Small Things That Make Me Smile

On January 9, 2026 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized11 Comments

So life lately feels heavy, this week in particular. Watching the news breaks my heart and gives me panic attacks and in our world of 24 hour news coverage we can never quite get away from it, unless we make the effort. Put the phone down. Turn off the tv. I find it easy to lose myself in projects, but I don’t always have the time to do those. There are days, like every weekday, when we have homeschool and home therapy and all the other things, and it is so easy to pick up my phone and scroll in those quick in between moments. On those days, I need to rely on small things to lift my spirits. A great cup of coffee or tea. Five minutes with a good book. A long stretch.

There are some small things I am loving lately, that make me smile.

Orange is one thing. Actual oranges to eat – I love peeling one and getting hit with that fresh sharp citrus scent. So much so that I have included orange scents into my shower routine. My body wash is orange scented, and oh my shampoo and conditioner smells so much like driving through an orange grove I just stand in there enveloped in the scent for a few extra minutes. I am using The Earthling Co. shampoo and conditioning bars in Citrus Sun and it does my sun deprived self so much good. I also bought a citrus tinged perfume as well, but it doesn’t quite smack me in the face with an orange scent as much as I want so I am going to keep looking.

Also, waiting on our little orange kitten. Not much longer now!

And while I am waiting for her, I am of course getting all the cuddles from Miso. Billy and my bestie Kelly are trying to talk me into two kittens, but I think that might be hard for Miso. Or easier, if they play with each other and give Miso a break? Ugh. I don’t know. Anyway, Wyatt got a little pop up indoor tent from my dad that turned out to be big enough for Wyatt and I to sort of lay in and read. We like to climb in there and read some of his books for school, and then after that, just hang out for a bit. I love when we are in there and Miso pokes her little head in, like “Hey what are you all doing?” and then saunters in and lays on me, like she does. It is super cozy for all of us, I guess.

Tea is another thing that has been making me smile. Peppermint tea, ginger orange turmeric, lemon ginger, are all flavors that perk me up these days. And if I get a chance to go to Starbucks, I love their Honey Citrus Mint Tea. I feel like I am going to be picking one of those up today, now that I mentioned it. They are just so good!

I am also enjoying winter fruit salad. It has apples, pears, kiwi, clementines or oranges, and pomegrante seeds and I could eat it all day. It just wakes me up!

Finally, one of the books I am reading is a collection of letters between two friends, sent to each other in 1953. It is perfect to just pick up and read a few letters, spend five to ten minutes in their calm little worlds of dogs and rural life.

These are just a few small things that make me smile and pick me up when I need a little pick me up.

I hope that whatever you do today, you find something, no matter how small, to make you smile.

Our Cozy Little Life

On November 10, 2025 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized15 Comments

Hello everyone!! We had our first snow of the season yesterday, which made us all feel like hibernating. We had a perfect, cozy day.

We hurkle durkled together for a few hours, just reading, scrolling, making lists, and watching Frog and Toad. Wyatt and I have been watching these episodes like crazy lately. They are just so cute and sweet, full of the best things, like baking cookies, and reading, and sending snail mail and flying kites. I got very excited over the Christmas episode too. It is just a great comfort show when you need something fun and childish and whimsical and cozy. I am an adult who is not ashamed to say that they love cartoons.

After a while I decided I needed to get up and do something. So I attempted my first batch of cinnamon rolls! My goal this winter is to make really good cinnamon rolls, and for my first attempt, these were pretty darn good! The flavors were great, they were just maybe a bit more breadlike than cinnamon roll. I really liked them though. I decided to switch up the icing, and found a maple glaze online that I swapped the regular icing for, and it was a good choice. The cinnamon and the maple together were delicious. Billy and I split one for breakfast this morning and the flavors mingling with the coffee…yum!!

While the cinnamon rolls were proofing, we all painted together. I am not an artist, and the past few days I have been attempting the Andrea Nelson Art tutorials from Instagram. She is a watercolor artist and her reel tutorials are approachable, whimsical, and geared for people who can’t art. Like me. They might even be for children, but whatever. I am learning and having fun and that is what matters. I think too, that doing small things like this might help get rid of that art police in my head.

