The Queen of Quince Tarts (Can Be Gluten-Free)

After thirty-tree years of enjoying our glorious flowering quince bushes every spring, they fruited for the first time ever last fall! I didn’t know that was a possibility, but it is, and I read that the fruits are edible. Funny. None of the deer, rabbits, or coons took a single bite. They were also hard as rocks. By September, the princely quinces turned a yellow gold, like the autumn leaves, and started to smell like pears or apples. Intrigued, I tried one. It tasted absolutely, mouth-puckeringly astringent and inedible.

But, I had heard of quince jelly, so I began to do some research. Quince is an ancient fruit first linked to Akkadian writings in 2,300 BC.

Although I first encountered quince as a specialty jelly in the U.K, it’s considered a delicacy in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions as well as some parts of Central Asia and Latin America, where it’s often served with cheese and crackers.

To make it edible (to my mind), it has to be poached in some type of syrup to release its pectin and develop its unique floral fragrance and sweet, tangy flavor. Once cooked, it deepens to a rosy red and becomes a prized condiment used with both sweet and savory dishes.

Quince isn’t easy to come by, so you might not be interested in how to prepare and preserve it, but just in case you find some, let me tell you how to make it not only edible but exotic!

Quince Jam
(Makes about 4 cups)

Peel, core and cut 10-12 quince into 8 or so thin slices each
Simmer in a sweet solution for 50-60 minutes, stirring occasional to keep it from sticking. Once the fruit changes from yellow to transparent to reddish, turn off the heat and let it rest until it’s pink and mushy. It will look like rosy applesauce but thicker and stickier, and the finished product is almost red and clear. I used 2 cups of sugar in 3 cups of water, but others recommend honey or other natural sweeteners like date syrup if you want a more authentic, ancient experience.

Quince Tarts
(Makes 12)

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Pastry:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 /8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
4 oz. (1 stick) softened butter

Whisk together lightly, just until it becomes fairly consistent in texture. Press into small pastry shells and prick a few holes in the bottom with a fork.

Okay, so this is ideal (and the most delicious), but if you want to make life easier, use a premade pie crust pastry (such as this gluten-free pastry) and stamp out fluted pastry circles with your tart pans.

Line each tart pan (after you’ve replaced the bottom) by gently adding a circle of pastry. Prick the bottom several times with a fork, then sprinkle over the bottom of each shell:
1 teaspoon sugar
Sprinkle of ground cinnamon
Sprinkle of ground cloves

Fill each pastry shell with:
1 heaping tablespoon whipped cream cheese
1 tablespoon quince jam

Bake 375°F. for 16 minutes or until the edges start to shrink and turn color.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the counter. When they are completely cooler, pop them out of their molds and chill until they are cold and you’re ready to serve them.

Serve them with enough whipping cream to make them look full and appealing.

Savor and enjoy!

“Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory” (Jeremiah 13:18). This fearsome prophecy was against Jehoiachin (who was not more than 18) and his mother, Nehushta, who was serving as the queen-mother. It predicted the fall and captivity of Judah for their grievous idolatry, and three months later, on March 16, 597 BC, both were carried off captive to Babylon. I think it would be good for all of us in America to humble ourselves, pray, and seek God’s face in repentance and prayer for our country to turn away from our idols and to serve the true and living God, who alone can bring peace on earth. In ancient times, people made statues out of silver and gold which they worshiped as idols. Today many of us are still making idols out of silver and gold . . . only we use it to buy various luxuries rather than bowing down to statues. May we become better stewards of the silver and gold God allows us to earn!

Fire and Ashes

Have you ever felt like your life has burned out and there’s nothing but ashes left? I can remember feeling that way forty years ago. That’s more than half my lifetime ago, and am I ever glad I didn’t just give up!

We live in the midst of a little boggy woods full of trees that were destroyed by the army of emerald ash borers that invaded Michigan about twenty years ago and have swept through North America like a firestorm.

The silver lining for us is that—since Alan has retired—he now keeps our house warm through the winters with the plentiful dead wood that only needs a woodsman to chop it up!

Fires are a wonderful source of heat and light, as long as they’re contained. Fires burn like our hearts, and positive passions are precious, God-given motivators to do good.

