Category Archives: Our Cottage

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

Making Tamales…

Posted on January 4, 2023 by Marcia Ren

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Hello, sweet friends… When I first came up with the idea of making tamales during the holidays I thought it was because the idea of trying something new sounded appealing. Once I began the whole process I realized it was more…linking me to a much bigger picture by connecting me to people who have come before me giving me a sense of security, belonging, & identity Making tamales during the holidays had been a ritual in my family … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | Tagged | 4 Comments

2022…A Look Back…

Posted on December 28, 2022 by Marcia Ren

”To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are well… I’m not really sure how we are already once again closing out the year, but here we are. Along with a few “bumps” in the road… 2022 also brought many beautiful moments. In whatever ways you are marking this holiday season and end of the year… My hope is that you & yours are healthy & well. Wishing you the best for the coming … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style, Our Cottage | 2 Comments

🎄A Christmas Cottage…Part 2…The Living Room🎄☕️

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Joy is finding the holy in the small and the sacred in the everyday” -Mary Davis Hello, sweet friend… I enjoy decorating our home for the holidays… there’s so much comfort to embrace… even in small imperfections that become perfect in their own way… For me it’s discovering joy even in the mess… and not waiting for things to get easier… simpler… or perhaps even better.… I’m learning that when I’m open… Joy will find me anywhere.💗

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | Tagged | 2 Comments

🎄A Christmas Cottage…Part 1…The Dining Alcove☕️🎄

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” – Kahil Gibran Hello, sweet friends… I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! This past weekend I was able to get most of my Christmas decorations together… and was excited to begin decorating our home… When it comes to decorating, no season shines brighter than the Christmas holidays…It takes me a while to think about where I want to place things… I enjoy the whole process of deciding exactly where each little trinket should go. That being said I thought it would be fun the next couple of weeks to share … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | 1 Comment

Christmas is Coming!🎄My Christmas Cottage Haul🧑‍🎄

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world” ~Gandhi Oh dear…it seems as if Christmas is coming to our house! I was told that one of the previous owners of our home… had envisioned it as a Christmas cottage… During the holidays I am always looking for ideas and inspiration… Sometimes I find them in the unexpected places… Like discovering a vintage picture in our attic. I feel that there must be a place somewhere in our home at Christmas for this wonderful find. As this magical season begins to unfold I wish you all the joy and love … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Our Cottage | 1 Comment

🍂 A Friendsgiving Gathering🍁

Posted on November 9, 2022 by Marcia Ren

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ROMANS 14:17 Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are doing well… Thanksgiving is just around the corner… a beautiful time dedicated to celebrating and focusing on what we are most thankful for. That being said along with my sweet little family & furry kids…I am grateful for all my wonderful friends… which of course includes you! So naturally Thanksgiving is also the perfect time to have a ’Friendsgiving’ gathering. There … Read the full blog post →

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

🍂 An Autumn Charcuterie Board 🍂

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin,” -Linus, it’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are well… Recently I created an autumn charcuterie board… I am so excited to share it with you! It combined all the best flavors of fall (think pumpkin, cheese, fruits, and treats!) This charcuterie board is actually a Christmas board… I just added a bit of decor to make it work for the autumn season. This is such a delicious fun way to entertain & serve up snack favorites … Read the full blog post →

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

🍂Celebrating Autumn: apples, pumpkins, & decor, OH MY!🍂

Posted on October 18, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Autumn is the season to find contentment at home by paying attention to what we already have.” -unknown Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are doing well… Autumn is a time of many simple pleasures… Today I’ll be sharing two of my favorites. Baking and decorating! What’s Cooking 👩‍🍳 Mini Apple Pies These mini apple pies are a fun twist on classic apple pie and the individual serving makes them easy to serve! Ingredients 4~ 5 apples 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar 1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice 2 tablespoons Flour 1 pinch of Salt 3 tablespoons Butter 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon 2 rolls of Pie Crust at room temperature Instructions Start by heating your … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Cooking, Our Cottage | 2 Comments

🍂A Bit of 🎃Decor…🍁Soup Recipe… & an Anniversary Getaway…🚗

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Marcia Ren

“Keep calm and carry a wand.” -unknown Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are well… By the time this post publishes I will be on an anniversary getaway in Carmel, California… Until then let me share a few updates I did with my Halloween decor shortly before I left on my trip… Not too many things have been added, since I don’t have much Halloween stuff… however…after getting into one of my fall decor bins I was quite charmed with a few items…and thought they would be perfect for a china cabinet that sits in our dining alcove… 👩‍🍳 👩‍🍳 … Read the full blog post →

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