Zazzle Newbie Here

I have been meaning to do this for a long time. So why not today? Do what? Start adding my own pictures to blank products on Zazzle for someone to buy. I remember the nerves when starting on Etsy and this feels much the same. I am barely an okay photographer but I have some images I really like and hope others will too.

I started today with a nice and easy to accomplish design on a rectangular jigsaw puzzle. This picture was taken on the day we arrived back on Seattle from an Alaskan Cruise on a Holland America ship this July. We took a tour of the Space Needle and wandered around the grounds around it. I saw the Totem Pole and loved the carving and the colors. If puzzles are your thing like they are mine you can get this in multiple sizes and piece counts.

Seattle Bird Topped Totem Pole Jigsaw Puzzle
by CozyAtoZ

I'll have more designs coming soon. Everyone starts with that first listing and today was my day for that.

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

New Listings on CozyAtoZ on Etsy

The two infinity scarves pictured below are the newest listings in my Etsy shop. These scarves were crocheted in 100% cotton crochet thread. The make great gifts and are a wonderful warm weather addition to your spring, summer or even fall wardrobe. It is a great way to put a bit of flattering color close to your face. 

Like most folks I have a lot coming up the next couple months and will probably have the shop closed again in December. Jim needs to see doctors in other states. It is what it is. What I want you to know is if you like these and want them for a holiday gift for yourself (you're worth it) or someone else don't wait too long. 

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Infinity Scarves Make Great Gifts

I have a group of infinity scarves that would make great gifts. Made with a acrylic nylon blend yarn these scarves are very long and soft. The length gives you lots of styling and looping options. This yarn does need gentle handwashing but the softness and versatility of this scarf make the tiny bit of extra work well worth it. 

The scarf below just sold and I don't have any more in this color.

You would have three other  color options if this is a style you like or you know someone this would be a great gift for.

Check these out!

One last bit of information. In my shop any order in the US ships free at $35 and these scarves are priced at $35. That saves you about $4 and I get the thrill of sending one of my creations to a new home!

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Fortress of the Bear Sitka Alaska

I've had bears on my mind this week. Why? Well I was lucky enough to live in Jackson Wyoming for about 10 years. During that time I was in the right place at the right time a few times and was able to view the famous Grizzly 399 with her cubs. This famous bear has her own social media accounts including a very good one on Instagram. 

When you are out and about in the nearby parks, Grand Teton or Yellowstone or anywhere really you need to be aware that you are in bear country. You should be doing things to keep yourself safe but in my mind more importantly you should do things to keep the bears safe. Number one thing for the bear's safety is to cut off any sources of  easy to get human food. A bear who gets used to easy picking of our foods tends to get in trouble with humans and can get aggressive. Those bears usually get euthanized. That is what happened recently to one of 399's daughters. These deaths are not the bear's fault, the blame lies with the people who gave the bears an easy food source that of course they wanted more and more of.

Okay off soapbox now.

During our Alaskan cruise with Holland America this summer we had the opportunity to go to the Fortress of the Bear in Sitka Alaska.  Their mission statement says, "We provide protection and care to rescued animals in an enriching, educational environment." This nonprofit relies entirely on donations and merchandise sales for to cover operating expenses. They are currently caring for 8 bars.

I found more information on their website.

Bears ruled Alaska long before fishermen, gold miners, or cruise ships arrived. As their territory has diminished, more and more bear cubs have become orphaned and sick. The state of Alaska has no bear rehabilitation program in place, and unfortunately orphaned cubs are routinely shot by the Department of Fish and Game for lack of an alternative. Until now. At Fortress of the Bear, our mission is to rescue cubs, bring them back to health and provide a long life full of enrichment.  

Our rescue center opened in 2007, and now houses 8 bears. More than 20,000 visitors per year come to experience the majesty of these amazing creatures. We’ve sent bears to the Bronx Zoo, Montana Grizzly Encounter and the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, Texas. Our goal is to work with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game to someday release rehabbed bears back into the wild. As a 501(C)3 not-for-profit organization, we rely solely on admission fees and donations for funding. 

