Category Archives: Easter

Italian Easter Bread–A Tradition that Captures the Meaning of Easter

Janis Van Keuren

     Each year on Holy Saturday, we have a family tradition. The making of Italian Easter Bread. This mildy sweet breakfast bread with its creamy, sweet glaze and five colored eggs poking up is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning.  Much like Christ’s body was prepared for burial–only to rise on that … Continue reading →

Worlds Apart

Janis Van Keuren

West Coast Redwoods      The East Coast is only a 3 hour time difference from the West Coast but they are worlds apart. The East Coast is steeped in history–for that is where our country began. The West Coast is often referred to as a youngster–immature, fun-loving, lacking in traditions, and somewhat disrespectful.     The pride of the East rests on its cultural offering, its sophistication, formality, experience, knowledge, and wisdom. After all, the seat of our government is there. International … Continue reading →

There is Life in the Dying

Janis Van Keuren

        Rounding the corner into our development, I notice the abundance of green leaves shimmering in the afternoon sunlight. At first, I’m mesmerized by the beauty of the tree-lined street. Then it hits me as I catch a glimpse of a few barren branches hiding behind the bounty of spring’s green adorned trees.      Wasn’t it just last week or two weeks ago that this same street looked bleak? Trees stripped of their glory resembled petrified sticks protruding from the … Continue reading →

Does Your Home Need Repair?

Janis Van Keuren

The Fam–a few years ago “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Proverbs 14:1 NIV      It’s hard work to build a home. The love, the nurturing, the every morning breakfast, the Mom taxi, attending every recital or sporting event, mundane laundry, helping with homework, long hugs to heal the hurts inside, bedtime stories, prayers at night, twirling round the living room dance floor to lullaby music, trips to the … Continue reading →

Tradition Fills Our Lives With Meaning

Janis Van Keuren

“Tradition, tradition!”  Strains of the song from “Fiddler on the Roof” weave through my mind as I drizzle creamy, sweet glaze on the Easter Bread still warm from the oven.    The bread, with its five colored eggs poking up, is a symbol of the Risen Christ. For our family, for my parents before me, and for my grandparents before them, it was a sacred Holy Saturday tradition to prepare the bread for Easter morning.  Much like Christ’s body was prepared … Continue reading →