Afterwards I popped the cinnamon rolls in the oven, and the house filled with the most cinnamony scent. I made Christmas plans with Wyatt, talking about other things we might bake and things we want to buy (or receive lol, as he was making his list), and Billy was working on a project in the basement. I eventually wandered back into the kitchen to start dinner, which was chickpea dumpling soup, something I used to make years ago and haven’t for a while. I remember it being very filling and warm on snowy nights, and it was. I think I used to make it a bit differently though, as this was more like a bowl of beans and dumplings – the broth was non-existent. I must have used more before. It was still very good though.

While I was cleaning up, and Billy was getting Wyatt ready for bed, I listened to one of my favorite podcasters, Vic at In the Meadow. If you want a cozy podcast, full of simple goodness, give her a listen. How this young woman has such a wonderful view on life is amazing to me; you attribute that to aging, but I feel like more and more I am learning from the younger generations.

After Wyatt was all cleaned up, it was my turn to do his bedtime routine, which includes a cozy YouTube and a book. Last night we watched Shelby’s Cottage, one of her older autumn videos since she is new to us, then we followed it up with reading Bunnicula. Then it was time for Billy and I to be lazy and loungy together. We chose to watch an episode of Victorian Farm, and I worked on my embroidery while we watched.

I slept so good last night, after such a relaxing cozy day with my guys. And woke up to more snow this morning!

Hello February!

On February 3, 2025 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized12 Comments

Hello February!!

Lately in the mornings, I have been standing at our back door, holding a cup of tea, and just looking out at the yard until my feet get too cold and I have to go all the way back in. The yard is just that February in Michigan kind of yard – muddy, dead plants, gray skies. There is a feeling of waiting about it. It is pretty forgotten for the moment, except when I take Wyatt out in his wheelchair, since our ramp is in the back of the house so he can use the yard during the good weather, so for the most part, the yard is not used, at least by us. I do see signs of animals out there though. There are obvious signs that rabbits congregate out there nightly, and I find broken shells of nuts littered about the deck occasionally from the squirrelsBut . Today I could have sworn I heard an early frog and shucked my boots on to go investigate – it would be too cold for a frog to be awake! I didn’t find him though. I will keep looking. There is also the big tabby with the ear tip that I have named Angus-Fergus, who leaves little cat footprints in the snow and sleeps under the deck at night. One time I surprised him when I opened the door, and he reared back in surprise and shock, his eyes wide. We just looked at each other and I told him he was ok, and he sauntered off to do whatever was on his agenda, our surprise meeting forgotten for the moment.

January was spent with a lot of at home days, focusing on school and the things I need to do around here. Just normal life stuff, without too many adventures. Lots of cozy moments with my kiddo, reading at night, or watching television with Billy in the evening once the house has been put to bed – Wyatt bathed and pajamaed, the creatures all fed, the kitchen cleaned up from dinner and the sound of the dishwasher running in the background. I foresee many of these same evenings ahead of us in February as well, although we do have some new things starting and some events on the horizon. I am planning Wyatt’s tenth birthday party, for one. It is next month but I am a planner so I will spend sometime working out all of the details.

I even have something new for me in the books! I am taking a leadership advocacy training course next week for three days, and I am sort of nervous! It has been a while since I have done anything like this, and it is for a few hours everyday. I even had a bit of homework for this week, which was actually more fun than work. I wouldn’t even classify it as work honestly. I had to create a collage to introduce my family, and I have to talk for two minutes about us. Can I do this? I will have to practice!

This is what I came up with. I had to add some bunting, because I love bunting and always have it hanging in my house for every season. It just makes everything feel so bright and fresh.

I also learned that February is National Embroidery Month, in addition to Black History Month. I have been doing a bit of a deep dive on the history of women and community and resistance and handicrafts the past few days, and I have a whole new section on my TBR just for this topic. I have also read that “grandma-core” hobbies like sewing and knitting and baking are helping teens these days handle stress. I know that it helps me to self-regulate, as my husband puts it, to sit and embroider at night.

Wyatt also starts his new bowling league this month. He is so excited about it! It was started by a group that sets up activities for special needs kids and adults, and they are in teams by age. Wyatt is Team Thundering Turkeys!

Despite some new activities on our horizon, the majority of our month will be spent the same as January. Snug in our little house, surrounded by each other, maybe if we are lucky a good cat on our laps, purring away, a nice cup of tea, a good book. Planning for spring but enjoying the season we are in.

Whatever you do today, try to do something that makes you smile. Even if it is just a small thing, like ten extra minutes in the shower or taking a minute to look outside, and just observe the world.