I know this is not a perfect system since the bears aren't in the wild but the work they do is better than killing more of these magnificent creatures. The mountain west and Alaska  are bear country and we are the intruders so the least we can do is live in a way that allows us to coexist that keeps us all safe. You can take a quick peek at what I saw and took pictures of during my visit to Fortress of the Bear this summer.

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New Items in the CozyAtoZ Shop on Etsy

I managed to get 3 new items up for sale today in my Etsy shop CozyAtoZ. There are 2 infinity scarves new today one in blue and the other in beige. Along with those cotton scarves for warm weather I have some yarny ones to keep you warm and cozy this winter. The third item is a new market bag. The new ones are yellow, I made 5 of them, and are larger than the old ones listed but I kept the price the same. More of these items in other colors are coming soon.

Some pictures if you are interested.....

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Lime Ricki Swimwear

Does thinking of swimwear put a smile on your face or bring on a headache. I am in the headache camp. I want to be comfortable with my look and not have everything hanging out for all to see. At my advanced age of 66 comfort and confidence are important when I am visiting a beach in Hawaii or have my toes in the sand on a Caribbean Island. I have come across a website that seems to get that. 

The site I am sharing with you today is  Lime Ricki modest swimwear. By the way if you are in the Salt Lake or Provo Utah area they have brick and mortar shops in those 2 cities. Since I don't live there I spent my time browsing the site. I found it very easy to navigate. The selection of swimwear is very good and fitting for women of all shapes and sizes.

I took the Fit Finder quiz and from that got some recommendations that I was very pleased to consider. The last few swimsuits I bought were one piece but looking over the styles picked for me I could really see myself wearing the two piece I put in today's selection of pictures to share below. Actually I found something special about all three. I liked the mix of prints on the middle swimsuit and liked the cap sleeves on the bottom one.

Pricing seemed average for quality swimwear on Lime Ricki. However if you are a bargain shopper, as I am, you can check out the sale section with some really fantastic mark downs on some fabulous swimsuits plus a coverup, leggings, a romper and a few bandanas.

So if you take some time to browse this modest swimwear site let me know in the comments if you found anything for your upcoming beach days. Okay?

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!

P.S. Today's post was sponsored. 

Austan Goolsbee on the Al Franken Podcast

I spent a great hour this morning listening to the Al Franken Podcast with Austan Goolsbee as the guest. Any time that I come across an interview with Mr. Goolsbee as the guest I feel smarter afterwords. 

Today the discussion was about the Build Back Better Plan working its was through Congress. So much good stuff in that plan. I am probably being a bit naive in thinking every one should easily see the good that will come from its passage but so be it. 

I have left links to the podcast here for any random reader who may be interested in this podcast.

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September is National Mushroom Month

I find it fun and sometimes amusing to look up a national day or month and then window shop for items that fit the theme. Today I am sharing items that fit in with National Mushroom Month. I know some of you probably love them and some of you (one of my sisters and my daughter) would never ever consider eating mushrooms. Well you don't need to eat mushrooms to enjoy today's picks.

Let me show you...

Think Happy Thoughts from Society6

Carved Quartz Mushrooms from Ebay

Cute Owl Couple under the Mushroom Postcard
by IronicOwl from Zazzle

Sterling Silver Mushroom with Bronze Moon Necklace from Amazon Handmade

There you have it. Mushrooms from 4 different shopping sites in 4 very different styles. Would you choose any or all of them?

Happy National Mushroom Month!

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The links in this post are from affiliates. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Etsy Favorites

A long time ago I created a list on Etsy named "Made Me Say Wow". I filled it with art and such I stumbled across while browsing. Today I want to give a shout out to four of the artists and shops that are on that list.

This handsome fellow comes from the shop CarlaKurtArt. It is titled "Afternoon Reflection".

You can find this charming bird in the Etsy shop "JohnHarmonGallery". You can order several sizes of a signed print there.

In the mood to treat you and your home to a luxury piece of handmade furniture. Shop for this and more at the Etsy shop MSTRF.

In one of my favorite mediums, watercolor, you can find this Harbor Seal print in the shop of Dean Crouser. This artwork is a high quality print in a limited, signed and numbered series of 400.