I’ve heard that church fellowship is like a fire, where we keep each other glowing with heat and warmth in the midst of a cold, dark world. Embers that pop out of the grate and are left alone usually lose their heat and die out before they burn out. When that happens at our house, Alan or I try to scoop them up and place them back in the fire. People need people.

Every few weeks, Alan lets the fire burn down and removes the ashes. I ponder the value of ashes. In the Bible, ashes are associated with sorrow, grief, punishment, and repentance. Abraham acknowledged that he was just “dust and ashes” (Gen. 18:27). Tamar put ashes on her head because of her unbearable grief (2 Samuel 13:19). Sodom and Gomorrha were reduced to ashes as punishment for their sin (2 Peter 2:6). In God’s presence, Job confessed, “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6).

But ashes weren’t only the remains of death and destruction. Ashes were used for cleansing (Numbers 19:17). I’ve been to places in Africa where mothers rub ashes on their babies’ skin to clean them, and in America’s past, the lye leached from ashes and then mixed with animal fat produced a useful soap for cleansing people. Today, we use our ashes for fertilizer.

We’ve recently noticed that some ash in the fireplace makes it easier to start a fire in the morning and keep it burning longer, so Alan has started leaving a little ash under the grate when he’s cleaning the hearth. Our sorrows make us more tender and keep our hearts warm toward the needs of others. Did you know that carbon from cremated remains can be extracted and pressurized to produce a memorial diamond?!

I think this is what happened in my life spiritually 40 years ago, and I want to encourage you to consider letting God take the ashes of your life and create something beautiful for His glory: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).

January Thaw

The Farmer’s Almanac predicted a winter of snow, thaw, repeat, and it’s really been true.

Most years those of us in the mid-latitudes of North America have a thaw in January, although nobody can really explain why. According to scientists, who use “sinusoidal waves” to estimate temperatures, the lowest temperature each year in the Northern Hemisphere is statistically recorded on January 23 and the highest on July 2.

The sinusoidal model is usually quite accurate with two exceptions: “Indian Summer” in mid autumn and “January Thaw” in mid winter.

Both events usually last about a week, when temperatures rise 10° above average. In the winter—at least in our area— this often results in ice melting and everybody having a euphoric sense that spring must be on it’s way.

Our January Thaw came early this year, and when I started to write this post (Thursday, January 8), I was looking out the window at milky white ice that turned into a pool before the week was out. It was 51° F—twenty degrees higher than usual! Who would have guessed? Last November 30 we had enough snow for skiing.

Mid-December, Alan and some of our grands were skating all over the lake. Kids were out skiing and sledding down Suicide Hill (to the lake).

And then, everything started to melt. However, by mid January, we had lots of snow again, and the festivities were in full swing, with little hockey games and lots of snow play.

Snow storms abounded, and fishing shanties started appearing. Michigan was again a Winter Wonderland!

Today (January 28), I’m looking back on two weeks of constant cold and snow sifting down, with several nights of temperatures below zero. Last weekend, my sister said it was 86°F in Orlando, Florida. With the wind chill, it got down to -22°F. here. That’s more than 100 degrees colder!!

December 2, 2025

You know the joke about Northeast weather? “If you don’t like it, just wait awhile, because it’s going to change.” I’ve worked with missionaries who serve along our southern border in Mexico, where we helped build a school in a community trying to survive on a garbage dump. My friend loves clouds, because she said it hardly ever rains in Arizona, and the sky is always blue. Their weather is so constant that clouds and rain are a precious treat!

Wherever you live, and whatever your weather, there’s a little mystery to it. It’s predictable, but not always. It’s pleasant, but not always. It changes, but not always.

I love the weather and the changing seasons, which remind me so much of life, and its changing seasons. Can you imagine if we were born as adults and always looked like we were thirty-five? That might be fine, but what if we always had the body of a three-year-old . . . or an eighty-eight year old? Change is good. Weather is good. Changing weather is good.

May we celebrate life with all its unpredictable changes, thankful for the storms and sunshine. The cold and warmth. The January thaws with their respites and promise of spring ahead. The re-freezing ice and slippery paths. We’re alive. What a gift!

