Author: Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life

I try to create a culture of celebration in our home. For life, for the little things, for wonder and for whimsy. I try to find the beauty around us and teach my son Wyatt to find it, and appreciate it and love it as well. We are a homeschool family, and we love it. We love the freedom it gives us to explore a topic or idea more deeply, and I like that I can adjust our schedule around Wyatt’s other needs. Wyatt has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, and his week often has therapy, doctor’s appointments, naps peppered throughout which would make a traditional school schedule difficult. He is also an asynchronous learner, and I love that I can tailor learning to where Wyatt is at that moment. We have a house full of animals and will probably add more because we like a zoo. We have one cat, Miso, who is a rescue. She is 14 years old and my little floofy girl. We also have one leopard gecko, Luna, a pictus gecko named Harlow, a pacman frog named Freddy, and two crested geckos, Applejack and Oliver. We love all of our little friends! My husband Billy, Wyatt, and I are all curious, creative, stubborn humans which makes for some fun times around here. We love the outdoors, except we are not made for high temps so we retreat inside when the temps start to soar. We are nature lovers through and through. We are trying to downsize our lives too, to live more simply, to buy things that last and eat real food from small local farmers. (and of course Goldfish crackers) We live seasonally and are always up for adventure. We love books and reading, and can be found at the library at least once a week!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read or Avoided Because of the Hype

On October 1, 2024September 29, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized59 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Hello everyone! Today’s topic is books I read or avoided because of the hype. I am writing this without thinking much about this time; I am curious now if I will end up with more books or more books avoided!

If I ended up not liking a book you love, I am sorry! I usually do not say anything on my blog at all about books I don’t like – I just don’t mention them at all after I read them. It’s just how I like to do things. I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings!

Status: Read

Verdict: Loved it!

I remember when this came out everyone was going mad over it, and I was so upset because I could not get a copy from the library quickly. There were just a million requests for it. My dad ended up buying it for me and surprising me with it! I was very grateful because I ended up loving it. Like the main character, I also have bits of nature scattered all around my house, that we have collected on our adventures. I loved everything about this story.

Status: Read, but I avoided it for a year first!

Verdict: Loved it!

I don’t have much to add to this other than I wish I had read it sooner!

Status: Avoided

I know, I know. Everyone has read this book but me I think. I keep thinking I need to read it, but then, I just don’t. Should I read it?

Status: Avoided

I really don’t know why I am being so contrary with this one. If you read it, what did you think? It seems pretty universally loved!

Status: Read

Verdict: Loved it – but only after I listened to the audio

I live in Michigan and this book was in my face wherever I went. I couldn’t avoid it, but then as a Michigander I couldn’t resist it either. I started it, and I had a difficult time with it until I listened to the audio, which was read by Meryl Streep. She really brought this to life for me.

Status: Currently Listening

Verdict: Pending

So far I am having a hard time getting all the comparisons to Gilmore Girls out of my head! I think once I can stop mentally comparing this book to the show as I listen, I will enjoy it more, because it has all the things I love in a book!

Status: Read

Verdict: I liked it!

I am going to talk about the series as a whole here, not just this book, even though I did not finish the series. I did really enjoy the books that I did read though. I especially loved the character Rhys.

Status: Read

Verdict: Loved it!

This was one of those books I was like ohmygoshIlovethisbook! It is so good, and I am so glad that I listened to the hype and read it. It was one of my very favorites that I read that year.

Status: Read

Verdict: Loved it!

This was one that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on! I loved it.

Status: Read

Verdict: Loved it!

Sigh. I loved this story. I had not read a Sanderson book before, and I am so glad that this one was one that I did read. It is a very enchanting tale!

And it looks like when I did read these hyped books, I enjoyed them and even loved them! That makes me feel I should go back and read some that I have avoided.

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone else has to say!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On September 29, 2024September 29, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized28 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Hello everyone! It’s been slow around here, which was fine by me. I hope though that everyone who had to face down Helene has minimal damage. She was fierce looking.

Read Last Week:

Last week I read The Girl in White which was actually a little spooky for a kids book! This one was spookier than the other I have read by Currie, What Lives in the Woods. It was a good read for the season (without actually being too scary).

I also started Twilight Garden on Friday morning. I had forgotten I wanted to read this until I saw it on Rebecca’s TBR! Darn it. My TBR is just too crazy. Like everyone’s is, I am sure. Lol.

Reading This Week:

I will finish up The Twilight Garden, and then start another from my list. Right now I am not sure which direction I will pivot, but I feel I am leaning towards light and easy. Perhaps Berries and Bones, it look so deliciously fall. I also plan on starting The Whisperwicks, which is my book club book for the Patreon group I am part of for Alexandra Roselyn.

We are going away this weekend and so I hope to have some good reading time. It’s like that old saying though, “No one is more optimistic than a mother who takes books on the family vacation”.

I am also listening to an audiobook while I embroider. Right now I am listening to The Pumpkin Spice Cafe to see what all the hype is about. It has been compared to Stars Hollow and the Gilmore Girls which I love and have watched a million times over – and unpopular opinion coming, but I am not too excited about this book so far. It is too much like Gilmore Girls. I haven’t listened to much but it seems more like it is really just Lorelai Gilmore all over but this time she runs a cafe. The character talks a lot and talks fast, she drinks a lot of coffee – I don’t know. I guess I wanted the feel and or even a reimagining, but this is too on the nose. Does that make sense?

Posted Last Week:

A Few Whimsical Halloween Picks

Comfy Cozy Cinema: Ladies in Lavender

Friday Morning Coffee Catch Up

Watching:

We are busily watching our Comfy Cozy Cinema movies; last week was Ladies in Lavender, and tonight’s feature is Kiki’s Delivery Service. Comfy Cozy Cinema is something Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I started together and every year is so much fun! You are all invited to watch and post along with us.

Billy and I are also watching What We Do in the Shadows, as well as The Great Pottery Throwdown.

Also – I wanted to add that Lisa and I will be posting about our Comfy Cozy Care Package giveaway on Wednesday! We have lots of goodies we will be sending to someone to get all cozy with this fall!

And that is about it from here! I hope you are all doing well!

Friday Morning Coffee Catch Up

On September 27, 2024September 27, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Coffee Catch UP27 Comments

Hello everyone! My coffee today is darn good, I am going to be honest.

First off, I hope everyone in the path of this hurricane is safe. Helene is looking pretty wicked. My brother and family head to Disney tomorrow, and I am also worried about that! I am keeping all involved in my prayers this weekend.

Update: I wanted to add that I am so shocked and sad over the passing of Dame Maggie Smith. We watch so many of her movies in this house, both as part of Comfy Cozy Cinema, and just in our regular watching. Maggie Smith could say volumes in a glance, and cut to the bone with her dry wit. Her performances always had me giggling, but she also could tug the heartstrings and convey compassion as well. Her performances were always masterful and I am grateful that she left behind such a large and plentiful portfolio of movies for us to watch and enjoy. May she rest in peace.

Maggie Smith photographed in 1960 Credit: Photo: FremantleMedia Ltd/REX

Looking back at our past week or so, it was pretty..sedate. Wyatt and I were either sick or recovering from our cold, and while they were mild (just congestion) we didn’t feel like doing much. We pretty much just read and did some schoolwork and Wyatt played. I think our bodies needed a little break.

During the week though Billy and I noticed that our female Betta has shredded fins. It made us super nervous that maybe she had fin rot and we couldn’t figure out why. So we scooped out some of her water and took it up to the fish store for a test and to talk to the owner. Our water tested perfectly, and she doesn’t live with any other fish that would chew on her, so it was a bit of a mystery. The woman who works there finally determined that since she was in a community tank of other female bettas when we bought her, that she came to us a little chewed up and then developed an infection from her wounds. We bought some blue stuff to treat her – we drop a little in the water every night before bed and that should clear up her infection within seven days, hopefully. For a fish she has a pretty cute personality. I can even get her to jump up for food. It is super cute. She is loved so we hope she recovers. The guy said since she is eating and still zooming around her tank that she should be ok.

