Monthly Archives: January 2020

Heading Into February…

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Marcia Ren

“Live life in full bloom & let your dreams blossom” -Marcia Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are having a wonderful week… Surrendering to the brrrrrr of this season… I have taken time to put my nose to inhaling the scents of wood smoke and the frost of the cold air… I’ve walked by those bare trees… listening to the sounds of silence after a winter storm… a storm that came in the wee hours…awakening my small town with it’s blustery wind, thunder and lightning. I appreciate the treasures of this season and it’s tidbits of beauty… realizing that even though everything looks brownish… it’s a growing season… and has a role of importance in the garden… That being said… I’m ready to embrace a new season… begin nibbling on those fresh berries from the garden and to open my heart & arms to grow… Happy February💕

Posted in 2020, Garden/Tea Time | 6 Comments

Come Cook With Me…

Posted on January 24, 2020 by Marcia Ren

and so, she decided to start living the life she imagined… Hello, sweet friend… Many years ago while I was still teaching… A parent in my class invited me over to her house for lunch. Her name was Molly… that afternoon she taught me how to make Pad Thai. Years later I still think of her whenever I prepare this wonderful dish. Here is a super easy and approachable way to make it (that is if you don’t take a million photos like I did😉) Just in case you don’t know what Pad Thai is… it’s a stirfry dish made with rice noodles shrimp, chicken or tofu, peanuts a scrambled egg and bean sprouts. The ingredients are sautéed together in a wok or pan & tossed in a delicious Thai sauce. Ingredients 8 ounces flat rice noodles 3 tablespoons oil three cloves garlic, minced 8 ounces uncooked shrimp, chicken, or … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020, Cooking | 6 Comments

An Art Exhibit and “Marcia’s Second Pink Home”

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Marcia Ren

“Home is where the heart is” – Pliny the Elder Hello, sweet friend… How are you? I hope you had a great week. Earlier this week I attended an Art Exhibit Opening at Southern Coos Hospital located in Bandon, Oregon on the Oregon coast. The theme of the exhibit was called “Home” All the artwork displayed some form of home life. I was so excited to attend this exhibit… since I find an enormous comfort in the home The artists work displayed different kinds of structures representing home… There were barns…nests…farm houses…small cafés… As I strolled through the exhibit sipping punch and munching on small delectable cookies I was pleasantly surprised to see… that one of the artists had painted… our home… There it hung so beautifully on the wall… it was entitled “Marcia’s Second Pink Home” I excitedly called Joe to let him know! (of course) To be continued… … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020, Our Cottage | 6 Comments

Journaling – 2020

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Marcia Ren

Plant those dream seedlings…eat, sleep, breathe them. Continue reading →

Posted in 2020 | 3 Comments

Hello, January

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Marcia Ren

CULTIVATE No matter what is being cultivated, the word implies a level of care that is reminiscent of gardening… Hello, sweet friend… Welcome, January! With only a few days into 2020…I have surprised myself by somehow managing to pack Christmas 2019 away. Storage boxes are filled and ready to take down to the basement. (btw…love having a basement!) I am enjoying learning about more efficient ways to organize everything. Cards have been looked at several times…and until next year I will hold them close to my heart. The most lovely thing happened this week… a surprise gift from my high school friend arrived in the mail…my first gift of the year! It was a beautiful JP France hand-painted teapot, creamer & sugar dish. This beautiful surprise was so apropos…since I have been pondering thoughts about the New Year. Thoughts on how to cultivate a deeper richer meaning into my everyday … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments