“Sometimes we have to let go of the life we have planned to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~anonymous
Hi! I hope you had a good week. This week marked the Second anniversary living on the Oregon coast. Lots has changed yet much remains the same
It is very quiet this morning as I begin writing today’s post. I hear the foghorn and sound of waves in the distance.
The weather is cool, the air is fresh. I’m feeling extremely grateful on this midsummer day.
I look out of a small window propping myself up with more pillows to get comfy so we can chat.
I still have a few hours before the painters arrive.
They are close to finishing.
I can’t tell you how surprised I am after many years spent imagining what a dream house would look like (which includes & not limited to dreaming, scheming, selling, buying, throwing out, giving away, hauling….)
to now know without a doubt
that a dream house isn’t so much what it looks like in our mind or what we most likely imagined.
That dream house appears once we truly embrace who and what we are.
You know that authentic person/style which reflects each of us.
A house any house can come alive become a home right here where we are now.
(trust me on this one)
I’m convinced once we begin embracing all of it
(whether our home is large, small, fancy, ordinary, with limitations, and of course even those unpredictable inevitable frustrations)
an authentic beautiful home will be awaiting you and I.
This week I baked up pink cupcakes as a celebratory salute to this 1946 beach cottage that had a birthday and got painted pink.
It only took 71 years for this cottage to get such a happy color. better late than never. 😘
I took the semi homemade approach to baking.
Using the store bought cake mix (Betty Crocker’s super moist French vanilla)
I added an olive oil instead of vegetable oil & a drop of red food coloring.
I would like to share a wonderful buttercream frosting recipe that is simple, quick & perfect for decorating all kinds of cakes, cupcakes, or for sandwiching in between two cookies.
Easy buttercream frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
2-3 cups confectioners’ sugar (depending how sweet you want it)
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
and
a dab of pink food coloring
Directions:
In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer until very soft and light, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until smooth and fluffy. Use immediately or cover & refrigerate until needed. Makes about 4 cups. Enjoy!💕
Thank you for sharing your ‘dream’ home with us!
Your “new” cottage looks like it came directly out of a fairy tale! I love it! The celebratory cupcakes are a nice way to enjoy this anniversary and I’m sure this cottage is smiling from within and outside… ;0)
Hi Jenneythank you. A 71 years old b cottage deserves to be pink.Ha! Xo
Hi Jenny!
Let me try responding again. I noticed my other message got all confused. I tried using the microphone & didn’t edit. Silly me. Thank you for your wonderfully kind comment. This cottage continues to transform just like me. Two years ago I didn’t have a clue how it would evolve (again ditto for me here on the coast) it’s turning into the sweetest coziest home. I’m very grateful. Take care. Xo
I love your cottage and how special it is. And also how special it has become a part of all your friends on face book. A house is a house until someone like you Marcia makes it their home. THANK YOU for sharing this beautiful home with heart and soul.
Hi Shannon! It’s so nice to see you here. Thank you for such a sweet commentit’s fun to have met so many friends.xo
Hi Shannon!
I’m replying again since my last reply was not quite what I have wanted to say. First of all thank you for taking the time to drop by here for a visit. It’s always nice to meet a new friend. More importantly thank you for your very kind & sweet words. They were quite touching. I’m sure your home is very important to you & that it shows. We each try the best we can with what we have to work with. Sometimes we are lucky and everything comes together in a perfectly imperfect way. It has for me & I’m very grateful.
Hello Marcia!
Happy Christmas in July!!! Your darling cottage along the Oregon Coast is pretty in pink… it is so happy and is much loved…. What a wonderful way to celebrate your two years of bliss…. A toast to you with those darling celebratory pink cupcakes… You have nested beautifully in your cottage and it is such a reflection of you!! It is so warm and inviting as you are to all of us who follow this delightful blog… I know we all look forward to a new posting… and hear about a new adventure. XO Jane
Hi Jane!
Christmas in July! Yes it has sort of felt like that here. Getting this cottage painted pink was quite an adventure (for me) I must confess that when the painters applied the second coat I thought they had changed colors on me. I forgot how the second coat really makes a difference. Ha! I kept asking my husband if he liked it. He told me he loved it & that it was normal for me to second guess myself. Sweet husband I have. Anyway it is a happy color & makes me feel like smiling & seeing what else I can do to bring it’s charm out. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to share such kind words. Take care. Xo