However, Sunny the snail lives with her normally, and the fish store told us we might want to take him out during the treatment. So we set up a small bowl for him to live in temporarily, and the first night in, he showed us how much he didn’t care for it. I woke up the next morning, and he was missing! I looked around and around near the bowl, and found him halfway across the room, laying there like a man in a desert! Billy hurriedly scooped him up and put him back in the water. Sunny is an aquatic snail so he shouldn’t be out of water. We are mystified as to how he got that far – and where was he going? And how long could that have taken? My friend suggested that he saw the other aquarium across the room and was trying to make it there, which made me giggle to think about – but, maybe? It’s a mystery!

We also decorated for fall and Halloween, to boost our spirits. I am loving all of our decorations, it makes it feel so warm and cozy in here, all the fall leaves and burnt orange, the pumpkins and ghosts. It made us happy! We also stopped in at Trader Joes after Wyatt’s epilepsy appointment the other day, and bought up most of their seasonal line. We may have gone a little crazy! It is easy to do there though! I also bought two items to include in the comfy cozy care package that Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I will be hosting a giveaway for very soon.

Billy is adding some flourishes to Wyatt’s ramp, to make things more comfortable for him to play out there. He just has the railings and then it will be completely finished!

And here are just a few random photos from the roll!

And that is it from me today! I hope that whatever you do, you do something that makes you smile.

Comfy Cozy Cinema – Ladies in Lavender

On September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Comfy Cozy Cinema15 Comments

Hello everyone!! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are back to watching and sharing about comfy cozy (and sometimes, chilling) movies for the fall season. Feel free to join in with us!! Our link will be live for a whole week after we post about a movie.

This week’s movie is Ladies in Lavender, starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Daniel Brühl, and Natascha McElhone.

From Amazon: Aging spinster sisters Ursula (Judi Dench) and Janet (Maggie Smith) discover a young man (Daniel Brühl) near death on the beach by their home in a small Cornish fishing village. Taking him in, they discover that he is Andrea, a violinist from Krakow, Poland, who had been swept off an ocean liner on which he was sailing to a fresh start in America. It is set in the 1930s.

I ended up enjoying this movie, but at first I had my doubts. It begins innocently enough, with Ursula and Janet walking their beach, going to bed that evening, and then a violent storm hitting the coast overnight. In the morning, the sisters spy a man on their beach and find a young man, close to death. They of course call the doctor and bring him into their house to nurse him. He eventually awakens and they learn his name is Andrea, and that he is Polish.

Through trial and error and some beginning German on Janet’s end, they are able to somewhat communicate. Ursula also teaches him some English as well.

Ursula also however begins to develop a crush on the young boy. And yes, it is awkward and uncomfortable for the viewer, and in part this is all due to the masterful acting of Judi Dench. She nails the fawnings of a young girl newly in love, the attitude, the postures, the small gestures and looks, the flouncing and pouting and delight. It was a testimony I felt to her skills as an actress, and Maggie Smith cracked me up as usual, with her expressions and faces regarding her sister’s behavior. She notices and her demeanor alternates between alarmed and concerned and sometimes just plain what the eff, with some amazing side eyed looks.

Eventually they learn that Andrea is a very talented violinist, and as he begins to heal, he begins to explore his new temporary home. He befriends Russian painter Olga, played by Natascha McElhone, and Ursula is a bit jealous, and compares her to a witch in a fairy tale.

Andrea is spreading his wings, and the ladies are feeling a bit jealous, yes Janet too, in her own way. He has come to represent dreams and desires that were lost to them, that they were denied, for love in the case of Ursula, and Janet, who lost her love and her chance at being a mother (this is just my interpretation). They want to hold on to him, to hold onto these dreams, and the small ways that they can live them out. Olga with her free spirit and youth, not to mention the ability to speak easily and fluently with Andrea, make her a threat. All three women know that Andrea is a special however, and do want the best for him.

This movie had a very slow beginning, but as the story picked up and became more complex and less strange, I became invested in these characters of Ursula and Janet. It was a weirdly beautiful story if you stick with it, albeit sad.

The setting is beautiful, a stone home on the coast, surrounded by ocean and garden. It is like a dream itself, a fairy tale home hidden away by the sea. The music itself is gorgeous, fitting to the movie and the characters. There was one shot, so beautiful, of Andrea perched on the rocks at night, playing his violin to the sea and it was a moment, and ugh. I am just such a sucker for cinematography. If I were Keith Brymer Jones I would have cried at just that one shot alone.

