Category Archives: Our Cottage

Home…All Set For Easter & Coconut cupcakes

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Marcia Ren

Welcome is what reflects God’s spirit of love, joy and happiness. -Emilie Barnes Hello, sweet friends… Happy Easter!!! Home has never been so important… Ours has become a special way for me to experience contentment and express creativity. I feel fortunate that my husband supports… encourages… and most importantly… appreciates my ongoing efforts in creating a home for us. That being said this past week I had so much delight creating an Easter tablescape… sewing a small table cover and napkins which matched the dining alcove curtains… I think it all came together quite beautifully… What’s Cooking? This year instead of my usual bunny cake I thought it would be fun to bring it up a notch…and so I chose to bake Ina Garten’s delight. Oh my goodness!!! What made this dessert great was Joe loves coconut and I love cupcakes…perfect pairing! COCONUT CUPCAKES Ingredients: 3/4 pound unsalted butter at … Continue reading →

Posted in A Quarantined Life, Coastal Living, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments

My Spring Cleaning Break…❤️

Posted on March 25, 2021 by Marcia Ren

Spring is nature’s way of saying ‘let’s party.’ -Robin Williams Hello, sweet friend… This week I attempted a bit of spring cleaning… However I kept getting distracted… (Oddly only while cleaning) inevitably something would pop up… and before I knew it… I’d find myself questioning my priorities… I decided that the distractions had to be a sign from the universe… and we all know that when she speaks… you must listen… WHAT’S COOKING?👩‍🍳 Sausage Egg & Cheese Breakfast Puffs – only 4 ingredients! Super easy to make and tastes great! Puff pastry, eggs, sausage, and cheese. You can assemble ahead of time and freeze for a quick meal later…perfect for when you need a break! BREAKFAST PUFFS Ingredients: 1 (17.3-oz) package puff pastry, thawed 7 large eggs 18 uncooked breakfast sausage links (I substitute veggie sausage) 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 egg, beaten 1 Tbsp water Preheat oven to 400ºF degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a skillet, scramble … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 1 Comment

Spring…Decor…and a “Sinful” Delight🥰

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” -Helen Keller Hello, sweet friend… Happy Spring!!! This past week the sun was shining… daffodils were blooming… and I gathered up my spring decor… to do the jig a bit of decorating magic… turning shamrocks… into small rabbits… with bright colored garland…. just a few changes… makes all the difference… to celebrate… the arrival of Spring… bringing light…joy…and hope into our home… WHAT’S COOKING?👩‍🍳 For years I’ve attended a women’s retreat at Sacred Heart Retreat House located in Alhambra, California. Due to the Pandemic I was not able to attend this past year…however, recently they hosted a Zoom baking class where the Carmelite nun’s taught how to prepare a decadent delight…and today I share it with you! CARMELITE DELIGHT Below is the actual message & recipe from … Continue reading →

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

The Love of Home…Decorate…Bake…Repeat…

Posted on December 10, 2020 by Marcia Ren

“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” -Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Hello, sweet friend… Today I thought I’d share a bit of my Christmas decor… This is admittedly the most decorating… I’ve done… since our move from SoCal five years ago. I’ve had so much fun this season… decorating trees & mantels. Decorating has been a labor of love for me… and realize that… my style isn’t for everyone… So I definitely encourage you to find your own. That being said… Coming home will always be the best feeling in the world to me… and though this Christmas… may be a little different than last… I hope… you will always be… merry in your hearts. Here we are at the top of the stairway… where I’ve wrapped a bit of garland & red bows around the banister… 👩‍🍳 Let’s Bake… Sugar Cookies Everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020, A Quarantined Life, My Style, Our Cottage, Together Apart, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments