Category Archives: Coastal Living

Put Your Heart Into It…A Recipe For Hearts

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Marcia Ren

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Hello, sweet friends… I’ve been a crafty gal this week… playing around with 2 ongoing projects kept me joyfully occupied… the first one was a prayer journal… the second was… a Valentine tree…. Creative expression has always been important to me… I have found it helpful in releasing thoughts and emotions that sometimes don’t find expression. I’m grateful for the many ways to create…Painting…music…dance…writing… it’s taken many years to realize I don’t have to be “perfect” at creating … the most important thing I’ve discovered… is that by exploring ways of being creative… I learn more about myself and this helps me grow… my creativity allows me to just be me…and that, dear reader, is the sweetest powerfully creative experience there is. CANDY HEARTS During one of my excursions to JoAnns I came … Continue reading →

Posted in A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living | 8 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 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 I thought it would be fun to share how I’ve decorated. But for now what do you say we grab a cute apron…something warm to drink (it’s chilly where I live) and bake! 👩‍🍳What’s Cooking? Gingerbread Last year a friend that I met via Facebook (Jill) told me about the … Continue reading →

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 and a love which has inspired me to create my home today. New traditions to make, time to enjoy with my husband Joe, and a day to create a special meal. Memories which have taught me to focus on what I have instead of what I’ve lost. I know that’s easier … Continue reading →

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