If you start this movie, stick with it. It is slow starter, there is not much action, it is a quiet little spark of a movie, but it really is beautiful. It is about love and unfulfilled dreams, aging and youth, and letting go. A bit like holding a butterfly in your hands, that is this movie.

You can find this movie almost on every streaming platform if you are interested in watching.

If you have watched along with us, and want to share your link, please feel free. We would love it!

Up next – Kiki’s Delivery Service! We are about to enter a wave of my picks, starting with Kiki. I always have to make Lisa watch a cartoon it seems.

We are also thinking about having a fun watch party for the last movie, Chocolat. If you think you might be interested in this, let us know!

You can find Lisa’s impressions here!

A Few Whimsical Halloween Picks

On September 23, 2024October 7, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn autumn, holiday, hygge23 Comments

Booooo! It’s no secret around here that I love fall and Halloween. I also love things that are whimsical and fun. And when I can get whimsical and Halloween together – it is almost perfection, like that perfect ratio of whipped cream to pumpkin pie!

I have found a few things on Etsy that just spoke to my fun loving yet spooky side and wanted to share. When I do these posts I usually try to mix up mediums, but this time, I just followed my heart, and if there is an abundance of pottery, I apologize. I love a good handcrafted potted piece though, maybe because my MIL is a potter and I know the level of work and love that goes into each piece. Anyway, without further ado, my picks!

This post contains affiliate links.

Little Ghosts || Mini Ceramic Voodoo Doll || Mini Solid Ceramic Pumpkin

These are all from the same shop, ClayHiveCo on Etsy. The potter, Shandi McConnell, handmakes everything in her backyard studio in North Carolina. I really loved everything in her shop, and not just her Halloween items. She has a wonderful aesthetic that speaks to my heart! — Just a note — In the time since I created this post (last Friday) and then when it went live (this morning) some items have already sold out! So act fast if you like them! I know I am!

The Dogs of Halloween || Cat Bat Mug || Funky Frogs

First up is the Janet Hill print. My friends and I have adored Janet Hill for a while now. She is a gifted artist with a studio in Canada, and her artwork all tells a story. There are multiple storylines that flow through her art, like the Kidnapping of Edward Pink, Miss Moon and her dogs. I just love them all. She also has books to go with her art! The print listed above is from her Miss Moon collection and I just love the lighthearted feel of it.

This fun cat vampire mug is from the store Bread and Badger on Etsy, and artist Amanda Siska says on her website that she started her business “to nourish the soul, and remind you of special events while you sip your favorite beverages”. I have had a few of her pieces on my wishlist for a while now, and this one is just too cute. The cat on it reminds me of my Maggie who we lost two years ago, right before Halloween.

These frogs just made me smile!! They are so cute in a Beetlejuice sort of way, and I feel like they are perfect for the Halloween season. I could see them sitting next to my kitchen sink, guarding the handsoap! The artist Iva, from IvasPottery on Etsy, does live in Bulgaria so if you want one of these guys before Halloween you might need to order quickly!

Haunted by My TBR || Cats Embroidery || Macrame Ghost

This sweatshirt caught my eye and made me laugh, particularly as a reader with a huge tbr looming over me! Plus, embroidery. I actually have one of those embroidery machines and I don’t know how to use it. My grandmother gave it to me before she passed away, and it would be nice to figure out how to use.

Speaking of embroidery… I love pretty much everything that Marion (ohmygosh that was my grandma’s name!) has in her shop Tales from the Hoop. She sells her designs as kits and as pdf patterns so if you are a more experienced embroiderer then you could skip the kit and buy the pattern instead!

I love this macrame ghost as well. Nhan from the shop BeanDaikon has an array of macrame items for Halloween, from ghosts to skeletons to bats, including a unique bat bookshelf that would be perfect for holding your spooky books! However, I am sharing this ghost because I just love how it looks a bit like it is singing!

