The purpose of our placemaking shifted with the seasons and with the growth of our children. In the early days, we opened the many doors here at Maplehurst with abandon. Front door, back door, garden-side kitchen door, barn-side kitchen door—we flung them all open and hosted other people constantly, sometimes strangers, sometimes friends. When families came, we tossed our children in together and watched how quickly they learned to play hide-and-seek on all three floors of the house or ... [keep reading]
Make 2026 sparkle with this New Year’s celebration board
Toasts to the new year are extra special when centered around a sparkle board. Of course, we offer the traditional bubbly drinks and black-eyed peas for good luck. If you’re not already a fan of black-eyed peas, you will be once you add bacon. Only a bite is required for the folklore luck. We’ve layered in all the fun meats, cheeses, olives, and sweets. Don’t forget to light a sparkler for a fun effect. Board Ingredients: 1 ice mold suited for a wine chiller 1 bottle sparkling cider ... [keep reading]
Finding Christ’s peace in a chaotic world
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Right now as I write this devotional, there are two major ongoing events that threaten the stability of large portions of the world and international relations. And people everywhere are surrounded by utter chaos of one kind or another. But I don’t ... [keep reading]
Christmas is coming: What Simeon teaches us about waiting
Luke 2:25-35 When you think about the first Christmas, what names come to mind? Jesus, of course, and Mary and Joseph, and if you want to get really creative, you could include Caesar Augustus, since his name appears at the beginning of Luke 2. These are certainly the most familiar names from the first Christmas, but later in the chapter, we read about a less well-known man who happens to have a lot in common with us. “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man ... [keep reading]
Unwrapping the culture of gift giving (and the greatest gift of all)
It is the season of gift giving. Currently, my tree is bursting with presents beneath it. I love considering just the right gifts for neighbors, friends, and family, especially my husband and children. Each person’s name under the tree is special to me in some way. The part of gift giving I enjoy has little to do with money and everything to do with expression. Each type of gift communicates something from the giver to the receiver. Why We Love Giving Gifts A gift that fulfills a need ... [keep reading]
Help your daughter host a merriment tea for friends and family
Can you recall a Christmas scene from a cherished book or favorite movie that included a big, merry gathering of family and friends? Perhaps you remember the winter reunion of aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods. Or you might dream of attending a traditional Christmas ball, like the heroine did in Jane Austen’s Emma. Maybe you’d like to bring the spirit of the season to your neighbors, as the March girls did in Louisa May Alcott’s ... [keep reading]
A different kind of Christmas: grief, grace, and the presence of Christ
As I write this, I know that Christmas will be vastly different this year. My mom’s earthly journey came to an end on October 13. I had traveled to Ohio for a surprise visit at the independent living facility we had moved her into in August and it’s as if her body and spirit said, “Donna’s home. It’s time.” Less than 48 hours later she was with Jesus. That’s not the Christmas I was expecting this year but what a tremendous gift for her! While my parents never decked the house out with lights, ... [keep reading]
Revive Thanksgiving extras with this creative veggie soup
This is the very loose recipe I prefer when I want to use up all the veggies in my crisper and anyveggies left over from my Thanksgiving prep. Vegetable soup is the opposite of a souffle; it is the mostadjustable, forgiving food you will ever create. It’s called Five-Spoon because you will want to keeptasting and adjusting the flavors-I pull out 5 spoons to taste and add more flavors. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes, or simmer longer if you choose Yield: 4 bowls or 8 ... [keep reading]
Why creativity needs humanity to truly shine
The sound of wrapping paper tearing as I guessed at the secret those vibrant colors concealed gave ten-year-old me a unique hit of dopamine that my twitching fingers could hardly handle. In innocent disregard for the TLC that a friend’s parent—probably their mom—had put into making my birthday surprise a work of art, I’d shred that colorful paper to bits to unveil the present hiding underneath. And as thrilling as those presents might have been, I knew the one my parents got me was the ... [keep reading]
Is Halloween a pagan holiday? How its true history may surprise you
In the twentieth century, the claim that Halloween is thoroughly pagan, originating at the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (“sow-en”), has become widely spread and frequently parroted. Advocates of this story purport that Halloween is simply a Christianization of this pagan spiritual practice, that Samhain is the Celtic Lord of Death, and this celebration was in his honor. None of these things are true. First, remember that the feast of All Saints shifts from May 13 to November 1 at the ... [keep reading]
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