Friday Morning Coffee Catch Up

On January 24, 2025 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized9 Comments

Hello!! This morning Wyatt and I had to be out the door for an appointment before I could have my second cup of coffee! We aren’t used to having to be up and moving that early anymore so it was a bit of a challenge. We managed though, with a helping hand from Billy who is working from home today, thank goodness. Wyatt had an equipment evaluation today, which is nice because they re-evaluated his wheelchair situation and think he is still good for a while but it will need to be “grown” for him in about 6-8 months as he grows. They also evaluated him for a stander which will be very good to have for many reasons while he is working on walking.

We are back home now and I am happily drinking that second cup of coffee. I usually only have two a day so I try to savor them.

We had a pretty slow week around here, due to the temperatures being so cold! I think at our coldest with wind chill, we were sitting at -22. I didn’t want to take Wyatt out in that sort of cold weather so we chilled at home. Good thing I stocked up on books the week before because we went through them all! Well, we went through Wyatt’s. We are reading all sorts of different books together these days; chapter books, easier reader books, picture books. We both are in love with the Mr. Putter and Tabby series – we read one before bed every night and they are so sweet and cozy! I just love them so much. The first one is Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, I believe, and it is so heartwarming. They all are. I love that Mr. Putter adopted an old shelter cat, because his own bones were creaky and he didn’t move fast either. Anyway, they are always baking or making tea or painting the porch or so many other wonderful things, and I love reading them with Wyatt before bed. I will do a post next week of some of the books we have been reading together.

Before the cold set in though, we did get out to the Scout Shop in our area. We had to pick up a hat for a scout in our pack, and while we were there we picked up a few things. A backpack for Wyatt that will work well with his wheelchair, a small first aid kit in a fox zip up bag (because of course) and a few things for my niece who is also a scout. It was nice to get out before the weather got bad.

Then we settled in! We had school all week, and Wyatt is doing so well and making good gains every week in reading and math. I am so proud of him. For years we battled his medication fog, and now that he is on a different medication it’s so different to have school and so rewarding to watch him learning. He surprises me everyday! We are still learning about Hundertwasser in art, although this is our last week with him before we move on. Miso enjoyed watching Wyatt create his last piece, although she looks a bit like a little furry art critic. We also spent time learning all about Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday.

Apparently cold weather motivates me to cook and bake. I made so many good things this week! We had Mississippi Pot Roast, White Chicken Chili, homemade chocolate chip cookies (and the best I ever made – I can be hit or miss lol), and also Snow Day Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast on Wednesday, when I gave us a snow day.

Of course, when the weather finally warmed up (to 30 degrees!) yesterday, we left the house for the first time in days. Guess where we went? The library of course!!

And that was really it! Lots of reading, tv, painting, embroidering, and eating. Lol.

I hope that everyone is doing well today, and if whatever you do today, try to do something that makes you smile my friends!

Hello October – plus a Comfy Cozy Giveaway!!

On October 2, 2024October 2, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn autumn, Comfy Cozy Cinema15 Comments

Hello everyone!! It’s FINALLY October. My favorite month of all. And it feels like fall here, y’know? I stepped out on the deck this morning, barefoot as always, and the wood under my feet was cold and the air was chilly. I checked the temperature, and was glad that I had coffee with me – it was a mere 49 degrees.

I see all these people talking about how they feel so much more alive in the fall, and I can relate. That is exactly how I feel, like I am fueled by cooler weather. Rusty colored leaves tumble through my soul, chill winds raise my spirits, and I thrive in this weather. The heat and humidity of the summer weigh me down, but in the fall I come alive again.

Away go my shorts and sandals, and out come my jeans and sweaters and boots, ready to walk down trails filled with trees blazing their colors before they go to sleep for the winter. Soups and stews and warming meals are making their way on to my meal plans, and I have told Billy it is time for him to wake his sourdough up, to begin baking our bread for the week. It is a time of transition and change, as we begin to settle down into a different rhythm. School has started and our days are spent reading and learning and creating, and before we eat every evening I clear the table of our day’s work, pencils and papers and books. Weekends are full of plans for pumpkins and apples and chestnuts; they are also full of plans for bonfires with family, cider, Halloween fun and this week, a vacation.

I also see so many autumn bucket lists online, and yes, there are things I want to do this fall too. But this year I am also trying to be mindful to not cram our every moment full of plans; I want us to enjoy the season, time with our family being together, because sometimes when you are spinning from one thing to the next, you forget to really enjoy what you are doing, to pay attention to that moment, truly pay attention to it. I have a list of things to do, but I am also trying to have an anti-bucket list as well.