Trench Coat Costume

I mean, guys. Look at this cat!!! It’s cute little face, so serious, I just can’t. This little costume outfit is adorable. Miso would hate me forever if I even tried something like this, but maybe someone out there has a furry friend that would be willing to try this on. And then later solve a few mysteries and eat cat food crumpets with a side of a saucer of tea. (can cats have tea? probably not) If anyone buys this and manages to get their cat in it, I need to see the photos.

And with that, I think I will end here! (and go peruse that Etsy shop more, because this cat is a fantastic model and is so adorable!) Be sure to check out Etsy’s Fall Decor Collection and Halloween Guide!

My Sunday/Monday Post!

On September 22, 2024September 21, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized32 Comments

My Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date

Hello everyone! I missed last Sundays posting because we took Wyatt to a Detroit Tigers baseball game – and he even got to meet one of the players! It was a very fun Sunday! Then Wyatt and I both came down with a cold and were feeling pretty gross most of the week, so we did a lot of laying around and resting. I think we needed it, we were pretty run down from the whirlwind of activity we have been swept up in.

Read Last Week and the Week Before:

Haunt Sweet Home was a short little read, and not scary at all. It was more of a..coming of age story, I guess in a way, and it sort of made me sad. Haunted Ever After was a fun, easy read and it was perfect for this past week. And The Full Moon Coffee Shop was a bit weird honestly. I liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite.

Reading This Week:

This week I need to catch up on things I let slide last week, but as I am still sort of gross, I am taking things slowly. I think this book will be perfect for the week I am hoping for! Just something easy.

Posted Last Week:

Cozy Fall Reads (Not Spooky!)

Wednesday Morning Coffee Catch Up

Comfy Cozy Cinema: Somewhere in Time

Watching:

Well, Billy and I have been pretty obsessively watching The Great Pottery Throw Down. I knew I would probably really love this one the best. I love all things pottery and my MIL is a potter as well, so I am pretty familiar with the process. I love seeing what everyone designs, and I love when the judge and British Potter Keith Brymer Smith cries. He just gets so overwhelmed with the beauty of the art that he can’t help it. I saw that there is a book about him, called Boy in a China Shop that I may have to read.

We also are watching our Comfy Cozy Cinema movies every Sunday! Comfy Cozy Cinema is something that Lisa and I started last year. We share a bunch of movie ideas to watch “together” and then post about them on Thursday mornings. This week’s movie is Ladies in Lavender starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, if you want to join us in watching! We are thinking of having a watch party soon with whoever wants to join in as well – maybe in October or November. And we will be announcing our Comfy Cozy Care Package giveaway soon as well, so stayed tuned for that!

And that is it from me this morning! I hope you all have had a happy and safe weekend.

Comfy Cozy Cinema: Somewhere in Time

On September 19, 2024September 19, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Comfy Cozy Cinema21 Comments

This week’s movie is Somewhere in Time, another Lisa pick. I was looking forward to it because I am a Michigander, and this movie was set in and filmed at Mackinac Island, somewhere I have been many times. Although, never back in time.

Somewhere in Time stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, two of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Their attractiveness onscreen was almost unreal. Lisa and I were texting each other while watching the movie, and I told her that Jane Seymour actually looked like artwork to me.

According to the manufacturer (this what the Amazon entry states) “Somewhere in Time is the story of a young writer who sacrifices his life in the present to find happiness in the past, where true love awaits him. Young Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) is approached by an elderly woman who gives him an antique gold watch and who pleads with him to return in time with her. Years later, Richard Collier is overwhelmed by a photograph of a beautiful young woman (Jane Seymour). Another picture of this woman in her later years reveals to him that she is the same woman who had given him the gold watch. Collier then becomes obsessed with returning to 1912 and the beautiful young woman who awaits him there.”

This movie, for all the time travel science fiction of it all, is a romantic love story, filled with gorgeous gowns and the timeless beauty of the Grand Hotel. That porch! The movie made the most of it too, with lots of long shots of it. I have never walked on it, but I know you can pay $10 to do so, if you are not a paying guest at the hotel itself. That seems worth it to me!

