Category Archives: A Quarantined Life

Welcoming in 2021…

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Marcia Ren

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Hello, sweet friends… It’s Thursday early afternoon as I write this week’s blog post…the first week of 2021 has been lived… most of the Christmas decor taken down… lovingly tucked away… wanting to maintain a cozy vibe… I decided to keep 2 trees up… transitioning the main tree to a Valentine’s tree. I told Joe that my Valentine’s tree will become our new Christmas tree. (giggle) The point being that this year Id like to build a whole beautiful life from the smallest of moments making each day count the most. What’s Cooking? Often on Sunday I prepare a salmon dinner. I’ve experimented with several recipes and this simple yet delicious recipe seems to be our favorite. INGREDIENTS Creamy Dill Sauce ▢ 1 large … Continue reading →

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

2020…The Year We All Stayed Home

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Marcia Ren

There are two ways of getting home…one of them is to stay there…the other is to walk around the whole world till we come back to the same place.” -Chesterton Hello, sweet friends… Having recently celebrated another trip around the sun…. AND… being a gal who never volunteers to share her age or weight…I do admit that this past year has made me years wiser not older…(wink) 2020 has been quite the year…still, good things did happen. Things have changed…and perhaps some things will never come back. Our homes became the great theaters where the drama of our daily lives were played out. When the world seemed to grow darker the desire for me to create a sanctuary grew stronger…and, I discovered to slow down in life. 2020 would have a silver lining… a deeper appreciation for life…not to take anything for granted because one day all I will have … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Cooking, Together Apart | 10 Comments

A Christmas Tea 2020…

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Marcia Ren

🎄Be truly glad…there is wonderful joy ahead.🎄 -Peter 1:6 Hello, sweet friend… Merry Christmas! Recently I asked Joe what he would like for Christmas…he said he didn’t need or want anything…that all my cooking during this pandemic was the biggest most wonderful gift of all. He went on expressing gratitude for my efforts in preparing meals while also creating a beautiful cozy home for us. Honestly, I was a bit gobsmacked! I thanked him and while handing him my Christmas wish list (giggle) I knew just what to give my charming husband… I would surprise him with a Christmas Tea! 👩‍🍳 What’s Cooking… Along with a variety of simple tea sandwiches such as egg salad, smoked salmon and cucumber… I also baked semi-homemade scones using a can of mandarin oranges with a handful of chocolate chips. I baked Krusteaz lemon bars and pulled out a few sugar cookies I had … Continue reading →

Posted in A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Our Cottage, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 7 Comments

One Week Before Christmas…

Posted on December 17, 2020 by Marcia Ren

Lord, give us Thy Joy, that Joy that no man, no poverty, no circumstances, no conditions can take from us. – A.J. Russell Hello, sweet friends… With it being only one week before Christmas… I am packing in as much joy as possible… That being said… recently after a delicious dinner… which I had prepared (big smile) Joe & I hopped in our car and headed out… for a date night which included ordering Fries from McDonalds…peppermint lattes from a coffee kiosk (both drive- thru) and cruising around to check out the local Christmas lights… (Love the color of this door!) The evening was reminiscent of ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ as Joe chauffeured me around… while I sat in the back seat snapping out orders up photos. One of the homes in the neighborhood was wired to a local radio station which played Christmas music. It was a great evening!Along with … Continue reading →

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

The Love of Home…Decorate…Bake…Repeat…

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Marcia Ren

“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hello, sweet friend… Today I thought I’d share a bit of my Christmas decor… This is admittedly the most decorating… I’ve done… since our move from SoCal five years ago. I’ve had so much fun this season… decorating trees & mantels. Decorating has been a labor of love for me… and realize that… my style isn’t for everyone… So I definitely encourage you to find your own. That being said… Coming home will always be the best feeling in the world to me… and though this Christmas… may be a little different than last… I hope… you will always be… merry in your hearts. Here we are at the top of the stairway… where I’ve wrapped a bit of garland & red bows around the banister… 👩‍🍳 Let’s Bake… Sugar Cookies Everyone … Continue reading →

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