I Could Have Danced All Night...

Our 30th wedding anniversary was soon approaching and I was on the hunt for a special gift for my husband to honor the day. While perusing a local vintage store, I found this wonderful old musical liquor bottle sitting on one of the shelves just waiting for the right person to discover it.

It was just perfect... you see we met on New Years Eve at a disco in the

 late 70's when he came over and asked me to dance. 

♥ We clicked right away on the dance floor...

 and we have been dancing ever since ♥ 

The bottle has an iner chamber where the couple dances while the music plays untouched by the liquid spirits that would have surrounded them. 

The tuxedo clad gentleman spins his pink tulled partner

 around ever so magically.

To top it off, it was on sale for exactly $30

 (the # of years we had been married).

"I'll take it!", I said.

Isn't it just so sweet?  It warms my ♥

(p.s.. This August will be 38 years! Where does the time go?)

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Will the real cheese please stand up?

No need to pretend - (no Friday the 13th trick here) - 

this cheese tastes like the real thing.

So much healthier and much lower in calories too!

It's time for Mac 'n Cheese - Vegan Style!

VEGAN/VEGETARIAN CHEESE SAUCE

INGREDIENTS

• 1.5 cup potatoes peeled and cubed
• 2/3 cup carrots peeled and cubed
• 1/3 cup vegetable stock
• 3/4 cup plant based milk soy or almond work best
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1.5 tsp arrowroot flour or corn starch
• 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp sea salt or more to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add potatoes and carrots to a pot of water. Bring to a boil, and let boil for 10 minutes. Strain and add to a blender or food processor.
2. Blend together the potatoes and carrots. 
3. Add in remaining ingredients and blend until smooth and creamy!
4. Add to cooked pasta and enjoy.

It works great for baked mac 'n cheese

       too with bread crumbs on top!

Add some cumin and chili powder to taste
and a little tomato paste or even salsa for

nacho cheese!

Time to Enjoy (guilt free)

           Carrie

Our little lookout...

Little Pearl...she is such a curious girl...

Who is coming to the door?

What is out the window?

Almost 11 years old and only 4.5 lbs..

my little Papillon still acts like a little puppy!

Ever so inquisitive and always on duty to see what is happening.

Until she finally gives in and just has to take a break.

Cozy Little Pearl!

Oh So Cozie...

 I always make a cup of coffe using my Keurig Coffee Maker at home...

and then bring it with me to work or play (depending on the day).

Although I keep cups and lids on hand - I never seem to have any "cozies"

around. So last night I decided to make my own!

Using (3) fun fabrics, I cut (2) 3" X 4.5" pieces from each print. 

 I stiched each piece together using a 1/4" seam allowance and then using 

the template cut the pattern from the stiched rectangle.

  

I cut an additional pattern piece from a matching fabric for the reverse side and also

cut a pattern piece from some fusible pellon for the lining.

 After fusing the pellon with an iron to the pieced front, I placed an elastic hair tie

between the layers  and with the wrong sides together sewed all around leaving a 2" 

opening for turning. 

 Final touch is to hand sew a button on the opposite side of the cozie for closing.

And there you have it - now I have my own personal coffee cozie ready to go!

 Stay "coffee" Cozie!

I will be happy to email the pattern and directions to you if you are interested...just leave me a comment and let me know!

Let the blooming begin...

The bark dust is scattered

...the feeders cleaned and hung

Time to come outside again...

Spring has just begun!

Stay Cozy...

and enjoy every moment of every day...

rain or shine!

Carrie