Grandma's Craft Closet

Grandma and I in 1991

I often talk about my Grandma Vincent. We had a very close relationship when I was growing up. She was always soft, gentle, and kind. Whenever we visited her, she would always hold my husband's hand.

I aspire to be the kind of grandmother that Grandma Vincent was. She passed away in 1995, just five days after my youngest child was born. Even though many years have passed, I miss her every day.

I once saw a quote about grief that said, "Be the things you love most about the person who is gone." That is exactly what I try to do.

Grandma was a first-grade teacher, and I can easily understand why her students adored her. Mrs. Vincent was well-versed in nursery rhymes and stories, and she knew all the songs that were popular with young children. When she retired, we grandchildren were still quite young, and we benefited greatly from her expertise.

Mrs. Vincent with her students

She taught me to read at an early age. I remember sitting with her during our "special times"—those quiet moments when my younger brother was asleep in his crib. She would pull out my special scribbler, and together we would work on my alphabet and phonics.

Grandma Vincent lived in a series of small, modest apartments, but she always had a drawer set aside just for us grandkids. That drawer was filled with empty toilet paper rolls, cardboard inserts from pantyhose packages, bits of yarn, and a package of wax crayons. When I visited, I would dive into that drawer with creative zeal, passing the time making puppets, paper dolls, and other crafty treasures.

I encourage other grandparents to create similar spaces for their grandchildren—places where creativity and imagination can thrive. It doesn’t take much! I have been fortunate to have extra storage space in our most recent home. When we moved in a few years ago, I was thrilled to discover that we had not one but two hall closets! We had barely signed the lease when I declared to my husband that one of those closets would be designated as "Grandma’s Craft Closet." Although the upper shelf may hold a few other things, the majority of the closet is dedicated to my grandchildren and their arts and crafts activities.

The kids know that when they come to visit, they can request to open Grandma’s Craft Closet and dive into an activity! I love watching them engage in creative play, just as I did with my own grandmother.

You may be wondering what I have on my shelves:

• Crayons

• Markers

• Washable paint

• Scrap yarn

• Pipe cleaners

• Glue

• Tape

• Stickers

• Playdough

• Scrap paper

• Coloring books/printed coloring sheets

• Safety scissors

• Toilet paper rolls

• Scrap cardboard

One of my favorite activities to do with my youngest granddaughter is to draw scenes on construction paper—perhaps a landscape or, my favorite, a house interior with bookshelves. Then, I let her place stickers on the scene I have created. I often find fun stickers at the local dollar store that work perfectly for this—whether is little toys or ornaments to place on drawn shelves or animals in a nature scene.

If you are a grandparent, I encourage you to carve out a small space—whether it’s a closet, a drawer, or just a storage box—to inspire your grandchildren’s creativity. It doesn’t take much to create meaningful memories that they will cherish for a lifetime. Inspired by that modest little drawer at Grandma Vincent’s house, Grandma’s Craft Closet has become a one-stop shop for inspiration and an inexpensive way to keep the grandkids entertained at our house!

The Fairy Tree

When my first granddaughter was little, the fairies would occasionally leave her tiny treasures on our front lawn. I loved watching her race outside, eyes wide with excitement, eager to see what had been left for her. My husband told her that fairies especially loved children who were grateful for their friendship. If you talked to them—especially if you thanked them and showed appreciation for their gifts—they might continue their generosity.

When we were searching for a new home, we scheduled a viewing one evening. As soon as we pulled up, I gasped, "It has a fairy tree!" In that moment, I was sold. I don’t know what I would have done if the interior of the house had not met our requirements —we had to live there. I had fallen madly in love with that tree.

It’s a magnificent Russian olive tree, the only one of its kind on the block. At least thirty years old, it has a massive trunk with smaller trunks that reach in every direction. At its base, the four trunks intertwine, forming a small, sheltered space—the perfect hiding spot where the fairies leave their treasures for the children to find. In addition, at its base is  a natural alcove where the local rabbits like to sleep.

Every Halloween, we transform the tree with pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts dangling from its branches. At Easter, it becomes the perfect hiding place for Easter eggs.

I also make fairy doors, and several now grace the trunk, adding a touch of magic to our beloved fairy tree.

Whenever the grandchildren visit, they always check the fairy tree to see if the fairies have left them something. However, as one granddaughter discovered to her dismay, visiting every day doesn’t always guarantee a surprise.

Sometimes, the fairies leave a colouring book, a dollar-store toy, or a lollipop. Other times, it’s a shiny rock or a little treasure from Grandma’s junk drawer—perhaps a tiny mirror or an old bracelet Grandma won’t miss.

One day, my younger granddaughter, who was four at the time, stopped by with her dad for a quick visit. About half an hour before they arrived, it had started to rain. When she found her treasure, she picked it up, looked at it, and exclaime, "Wet socks? Really, fairies?"

As would be expected, the fairies share their tree with many other creatures. As I previously mentioned, there are often rabbits that visit the fairy tree, they love to eat the olives and tender leaves that they find under its branches, and like to nap at the base of it's trunk. Many birds visit the fairy tree as well, and my husband loves watching them perched on the branches outside of his den on the second floor. 

And of course, there is the squirrel.

One time, the fairies left a Kinder Surprise—a chocolate egg with a toy inside—for one of the kids to find. As I glanced out the window, I spotted a squirrel high up in the tree, busily unwrapping the treat! I can’t help but wonder if, somewhere, a tiny Kinder toy now sits in that squirrel’s nest—a prized possession and the talk of all his cocktail parties!

I should mention that the kids often leave treasures for the fairies, too. The fairies love sunflower seeds, pine cones, and even leaves. Pretty rocks are always a favorite. Now that the kids are a little older, we’re encouraging them to leave notes and drawings for the fairies. I think I’ll make them a mailbox so we can be sure the fairies receive their messages.

Most importantly, it’s about gratitude—learning to appreciate the magic of small kindnesses and giving back in return.

Hygge

As I write this, it's a chilly -21°C outside my window here in Alberta (that’s -5.8°F). It’s cold! But I’m grateful for two sleepy dogs curled up under my desk, keeping my feet warm.

January has been eventful, yet the year still feels fresh and full of potential. There’s a sense of newness in the air—a quiet nudge to start working on all the goals we set for 2025. The New Year's resolutions, the productive habits, the pursuit of a newer, better version of ourselves.

But maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from the seasons: Winter is a time for rest and reflection. Like the plants, we can allow ourselves to slow down, take a breath, and wait patiently for the renewal that spring will bring.

Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is a Danish concept that embodies coziness, contentment, and well-being. It’s about embracing life’s simple pleasures and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere that fosters comfort and connection. One of my favorite books on this concept is The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking—a lovely heartwarming read. 

At its core, hygge is about finding joy in small moments, especially during the long, cold months of winter. When the snow is swirling outside, these are some of my favorite hygge-inspired practices:

• Burning candles
• Reading a good book
• Wrapping up in a favorite blanket
• Cozy, fuzzy socks
• A mug of homemade soup
• Sipping a warm drink
• Crocheting or knitting
• Binge-watching a favorite show

Ultimately, hygge is about slowing down and embracing coziness. And how do you know if you’re doing it right? It’s all about the feeling it evokes—a deep sense of peace and contentment. Hygge is about warmth, both physically and emotionally.

So be kind to yourself when the snow is falling, and the wind chill makes -21°C feel like -32°C. The time for running around will come when the ice melts and water runs in the gutters. For now, take a cue from the Danish—and rest. After all, much of nature is doing the same.

Scout understands hygge