My Wish

I wish I had not neglected this blog so much. I wish I could say right now that this will change. I have grand plans as always. Through the holidays I will be away from home spending time with family. The grand plans will have to wait until the new year. Let's see what I can do then.

I wish that you all stay cozy and have a joyful holiday season!

A nice thing to say

After letting me know that Jenny thought one of my new scarves was gorgeous I thanked her. It is always nice to hear appreciation for the things that you do. I think that is a universal human trait, to want to know we matter and what we do has value.

Any way a few minutes later I got this response and am so pleased and humbled by it. Doing this post and embedding the tweet so I have a place to come back easily and look at it.

Thank you again Jenny! You made my day!

@CozyAtoZ I value art. "There can be craft w/o art, but not art w/o craft." You have both. :)
— Jenny S. Burke (@TheDragonDreamr) March 11, 2015

Hand Exercises for Knitters, Crocheters, and other Handcrafters with Col...

I am going to try using these exercises. Sometimes at the end of a long day of knitting or crocheting my hands ache. Do any of you have those same issues? While watching the video I tried the belly dancer stretch and it felt so good!

Lanmom Originals

Nona says - I love crochet. Well, I love most everything, but I REALLY love crochet. Especially when it gives me the chance to work in unusual mediums with unusual materials. 



Nona of Lanmom Originals does stunning beaded crochet in colors that are soft and lovely or bold and dramatic.

Soft and lovely.

Bold and dramatic.

There are four steps to creating a piece of bead crochet rope jewelry. The first step is design, which includes determining the look of the finished product and breaking that pattern down to a straight sequence of beads. The second step is stringing, where each individual bead is strung on thread in the correct sequence. One mistake here will destroy the pattern, so I take great care! The third step is to crochet each of these tiny beads into a beautiful, strong and light bead rope. The fourth and final step is finishing with joins, findings and/or accent beads to complete a lovely and unique piece of jewelry.

I am in awe of the skill it takes to make these crocheted beaded ropes. If you would like to see more in Nona's Etsy shop you can see her beaded crochet along with handcrafted soaps and more!

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .

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A Strange and Lovely Place

If you look at the header of my blog it says I blog about whatever crosses my mind. This morning while browsing my pictures that Google so kindly keeps for me I ran across some from Labor Day weekend last year. We spent time that weekend in Bozeman, Enis and Virginia City.

At one point we pulled off the road to get some pictures of the Madison Valley because the day and the scene were just so pretty.

What we found at our pullout spot on the road was a surprise. We found the stone marking the burial spot for Anna Reels. There were no others buried in this place that we could find. Nowhere could we find any markings that said we were in a cemetery. This pullout in fact had a sign from the Forest Service explaining the view.

Being in such a spot, overlooking her town, her valley, her mountains how could she not rest in peace? Leaving the flowers someone put there in place we brushed off some of the dirt covering her stone. I thanked Anna for sharing this place and scene with us for a few moments and we continued on our way.

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .



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Blue Lion to Bubbas

My hometown has lots of restaurants and for a town of about 10,000 I mean a lot! Through the summer this little place is bustling with visitors from all over the world. Winter is busy too but not at the same level as in the summer season. All those folks need to be fed, so lots of restaurants. Over the weekend we went and had great dinners at two of them.

Friday night with a group of 8 including us we went to the Blue Lion. This was new for me but Jim had been to some business lunches there. Most diners, I hear come to this place for the lamb and 5 of our group had that dish and loved it. I had scallops in a spicy sauce and it was a great combination. All the dishes came with a side of rice or potato but no other vegetable. That is a major gripe I have with a lot of restaurants, not just Blue Lion. Service was efficient and the conversation flowed. A great time!

Sunday evening we had dinner at a place a bit more humble but still very good at what they offer, Bubbas Bar-B-Que. I was craving a nice big salad and with the biggest salad bar in town that I know of I got exactly what I wanted. Service was quick and friendly. We had a great time talking to tourists from Texas who seemed to be enjoying their time in Jackson.

Tonight I will be cooking as usual, don't know what yet but I will figure something out later.

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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All About the Buttons

Creating is in my blood. My Father was a designer & my Mom was a talented needle artist. Since I was a child, I have always been busy with various forms of fiber work including knitting, crochet, needlepoint, embroidery and weaving. Alongside of those interests was that famous old cookie tin of buttons that I loved to play with. During my fulfilling career in education I created and sold to colleagues and some local stores.The ease of online selling became a reality for me in 2005. I now devote myself full time to combining fibers and buttons but I also love and make tape measures, clocks, magnets and bookmarks.There's barely a craft I haven't tried! Please don't ask me to paint...that's another story! 
I love special orders so don't hesitate to ask. I am proud of my 100% feedback selling online with over one thousand items off to new homes in the US and around the world. 

I remember Barbra from those early days of selling handmade goods online. I started seeing mentions of a site called Etsy on blogs that year. I joined myself in 2006. When Zibbet was created later I found Barbra had a shop there too. I have enjoyed reading her thoughts in forums on both sites, Etsy and Zibbet. They were always calm, thoughtful, inspiring. 