“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).

January 7, 2026

January 27, 2026

Are You a Peace Seeker? by Jane Anderson

Are You a Peace-Seeker?

If I asked if you were looking for peace, you would be the first person with your hand raised. Me too! Most of us want peace in the world, peace in our neighborhoods, and certainly peace in our own hearts. But for anyone suffocating under the weight of anxiety, peace can feel like the impossible dream.

So, where do we find it? How do we cultivate, develop, and nurture peace? Here’s a clue: It doesn’t come from within when we are overwhelmed by the anxiety-producing  “what-ifs” of life.

Proverbs 12:25 spells it out clearly: “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” You might recognize this mantra: If you get the inside right, the rest will take care of itself. As it turns out, that’s more than just a catchy phrase—it’s a profound truth. Let that sink in for a moment. If we want our days to feel “glad,” we have to be intentional about the words we feed our hearts.

Life Between the Bookends

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I try to protect my days by “bookending” them with Scripture, music, or reading—anything other than the news. Our lives are lived between these bookends. We need morning and evening routines that set the tone for how we want to feel, act, and be.

How you start your day and how you end it are the brackets that hold everything else together. Maybe your morning is already a well-practiced routine, but your evening is a bit more fluid. Regardless, how you invest in yourself at daybreak in the morning and before the lights go out at night has a massive impact on your anxiety levels.

• If you want to escape building anxiety, protect the first part of your day.
• If you want to lie down in peace, protect the last part of your day.

The Morning Bookend: Rise and Shine

“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.” — Psalm 112:4

When you jump out of bed—or even if your “jump” feels more like pulling your foot out of a bucket of tar—try to plant this thought in your mind: This is a good day, and I am going to protect it.

Think about your typical morning. Do your feet hit the floor and your hand immediately reaches for your phone and the news app or maybe the TV remote? Why? The world will continue to churn whether you start your day that way or not. Here is your first bookend: Protect your morning. Give yourself at least the first half hour and instead of the news, feed your spirit with truth, encouragement, and joy. Spend time in prayer, scripture, or read a devotional. There will be plenty of time to catch up on the world’s chaos later in the day if it’s really a priority. Trust me on this one.

Don’t Become a Statistic

I have a friend who was being treated for depression. Over time, it became evident that a constant “addiction” to the news was contributing to her deep despair and anxiety. If this describes you, I say this with love: Stop. The headlines aren’t designed to give you peace. According to Gallup, the percentage of U.S. adults reporting depression reached record highs in 2024 and 2025, climbing to over 18%. That represents nearly 48 million Americans. Don’t let yourself be trapped inside a statistic like that.

“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You.” — Psalm 63:1

The Evening Bookend: Ending with Grace

Now, let’s talk about the companion bookend: preparing for sleep. “Winding down” isn’t just a cliché; it’s a vital process. Never waste the last half hour of your day pouring “fire” into your brain by watching the news. It might be a habit, but it’s a habit that breeds anxiety.

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” — Psalm 65:8

Start at least thirty minutes before bedtime. Do something that calms your soul—read a book, listen to soft music, diffuse some essential oils, or meditate. Someone once said, “Give your problems to God. He’s up all night anyway.”

“I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn.” — Psalm 16:7

Your life is lived between the bookends of your day. Surround your hours with a peaceful start and a calming end. Shield your mind, guard your heart, and protect your day. You are worth the effort.

Quote source: Gallup Wellbeing September 9, 2025

Arugula and Swiss Spirals (Can be Gluten-Free)

Looking for a healthy, flavorful appetizer to brighten your next high tea? Here’s one fresh off the press that’s simpler than pie but tastes great! I made the first batch when hosting some friends in December and then did a repeat for our annual high tea in January:

Arugula and Swiss Cheese Swirls
(Makes 8)

Ingredient List:
1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough
2 mounded tablespoons of sweet chili sauce
4 (one-ounce) slices of Swiss cheese
2 cups fresh arugula (can use spinach)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon grape must condiment (can use balsamic vinegar)
Seasoning to taste:
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper

Open one roll of refrigerated crescent roll dough and spread it out on a cookie sheet.

Spread generously with sweet chili sauce.

Add a slice of Swiss cheese to cover each square.

Spread two cups of fresh arugula over the top, then sprinkle over everything:
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of grape must (sweeter than balsamic vinegar; I suppose you could mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar with a teaspoon of honey to get a somewhat similar taste)
Garlic and onion powders as per your preference
Salt and pepper to taste

Carefully roll up the pastry into an oblong cylinder. Seal the edge by pinching lightly and make sure it rests on the underside of the roll so it won’t expand too much while baking. Lightly pinch together any seams that are starting to spread apart.

Place it in the oven at 350°F. and bake it for 15 minutes or until it’s a crusty, golden brown. (In this case, baked more is better than less to make sure the inside is completely baked.)

Remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing into eight slices.

Just by way of full disclosure, the second time I made it, the seams came apart and when I pulled it out of the oven Alan asked, “What is THAT?!” Do not despair. Just wait until it’s cooled from hot to warm before slicing it.

Also, this recipe is simple to make gluten-free. Just substitute a gluten-free-pastry for the crescent roll dough.

Arrange on a platter and serve immediately, while they’re still warm.

Note: Messy roll slices might have to be served straight up rather than on their sides, but I could still make a pinwheel design on the platter, even if you couldn’t see the individual swirls.)

“Take with you every sort of food that is eaten, and store it up. It shall serve as food for you and for them” (Genesis 6:21, ESV).

“Leaf by Niggle” . . . by J.R.R. Tolkien

I anguish over how to share the story of my life rather like Niggle perseverating over a single leaf in his painting. Do you know the story? J.R.R. Tolkien infused his own spirit into a fictional character—Niggle—who spent his lifetime struggling to paint his vision of a flourishing tree.

However, Niggle was constantly being interrupted by friends and neighbors who wanted his time, attention, and help. He labored endlessly over each leaf, trying to make it just perfect. Alas, Niggle was so distracted he died before finishing his masterpiece.

Can you identify with Niggle? Spending a lifetime trying to share a beautiful vision but constantly sidetracked by minor details and never able to put aside the trifles to claim the prize? I identify! I have this glorious vision of Christ lavishing His love and grace on the world. I am rejoicing as it splashes down on me. But, how can I share that vision with others, who do not see that the waterfall of blessings are from Christ and don’t experience the flood of love?

Hmmm. And how should I respond to those who mistake my joy for madness and my pleasure for pride?

Thankfully, after Niggle died, he went to heaven, where he found the wondrous tree he’d seen in his dreams and tried so hard to paint! It was there in all its glory, the way he’d imagined it to be. I don’t know how far I’ll get, or how far any of us will get in fulfilling our visions for this life, but isn’t it a comforting thought that in heaven everyone who is a child of God will find the fulfillment of all our God-inspired hopes and dreams? Someday, we shall be like Him, and His masterpiece will be complete!

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

That being said, I have put the pause button on my 52 Christmases project for now until I can either get the blessing from all my family or else figure out how to write memoirs in a more “historical fiction” fashion! I’m hoping to try again for 2027, but only the Lord knows. As I pray daily—may His kingdom come and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Heartache. Heartbreak. Heart Healed.

Stan slipped into the back of our Sunday school class quietly, but I noticed him, because he was young enough to be one of my sons. Slender, dark-haired, nice looking, casually dressed but neat. I greeted him afterward, hoping to make him feel welcome but also wondering if he’d wandered into the wrong class. After all, the rest of us are mostly 60-85 and not exactly in the prime of life.

He said he liked the class. He didn’t care if everybody else was older, and he appreciated the teaching. My mind flew back 50 years: When Alan and I first moved to Detroit, we landed at a mega church and wandered in to a Sunday school class with about 50 grey-haired folks. The teaching was so good it took a couple of months before we were persuaded to find the Young Marrieds’ class (which we also loved and eventually realized was the best fit for us). I was glad Stan felt comfortable. Maybe he just needed to sit and soak awhile.

