Three very ripe bananas. They lay on my counter, looking forlorn. Like any cook, I couldn't toss them. The dark color of the peel told me they were growing sweeter by the day. But they had to be used fast or that sweetness would not be good. Thankfully, I found the perfect recipe for which... Continue Reading →
Vintage Eats Recipe: 1993 Cranberry-Brie in Pastry
Deciding what to take to a Christmas party can be a challenge. Most people seem to want to create a wow factor and take a dessert. I admit, I usually save room for dessert(s). But in realizing my family has veered away from decadent desserts (although we still like some), I thought of creating a... Continue Reading →
Vintage Eats Guest Recipe: 1960 Pfeffernuesse Cookies
Today’s Vintage Eats recipe of Pfeffernuesse Cookies (pronounced feff-er-noose) is shared by Michael ‘Mike’ Vorndran of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I met Mike a few years ago while doing a talk about my interviews with 260 World War II vets for a genealogy group at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mike is... Continue Reading →
Seabee Brings Christmas to Overseas Troops
During the early 1940s, Ivan Detwiler attended North Side High School in Fort Wayne. His family, like many, had little money. In September 1943, Detwiler quit school to enlist in the Navy. He was 16 years old. While stationed in Japan in December 1945, Detwiler wired a 50-foot fir tree for lights. “It was the... Continue Reading →
Mark Lowry Mixes Laughter and Christian Message
One of the privileges of writing stories for newspapers is the opportunity to interview celebrities. I’ve posted some of those stories here including Red Green from the Red Green Show and Bill and Gloria Gaither. Mark Lowry is another person I was thrilled to talk to via phone. He was on tour with a concert... Continue Reading →
Cradle of Grace
“…and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” Luke 2:7. Photo by Dave Reusser Many people today display a Nativity scene during the Christmas season. The tiny figures of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and a sheep or two surround Baby Jesus, asleep... Continue Reading →
Dishonest Dealings
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me that I too may come and worship him’. (Matthew 2:9, New American Standard Bible) My friend, Heather, had never shown an interest in God. I hesitated to mention my own... Continue Reading →
Overcoming Holiday Blues
This story has been posted on my blog in other years but it is such a timely subject that I wanted to share it again. It originally was published in The Lookout Magazine. Since then, we have lost my father-in-law. Losing a loved one is never easy, but enduring it at the holidays is harder.... Continue Reading →
A Story on Forgiveness
John Kremer featured my guest post on his book marketing blog today. He features many authors at this site, all with valuable lessons about writing and promotion. Contact Mr. Kremer about signing up for his blog. John Kremer JohnKremer@BookMarket.com. Read my post below. ** Guest post by Kayleen Reusser In 1989 a 10-minute incident with a... Continue Reading →
Managing Grief at Christmas
This is a special blog post for me. My dad, Forace Hale Brewer, died in 2005. The first Christmas without him was very difficult. I didn't even want to try to celebrate Christmas that year. But we managed to get through it. One holiday tradition my extended family had established several years ago was to hold... Continue Reading →