Category Archives: What’s Cooking?

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 →

Posted in What’s Cooking? | Tagged | 5 Comments

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 →

Posted in What’s Cooking? | 6 Comments

🌸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 →

Posted in Coastal Living, Cooking, What’s Cooking? | 1 Comment

Spring Awakenings🌸|Easy Spring Tablescape🌸

Posted on March 23, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“Despite the forecast, live like it’s spring.” –Lilly Pulitzer Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… With the winter being over at least on the calendar my hunkering down and being cozy at home mentality has changed almost like the recent clockwork…desiring the brighter happy colors of spring… I am ready to open all the windows to watch as flowers bloom and life awakens once more… And with the daylight being longer again it’s the perfect time to start planning those fun long get togethers with friends & family… 👩‍🍳What’s Cooking… Recently I hosted a small luncheon to celebrate … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 1 Comment

Celebrating Mardi Gras…(let the good times roll)

Posted on February 19, 2023 by Marcia Ren

Leave a little sparkle wherever you go Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are doing well… Now that we have celebrated Valentine’s Day, it’s time to look toward the next celebratory event…Mardi Gras Crock pot jambalaya👩‍🍳 Ingredients  DIRECTIONS King Cake Ingredients 2 6oz. cans of cinnamon rolls plus included icing 1/4 cup salted butter melted 1/2 cup light brown sugar Green yellow, and purple sanding sugar

Posted in Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments

💘Happy Valentines Day💘

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Marcia Ren

Let all that you do be done with Love -1 Corinthians 16:14 Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are doing well… and that you have been enjoying February…the month of love I enjoy discovering small ways to help experience the joy of each month… I love me some good seasonal living… so for February it’s all about celebrating those we love… taking time to love ourselves a little bit… and of course savoring each special moment along the way… What’s Cooking Today’s dinner plans aren’t definite yet…however for dessert I will be baking up this simple yet scrumptious, chewy, and … Read the full blog post →

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

Bunco…Cupcakes…& New Beginnings

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it…every, every minute? -Thorton Wilder Hello, sweet friends… With January quickly coming to an end… I’ve decided that this will be the year for me to try new things…saying yes more often… opening myself up to life & it’s many experiences… Whether it is a new style of sofa, haircut, food, hobby, or trying my hand at volunteering… experimenting with simple tasks… or perhaps even daring and challenging ones could be fun…pushing myself out of my comfort zone (just a little) It’s exciting to imagine all the possibilities which no … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, What’s Cooking? | 2 Comments

January, Rest & Reset With Me…

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.” -Carl Sandburg Hello, sweet friends… Happy New Year… How has it been for you? This time of year is a bit confusing for many myself included. I find the mountain of motivation and ‘best life talk” at the start of the year to be quite overwhelming. I often feel bombarded with messages on “how to go forth” when actually I think what is most beneficial is to just turn in a bit…to explore my feelings and allow myself to feel gratitude for all I already have. … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 2 Comments