Category Archives: Cooking

Rekindling a Thanksgiving Tradition: My Return to Turkey After 14 Years

Posted on November 4, 2024 by Marcia Ren

Thanksgiving is more than a meal; it’s a tradition of gratitude and togetherness. Whether making a turkey or simply gathering with loved ones, it’s a reminder of what truly matters. -Marcia In 2009, I made a significant change in my lifestyle…I stopped eating meat and became more of a pescatarian. The decision wasn’t made lightly, but it felt right for me at the time. Since then, I’ve mostly stuck to fish like salmon while avoiding other types of meat entirely. Yet, as with many things in life, time brings about shifts in perspective, and last year I found myself rethinking … Read the full blog post →

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A Delicious Discovery: Spicy Mediterranean Pasta with Impossible Burger🍔

Posted on August 21, 2024 by Marcia Ren

When simple pantry staples come together, magic happens in the kitchen… Marcia 💗 Sometimes, inspiration strikes in the simplest ways. The other day, I found myself staring at ingredients from my pantry: pasta, black olives, stewed tomatoes, a can of chili beans and a package of impossible burger meat. I wasn’t quite sure what to do with them so I turned to Google for some guidance I typed in “what to make with these five ingredients, pasta, olives, diced tomatoes, chili beans, and impossible plant based meat,” hoping for a spark of culinary creativity. What I found turned out to … Read the full blog post →

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A Delightful Summer Treat: Strawberry Pretzel Dessert🍮

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Marcia Ren

Baking is the delightful pleasure of transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors, a soothing rhythm that brings warmth and joy to the heart and home… Hello everyone! This week, I wanted to share a delightful summer recipe that I recently tried, thanks to a friend I met at my P.E.O. meeting. This treat turned out to be so delicious that I had to make it myself. It’s an old recipe that’s been enjoyed for years, and you might have tried it before. However, it was new to me, and I absolutely loved it. Aside from diving into this … Read the full blog post →

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🎁Christmas in July🌟

Posted on July 3, 2024 by Marcia Ren

“It’s summer and I’m already in the Christmas spirit” -Holiday Love Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are doing well… I’ve been incredibly busy this summer, taking part in a local theater production that has been an absolute blast. Because of this, I’m taking the opportunity to share some of my favorite past posts with you. This one, in particular, is close to my heart because it’s all about one of my favorite activities: hosting a Christmas in July party! I think it’s great that Christmas doesn’t have to come only once a year… especially if you are anything like … Read the full blog post →

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Springtime Fun: Easy and Delicious Recipes for Bake Sale Success👩‍🍳

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Marcia Ren

We can smile and relax. Everything we want is right here in the present moment. -Thich Nhat Hanh Being part of the Auxiliary for our local hospital, I recently embarked on a baking adventure to whip up some treats for a bake sale. Not only were these recipes easy to make, but they were also incredibly fun. Despite the temptation of munching on M&Ms and pretzels along the way, I managed to create two delightful treats that were perfect for the occasion. Spring Flower Cupcakes Instructions: Pretzel Flower Treats Instructions: Baking these springtime treats in my kitchen was not only … Read the full blog post →

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Embracing Coziness: A Winter Home Refresh and Comforting Soup Recipe👩‍🍳

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Marcia Ren

In the winter’s embrace, the cozy nest of home becomes a sanctuary, warmed not just by blankets but by the comforting aroma of winter feasts, turning each meal into a celebration of comfort and joy… 💕Marcia As the holiday season winds down, there’s a unique joy in putting away the festive decor, clearing spaces, and embracing the promise of a new year. Living in a region where winter brings colder temperatures and rain, I find solace in creating a warm and inviting home during this time. Each room becomes a sanctuary, and I relish the opportunity to nestle into the … Read the full blog post →

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Sipping Memories: A Coastal Christmas Tea Tradition

Posted on December 18, 2023 by Marcia Ren

Embarking on the winding roads of nostalgia, I find myself back in the heartwarming embrace of tradition that took root years ago in the sun-soaked landscapes of California…the annual Christmas tea. What started as a simple gathering blossomed into a cherished ritual that endured, even as I traversed the journey to the coastal ranges of Oregon. While so much has changed since the days in California, the memories of those festive teas endure, a treasured tapestry of laughter, stories, and shared warmth. With each sip, I am transported back to the familiar gatherings, surrounded by loved ones, and the simple … Read the full blog post →

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🌸The Enchanting Magic of Peonies: 🌸Summer Delight in My Garden

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find.” -C.S. Lewis Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… Peonies, with their exquisite beauty, mesmerizing colors, and alluring fragrance, possess an undeniable magic that transforms my garden into a realm of wonder and happiness. As I witness their blooming spectacle each summer… I am reminded of the profound connection we share with nature and the simple joys that bring light to our lives… the magic of peonies, like nature itself… is a gift that continues to inspire, uplift, and fill my heart with … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Garden/Tea Time, What’s Cooking? | 3 Comments

A Spring Soiree🌸

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are” – Max Depree Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… Spring is a wonderful time of year to host a gathering with friends…the weather is warming up…flowers are in bloom…and everyone is ready to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. However, spring weather can also be unpredictable… that being said let me share about how I recently hosted a small gathering inside. A few easy tips… 1. Plan your venue…(outside/inside) 2. Create a guest list… 3. Menu: a spring soiree calls for light, fresh, and colorful food options. … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 6 Comments

Two Recipes and a Husband👩‍🍳

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“The only true voyage of discovery – would be not to visit strange lands but to posses other eyes” -Marcel Post Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… Today I’m so excited to share 2 recipes I recently made… I’m hoping that you enjoy them as much as my husband Joe did… I have to admit that it made me feel good to hear him say… that while eating this meal he was transported to a northern Italian little village eating soup and bread… My Joe has a fabulous imagination! Garden Focaccia Bread Ingredients 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons … Read the full blog post →

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