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

Summer Splendor…

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” -Henry James Hello, sweet friends… While July is coming to an end… Our garden is coming more alive… This month has brought the joy of traveling again and a few other activities which I have enjoyed… however… I have been most grateful for the many moments and opportunities spent in my garden… Sunny days… and beautiful blooms helping to refresh as we celebrate the season… 👩‍🍳 WHAT’S COOKING? This week I gathered blueberries from our garden and posted a photo on Instagram … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Cooking, Garden/Tea Time | 6 Comments

Living In The Present Moment…& Apple Pie

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Marcia Ren

“Life gives you plenty of time to do whatever you want to do if you stay in the present moment.” -Deepak Chopra Hello, sweet friends… I hope you are having an amazing summer… This summer I decided to sign up for aerobics swimming…something a little different And just recently I felt like baking… two apple pies… entering one in the Coos County Fair… Somewhere in between the swimming & baking I had one of those epiphanies… which was simply wonderful… There is no better place than right now… This is where I feel most comfortable… This is where… I feel … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, What’s Cooking? | 6 Comments

Six Years Later & A Garden Tour…💕

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Marcia Ren

Life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. – Leonard Nimoy Hello, sweet friends… This past weekend Joe and I shared our home in a local garden tour… and six years ago (on the same weekend) we had made the biggest move of my life… moving from California to the Oregon Coast…. Reflecting on these past years… I’ve learned that changing the direction of your life is a bit like growing things from seed… Those early ideas dreams can be compared to early seedlings… some just don’t develop at all… others grow … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage | 8 Comments

California…A Week In Review

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Marcia Ren

The most important things are not things… Hello, sweet friend… I hope you are enjoying your summer and staying cool… I’ve recently returned from a magical mini trip to California… It was nice to spend time with family… and friends… while enjoying the sights and sounds… of southern California… during the summer… which is always great fun… The greatest fun of all though was being able to surprise a sister for her 70th birthday.

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style | 4 Comments

Up…Up…& Away…My First Summer Vacay!⛱

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Marcia Ren

Be courageous and live the life that your heart is guiding you toward Bronnie Ware Hello, sweet friends… It’s time for my mini summer vacay…Yippee! By the time you read this post I will have already arrived at my destination…(I promise to share more in another post) today I thought I’d share a few of my pre-packing tips… along with what I’m taking… First off always remember… Packing is an art… I have learned that laying out all the items allows me to plan outfits for my days/nights away. When everything is laid out, I can clearly see how much … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, My Style | 5 Comments

Music…My Father…and…The Piano🎶

Posted on June 17, 2021 by Marcia Ren

  “Dads are most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, and singers of song.” -Pam Brown Hello, sweet friend… These past few days the weather has been beautiful… I’ve been enjoying the garden…  The ‘Doris Day’ roses Joe planted in memory of my father’s 100th birthday… are blooming beautifully!  That being said…and with Father’s Day just around the corner… today I would like to share a re-edited post written several years ago…dedicating it to my father a.k.a.… ‘Captain Ed’ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Original post published June 2015   One of the reasons I love to blog… is that I … Read the full blog post →

Posted in Coastal Living, Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Retirement…10 years later & A Mini Summer Garden Tea…

Posted on June 10, 2021 by Marcia Ren

To Do…1. Plant a Garden✔️2. Bake a Pie✔️3. Read a Classic✔️4. Shop all Day✔️✔️ Hello, sweet friends… Today marks the 10th anniversary of my retirement. Similar to those 30 years of teaching…these past 10 years have been an exciting adventure …and the years have sweetly flown by… Now come and join me as I share how I spent the day…

Posted in Garden/Tea Time, Our Cottage | 6 Comments