Category Archives: Our Home

After Goodbye: A Story Still Unfolding (Finding grace in the in-between)

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Marcia Ren

“Sometimes the bravest thing we do is begin again…quietly” – Unknown It’s been a week and a day since we stepped through the door of our new townhome…a modest, light-filled place nestled in the rhythm of a different city. The kind of place where the mornings are quiet, the birds sound unfamiliar, and the light pours in from just the right angle to remind me we’re somewhere new. In many ways, the goodbye we just lived through feels like it happened years ago. And in other ways, it’s still sitting with me…tucked inside half-sealed boxes, in the scent of our … Read the full blog post →

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Chapter 5: Saying Good-bye

Posted on April 14, 2025 by Marcia Ren

As Eleanor packed the last of the boxes, she realized that the weight of goodbye wasn’t just in the belongings she had sorted through or the memories tucked away in old photographs. It was in the people, the routines, the way this place had shaped them. Letting go of a house was one thing…letting go of a life built within it was another. She hadn’t expected it to be so hard. And yet, amidst the bittersweet goodbyes, a quiet certainty remained. She and Thomas were ready. A new chapter was waiting, and it was time to begin searching for the … Read the full blog post →

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A Bunco Invitation: The Gift of Saying Yes (…and Then Changing Your Mind Like a Grown Woman Should)

Posted on April 9, 2025 by Marcia Ren

It all started with a bunny bag. I was standing in line at Marshall’s…holding a couple of pillows, a basket I probably didn’t need, and the feeling that I might never find my salt and pepper shakers again…when I noticed the cutest little spring display. Bunny-shaped gift bags. Ridiculously adorable. “I’m getting one for my Bunco group,” said the woman in front of me with a grin. That’s all it took. Bunny bags and Bunco. We started chatting. She told me her name was Cookie (yes, Cookie…like the snack, not the website popup), and she shared about her neighborhood’s monthly … Read the full blog post →

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Chapter 4: The Weight of Goodbye

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Marcia Ren

The process of letting go is never just about packing boxes and signing papers. As Eleanor prepares to say goodby to her home, she finds herself caught between the past and the future…sorting through not just belongings, but memories, milestones, and the quiet echoes of a life well-lived. The decision had been made, and the return to Seabrook Coast had felt both comforting and unfamiliar. The house was still theirs, the waves still rolled in, and the scent of salt still filled the air…but something had shifted. Eleanor knew it the moment they stepped through the door. The home she … Read the full blog post →

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Chapter 3: Returning To The Coast

Posted on March 31, 2025 by Marcia Ren

Leaving London behind didn’t mean leaving its influence. Eleanor carried it with her…the glow of city lights, the weight of history, the quiet realization that change had already begun. As the plane descended, she found herself caught between two worlds: the one she had always known and the one that had yet to unfold. The plane touched down under a sky streaked with soft blues and grays. Their home was perched along the edge of Seabrook coast… a rugged stretch where the sea met the land in a way that had always felt like theirs. The waves rolled in steady … Read the full blog post →

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Chapter 1: London in December – A New Story Begins

Posted on March 17, 2025 by Marcia Ren

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to share a story… One that blends a little fiction with personal reflections. I’m calling it a novella, and while some parts are drawn from real experiences, others are left for the reader to decide what’s real and what’s imagined. This is the first chapter: London in December. London in December The music swelled, filling the grand space of the London Colosseum, it’s soaring notes wrapping around Eleanor, like a warm embrace. On stage, Clara, twirled, the Nutcracker Prince guiding her into a world of magic and possibility. Eleanor sat transfixed, the beauty … Read the full blog post →

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Cozy Winter Living: A Look at My Home Right Now

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Marcia Ren

As winter envelops us in its chilly embrace, there’s something inherently comforting about creating a warm and inviting space to retreat to. Today, I’d like to share some cozy corners of my home, where elegance meets comfort during this transitional season. The Living Room: A Simple Elegance In my living room, I’ve kept the decor minimal yet elegant. The focus is on comfort, with an elegant flair, which gracefully adds to the room’s aesthetic. Instead of overwhelming the space with seasonal decorations, I have chosen to showcase just a book or two on the coffee table. One such book, centered … Read the full blog post →

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My Christmas Home Tour 2024🎄

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Marcia Ren

A home filled with warmth, wonder, and the magic of Christmas… 💕Marcia Welcome to my Christmas home tour! This year, I’ve embraced a magical Nutcracker theme throughout my home, blending elegance, coziness, and woodsy charm. With eight trees scattered across different rooms, each space carries its own unique holiday vibe while still feeling cohesive. Let’s take a little tour! The Living Room: Elegance and Magic Our living room sets the tone for the season. As you enter, you’re greeted by an air of sophistication and warmth. Since our home doesn’t have a formal foyer, I’ve turned the vestibule into a … Read the full blog post →

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🩰A Nutcracker Christmas Comes To Life🎄Decorating Living Room & Dining Alcove

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Marcia Ren

As the Nutcracker’s magic weaves its spell, I’m delighting in a world of twinkling lights, timeless music, and enchanting dreams. Come join me in sprinkling a little holiday wonder! Marcia🎄 As the holiday season deepens, I’ve been relishing each stage of decorating, taking time to savor the details as I transform our home into a Nutcracker-inspired winter haven. This year, I’m leaning fully into a Nutcracker theme…a beloved tradition for us that has grown over the years into a special part of our holiday celebrations. In the living room, I’m layering my white flocked tree with a collection of Nutcracker … Read the full blog post →

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Bringing Out the Christmas Tree, Part Two: A Nutcracker-Inspired Holiday Begins🎄

Posted on November 11, 2024 by Marcia Ren

With each ornament and gentle touch, traditions come alive…a Nutcracker-inspired holiday, filled with timeless wonder and joy. 🎄Marcia🎄 As we ease further into the holiday season, I find myself captivated once again by the timeless beauty that surrounds Christmas. The sparkle, the warmth, the sense of tradition…it all comes alive in such a meaningful way this year. This Christmas feels different, like it will be one that stays in our hearts for a long time. For as long as I can remember, the Nutcracker has held a special place in our celebrations. My husband and I have shared a love … Read the full blog post →

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