Category Archives: Holidays

A Mother’s Day Extravaganza

Janis Van Keuren

Preparations for Mother’s Day and the celebrations that accompany it range from simple to extravagant. A Mother’s heart treasures the phone call from a child far away, scribbled notes with lopsided flowers filled with love and the family meal at home as much, if not more than the extravagant dinner at a 5-star restaurant. But an extravaganza prepared by your kids–well that’s another story. A friend of mine, Vicki Andrews found a unique way to help her young grandchildren present … Continue reading →

His Love is Here

Janis Van Keuren

While shepherds huddled around the newborn babe, angels sung the glories of God’s love. There in a stable in Bethlehem, love was born anew not just to the virgin Mary but to the whole world who would believe and accept Him as their Savior. The world’s first Advent had arrived. The prophecy that had been proclaimed through Isaiah had come to pass. The long-awaited Messiah, the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace had come to set His people free. “For … Continue reading →

A Time for Rejoicing

Janis Van Keuren

Yesterday, I was baking cookies for an evening Christmas Sing-Along at our church while trying to create the mood for a heavenly time of rejoicing. Even if I didn’t have the energy. Morning worship had whetted my appetite as we sang some traditional Christmas carols. But when I started baking, the tension to perform began choking my meager enthusiasm. You would think that after making some of these Christmas delights year after year, I could whip them out in my … Continue reading →

Preparing Your Heart

Janis Van Keuren

We’re halfway through the second week of Advent. A time of preparing our hearts for a renewed focus on the reason Christ became man. In the midst of the busyness we call Christmas, our hearts get tangled up in where to put the focus. Is it on creating a warm and decorative atmosphere in our homes? Or is it on preparing a feast to welcome family both far and near? And if we’re people pleasers, are we caught up in … Continue reading →

Light the Darkness

Janis Van Keuren

“The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.” Isaiah 60:19 NIV Fireworks exploded in brilliant colors across the darkened sky scattering not only streaks of light but a sense of joy and exhilaration. As the colors dripped through the sky like melting candle was, another burst of green, gold, and blue lit up … Continue reading →

Unwrap the gift

Janis Van Keuren

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Romans 4:7-8 ref. Psalm 32: 1-2 NIV An overcast sky greeted a normally sunny spring day in Arizona. My friend and I chatted as we left our Zumba class. The subdued sky was a welcome sign to us. It was Good Friday and the whole desert mirrored the heavy hearts that stood at the cross that … Continue reading →

Does Your New Year Hold Promise

Janis Van Keuren

                A New Year opens up like the budding of a new blossom. Some blossoms are filled with a sweet fragrance. Some blossoms have large, colorful petals. Some blossoms unfurl with spots, scars from pest-infested days. And some blossoms open quickly, announcing their presence to the world, then suddenly the petals fall off in rapid succession. The memory of the flower is gone.      We cannot predict how the New Year will unfold anymore than we can predict … Continue reading →

Angels All Around

Janis Van Keuren

          A special friend stopped by today. Unexpectedly. In her hand, she held a Christmas present meant just for us writers. Pencils standing at attention with their points poking up encircled a fashionable holder.     Kindred spirits we are. I felt the bond of friendship deepening.Where could she find such a perfect gift? She casually mentioned that it just happened–“while looking in and out of the shops.” I imagined her strolling the aisles, poking in those cutesy boutique … Continue reading →

Chocolate Fudge Pie

Janis Van Keuren

     On Memorial Day weekend, we had friends over for a lasagna dinner, so I wanted to serve a light dessert. (Lasagna is not typical for Memorial Day but I had an extra tray) I found a recipe online for chocolate fudge pie. It looked like a chocolate mousse with a light whipped topping. Chocolate shavings swirled across the white froth and made a delectable looking dessert.      Before posting this, I contacted “Real Simple” recipes at www.realsimple.com/food-recipes and asked … Continue reading →

Cool Summer Dessert With a Flair

Janis Van Keuren

     We hang the flag out on Memorial Day and decorate the house in patriotic red, white, and blue. The theme remains until Labor Day~or a few days later. One of our favorite desserts to serve on any one of the holidays falling during this time of year is our “Stars and Stripes” refreshing cake.     When our friends came for Memorial Day, I whipped this up quickly~a major feat for me. It combines the refreshing chill of a fruit-filled gelatin … Continue reading →