Summer Wrap Up!

Summer
Summers have become hectic for me because I have my grandkids. I bring them to their activities, and as a family, we try to schedule as many fun things as possible. That includes downtime at Grandma's house. This includes sleepovers, painting sessions, playtime with their toys, cooking together, and so much more. It really is about spending time together and creating memories—something I would not give up for the world!

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She Shed
I just got back from an event, and the status of my She Shed could be better. I recently shared the before and after photos on my Instagram feed. I am blessed to afford many craft items and have a family that spoils me with all kinds of goodies all year. I create from my She Shed and work from my kitchen table. I have an area in the living room where I sit, and when it is really late or very cold, I work right from my bed. So, I have many areas in which I work. I can't be the only one.

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Traveling
My husband and I took a trip to Maine in August and then to Hawaii at the end of September and into October 2024. We visited three islands: The Big Island, Maui, and Honolulu. Our favorite out of the three was the Big Island due to the beauty and privacy we felt. It could have been the time frame that we were there, but there were hardly any kids, and when we wanted to sit and enjoy the view, there was plenty to choose from throughout the properties. We could always find the perfect spot. The views alone were well worth the ten-hour plus-hour flight. The breeze was refreshing, and we would leave the slider door open to our hotel room all night to listen to the ocean waves crashing; it was magical. However, the six-hour time difference messed me up for at least two weeks after we returned. But overall, we loved it and plan to return within two years. I will write a more detailed blog post on our experience in Hawaii next.

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Planner
I love October. I love the colors, the leaves, and all the spooky vibes. I live for the spookiness of it all. I discovered these incredible stickers from the Washi Tape Shop, and I love them! The Washi Tape Shop has been my go-to place to stock up on stickers. If you know me, I have so many stickers, but the quality, variety, and simple uses beat everything else.

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Celebrations
I celebrated my 60th birthday in June. My husband bought me a Subaru Accent, which seats seven people. I truly love the vehicle, especially the brightness of the headlights at night. It makes driving at night desirable now.

My daughter gave birth to her fourth child (the third boy) on September 6th. Of course, he looks exactly like his siblings. I am extremely blessed to have another healthy grandchild. 

When we returned from our vacation/business trip, we also learned that my son and his girlfriend were expecting a baby in March. I cried. My son has been very adamant about not getting married or having kids, so this was a delightful surprise.

​He then recently proposed, shocking me even more. Life is so interesting. Sometimes, you need to sit back and let your children make their own decisions and support them as much as possible.

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Cozy Inspired
​I can't explain it, but every time I see something awe-inspiring, I have to stop, take a picture, and sit with the moment. The moon has been one of my favorite photos to take—so much so that my grandson Aaron, who is three, will always yell out, "The MOON!" each time he sees it. It's adorable. I am grateful that I am mindful of my surroundings and can enjoy the beauty that is right in front of me daily.

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What's Next
​I am working on adding products (art, prints, ephemera packs, sticker packs, etc.) to The Cozy and Charming Traveler website. I have been back and forth about where I should host my products (Etsy-type sites), but I think I am going to keep it simple and just host it on my website. 

​I am also participating in next year's Pickle Fest, which my friend organizes at March Farms. After years of organizing events (big and small), I am currently learning to be a vendor. Each time I attend an event, I learn so much. That said, I am now preparing for that event, which will be in about six months.

I also have a few sponsorship/creator opportunities for 2025 that I am excited about and working on.

​I am also working on my next two books. I have my next children's book already written and am outlining the artwork for it.

My other book is going to be a creatively inspired book. It will be filled with a variety of different things: artwork, short stories, photos, inspiration, and so much more. I am pretty excited about that. More to come on that.

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If you made it to this point, thank you. It means a lot to me that you are here. If you are the type of person who likes to come and read and stay silent behind the screen, thank you; I appreciate you. But if you would like to make people smile, please leave me a comment that would make my day. Please share this blog post on your social media feed if you want to support me. It goes a long way; you never know who you will encourage with your share.