Sunday, we declared the day to be a nothing day. We called a halt to running and doing and spent the day hanging out with each other, just slowly letting the day spin out while we read or painted or played, in the case of Wyatt. It was a rainy day, perfect do-nothing day. We ordered ramen from a local noodle house, which was delicious, and we finished up our ghost portraits. We finished up the night by watching Kiki’s Delivery service, which is part of Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and my Comfy Cozy Cinema. And it was a wonderful day. I want to make sure I save space for these type days this fall as well.

My favorite book has a quote about winter, that humans say they like winter but what they really like is being proof against it. And maybe there is some truth to that. I love fall and the weather and being out in it, but it is also so nice to be snug inside with my tea and a blanket and a book. And also, cookies and chocolate.

With that, I want to talk about our giveaway! Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are cohosting a small little comfy cozy care package giveaway, to go along with our favorite season (fall!), and our Comfy Cozy Cinema! We have some fun little goodies to be sent off to one winner, with more surprises to be added as well! We want to celebrate the season and this is just one way we would like to do that this year.

You can enter anytime between today and October 15th, and the winner will be announced on our blogs Thursday, October 17th. Please enter via Rafflecopter and it is only open to those 18 or older living in the US.

Right now I can only post the link – the code is not working for me! Please let me know if entering is still an issue!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3614a4fa2/

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

Hello September!

On September 2, 2024September 2, 2024 By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn autumn, Hello, hygge15 Comments

It’s September! The first of the “ber” months, my favorite months of the year (except for March, Wyatt’s birth month)

September is fall to me. Back to school, fall clothes, comfort meals, cozy mornings and evenings, jeans and sweaters and boots, leaves crunching under foot, cooler nights, crisp air that makes me feel more alive, bonfires, cider… so many good things!

Except..it is not these things immediately, at least not here in Michigan. We are still in shorts, eating our warm weather meals of salads and tomato cheese sandwiches and hamburgers (I love hamburgers, not going to lie), but some things are beginning to seem more like fall. The nights have been cooler, and we are going back to school, so two things on my list! I will take it as a start!

I saw a reel I saw this morning about how in the 90s we would all truck off to school on the first day in boots and jeans and giant sweaters, because they were our “new back to school” clothes and we would all just die and sweat all day from the heat. It made me laugh because I definitely remember doing that!

I love fall and how as nature starts to slow down and rest, we do too. The days are getting shorter, the darkness settles in much earlier, almost whispering to us to settle in as well. To find that cozy blanket and book, and relax and not run around trying to get everything done until you fall exhausted into bed. It’s our reminder that we need to restore ourselves as well. To fill back up after a long summer of doing and going. To play that autumn playlist full of rich songs while we make a flavorful soup or homemade bread on a weekend morning, to indulge in mugs of hot drinks that warm us body and soul, to hole up for a few hours on the couch surrounded by our little comfort piles. It’s time to dim those lights in the evening, and leave the harsh glow of the day behind. To take walks in the crisp air, crunching leaves underfoot, never minding the soft rain that may fall on you. To have warm apple pie for breakfast one day, just for fun.

My squirrel friends have been visiting more often these days, looking for the treats I leave them outside. I watch them eat some, then scurry off with other bits, stashing it somewhere only they know where. Sometimes we have an opossum friend too, who visits wanting apples. Over the summer mama possum was hanging out in our yard with her babies, and while I know they wouldn’t all stay I wish they could have. Like Jerome Kildee is Kildee House (a kids book I read for the first time this year and I wish everyone would read), I would share my space with all the little animals too. Although maybe not in my house. Outside is fine.

We are slowing down, and I try to remember that when making plans for the fall. I want to do so much too, to take Wyatt to all the festivals and camping and Halloween events, but I am mindful to not do too much. I try to pick and choose carefully, to make space between the events for slow days too. Enough to enjoy but not so much as to overwhelm, where everything runs into another thing and dulls the excitement and joy. We are taking a short trip to Cuyahoga Valley National Park this fall, and riding the train which I think will be a lot of fun. Wyatt loves trains and this will be his longest train ride to date – plus I bought tickets for the train car that has a glass ceiling so that we can get huge views of the outdoors as well. I have a few other things planned as well, but also plan to spend some fun days here too, at home.

I made a little graphic to frame and put on my desk, to remind myself to slow down and rest this season. I will link it here in case you want to print it out too, or just save it to your phone or computer.