For more than a year Stan continued coming, and both Alan and I befriended him . . . a little. We discovered we all love Jesus. We all have family connections with an island up north and love the little burger stand right next to the ferry dock. Over the months he shared with us that he’d had a stroke a few years back and his wife divorced him. We didn’t ask questions. We just listened. He had two teenaged kids. He was friends with one of the couples in our class. He spoke just a little slowly and thoughtfully. I couldn’t tell if it was the aftermath of his stroke or personality . . . or depression.

Sad to say, because he always seemed content as was so much younger, it didn’t even cross my mind to ask if he needed something. He looked fine. He responded appropriately and seemed subdued but positive toward life. He was a believer. He’d been involved in church previously but had wandered away. He returned to his faith after losing his wife and was grateful to sit and listen. He seemed to enjoy the class, although I don’t remember him ever asking us to pray for him about anything or speaking into an issue when there was a discussion. But then, in a class of over a hundred older adults, I could see how a quiet younger guy might not speak up.

Two weeks ago, Alan and I both lingered after the class and chatted with Stan. I could tell he seemed anxious, but I try to be a good listener rather than put pressure on people to answer questions. Sometimes I feel like the Lord prompts me to ask a “salty” question, but last Sunday—no. We parted by saying we were all going to connect with the people we know who live on the same island to see if they know each other. Small world!

Our class has a very effective prayer network, and last week we received a request to pray for his family because he was found dead in his apartment. I was overwhelmed with grief, and fear gripped my heart. Should I have asked him if he was okay? Had he committed suicide? What happened? Last Sunday, the couple from our class who had taken him under their wings explained that the husband texted Stan every day just to see how he was doing. But that week, Stan stopped responding, so after three days, Lance (our friend) went over to his house to check on him. The door was unlocked, and he found Stan dead. Lance called 911. Long story short: Stan died from a major stroke.

I don’t know the moral of this story. I’ve searched my heart. Should I have done something differently? I’m not sure. I will definitely try to be more observant and prayerful in the future. Life is fragile. Much more fragile than we realize.

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—  yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:13-17).

(*Names changed to protect our dear, departed brother. Hopefully, his heart is healed and he has entered into the joy of the Lord.)

Longing for Home, by Jane Anderson

Where is home for you? And thus begins the book, Longing For Home: 52 Devotional Reflections on the Hope of Heaven.

We all have a home where we have lived, where we live now, or someday will live. In this book, author Kate Motaung gives readers a glimpse of heaven, the eternal home for anyone who has given their heart to Jesus and asked him to be their Savior and Lord.

In less than  200 pages, Kate takes us on a journey of discovery covering  52 topics, a few of them being “Defining Home,” “The Path to Heaven,” “Preparing for Home,” “Great Expectations,” “Avoiding Home,” “Packing Suitcases,” “Unmet Expectations,” “Watching with Hope,” “God’s Waiting Room,” and “A Rich Welcome.” Each devotional is written with the grace and melodic resonance of poetry while pressing into a topic that will touch your heart.

Throughout the devotional, Kate quotes from scripture, asks a reflective question, and discerningly uses the writing of other respected authors to support the chapter topic. In this short testimonial of the book, it’s impossible to completely cover what is so well articulated and described in each of the readings. But here are just a few direct quotes from the book of 52 devotionals:

The Pursuit of Happiness:  You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and their wine abound. Psalm 4:7  “The pursuit of happiness on earth at the expense of the pursuit of holiness has everything to do with the pursuit of home. What we pursue here and now can and will have eternal consequences.”  Reflect: In what ways have you been pursuing your own personal happiness on earth over eternal joy in heaven?

The Path to Heaven: I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 “What a comfort to know that despite all the obstacles of life, all the hurdles and dangers that may frustrate our walk, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:35-38)  Reflect: Describe a time in your life when you were tempted to believe that Jesus might let you out of his grip.

Preparing for Home: So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 2 Peter 3:14 “By God’s grace and because of the perfect sacrifice of His Son on the cross, those who trust in him do not have to fear what will happen after death.” Reflect:  How are you making an effort – through the power of the Holy Spirit within you – to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God?

