Welcome to Urban Cottage Life, formerly known as Life Through the Kitchen Window. Yes, after much deliberation I’ve decided to rename and redesign the blog — a big step after almost four years! But since I’ve started a new life at an urban century cottage in London, Ontario it seems only fitting to reflect that in this space.
Urban Cottage Life is all about modern scratch living. Cooking simple real food and occasionally jazzing it up with flair. Good times visiting around the kitchen table instead of formal entertaining. Family fun times and teaching little ones how things can be made. The enjoyment of lush shade gardens under majestic trees. Not exactly homesteading, but growing herbs and vegetables. Putting up preserves. Exploring the creative life through sewing and crafts. Lovingly stewarding this old cottage into its next century. Sharing an appreciation for cookbooks, for both practical application and pleasurable reading. And maybe even some cat antics.
Life at the urban cottage is a nod back to my childhood roots on the farm, with a modern urban twist. It’s a return to a more tranquil lifestyle where the pleasures of home are simple and savoured — but not laboured — with all that the city has to offer just around the corner.
Keeping it simple, I’ve decided to make the transition to the new blog somewhat gradually, so you’ll be seeing changes and adjustments in this space over time.
Speaking of simple, I’ve set up the old blog address to redirect here, so it will be easy for you to see all that urban cottage life has to offer. I do hope you’ll feel welcome here, and will settle in for a friendly chat around the kitchen table by leaving a comment from time to time.
Cherry & Lemon Macaroon Meringues
What better way to welcome you to the cottage than with a plate of these crunchy, sticky, sweet and tangy cherry and lemon macaroon meringues? I’ve been wanting to make this recipe ever since I saw it in my friend and Canadian food blogger Charmian Christie’s book, The Messy Baker. Cherry and lemon? Had to try this combo! A macaroon meringue? Totally intrigued!
I finally baked them today, and my only disappointment is that I didn’t make them sooner. They’re perfect as a simple dessert following lunch with friends, or as an afternoon tea pick-me-up. I know I’ll be making them over and over. The friend who came to lunch took a bagful home to her husband, but rest assured I made sure there were some left for me.
As I said in my review of The Messy Baker last December, you should have it on your bookshelf. Better yet, have it open on your kitchen counter while you put together one of Charmian’s inventive and tasty recipes. If you make a mess while you’re at it, all the better. And if you just can’t wait to get to the bookstore or for your online purchase to land on your doorstep, you can get the recipe here, where it was published with permission.
I love your new look and the new name:D Nicely done.. looking forward to everything new going on in your corner of the world:)
Thank you, Barb, I appreciate your positive feedback! After lengthy flip-flopping I decided not to go self-hosted, at least not for now, and for the moment I’m relieved by my decision! I was able to find a theme that met what I was looking for, even thought I don’t have the same flexibility of design. But, sometimes tradeoffs are called for! I’m looking forward to sharing about cottage life in my new space. Happy to hear you’ll be dropping by to visit!
so glad your back and love the new name…..and macaroon….
Thanks so much, Suzanne! And yes, those macaroons/meringues are a real treat.
What a great idea — to redesign your blog to fit your redesigned life.
I’ve been thinking about the life skill of being change adaptable — you exemplify it! Well done! (I like the colors, too.)
Haha, not only am I change adaptable, I also have always seemed to combine my major life crises just to add to the fun. Rolling with the punches over here at the cottage, lol. Thanks for your positive feedback!
<3
Love your new ideas for the new site! Hope it’s a smash!
Thank you!
Just popping in to say I LOVE the new name! And I enjoy your blogs very much -thank you for sharing all the tasty recipes and fun idea’s!
Lori
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2015 03:38:06 +0000
To: citylori@hotmail.com
Wow, thank you for your comment, Lori! So nice to have such enthusiastic feedback, and thank you also for following along!
Beautiful blog makeover, Marlene! I’m liking it a lot. 🙂
Thanks so much, Jennifer. It was time for a change and I’m glad I took the plunge! I appreciate your kind feedback.
[…] I celebrated the renaming and redesign of the blog with The Messy Baker’s recipe for cherry and lemon macaroon meringues (sorry, I ate them all). And for Canada Day — or any day during strawberry season — how […]
A new home and a newly designed blog, I’m very happy for you and I hope everything goes smoothly. The cookies look light and crispy.
Thank you, Karen! Yes, there’s been a lot of change around here, but you know all about that yourself!
[…] still one of my favourites. In fact, I featured the Cherry and Lemon Macaroon Meringues in the post celebrating the rebranding of this blog as Urban Cottage Life. I bought one to give a friend for Christmas this year, and I’ve got […]