pot Egg Bites - Make them yourself.

HERE'S HOW...

I used only 4 ingredients - chopped broccoli ( blanched), eggs,

 chopped onion and a little milk ( I used almond milk).

The best part about these Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites is that they’re

totally customizable - add what you like...you can even use just the whites. 

I used my 6 qt Instant Pot to make these Sous Vide Egg Bites.

I found some baby food silicone trays at my thrift store for 99 cents that 

fit perfectly inside the Instant Pot, one on top of the other...

the first one placed on the trivet that comes with the Instant Pot. 

I set the Instant Pot to STEAM for 8 minutes. The egg bites were perfectly cooked. It will take about 3-4 minutes for the pressure to build, and then the countdown timer will begin. After the time is up, let the pressure release naturally  before removing the egg bites from the Instant Pot. 

 That's about 1/2 hour from start to finish!

 Heat them in the microwave for 30 secs. for a quick breakfast

 or wrap them up and take them with you for lunch.

You can freeze them too.  

Enjoy

Stay Cozy,

Carrie