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Bill Harrah's Cars

 Our first post retirement road trip in June took us through Reno Nevada. Being a non gambler in Nevada I needed to find something to do away from the casino that Jim would enjoy too. I hit the jackpot with a trip to the National Automobile Museum. The cars on display here are just a small part of the collection created by Bill Harrah who started out with bingo halls that turned into the Harrah's gaming empire. 

Bill Harrah's portrait from the National Automobile Museum website.

 The website has lots of history and information on events and if you want to see all these beautiful and some of them very sexy cars you can buy your tickets online too.

Our history museum opened in 1989, it was reported to have set the standard for automobile museums

around the world. Since then, it has received many accolades and today it is recognized as one of 10 Best Automobile Museums in the U.S.

The idea for this Museum developed following the death Bill Harrah and the museum still exists today thanks to a persuasive public and the generosity of many.

Bill Harrah was a prominent gaming pioneer who founded Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos and the former Harrah’s Automobile Collection. He assembled the largest and most historically significant collection in the world that reached approximately 1,400 vehicles. His legacy lives on at the National Automobile Museum (The Harrah Collection).

After his death in 1978, Holiday Inns purchased Harrah’s Hotels and Casinos and Harrah’s Automobile Collection in 1980.

Following the announcement of plans to sell the collection, there was a tremendous public outcry across Nevada and the nation. Responding to this outcry, Holiday Inns donated 175 cars and the research library to the future nonprofit museum. At the time, it was the largest corporate philanthropic gift in our nation’s history.

Holidays Inns sold the balance of the Harrah collection, the majority at spectacular, record-setting auctions in 1984, 1985 and 1986, as well as through private sales.

With generous donations from the City of Reno Redevelopment Agency, the State of Nevada, and many individuals and organizations, this Museum opened on November 5, 1989, with much fanfare and national and international publicity.

The pictures below are just a sample of what I took that day. I spent most of my time walking through saying "Wow, look at that one!" Many of my favorites were the cars with the curvy long and low cars from the 30s and 40s like the silver car below. 

Thanks for stopping by!

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End of Summer

There is something I really want to know about hoses and sprinklers and backyard fun since we are at the end of summer this Labor Day. Do kids still hook up a hose to a sprinkler in the yard and cool off by running through it? Is that too old school and far away from addicting screens for young ones these days? 

I know, I know, don't think badly of me for thinking about green lawns and not water conservation since the whole of the western United States in in a drought. It was just a bit of nostalgic thinking from an old lady. 

A greater priority for many of you might be taking care of a vegetable garden. I imagine if you are one of those generous neighborhood gardeners you have lots of friends right now. I know that I have been gifted many cucumbers and tomatoes from a neighbor across the street. Those fresh sun kissed vegetables are one of the best parts of summer.

Eley Hose Reels is a site with all kinds of watering tools for the joy of kids and the serious work of their grownups. I took a few minutes to check out information on their watering or garden hoses. The quality, durability, being light weight and reliability are what they brag about. You could  get an outdoor hose from them to hook up to the aforementioned sprinkler for the kids to run through in one color, lots of choices for length and lead free brass fittings for when you gardeners need a quick drink on a hot and busy day.

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Sponsored link in this post. Thoughts are my own.

Made by Me @ Mom's House

Jim and I have made two trips to my mother's house in recent months. I had kind of forgotten the things she has in her home that I made. The span a few of my hobbies from quilting to crocheting to painting to leatherwork. 

She even has a shawl I knit for her that I don't have a picture of. I made it when she was recovering from some surgery and complained about cold shoulders that made her neck and back ache. I have never seen it in use and the last I knew the shawl is put away in a dresser drawer and she brings it out to show off my skills to visitors. I have told her that is doesn't keep any shoulder warm in a drawer and if it wears out I will make another. Oh well.

A pieced but not quilted dresser scarf. I crocheted the edging on this too.

I painted this in 1997 and it has hung outside her front door since then except for Christmas time when she puts up another holiday decoration.

One of my first jobs after high school was at a Tandy Leather store. I had to learn Western style leather carving and this is one of my learning projects.

This afghan was probably made in the 1980s. I still like the look of the pattern. Maybe I should dig it out of my pattern mess and make another.

