A Warm & Comforting Homecoming Gift!

After a very busy 10 days in California, I returned to find this lovely gift waiting for me. How nice to open up this box, courtesy of Lisa at Stop 'N Smell the Chocolates, filled with these fun cookbooks, a bag of oyster crackers and two ceramic soup bowls. Thanks so much, Lisa for sponsoring such a wonderful Giveaway on your blog. Not only did I win this fantastic gift, but two other lucky ladies won prizes too. It was perfect timing for me. I left California with it's 78 degree weather and came home to Portland at a nice chilly 38! I think I will make a yummy pot of soup for tomorrow's dinner and use my new dishes. Thanks so much, Lisa! I really love your blog! I encourage you all to visit it too...it is full of heartfelt inspirations, warm stories and fun recipes!

Where have I been?

Me and my grandniece, Myla!

Here I am with Myla and Dillon. Dillon refused to smile...

So sorry I have not been able to leave a post...last Wednesday I was called out of town unexpectedly and jumped on a plane the next morning. My brother is making a move to live up here in the Northwest and "long story short"...his plans were forced to be sped up rather suddenly. I am from a large family of seven brothers and sisters...so we all banded together (I am the only one that had to come from a distance) everyone else lives in close proximity to my brother, and we put together a two day garage sale in no time at all. It was a complete success and we were able to raise much needed funds for his move and get rid of all the un-needed items accumulated from years and years of life. Amazing what you find you don't need when you are pushed to pare down your belongings so quickly! I speak from experience, having moved myself 10 times in the last 14 years!

I have stayed here to help go through, organize and pack the rest of his belongings. And we have been hard at work, staying up until 4am a few nights! After I return home to Portland, my husband will be flying down to California to drive back up with my brother for the last leg of this adventure!

Despite the hard work it has been really fun too...I have been able to visit with my siblings, parents and many nieces and nephews! I have been especially blessed to spend some special moments with my grandnephew, Dillon and my little jewel grandniece, Myla! We have managed to slip in a few tea parties and puzzle making sessions in the long days of hard work! I will be heading home on Sunday...and look forward to getting back to my family. I miss them terribly!

Thanks for stopping by!
Stay Cozy,
Carrie

Heaven...I'm in heaven...

Oh the joy & delight a simple little thing like a magazine can bring....You know what I'm talking about ladies...Imagine my surprise to have these four fabulous publications arrive in my mailbox in the same week! Wow...where do I start? All that Valentine pink too! ooh la la!

You just know I am going to savour them...one at a time!

I finished up a sweet little Valentine tray last night. I will be listing it in my Etsy shoppe tonight!
What do you think? The card I used is a lovely vintage find!

*Just came upon a fabulous giveaway from Hannah at Sherbet Blossom. She is a wonderful blog designer that is offering her awesome services! Go to Make and Takes to sign up to win this fantastic prize* Michelle at Chocolate and Marmalade Tea has a Valentine giveaway. Go visit her and have a chance to win a bundle of Valentine goodies.
There's another great giveaway for an apron & book set at Not Quite June Cleaver...take a look!

A Little Sunday Afternoon Shopping...

After being cooped up at home most of the week with the "bug" it felt good to get out today! I woke up feeling pretty "blah" still, but I really didn't want to miss church. I dragged myself up and got ready for the 11am service. And I was so glad I did...the message was awesome! More on that later. After church my husband and I took a trip to the local "Goodwill"...just for fun. He likes to go with me...he even gets into the "hunt" (to a certain degree)! Just wanted to share some pictures of some of my awesome finds. Enjoy!

Isn't this a great vintage afghan? It reminded me so much of growing up and my mom's house. Only $4.99

Can you believe someone would part with this quilt after all the hard work? It is 48" X 60"! Beautifully pieced and machine quilted in a roaming heart design. It is in perfect condition too!

And this little turquoise Pyrex bowl. So sweet!

Remember these Tupperware spice holders. How about those retro '70's colors?

It was a lucky day for me to find supplies too. There was this whole bag of brand new Zig Woodcraft markers (never even opened)...17 total...all for only $1.99! They are great for painting, decorating or lettering on wood.

And this 1 lb. sack of various sizes of cardstock paper. Some really nice colors....99 cents!

I am always using tulle for projects...this "mega roll" (that's 100 yards) of white tulle was only .99 cents too...awesome!

And even this Craftstor container...it's a brand new stackable tote...they sell at Michaels for like $20...it was only $2! Sure beats their 40% off coupon!
I love this neat Rubbermaid storage container. Each of the drawers rotate out to open. It stands about 14" high...perfect for all sorts of doo-dads!
And last but not least, all four of these heart buckets (5" X 8") for only 50 cents...they were the 1/2 price color of the day!

I didn't really score so much in the vintage department...but I am ready to get crafting!

Thanks for visiting, Carrie

A Blue Day...

Yesterday was my husband's birthday! I made a nice dinner for the family (steak fajitas) and
this Angel Food Birthday Cake.

This morning I woke up feeling about as "blue" as this cake...a germ crept into my house, decided that I was his victim and gave me "the bug"...ugh! I guess the only good part of it is that I have no appetite...and after all the holiday festivities that can't be bad, right?
My faithful little "Pearl" stayed by my side and kept me company....she wondered why I was staying in bed all day? Hopefully by tomorrow I will be a much lighter shade of "blue"!