Category Archives: Our Cottage

A Room (Closet) of My Own…👚👠👛

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Marcia Ren

I decided it was time to create a closet of my very own. Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 3 Comments

A Visit To a Vintage Market…

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandala Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are doing well… I have been a vintage marketplace groupie for years… so recently when I heard of one that wasn’t too far from where I live… I couldn’t pass it up… restoring old furniture… shopping for vintage clothing… jewelry… delighting in discovering one-of-a-kind handcrafted pieces for my home… always adds inspiration to my day…

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | 7 Comments

The Colors of Summer/A Garden Tour

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Marcia Ren

It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home-grown tomato. -Lewis Grizzard Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are doing well… I have been working a little more in my garden… deadheading those things which have become overgrown and completed their cycle…. I’ve found myself outdoors much more… relaxing…. enjoying those simple pleasures of life… which of course always includes a cozy little garden… 🧑‍🍳What’s Cooking🧑‍🍳 It’s rewarding to walk outside and get vegetables from your own garden. I owe this luxury to Joe since he’s the one who planted everything! The zucchini has been abundant and … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 4 Comments

Seven Years Later…🌻

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“To have courage for whatever comes in life…everything lies in that.” – Teresa of Avila Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are doing well… This week marks seven years since Joe and I made the move to a small beach cottage along the Oregon coast… looking back I realize now that this move was a h.u.g.e leap of faith for me… But taking a leap of faith meant that I fully surrendered to all expectations. It meant that I allowed myself to start anew and feel completely free. Along the way I came to realize that who I am is … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

A No-Bake Summer Dessert

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“A party without a CAKE is just a meeting.” – Julia Childs Hello, sweet friend… June has arrived! warmer weather… gardens in bloom… and visions of all things summer are dancing in my head… a perfect time to feast on this delicious summer delight. 👩‍🍳 What’s Cooking… A Berry Trifle Ingredients Lemon Glaze ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup lemon juice ¼ cup water ¼ teaspoon almond extract 1 14 ounce prepared angel food cake Cream Cheese Filling 16 ounces cream cheese2 (8 ounce packages). softened ⅔ cup sugar 2 cups heavy whipping cream Fruit 4 cups blueberries 4 cups strawberries sliced Instructions To make the lemon glaze, whisk together sugar, lemon juice, and water in a saucepan over medium-high heat. … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Cooking, Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage, What’s Cooking? | 6 Comments

A Christmas Tea Gathering…🎄☕️🌟

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“My life has two seasons: Christmas & almost Christmas.” -Amy Gillis Benson Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well. I’ve been looking forward to this special season… 🎄 a time which allows opportunities to celebrate… ☕️ today I’m excited to share a recent Christmas Tea gathering… 🌟 a festive afternoon with friends… 🎄 I kept everything super easy… 🎄 by purchasing decorative cupcakes… ☕️ macaroons… 🌟 and mini cheese cakes from a local bakery… 🎄 along with an order of ‘sugarplum cheese danish’… (from Starbucks) ☕️ I made sure to schedule our gathering on a day after all my … Read the full blog post →

Posted in My Style, Our Cottage, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

How To Host an Autumn Tea🍁☕️

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“There is no joy in life unless you share it”-anonymous Hello, sweet friend… Fall is here… And I’m excited! Today I thought I’d share with you how to prepare for a small harvest tea. I will be using only those items which I currently have to create a simple yet elegant tea… You can do this too! I hope this post will inspire you to host one of your very own during this wonderful autumn season. *Other traditional English finger sandwiches include roast beef, sliced ham, chicken salad tea sandwiches, tuna salad finger sandwiches with capers, tuna salad finger sandwiches with … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage | 2 Comments

Where Love Resides…

Posted on August 19, 2021 by Marcia Ren

”The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It’s doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile.” -Julia Childs Hello, sweet friends… .and I I’ve heard it said that the best homes have something to do with the people who live in them…. that being said…no doubt the best rooms in those homes are ones which bring a sense of comfort to those who share it… This awareness somehow brings a smile since my biggest joy has come from creating a welcoming home… Old fashion as it may sound…preparing a meal is best when I share it with … Read the full blog post →

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

In The Midst Of My August…

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“But if you have nothing else to create, then perhaps you create yourself.” -Carl Jung Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are enjoying your summer… When I reflect over my own… I have really enjoyed nesting in our home… whether it’s been sitting on the back deck… hanging pictures… trying out a new recipe… or taking a walk along the river in late afternoon… allowing each moment be what it is… not holding too tightly on to what I’ve thought it should be… Reflecting helps me with this process… looking ahead with a deeper understanding of what makes life valuable… … Read the full blog post →

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

Anastasia…One Year Later…

Posted on August 5, 2021 by Marcia Ren

”When Rome burned, the emperor’s cats still expected to be fed on time.” – Seanan McQuire Hello, sweet friends… Anastasia came to live with us last August… a tiny… timid… bundle of nerves… Who has since grown… into a funny gal with real personality… pointing her tail in the air… gliding from room to room… She has mastered the art of her meow… for everything… One year later she is officially QUEEN home. 👩‍🍳 What’s Cooking? Shrimp Alfredo Ingredients Fettuccine pasta  Shrimp (I used frozen 31-40 count per pound size shrimp. You could use smaller or larger. If using smaller … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | 6 Comments