Her creativity has always impressed me. She takes simple bits of fabric and buttons or yarn and buttons or barrettes and buttons or wall decor with buttons and turns the into things that are truly special. You get the idea that it is always "All About the Buttons" right?

Not really all buttons all the time. Barbra shares a lot on social media and if you want to follow along you can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest. Below you can see all the latest pins on a board she has titled My Stuff. This board and all the others Barbra has are worth checking out and following.

Don't forget about shopping. Her shop All About the Buttons is filled with things that would make great gifts anytime for you, your home and those you love. 

Follow All About The Buttons's board My Stuff! on Pinterest.

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 I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .

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Emily of Exquisite Studios

From Emily and the shop Exquisite Studios-
I began my studio in 2005 with candleholders, novelty items, and plaques. I was urged by my clients to do more with my range of talents, so I certainly have. Jewelry has long been a passion of mine. Having a very small wrist and neck, finding jewelry that not only fit properly, but looked amazing from any department store was never easy. Their designs and finishes would come close, but never really filled me with honest happiness. It's not enough, to me, to have beautiful jewelry pieces that sit in a drawer until "that special occasion" comes around. Jewelry is an investment, therefore, it's my philosophy that it had better be excellent day after day, without breaking or losing its luster. 

I've honed my talents and excel in quality and workmanship. Handmade Artisan Fine Jewelry reigns supreme for its One-Of-A-Kind nature and brilliance in longevity. No machine on the planet can possibly compete with anything handmade, in my eyes. Heck, I don't even alter or restore the Vintage pieces I work with using a machine of any sort. I cannot stand to. For me, and for you, quality comes from the hand-crafted work that goes into every single piece. It's worth the time going in, because you're worth the time--every time.

I've built my reputation on my skills, knowledge, and execution. The reward is the smile on your face when you open your new treasure from ExquisiteStudios. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Emily always has stunning pieces in her Exquisite Studios shop. Brooches, rings, earrings, bracelets and more. 

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .

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Books 2015 My Story

I borrowed this book from my daughter because I was curious about how Elizabeth might choose to tell her story. I was hoping for a story that had more depth since she is now an adult. I should have known that would not be the case. The LDS of Utah live in a very G rated world filled with miracles and like it that way. The book, My Story, fits that as well. As an expression of what happened to her it was written in a child like tone but then she was a child when her abduction took place. Not the greatest book I ever read but not the worst either. 

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 I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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Road Trip Jackson to Riverton and Back

We had a nice long weekend with my daughter's family. We finally took them on a trip from Jackson to Riverton that I have wanted to do for a long time. To me it is a beautiful drive going over Togwotee Pass into Dubois and along the Wind River through a stunning red rock area and into Riverton.

We stopped in Dubois to visit the National Big Horn Sheep Center. We all enjoyed the displays. From there we went on a bit of a side trip into the Whiskey Mountain Basin to see if we could find the sheep in their winter range. No luck there, no sheep but we did check out the petroglyphs that are easily seen along the road.

From there we went on to lunch in Lander at The Breadboard, a nice sandwich shop. Next stop Riverton. Kids swam at to hotel pool and Jim went to the local casino.

Next morning we woke up to wet heavy snow, had breakfast and were back on the road headed to Jackson. Going through Dubois and leaving the snow storm behind us, this time we stopped at the Jackalope exhibit. Great time for pictures!
Then home to Jackson and a clear but cold day.

A lovely time!




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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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Studio Lumio

Welcome to Studio Lumio, a husband & wife joint creative venture: photography, papercraft, sewing, poetry, jewelry, recipes, and whatever else strikes our fancy!

That is your welcome to a charming website that I decided to order from recently. I ordered some blank cards with a picture from Yellowstone National Park on them. My order came tied in a ribbon with a note of thanks. I am so happy with my cards that I may frame one, I got three, and the other two will go to very special people that will appreciate the beauty of the photograph.

Studio Lumio is a wonderful place to shop for cards and more. Lovely origami skills are on display and for sale in the form of dolls, flowers and cranes. Studio Lumio also offers purses and doll clothes and accessories. All of this comes from the hands of  Jill and Makoto who are the husband and wife team that are the creative minds behind what you see on the website.

Studio Lumio

The Shop

The Blog

Twitter

Facebook

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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USS Missouri and Arizona Memorial

On our last full day on Oahu we went to Pearl Harbor to see the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri that is also known as the Mighty Mo. The day was quite an experience. We met and had conversations with so many that showed great appreciation for Jim and his career of service. One woman actually thanked him with tears in her eyes. I was on a roller coaster ride of emotions that day.

While on the Arizona Memorial I felt overwhelmed by of joy and grief. Grief for those lost that day and joy that my sailor always came home. For most of those I saw visiting the memorial it was a solemn and respectful time. For some no emotions were induced and they spent their time looking for the perfect spot to smile like an idiot and take a selfie with their phone on a stick.

Our next stop that day was a tour of the Mighty Mo. Jim had been on the Missouri in the late 1980s. He was part of a training team preparing ship and crew for whatever it could be called upon to do. The USS Missouri is being taken care of by a nonprofit organization doing its best to preserve the historic ship. It was on the decks of this ship that Japan's unconditional surrender was signed to end WWII.

We had a wonderful conversation with a man whose father worked in a shipyard during the war. His father was part of the labor force that installed the engines in these battleships including the USS Missouri. It was amazing to me to have that connection from the ship's beginning with one of the sailors that served near the end of the ship's active service.

Our tour did not include engineering spaces and Jim was a bit disappointed about not being able to see the boiler room. Those areas were where he worked as a BT, Boiler Technician, during his career. Some of the other spaces like the Chief's Mess, he said, looked exactly as he remembered. He swears that in the Chief's Mess there was the same couch he sat on at the beginning or end of his day and do paperwork while of course drinking lots of coffee.

Our last dinner was at a place on Waikiki Beach. Our waiter was a former Marine who spotted Jim's USN tattoo and they started talking as former military members tend to do. At the end of dinner the waiter let us know that in honor of Jim's time in the Navy the restaurant manager who was former Army let us have dinner at half price. It was just such a nice thing to do and a perfect way to end our vacation.

Next morning at oh my gosh it's early we were headed to the airport and home.

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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Plum Island by Nelson Demille

This book made a great airport, airplane, beach read during our recent trip to California and Hawaii. For me it was the kind of book that I really enjoy, great characters, interesting mystery and the story moves along at a great pace. Just right for entertainment of the old fashioned printed kind.

The author's website has the following description.

Wounded in the line of duty, NYPD homicide cop John Corey is convalescing in rural eastern Long Island when an attractive young couple he knows is found shot to death on the family patio. The victims were biologists at Plum Island, a research site rumored to be an incubator for germ warfare. Suddenly, a local double murder takes on shattering global implications - and thrusts Corey and two extraordinary women into a dangerous search for the secret of PLUM ISLAND…

There you have it. Another thing I did on my winter vacation.

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I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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Hawaii

In January I got to spend a week in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. We took a few tours, laid on the beach one day, had some great meals and enjoyed out time there. Both Jim and I said we could have stayed longer. That is kind of surprising since on most of our vacations the feelings we have seem to be that after about 4 days is that this place is great but it would be nice to be home. That didn't happen this time.

I read a photo tip on a blog once that I tried out on this trip. The idea is rather than take big panoramic photos try looking at pieces of a scene. Find a bit of it that will convey the feelings you had while there.

This vacation was peaceful and more but mostly peaceful. Here is an image I took on one of our tours to show that feeling.

This was taken at a Buddhist Temple that was part of a circle the island tour that included the Dole Plantation, the famous North Shore Beaches and this place.

Aloha.

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 I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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The Russians by Hedrick Smith

I have always intended to keep track or make note of the books I read here. Today's book was one I finished before the end of last year. I read a lot of older books since many of the books I read come from and go back to thrift shops.

The Russians by Hedrick Smith is not a novel but a study of the Russian people, their culture and their government. It was first published in 1976, so much has happened since then, but I enjoyed the look back at the country that was. Mr. Smith's observations of daily life in a county that I will probably never visit helped create an understanding that feels very much as if I had.


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 I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life and Group2020
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .



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New Plan

I read an article over the weekend about how to have a more productive day. One of the pieces of advice it gave was to not, absolutely not, start your day with checking email. The reason is that you can get sucked in to your inbox and distracted by all the little things that come your way. So much of the email I get is Twitter notifications and there is really nothing to respond or act on in them that would be hurt by waiting a couple hours. I will still be returning all those tweets and responding to the DMs but just a bit later in the day.

Making this choice I wanted to start my day with something I always meant to do but by afternoon and evening I am brain fried and have a hard time making sense. This blog as a journal, which is what I always meant to be its prime purpose, has been neglected or inconsistently used for far too long.

So good morning to you all and to me. It is Monday, February 2, the day after the Super Bowl that the Patriots won. It is a snowy day here in Jackson.


This day I will be setting up my tweets for the next several days. Some of those tweets will focus on my friends from Group2020.com including the shop of the week, Cuprum29, who makes some pretty awesome jewelry like the upper arm cuff you see here..



Some of my tweets will be for this weeks featured shops from the Flash Attack group on Zibbet.com. The shops for this week are Gallery Musings and Gallery at Kingston. Chris at Gallery Musings is a painter. Gallery at Kingston is a husband and wife team who do beautiful things with wood and paint.
Just getting this written feels like I really accomplished something this morning. Hope you all have a great day too.

See you tomorrow morning.

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 I sell - Zibbet
I blog - A Cozy Life
I tumble - CozyAtoZ
I pin - cozyatoz
I socialize - on Google Plus and on Twitter .


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