Ok back to the movie. I think this is a lovely story, but if you look too closely at it, it might seem weird. On the surface, it could be a story that is about a man who falls in love with a portrait and wills himself almost violently back in time to find the woman in the portrait. The woman herself has a guardian/protector who has known her since she was 16 and thinks that she belongs to him, which might feel a bit icky. So my suggestion is, don’t look to closely at this story. Enjoy it for what it is – a love story between Richard and Elise, one that transcends decades. Connected souls through time. If you read the Stephen King book 11/22/63, it reminded me of the love story in that book. Which honestly makes sense. Somewhere in Time the movie, is based on a book written by Richard Matheson, who is a horror/fantasy/science fiction writer, and Stephen King has mentioned him as a creative influence in the past. You may know Matheson best for the story I am Legend (and yes the story was way better than the movie for that one).

Lisa looked up the book Somewhere in Time, and read that there were some parts left out of the film version, that tied it all together a bit more cohesively. I don’t want to say what though, as that reveals the ending!

My favorite part of the movie is when Richard and Elise are just casually sitting on the floor of her room, all rumpled from *ahem*, eating fried chicken, and laughing together. It just felt so natural, less like acting, and just like two friends/lovers hanging out. And come to find out, Seymour and Reeve fell in love during the making of the movie. Seymour admitted this at the TCM festival in 2022, as reported by EW.

Well, here comes the story that I’m officially telling you now, because Chris and I, when we made the film, we literally fell madly in love..

Sigh. A love story within a love story.

Overall, I really enjoyed this movie! It was so neat to see places I have been, and Billy and I would exclaim, hey we have seen that, or look! we have been there. The Round Island Lighthouse is a place we have seen, the lawn where Elise and Richard walked, I have seen the Grand Hotel many times. In fact, it is one of the first places on the island that is visible as you approach the island by ferry boat. It is just really a beautiful building. And if you are ever a tourist on Mackinac Island, be prepared – you can buy all sorts of souvenirs that tout this film. I believe there is even a festival or a weekend centered around it every year!

Next up is Ladies in Lavender, starring none other than Maggie Smith and Judi Dench! (I believe Dame Judi Dench graces our movie list three times this year!)

Did you watch along? If you did and want to link a post, you can post below until next Wednesday. You don’t need a blog though, you can also just comment below!

You can find Lisa’s post here!

And here are the rest of our movies and post dates.

Wednesday Morning Coffee Catch Up

On September 18, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized21 Comments

Hello everyone! This might be a long post today, so you may want to put the kettle on or refill your cup, and settle in. I just have so much to share! We have had the final culminations of a lot of big projects, plus some other fun (and not so fun!) things going on as well. Well, you will see.

First up – the ramp!!! Billy and a bunch of our friends and family have been working hard all summer to build this ramp for Wyatt, and on Saturday, they came so close to it being completely done. It is for the most part, done. It is useable and complete – we just need railings for our own wild child to be out there. I don’t need this kid zooming off the side! However, it is done and can be used with supervision and assistance right now. This was such a huge and major accomplishment, and I am so thankful to all of the people who contributed and to Billy of course for having the ability and knowledge and talent to do it.

Please ignore the state of the rest of our yard. It was very neglected this summer while this was happening. The ramp is very long, to accommodate the pitch dropping at the appropriate rate. The other option would have been lots of bends and turns and Billy thought this would be a better way for kiddo. Since it is so long though, we added an extra few feet to make the deck part wider and we are turning that into an outdoor play spot for Wyatt, complete with a wheel up painting easel that one of our friends is making him! This is going to be such a huge thing for Wyatt. He can get out into his own backyard, play, have some independence. I am feeling so grateful for this gift!

So that was Billy’s project done – I had one of my own that I had been working on all summer. Cub Scouts! I have to say getting this pack up and running from scratch was more complex than I had anticipated – but it was 100% worth it. More than worth it actually, especially after seeing all the kids, our scouts, playing together and having such a good time at our first meeting. Yep, we had our first meeting! It was just big smiles, on kids and on parents, and that warmed my heart. The kids learned about some of the pack laws and the oath, we gave them their t-shirts and handbooks, they made a keychain lanyard with a bead for every quality (a scout is kind, etc), and they played a get to know each other game, that was low pressure. Instead of being forced to speak or come up with something on the spot, which would have been hard for some of our kiddos, we gave them all paddles that said “Me too!” and when someone named something they liked, like spaghetti or books, they would raise their paddles! It was a good way to show them how they are the same. Also, Wild Child was there and having her own good time, racing around the church social hall. You can see her little head there, next to Wyatt and his grandma.

I mentioned that not all of our happenings were happy! Somewhere in between scouts and home, Wyatt managed to get stung by something. He never said anything or cried, so we didn’t know. At around noon the next day though, I looked down at his hand, which was super red and swollen, and about passed out. We ended up taking him to the ER since he had cellulitis last year. The doctor did not think it was cellulitis, he thought that it was just the normal reaction to a sting, but did prescribe antibiotics just in case, along with zyrtec and hydrocortisone cream. The next day his hand looked perfect – just in time to meet the Detroit Tigers!

Our scouts had the opportunity to meet the Tigers, in a “Kids Take the Field” event! One of our parents arranged it, and it was so cool. The kids were able to go on the field, meet a player, get their game ball, and their names were even up on the scoreboard, in the positions that they were in. It was really cool! Wyatt got to meet the catcher, and hang out at home plate. It was really amazing opportunity, and something they will never forget!

It was his first MLB game too; I told him not many people get to go on the field and meet a player their first time there!

Our last few weeks have been a whirlwind and now Wyatt is dealing with a cold, which has not been fun. Rest will do us both good! Then it will be back to a full school day and our fall activities!

And that is it from me today! Whatever you do today, do something that makes you smile – even if it is just taking five minutes to yourself to relax.

Cozy Fall Reads (Not Spooky!)

On September 16, 2024August 14, 2025 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized9 Comments

Hi everyone! So last week I posted my own personal Autumn TBR (which is gigantic and I will never read all of those books), but most of the books I like to read around this time of year are scary or witchy or spooky, and not everyone likes that. And honestly, I will probably burn out on it if I read even half of the books I have listed in my TBR. Knowing that about myself, I had a back up list of books to switch in as needed. I mean, I am sure there will be times I don’t want to be creeped out and just want something utterly fall but also…comfy. Or as Joanne said it perfectly – “I want cozy fall books about hayrides, and leaf peeping, warm drinks and special treats… sort of Hallmark movie but set in fall!”

And I get that too. Like I could live that vibe everyday from September until December ( or all year, let’s be honest). So, I went looking for more. I had a few in reserve, but not a ton. It seems if you want this feel, there are a lot of cozy mystery or cute little rom-coms, but I did find a few others as well. So this list is kind of like when you go to the orchard and are presented with different types of apples, you know? Macintosh (my favorite), Granny Smith, Honeycrisp..the list goes on and on. Some are better for baking, some for eating, some are tart, some are sweet, but hopefully something for everyone.

Romance:

This Laurie Gilmore series is all the rage right now. I see it everywhere!! Apparently it is supposed to feel like Stars Hollow – and peep that author’s name! If I read correctly, it is a pen name and is mimicking the Lorelai Gilmore character name. I have heard this is a very steamy series so keep that in mind if that is not something you really enjoy in your books.

Given Our History || Awkward in October

Given Our History is a book I spotted in a video on Liv’s Library, and it is all fall academic vibes, something I totally love. I am pretty sure I am picking this one up at some point in time. Awkward in October appeals to me as well, but I am awkward no matter the month. It is all New England in autumn, with a fixer upper house. I am here for it!

Falling in Love || Autumn at Apple Hill

I have to admit, the puppies on the cover sold me on Falling Inn Love. And so did the mention of an Inn. I have a thing for certain settings, and hotels/inns are one of my go-tos. Plus the FMC looks like she has glasses and so do I, so, there. Autumn at Apple Hill is as Hallmark as you can get – the book was made into a Hallmark movie!

Just to note – I do not know the pumpkin “spice” level of these books as I have not read any of them yet.

Mystery:

Well-Offed in Vermont || Put Out to Pasture || The Spook in the Stacks

I have had Well-Offed in Vermont on my list forever and ever. I just love that cover! As for Put Out to Pasture and The Spook in the Stacks, I really enjoyed them both. I am a big fan of both of those series, the Farm to Table series by Amanda Flower and The Lighthouse Library Mystery series by Eva Gates. Both of these books give that autumnal vibe without involving anything supernatural or too scary!

