Category Archives: A Quarantined Life

The Lights of Christmas…& A Recipe For Gingerbread

Posted on December 3, 2020 by Marcia Ren

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime. – Laura Ingalls Wilder Hello, sweet friend… This is the time of year… where most people begin their Christmas decorating… unless they were like me and couldn’t wait for the sparkle, twinkle & shine to begin. The lights on a Christmas tree automatically brings a smile to my face. This year more than ever I want to make the most of this magical time… before it’s gone. Over the next few weeks … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Our Cottage, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments

Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Marcia Ren

There is always time for Gratitude and new beginnings Hello, sweet friend… Cheers to Thanksgiving 2020! With it being nearly 30 years since both my parents passed away…I have discovered the importance of creating a home for quite a while now. That being said a holiday has not gone by in which their memory and those earlier years haven’t come to mind. As time goes on…these memories become more precious…mainly because they have made my own traditions richer. At the heart of these memories is a gratitude for having the opportunity to experience the richness of family in it’s fullness … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 5 Comments

Halfway Through November…

Posted on November 19, 2020 by Marcia Ren

Take time to play! Ask for what you want. Laugh. Live loudly. Be avid. Learn a new thing. Be yourself! -Mary Anne Radmacher Hello, sweet friends… I was able to attend a Holiday Open House recently… The event was “socially distanced” & mask mandated. It was just what I needed to get into the spirit of the holidays. I arrived early when they opened… and departed with a few adorable Christmas items… I don’t know about you… but this gal has a strong desire for deckingtheyeardecking the halls this year… That being said once they are decked… I promise to … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 1 Comment

Let Us Bake Bread Together…

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Marcia Ren

fika (fee-ka) Swedisha moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life. Hello, sweet friends… Today is a perfect autumn day. While taking this photo it felt like I was the main character in some vintage like story… with a cat named Anastasia who sits peering out from an upstairs window… Having grown up in sunny Southern California and really not being use to Autumn… I still get quite excited when I see the leaves changing colors. It’s the perfect backdrop for a cozy home …nothing beats it… well, on second thought I’m thinking the smell of freshly … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 9 Comments

To Everything There Is A Season…

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Marcia Ren

Sometimes the winds of change carry us to better places… Hello, sweet friends… This has been a week of transitioning… with Halloween now over… it’s time to begin… anticipating… planning… preparing… and welcoming… with an open heart this cozier vibe… 🍁🍂🍁 It seems as if lately my best inspiration has come from nature… no doubt even this week’s baking was inspired by it’s deliciousness. 👩‍🍳 What’s Cooking? As you must know…I love desserts! Particularly those with a sweet and sour twist to them. These bars include something for everyone…and that is definitely part of their appeal.💗 SEVEN LAYER BARS Ingredients … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments

Halloween 2020…🎃🎃🎃

Posted on October 29, 2020 by Marcia Ren

There is a child in every one of us still looking for a brightly lit front porch…Robert Brault Hello, sweet friends… It’s time to get your BOO on… since after all… us ghouls just want to have fun! speaking of fun I have 2 easy recipes for you just in time for the weekend! 👩‍🍳 What’s Cooking? MUMMY DOGS A few days ago I woke up early (Joe was still sleeping) and decided to make these. The smell of the veggie sausage was so good that it woke Joe up. He came downstairs and said “wow… whatever you are cooking … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 12 Comments

Flavors of Fall…Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Posted on October 22, 2020 by Marcia Ren

It’s a new season. A perfect opportunity to do something new… something bold…something beautiful! Hello, sweet friends… I hope you had a beautiful week. As you can tell from the photo, I have been enjoying my walks. In this photo the sun was so bright you can really see how quickly the leaves are changing colors… One of my favorite things about fall is all the pumpkin recipes. Here is a recent favorite of mine. These pumpkin spice cupcakes are easy to whip up and can be topped off with a variety of frostings. I’ve included a delicious cream cheese … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 2 Comments

Anastasia’s First Road Trip…(re-told by Joe)

Posted on October 15, 2020 by Marcia Ren

I have lived with several zen masters, all of them cats.-Elkhart Tolle Well, hello friends this is Joe… Today I’m sharing Marcia’s & Anastasia’s first road trip. Anastasia came to us from a shelter In Roseburg, Oregon. Her only trip before that was coming home from the shelter when Marcia brought her back home, and she was just a frightened kitten in a very, very cute carrying case. In fact our vet told us that it was the cutest carrying case he’d ever seen! As she has grown…matured & become less frightened we decided it was time for Anastasia’s first … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, In Joe’s Words | 3 Comments

Simple Joys for October…Pumpkins!!!

Posted on October 8, 2020 by Marcia Ren

The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go… Hello, sweet friends… It’s been an unbelievable several months in our world… and even though I’m not certain about what this Fall will look like… I do know that family, home and pumpkins will be at the heart of everything. That being said this past week Joe and I planned an outing to a pumpkin farm… It was a beautiful day… During this time of so many restrictions… it’s a real treat to experience the outdoors… seeing all the pumpkins on the vine… and deciding … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 2 Comments

A Rekindled Love…& Pumpkin Crumb Cakes

Posted on October 2, 2020 by Marcia Ren

“Our truest life is when we are dreams awake.”–Henry David Thoreau Hello, sweet friends…Happy October! I started sewing when I was in junior high… My first class project was a simple A-line skirt… I continued tinkering for a few years… it wasn’t until my first year teaching that I wore what I made… that was my “official” beginning… the year was 1981… I continued sewing for about 10 years and then stopped. Fast forward to 2020, the pandemic and nesting at home, that I had the desire to return to sewing. I didn’t know how much I missed my sewing … Read the full blog post →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 7 Comments