Category Archives: Coastal Living

Making Tamales…

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Hello, sweet friends… When I first came up with the idea of making tamales during the holidays I thought it was because the idea of trying something new sounded appealing. Once I began the whole process I realized it was more…linking me to a much bigger picture by connecting me to people who have come before me giving me a sense of security, belonging, & identity Making tamales during the holidays had been a ritual in my family … Read the full blog post →

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2022…A Look Back…

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Marcia Ren

”To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are well… I’m not really sure how we are already once again closing out the year, but here we are. Along with a few “bumps” in the road… 2022 also brought many beautiful moments. In whatever ways you are marking this holiday season and end of the year… My hope is that you & yours are healthy & well. Wishing you the best for the coming … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, Our Cottage | 2 Comments

Time To Celebrate… Home For The Holidays🎄

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“At Christmas make good cheer, for Christmas comes but once a year.” -Thomas Tusser Hello, sweet friends… Christmas is coming and I can’t wait! In fact…for me the countdown is just as much fun as the arrival of You-Know-Who. Christmas looks different for everyone… I take comfort in mine…whatever it may look like… Embracing the imperfections that are perfect in their own way… knowing that these are the holidays I will look back on most fondly. Merry Christmas!

Posted in Coastal Living | 6 Comments

🎄The Season of Joy & A Cottage Christmas Tea🎄

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete” – Jack Kornfield Hello, sweet friends… I hope that you are doing well… This week I’ve been concentrating on holiday fun… preparing for a Christmas Tea ( I love setting the table & making guests feel celebrated)… attending a Christmas party luncheon… and heading out of town with my husband for a little weekend holiday getaway to watch a performance of the Nutcracker Ballet… the holidays are a special time…creating gifts… decorating our homes… visiting with friends… and, in general feeling a sense of community.

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style | Tagged | 2 Comments

🎄A Christmas Cottage…Part 2…The Living Room🎄☕️

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Joy is finding the holy in the small and the sacred in the everyday” -Mary Davis Hello, sweet friend… I enjoy decorating our home for the holidays… there’s so much comfort to embrace… even in small imperfections that become perfect in their own way… For me it’s discovering joy even in the mess… and not waiting for things to get easier… simpler… or perhaps even better.… I’m learning that when I’m open… Joy will find me anywhere.💗

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🎄A Christmas Cottage…Part 1…The Dining Alcove☕️🎄

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahil Gibran Hello, sweet friends… I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This past weekend I was able to get most of my Christmas decorations together… and was excited to begin decorating our home… When it comes to decorating, no season shines brighter than the Christmas holidays…It takes me a while to think about where I want to place things… I enjoy the whole process of deciding exactly where each little trinket should go. That being said I thought it would be fun the next couple of weeks to share … Read the full blog post →

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Christmas is Coming!🎄My Christmas Cottage Haul🧑‍🎄

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” ~Gandhi Oh dear…it seems as if Christmas is coming to our house! I was told that one of the previous owners of our home… had envisioned it as a Christmas cottage… During the holidays I am always looking for ideas and inspiration… Sometimes I find them in the unexpected places… Like discovering a vintage picture in our attic. I feel that there must be a place somewhere in our home at Christmas for this wonderful find. As this magical season begins to unfold I wish you all the joy and love … Read the full blog post →

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My Pre-Holiday Getaway

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Marcia Ren

Your first thought in the morning should be ”thank you” -anonymous Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… I recently returned from a fun getaway to Portland, Oregon…and before I left I had asked a few friends (who once lived there) where I might find the best downtown shopping… I discovered that depending on the people I asked…I would get a variety of opinions! the Pearl District along with Northwest/Nob Hill were highly suggested… however I decided to check out Pioneer Place… which houses big-name fashion stores such as Nordstrom taking up a whole city block… And nearby, spanning … Read the full blog post →

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🍂 A Friendsgiving Gathering🍁

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Marcia Ren

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 14:17 Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are doing well… Thanksgiving is just around the corner… a beautiful time dedicated to celebrating and focusing on what we are most thankful for. That being said along with my sweet little family & furry kids…I am grateful for all my wonderful friends… which of course includes you! So naturally Thanksgiving is also the perfect time to have a ’Friendsgiving’ gathering. There … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 1 Comment

November…Adventure Calls…🍁🍂🎃

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Yes! Decorating for Christmas early is actually good for you!” –Hyggehaus Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are doing well… Recently I visited a clock repair shop and was reminded that daylight savings time is just around the corner…(this weekend) where has the year gone? earlier in the week on Halloween while in a clothing store…Christmas music was being played…time is flying! these two experiences made me wonder…was I behind or ahead in my seasonal decorating?… That being said…no doubt as soon as I finish working on getting this post published… I’ll be heading out to the attic…to see what … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 10 Comments