God’s Waiting Room:  I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; My soul waits for the Lord more than Watchmen for the morning, more than Watchmen for the morning Psalm 130:5-6 “The Bible tells us that all men are appointed to die once, and then to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Whether we realize it or not, we’re all sitting in the waiting room for eternity. Some of us are further along in the queue than others, but one day the door will open,…” What will be waitiing for you when you arrive? Reflect: As you sit in the waiting room of eternity, what steps do you need to take to be ready for the Lord to call your name?

A Rich Welcome: Therefore, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 “Our earthly nature whispered lies that death is the end. Truly, it is only the beginning. Only when we get to heaven will the wanderings of painful soil, heartaches, and heart breaks be over, and believers finally be home.” Reflect: When you imagine the welcome you will receive in glory, what is at the forefront of your mind?

As described by Christian Arts Publishers:

“Most of us have been homesick at one time or another. We’ve felt a longing for home—for rest and comfort and belonging—that is not satisfied by our current circumstances. Kate Motaung identifies with this longing while encouraging us to refocus our sense of home. She reminds us that if we have trusted Jesus, we will live with God forever. He is our true home!”

Longing For Home: 52 Devotional Reflections on the Hope of Heaven

Available on Amazon:   https://bit.ly/49ookFT 

Other books by Kate Motaung include:

101 Prayers for Comfort in Difficult Times

Letters to Grief (Winner of the 2025 Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Christian Book Award)

(P.S.—Many thanks to Kate Motaung, who so graciously allowed us to quote extensively from her book.)

Cranberry Cream Cheese Croissants (Can also be made as a Gluten-Free Pastry)

It was during the holiday season I first spied something sort of like this amazing treat at Robinette’s, our favorite local orchard/bakery shop. They were selling turnovers filled with a pink, creamy “cranberry and cream cheese” filling. My eyes lit up like Mr. Toad, and I just had to make something this delicious for my family and friends.

“But I don’t like cranberries!” one of my friends protested. Fine! Then make them with any favored jam you like, but don’t pass up this super simple, delicious treat!

Cranberry Cream Cheese Croissants
(Makes 10± mini croissants)

Ingredient List:

1 package (8-12) mini croissants (can use regular size too if you prefer)
1 cup cranberry sauce (home made with citrus peel is best)
8 oz. softened cream cheese

Glaze made by whipping together:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Slice the croissant almost in half, but leave it hinged at whichever side has the straightest edge.

Arrange your croissant on a baking pan (cookie sheet works well). Lavish some cranberry sauce on the bottom and a thick swipe of softened cream cheese on the top.

Fold the tops back down as much as you can, and the pop them in the oven at 350°F for 12 minutes, or until the cheese and cranberry sauce have melted together somewhat and the croissants are toasty.

Pull them out of the oven and lavish them with vanilla glaze.

Let the glaze run down the sides and melt into the croissants while they’re still piping hot.

Arrange them on a platter and serve them while they’re still as warm as possible.

I’ve since made some using various preserves, like blueberry and strawberry. Try orange marmalade, apricot . . . whatever you like best! They’re all yummy!

Also, I have one gluten-free girlfriend, so I made one from a gluten-free pie crust. It didn’t brown as much or look quite as yummy, but she said it tasted really good. I think it means a lot of people who have limited diets when we try to accommodate them. It’s hard to always feel like an “odd ball” while everybody else can freely eat whatever! 🙂

“Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel” (Judges 5:3).

Something Old and Something New: Psalms for the People of God, Volume 1, by Jonathan Armstrong

Do you love beautiful music and scripture? Have you ever wished you could memorize some of the Psalms but struggle to remember the words? My son Jonathan has put seventeen psalms to music. They’re a gift and free to use and share, using the copyright-free Berean Standard Bible, which puts the text in modern English. If you click on the “Watch on Youtube” icon at the bottom left of the image above, it will take you to the site where you can either hit “Play All” or look through all seventeen songs to pick and choose which one(s) might meet the needs of your heart today. I find that without even trying, I’m learning the psalms. Although I’ve memorized dozens of Psalms over the years, at my age, they don’t stick with me very well anymore, and this is a wonderful way to refresh my memory and lift my spirit to worship. There is no God like our God, and no words like those of the Bible to comfort and encourage us.

“Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you!”
(Psalm 67:5)