Cottage Cozy

February 25, 2018

Creative Lettering Therapy

I've been working on my creative lettering and zentangles today.

Creating beautiful and inspirational hand lettering is wonderful for relaxation

and it comes in handy in so many ways.

This is a hobby that requires very little supplies and is quit portable too!

I am looking forward to my "Creative Lettering + Journaling"

worksohop I will be teaching in a few weeks!

It is going to be a fun series!

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

February 23, 2018

A Mason jar, named after John Landis Mason who first invented and patented it in 1858, is a molded glass jar used in home canning to preserve food. The jar's mouth has a screw thread on its outer perimeter to accept a metal ring. Today jars come in all shapes and sizes and are used for storage, encouragment, baking mixes

and even lunch-box salads!

Here are some of my favorite jars...

Popcorn storage - ready to be popped!

A home for my collection of red-handled biscuit cutters.

This one holds dried peas and beans.

And here are some of my other cookie cutters.

One of my favorites - this one stores cupcake papers - in 3 different sizes!

Encouragement Jars or "Happy Jars" can be filled with scripture verses,

sweet sayings or love notes!

There are all kinds of "cookie mix in-a-jar" jars!

And the latest craze - salad in a jar!

I love Jars - and I have a hard time resisting them whenever I see them at

garage sales or thrift stores.

I use them for all sorts of things including many gift ideas!

Jars + Baskets - two of my favorite things!

What's your favorite way to use a jar?

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

February 21, 2018

A sticky situation...

Today, February 20th is "Sticky Bun Day"

Sticky buns a.k.a. cinnimon rolls, started with the Pennsylvania Dutch. They recreated a German pastry called Schnecken (snail) because when rolled they resembled snails.

There are many recipes you can find for these yummy buns. Most call for the traditional yeast method! Albeit non-traditional...here is a very quick and easy way to make
sticky buns using store bought crescent rolls.

Unroll and separate the rolls and brush with melted butter. Then sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and chopped pecans, if you like. Roll them up, brush the tops with a little more butter and bake at 350 degrees for fifteen minutes.

Drizzle with milk-and-powdered-sugar icing to finish them off!

Healthy? No. Easy and delicious? Definitely, yes!

Stay Cozy,

Carrie

February 20, 2018

A lavender gift to make...

lav·en·der

ˈlavəndər/

noun

1.
a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Lavender has been widely used in perfumery and medicine since ancient times.
2.

a pale blue color with a trace of mauve.

verb

1.

perfume with lavender.

Lavender is so special. It is beautiful fresh in the garden with its vibrant purple color....and still when it begins to dry out it continues to bless you with its beauty.

Lavender has many uses besides its beauty...

The infused oil is used in homemade lotion bars, soap and whipped body butter. It can

be used topically to help with acne or skin irritations. Simmering dried lavender in a pot

of water with citrus peels makes a natural air freshener.

And of course lavender is used in baking and cooking too.

Why not try making this lavender Sugar Scrub - au natural!

It smells fantastic, is a perfect exfoliator for sensitive skin and it is so easy to make!

Combine 1/2 cup organic coconut oil, 1/4 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon lavender essential oil in a medium-sized bowl. Spoon into storage container. (I use mason jars.)

This will make 4oz scrub.

A beautiful gift for yourself or a special friend!

Stay Cozy,

Carrie