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Hi, I’m Marcia.
Teacher turned storyteller, coast dweller turned city explorer. I share everyday beauty through words, music, and photos…welcoming slow mornings, garden paths, and all the little joys that make a life well-loved.
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ABOUT ME
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POPULAR POSTS
A Visit from a Pottery Barn DesignerAugust 4, 2025A Summer Week of Mix-ups and MishapsAugust 11, 2025Finding Home at the WaterAugust 18, 2025A Summer of SandwichesAugust 25, 2025A New Chapter Begins...July 25, 2025 BLOG ARCHIVES
Tag Archives: life transitions
Seasons of Home: A new rhythm, a different kind of beauty
For nearly a decade, I wrote from a place that felt deeply rooted in my soul…Marcia’s Cottage by the Sea. That name held the salt air, the rhythm of waves, the scent of hydrangeas in summer, and the cozy charm of a cottage built in the 1920’s. It reflected not just where I lived, but how I lived… soft, feminine, surrounded by the feminine comforts I loved. Now, life has changed. After 10 wonderful years on the coast, my husband, and I felt the gentle pull towards something different. We sold our home. We let go of many things. And … Read the full blog post
When the World Feels Loud: Listening for Peace in the Quiet Corners
There are days that begin with the comfort of routine…grocery lists and favorite stores, a fresh haircut appointment, a tidy to-do list. Days where everything seems to hum along just fine. And yet, sometimes, beneath the quiet rhythm of life, there’s another current. One that pulls gently at the edges of the should, asking for attention. Today was a good day. I went to Trader Joe’s…a place I always enjoy, full of cheerful flowers and familiar things…and made an appointment at a nearby salon. I appreciated that it’s so close to home, even if it doesn’t offer everything I’m used … Read the full blog post
Easter Light: A New Chapter, A Quiet Blessing
This week marks a tender, sacred time… Not only because it is holy week, but also because it reflects the season of deep transition in our lives. Just a few short weeks ago, my husband and I moved into a new townhome in a new city. The journey here began in January, when we first started talking seriously about downsizing and letting go of the home we had loved along the coast. We listed our home on February 10. By Valentine’s Day, it was in escrow. Since then, life has been a swirl of packing, donating, saying goodbye, and now… … Read the full blog post
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Easter reflections, gracious living, life transitions, simple living
5 Comments
After Goodbye: A Story Still Unfolding (Finding grace in the in-between)
“Sometimes the bravest thing we do is begin again…quietly” – Unknown It’s been a week and a day since we stepped through the door of our new townhome…a modest, light-filled place nestled in the rhythm of a different city. The kind of place where the mornings are quiet, the birds sound unfamiliar, and the light pours in from just the right angle to remind me we’re somewhere new. In many ways, the goodbye we just lived through feels like it happened years ago. And in other ways, it’s still sitting with me…tucked inside half-sealed boxes, in the scent of our … Read the full blog post
Posted in Our Home
Tagged gracious living, Intentional Living, life transitions, Living Well, New Chapter, simple living
15 Comments
Chapter 3: Returning To The Coast
Leaving London behind didn’t mean leaving its influence. Eleanor carried it with her…the glow of city lights, the weight of history, the quiet realization that change had already begun. As the plane descended, she found herself caught between two worlds: the one she had always known and the one that had yet to unfold. The plane touched down under a sky streaked with soft blues and grays. Their home was perched along the edge of Seabrook coast… a rugged stretch where the sea met the land in a way that had always felt like theirs. The waves rolled in steady … Read the full blog post
Posted in Our Home
Tagged Adventure, downsizing, Intentional Living, life transitions, New Chapter
5 Comments
Cozy Winter Living: A Look at My Home Right Now
As winter envelops us in its chilly embrace, there’s something inherently comforting about creating a warm and inviting space to retreat to. Today, I’d like to share some cozy corners of my home, where elegance meets comfort during this transitional season. The Living Room: A Simple Elegance In my living room, I’ve kept the decor minimal yet elegant. The focus is on comfort, with an elegant flair, which gracefully adds to the room’s aesthetic. Instead of overwhelming the space with seasonal decorations, I have chosen to showcase just a book or two on the coffee table. One such book, centered … Read the full blog post
Posted in Our Home
Tagged cottage living, decor, gracious living, life transitions, simple living, Winter Cozy
2 Comments
What London Taught Me About Convenience, Choices, and Living Well🫖
As we step into a fresh new year, I find myself reflecting on a trip to London that left a lasting impression on me. While I’ve always loved the peaceful charm of home, being in a bustling city surrounded by so many conveniences was a refreshing experience. Imagine stepping out of your door and having cozy cafes, unique restaurants, and charming shops just a short walk away. That’s exactly what I found in London…a lifestyle that felt effortless and full of possibilities. Whether it was grabbing a quick bite, wandering through a nearby market, or just soaking in the lively … Read the full blog post
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged 2025, Life in Bloom, life transitions, Living Well, New Year, simple living
6 Comments
Seven Years Later…🌻
“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 Home, What’s Cooking?
Tagged Coastal living, life transitions, simple living
11 Comments
Music…My Father…and…The Piano🎶
“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 Home
Tagged cottage living, Letting go, life transitions, simple living
12 Comments