Cold Clay || Berries and Bones

I mean, it’s me. Of course I am going to include books with animal protagonists. I am all about an anthropomorphic book. I have read the first in the Shady Hollow series and thought it was so cute! I really need to read this second book, which is set in the fall. Maybe this fall I will get to it. And while I am at it, I should read Berries and Bones which was on my fall TBR last year as well… there are just too many books out there. I love this cover, it makes me feel all super fall and like I need to eat lots of pancakes and drink a big Vermont steamer.

The Rest:

Crow Talk || Autumn

These two are contemporary, literary fiction books, that are a bit more serious than the previous genre books above. I think they both sound absolutely fantastic.

The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living || The Simplicity of Cider

Ok, so The City Baker is technically a romance, but this just seems to have a different feel to it than the others. And it sounds phenomenal. I have read The Simplicity of Cider, and it was wonderful. It is magical realism, which is a favorite of mine, and I felt like it was just such a heartwarming read about cider and orchards and family.

The Cider Revival || Pumpkinheads

I have read both of these and loved them, though they are obviously very different! The Cider Revival is a nonfiction book about the history of apples and orchards and cider, and it was so interesting! I highly recommend it. Pumpkinheads is a YA graphic novel that is set in pumpkin patch/orchard, one of those that has everything, and is more like a mini-festival or amusement park even! It has young love and uncertainty, and all the autumn feels you could ever want.

Now, it’s time to cozy up and read! Will any of these make your list this year?

Comfy Cozy Cinema – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

On September 12, 2024September 12, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized11 Comments

Hello everyone!! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are back to watching and sharing about comfy cozy (and sometimes, chilling) movies for the fall season. Feel free to join in with us!!

This week our movie was The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, with an all star cast. I knew we were in for a treat after seeing this powerhouse of a lineup.

I mentioned the cast, but let’s take a closer look. Bill Nighy, whom I love in everything, Dame Judy Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton – but I will say that the other actors held there own, particularly Dev Patel. He is an award winner himself but just a young actor compared to some of his co-stars.

Anyway, we were really looking forward to this movie. It has been on my to watchlist for ages, but I just never had gotten around to it. When Lisa picked it for our line up, I was pretty excited. Billy and I made a thing of it too, ordering Indian takeout to eat before watching, and it was just a nice little treat to watch the movie with these flavors so fresh in our minds.

The movie is about a group of retirees who through various circumstances find themselves en route to India, to stay at the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, which has been touted as a place for the elderly and the beautiful. The website and brochure photos depict this hotel as a gorgeous vision of a hotel, that is also affordable for those who may be on a fixed income. However, the hotel is truly that – just a vision of the idealistic young man who runs it. It is there, there are rooms, but it is a bit of a shambles.

As I mentioned, the characters are all there for different reasons, and they all settle into the country very differently as well. Some go in with very preconceived ideas of the culture, some with hopes for finding things that were lost, some with hopes for the future, but all coming to terms with the stage of life they find themselves in. It was interesting to watch these characters come to terms with the transition they were in, finding their new place in the world, juxtaposed against the vivid liveliness of India. The music, the almost frenetic energy, the colors, the chatter and noise, the flavors of the food, was just so alive while these characters sorted through some very poignant emotions – and it was probably the best possible place to start a new life, in a place so overflowing with it.

I very much enjoyed this movie, and of course the cast. Dev Patel’s enthusiasm was contagious, and I truly believed in him. Maggie Smith was amazing, as always, and her character might have been my favorite of them all. I don’t want to go too into this sort of analyzation, as I don’t want to reveal anything or give anything away so I should stop here. However, Billy and I really liked this movie, and found it very moving. It was perfect for a warm early fall evening, with a bellyful of Indian food.

If you are interested in linking up with us, here is our linky! This movie is available to stream on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Fandango at Home, and may be available at your local libraries!

Find Lisa’s post here!

Next up: Somewhere in Time! Post date Sept. 19.