Category Archives: Flowers

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 →

Proclaiming His Goodness

Janis Van Keuren

     Spring breathes her beauty in the pastel floral colors that dot the earthen pots. With gentle wispy breezes, she carries through the air the lighthearted, airy feel of hope, anticipation, and promises fulfilled.      For this new season, I thank the Lord:      510) for an exciting basketball season, even though our team did not jump into the Final Four     511) for the joys of friendship mixed with rest and beauty     512) for snatches of time to clean the … Continue reading →

Growing Tulips In The Desert

Janis Van Keuren

     How does one grow tulips in the desert? These delicate, translucent ladies with their hearts spread open to the sun. Like several pink brush strokes rising from yellow centers streaked with black stamen, they sing their spring songs.     “With lots of love and care,” answered one of the women at work.     Bewildered, I pictured our Arizona clay earth with sandy soil giving way only to jackhammers, not dainty dressed-for-spring tulips. Even with mulch and peat moss and hauled in … Continue reading →

The Rock is Our Refuge

Janis Van Keuren

     The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  Psalm 18:2 NIV Linking up with Word Filled Wednesday at the Internet Cafe

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All Dressed in Worry

Janis Van Keuren

     “And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What … Continue reading →

Beneath His Love

Janis Van Keuren

          The smell of wet pine needles mixed with a potpourri of wild flowers, ferns, mountain meadow grasses and mud produced a heady fragrance beyond anything one could find bottled on a store shelf.  I inhaled the aroma deeply, stirring imaginations of cozy winter cabins warmed by fireplaces ablaze with crackling wood.      White tennis shoes contrasted with deep dark brown dirt as we trod up the gentle slope.  A neatly manicured trail led us along this sky-high peak at … Continue reading →

Rule Breaking–A PhotoPlay

Janis Van Keuren

   A Stroll Through Carmel One of many floral varieties gracing the streets of Carmel (example of two thirds of photo)      It’s time to break some rules, divide our photos into thirds or ninths, and jump into the summer PhotoPlay prompted by Claire at HighCallingBlogs.  I’ve never been much of a rule breaker, and I’m pretty predictable regarding the things I like whether it’s food or photos.  I’m smitten with sunsets and crashing ocean waves.  Flowers alive with … Continue reading →

Rest–For It Is Rare To Rest

Janis Van Keuren

     Time alone.  Just the two of us.  Time to refresh our spirits, our marriage, our romance.     From the airport, we took the scenic, woodsy route to our destination.  A road that shifted gears from the racing daily pace and gently eased us into neutral, calmer moments. Stands of Coastal Redwoods lined the narrow winding road beckoning us to roll down the windows and let the surrounding beauty fill our minds with wonder and praise. They marked the … Continue reading →

A Fragrant Praise to the Creator

Janis Van Keuren

One can hardly walk down the streets of our neighborhood without drawing in the heady fragrance of Spring’s white orange blossom’s dripping from the heavy laden trees. The scent tantalizes one’s senses like warm maple syrup poured atop pancakes. The aroma drifting in through our patio door beckons me to put aside my tasks, step into our garden, and drink in the beauty before my eyes.  Standing next to our orange tree, I am captivated by the clusters of blossoms hanging above each leaf.  Clusters holding … Continue reading →