The Little Free Library...

There are many of these darling "self-serve" Lending Libraries" in 

neighborhoods in Portland and the outlying communities.

This one is just a couple of blocks from my house...

Just open the door and choose a book that looks interesting. 

Take a book - leave a book!

Do you have these in your area?

If not - perhaps you could start one.

Visit here for more information.

I think I will choose this book today.

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

Just be"cause"...

A "Fun Family" Gift Basket for a good cause.

It was so fun to put together this family game night basket and along with 

some other donated prizes, to help raise money for a young girl with a

 rare + debilatating illness. 

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

No chocolate allowed...

 I love to bake birthday cakes and cupcakes!

This one was for my daughter's boyfriend that dislikes chocolate.

So strawberry it was!

 A 4-layer vanilla cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting!

Fresh sliced strawberries were place betwwen the layers along with the whipped crea/cream cheese frosting. I used strawberrypoke cake for two of the layers and plain white cake for the other two.

A poke cake is a cake that you poke holes into after its baked and cooled. The holes are then filled with jello or other liquid fillings such as condensed milk, chocolate, pudding or even pureed fruit. This infuses every bite of the cake and keeps the cake moist. I used strawberry jello.

It was yummy, light and not a mention of chocolate!

Staying Cozy,

Carrie

Just a Pinch of Salt...

With all the wonderful herbs growing in my garden I decided to do something different...I have made many flavored pestos...

why not some flavored salts? 

 Starting with my freshly picked basil...I spread it out on a cookie sheet
and put it in a 275 degree oven to dry it out (about 15-20 mins)

 It definatley shrivels up - so go ahead and crowd it on the pan.

 Once dried it is "So Simple"...
Just add it to the food processor with coarse kosher salt and
pulse until it has reached the consistency you desire.

 It will look like this! It is so wonderfully flavorful.

I have also used my cliantro and even my lemon oregano.

You can find some small jars and give it as a gift by itself or perhaps

with a nice loaf of bread or even basil butter (which I also made).
I sent this little jar home with my daughter's boyfriend when he came over
to finishing building a table with my husband.

Bon Appetit and

 Stay Cozy!

Decor for the 4th!

Decorating for the 4th!

I am looking forward to a wonderful day!

Stay Cozy,

Carrie