BoTh SiDeS NoW…♡

Hello, Welcome to Marcia’s Cottage. ♡ I’m so happy to see you today my friend. ♡ Shall we have a little tea. ♡

This is a re~post from a year ago. I had just returned from the Oregon coast to check it out for a new location to live. What I’d like to say, is if by chance any of you are in a life transitions don’t try and figure everything out. Do what you can, and the rest will be taken care of. Case in point I am now living in an adorable seaside cottage.

Both Sides Now

April 2015

By Marcia Ren

How are you today? Did you have a great week? Are you glad it’s almost Friday?

Any fun plans for the weekend?

                                  Oh, and is there by any chance that you went on some walks?

 Gosh, sorry for all the questions.

Sometimes I’m just so curious how you are, where you are, and what your doing.

As for myself. ..I just recently returned from a trip on the Oregon Coast.

The truth is I went there for several reasons…

1. My husband wanted me to spend some time at the seaside town where we hope to be moving soon.

2. My husband was curious that if after my stay, I’d change my mind about wanting to move.

3. I  wanted to walk on the beach. Oh, I mean the coast. California has beaches. Oregon has coasts. Trust me there is a difference.

4. Okay, my husband’s number 2 reason was legit. I was a little uncertain, if after my visit I’d change my mind too.

After all I’ve only known good old southern California ALL my life. sigh…

                                                      So anyway… I did a lot of walking.

I discover myself when I walk I might have even found myself just a little more during this visit.

When I was a child I would collect things on my beach walks,

bring them home in my sand buckets, pockets, anything I had.

Jars of sea glass, and shells.

Back then I probably learned a lot about who I was by what I was drawn to: this + this + this = ME!

Later, I learned that I really “defined” myself by what I’d gather.

Of course, since then, I’ve gone through an uncluttering period. (don’t we all go through that when we realize we have too much stuff?)

Ironically, in an effort to define who we are, we sometimes bury ourselves in the process.

The good news is that I’ve found that that the act of deciding what to keep and what to let go of is a process of self-discovery, too.

So, my days walking on the coast reminded me how I really want to live.

I want to find things beautiful and true, but I don’t want to keep them.

I feel that I have enough, and that’s a freeing and peaceful thing. Sooooooo…. have you gone on any walks lately? Go ahead.

Take a step toward what you love. Life is the path you make.

xoxo…
    Marcia

 

Here’s a yummy, yummy recipe for you to try after your walk. (wink)

SHRIMP FAJITAS WITH MANGO/LIME SLAW

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
3/4 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
2 cups vertically sliced onion
1 1/2 cups sliced red bell pepper
8  (6-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 crema Mexicana or sour cream
1 jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
Lime wedges

1. combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add shrimp: toss to coat.
2. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat.  Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, 4 minutes or until shrimp are done. Remove shrimp from skillet.
3. add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil to pan. Add onion and cook, stirring often, 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring often, 4 minutes or until softened. Remove skillet from heat and add shrimp, tossing to combine.
4. Top tortillas with shrimp mixture, crema, and jalapeno slices, if desired. Serve with lime wedges. Makes 4 servings.

MANGO LIME SLAW

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 cups shredded coleslaw mix
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 ripe mango, peeled and finely chopped

Whisk together first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Add coleslaw, cilantro, and mango, toss well to coat. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!