A Simple Life

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

Well,  how was your week?  Busy?  Fun?  Go anywhere special? Do anything o.u.t.o.f.t.h.e.o.r.d.i.n.a.r.y…. Well, I must admit, I think I sort of kind of did. Do ya wanna know what it is?

Okay, dokey…..Let’s have a seat, and I’ll tell ya all about it! (smile) First,  I just have to tell you about a book I recieved few days ago.  It came from a dear  friend of mine.

She lives in California. And, in case your new to my blog, I just recently moved from there. ..to the Oregon coast. We use to go to tea rooms every month.  She created a photo album,  and then had it turned it into a book called “Tea Adventures with Marcia”.

Well, let me tell you. ..I thought I wouldn’t stop crying when I recieved such a beautiful gift from the heart. (Sigh)

No doubt that leaving my sweet, wonderful friends WAS the most difficult thing for me when I moved. I can’t wait until they come visit me at my beautiful seaside cottage. And, in some ways I’m getting ready for that day.

Okay, (wiping tears away) so let’s get back to the other stuff I wanted to share with you.

And,  trust me…It’s really no big deal. It’s just that…well, everyday. .. that I spend in our charming cottage,  I love it more, and MORE. I start seeing those things I could do, which would help nurture it’s soul.

BTW, just in case you didn’t know this about me. ..I’m big on “nurturing” the soul of a home.  BIG…as in HUGE. (smile)

I did a little painting in our laundry room.

Took a few walks around the neighborhood.

Found a really cute wicker shelf at a local thrift shop, and asked my husband to go back and barter for it. He’s much better bartering than I am.

With just a little scrubbing, and paint,  I got it looking almost like new!

And,  I got so inspired by a little quilted pot holder, which I had recently purchased at the local Farmers Market, that I decided to glue some new curtains!

Did you notice I didn’t say “sew” curtains.

I can’t sew right now, since I don’t have a sewing machine anymore.

It was donated to the Salvation Army around a year ago.

However, when I saw the colors of the pot holder, I remembered that I had a sheet cover with similar colors.

Sort of mixy/matchy.

I’ve always loved the colors, and had used it for many things in the past; a cover for a chair, pillow, window seats.

When I first started blogging, I actually used it for the backdrop on my first blog site.  So, I measured the windows, and figured out I’d have just enough fabric to create some sweet simple window treatments.

With a little cutting, and “gluing” I was finished in no time at all.

Now, those pretty little things get to hang out with me all day in the kitchen.

Which of course is my fave fun place to hang out in. Of course.

I have sewn curtains many times before, https://marciascottagebythesea.com/a-summer-breeze/ however, this was the first time I ever used fabric glue and “glued” curtains.

I loved it! So easy, and simple! And, the funny thing is… if I hadn’t given away my sewing machine, I’d might not of even thought to “glue” instead of “sew”. A sweet reminder to stay open for exploring new, and fun ways of doing things.

Yes, my friend. ..

Life…

Is….

filled with sweet possibilities.

Be safe …See ya!

My husband loves coconut macaroons. These traditional sweet treats are easy to whip up. Just don’t try to make them on a humid day, or they will be too soft. And, make sure to let them cool completely before removing them from the foil; they will need time to firm up.

Ingredients:

3 large egg whites

Pinch of salt

1 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 ( 7-ounce ) bag sweetened shredded coconut

Directions:

1. Preheat the over to 325. Line two large baking sheets with foil and grease the foil.

2. In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until frothy.  Add the salt, increase the speed to medium- high, and beat until the whites begin to form soft peaks. Beat in the sugar about 1 tablespoon at a time and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

3.  Beat in the vanilla. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in the coconut.

4. Drop the batter by heaping teaspoonfuls about 1 1/2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets.

5. Bake the macaroons for 15-18 minutes, until they are light golden and just set. Let the baking sheets cool completely on wire racks.

6. Carefully peel the macaroons off the foil and store in an airtight container.

Makes about 5 dozen macaroons

Within each of us, just waiting to blossom, is the wonderful promise of all we can be.