Tsunamis, Earthquakes, and Happiness

Hello, Welcome to Marcia’s Cottage by the Sea. ♡ I’m so happy to see you today my friend. ♡ Shall we have a little tea. ♡

I must tell you that my week started off just fabulous.

Since it “officially” marked one month in our sweet little seaside cottage on the Oregon coast.

And, yes… it’s just a month, and yes, the weather has been pretty perfect for summer... and y.e.s…I also realize that I haven’t experienced the winter yet. (eyes WIDE open)

With that said…I’m here for the long run, and no matter  how wild the winter   what may come in the future, I have faith/confidence that this is where I want to be, live, and embrace this exciting time of my life.

Oh, and yes, since we are on the topic of embracing the wild…  (grin)

I just have to comment on a recent article that ran in the New Yorker July 20th.

It was titled  “The Really Big One”

Any chance you read it?

Basically, it spoke about the possibility of a HUGE earthquake hitting the Pacific Northwest (coastal area) in the sometime future. Tomorrow? Next week, month, year?  50 years from now? 100?….

I can only imagine that after briefing this article many people would reconsider ever living, or moving coastal. Who knows, perhaps it scared some enough to the extent of not wanting to be anywhere near the “possible” area.

My thoughts are…

I love the beauty of this magnificent area that I now live in.

It soothes my soul. And, I desire a soothed soul. Well, actually I need a soothed soul.

This beauty alone totally outweighs anything that might, or might not occur in the future. And, to let the “possibility” shade my present would be silly, silly.

And, so my husband and I plan to be prepared (as much as possible) but we also realize , that we can’t control nature, the future, or much else for that matter.

However, I can control how I choose to live today. And, of course that includes not living my life in fear. The best I can do is  weigh benefits verses things that might happen, and embrace all that comes, one day at a time.

 

And so…. with that being said, I also want to share about how my two oldest furry kids are doing.

Ha! Ha! you might wonder what dogs have to do with earthquakes/tsunamis.

Well, actually they have more in common than one probably realizes.

It’s about choosing/deciding what we might be willing to sacrifice in life for an exchange to enjoy beauty, love, joy, and lots of happiness.

I’ve so enjoyed these loving companions, and now that they are older…

well, they require even more of my love, and commitment.

Anyway, I realized I haven’t shared that much about them lately.

It’s not that they aren’t loved, cherished, and adored.

Mostly, it’s because these days they really love their privacy. Perhaps, you’ve seen them on my older posts. https://marciascottagebythesea.com/pancakes-and-eggs/ They are really the best of friends, traveled for most of their lives together,  and have brought me so much happiness.

All the work that has gone into caring for them, even now as they enter their next stage…has been truly worth it. No doubt I am a better human being thanks to them. Their loyalty, and love toward one another is  heartwarming, and of course a sweet reminder for how to live a happy life.

Enjoy your weekend my friend.

See ya!

If you like Pinterest, (who doesn’t) you might enjoy my FuRrY KiDs board. Just click on the cute pink button on the right. Then go to the FuRrY KiDs board. Sorry, I tried to link you…but I was having linky problems while writing this post. 

Of course I just have to share with you my beautiful coastline…♡

And, here’s a little more….♡

 

Here’s a wonderful recipe for some chewy goodness.

Dark Chocolate Chip Raspberry Cookies

Ingredients

2/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups whole dried raspberries

3/4  canola oil

3/4 cup evaporated cane juice or white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large free-range eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°

2. Stir the flour, baking soda, salt, chocolate chips, and dried raspberries in a bowl. Set aside.

3. In a mixer, combine the canola oil, evaporated can juice, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.  Add the eggs one at a time. Add flour mixture a little at a time.

4. Using a 2 inch cookie scoop, place individual mounds of the mixture on parchment covered baking sheets and bake in batches if necessary, for 9-11 minutes until lightly brown.

5. Cool on the baking sheets before removing to wire racks.

Yummy, yummy….enjoy!

 

“One doesn’t recognize in one’s life the really important moments–not until it’s too late” ~Agatha Christie