From my quilting days. Hand applique and quilting. I think this pattern came from  a Family Circle or Women's Day magazine sometime in the 1980s.

A glue stiffened crocheted box. I still have a lot of those little silk flowers. Should figure out how to put then to good use. They aren't making anything pretty in a plastic bin.

The little hats above and the large one below were some of my favorite makes. When I was doing craft shows in person I sold quite a few of them. I don't make them now because I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping them in a way that keeps the from getting smooshed. That and the country look in decorating has gone out of style I think.

Hey thanks for making it through all my pictures. Hope you are all healthy and of course cozy!

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Truck Driver's Daughter

I have no intention to insult or malign the skills of all professional truck drivers but I do have to tell you all that things are changing. I know and see the changes because I am the daughter of a truck driver who taught me how to drive.

Not so long ago the professional drivers in the cab of a semi were like the guardian angels of the highways. You could count on them to be the most polite and predictable drivers on the road. The situational awareness of those drivers was 10 times that of the average Joe or Jane in a car. The skills of those truck drivers kept us all safer and I, for one, greatly appreciated that.

Photo by Peter Mizsak on Unsplash

I understand there is currently a driver shortage. I, in my opinion, think this is leading to a greater percentage of truck drivers on the road without the experience that went a long way to making our road trips safer and therefore more enjoyable. 

I bring this up today because we have done 3 road trips since Jim retired. One was from Arizona to Northern California and 2 from Arizona to Southern California. Twice we were nearly run off the road! Both times we were passing a truck in the left lane in full view of the driver's mirrors and the truck came on over into the left lane. We were beside the trailer about half way along the length when these drivers made their move. The first time was the truck came just a bit over the lane line. Jim honked and he went back over immediately. The second time, with a narrow shoulder we were forced to be half on asphalt and half on dirt in the median. I was hoping for good protection from air bags at that point or hoping we didn't roll our pickup in the soft dirt of the median. I think watching that trailer come towards my side of the pickup added a few more gray hairs to my head that day! The driver finally saw us and moved back over. 

I have been driving for 50 years and have never had this happen to me before and have never seen it happen to anyone else around me on a road. We weren't driving recklessly. We weren't speeding. As I said before, a lane change had been signaled and done, we had a full view of the semi's mirrors, we should have been viewable by the drivers who did this to us. 

Please, if you are a new big rig driver, be careful. You have a long and well earned reputation to build on and uphold for your profession. We all need what you are hauling and we all need to be safe.

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Summer Is Great for Dresses

I lived in the Phoenix area for about 5 years before moving away. Now I am living in the Valley of the Sun again and going through a summer here as a full time resident after 10 years away. Clothing and hydration can do a lot to keep you comfortable when it is 110F outside and the indoor thermostat needs to be at 78 or 80 to keep the bills affordable. A nice casual dress can take me from home to the grocery store and back again and maybe even out to dinner if  I refuse to cook and heat up the kitchen.

I find that when it really heats up during the summer the most comfortable clothes to wear are dresses. Do you feel the same way? What I look for are best boutique dresses. I look for short or maxi boutique dresses with a flowing skirt rather that something more fitted. For me lighter colors and fabrics like cotton or rayon work for me too. Interesting details are always a plus as well when I choose what to purchase and wear.

Check out the great summer boutique dresses I found to share with you below.

I don't think you can ever go wrong with a pretty floral print such as on the dress above. The tiered skirt is a detail I like a lot too.

The tied sleeve and the back yoke are the things I like best about this dress. The elastic waist detail will make the fit a bit more forgiving and comfortable. Comfort means a lot to me when choosing a dress. If the fit bugs me then it becomes a hanging closet decoration and we don't want to do that do we?

See the pin tucks on the bodice of this one? So cute, am I right?

Now for one that I think could work if you are attending something a little more special than a backyard barbecue. Check out the lovely lace!

So what do you think? Summer with no pants? Other ideas on how to thrive and enjoy life when it is over 100 outside? Please share in the comments because your comments make me so happy. (Well I guess you know that I mean the non spammy ones.)

The content in this post was sponsored (but I really do like the dresses I shared with you).

Back with more again soon. Take care and stay cozy!